Luckily for us, Canada is one of the most advanced countries in the world when it comes to cannabis legalization. In fact, medical marijuana in Canada has been legal since 2001. For almost two decades, Canadians have been able to reap the benefits of medical cannabis for a whole range of conditions. And of course now, recreational cannabis is legal across the country too, so anyone can get access to the benefits of marijuana for physical and mental health.
Where is medical marijuana legal right now?
We take it for granted now it’s easy to buy legal cannabis online in Canada. But unfortunately, most countries around the world still prohibit the use of cannabis for medical treatment. Medical marijuana is legal in about 40 countries – including Australia, Ecuador, Germany, and Thailand – and 33 US states. That leaves over 150 countries where people can’t get access to medical marijuana.
And only three other countries – Uruguay, Georgia, and South Africa – (and 11 US states) have legalized recreational weed as well. In fact, Canada is true world-leader here, because those three countries still have some prohibitions on the sale on cannabis.
It’s a huge shame that so few countries have legalized medical marijuana, because it has so many benefits. And while more evidence is needed, there’s a growing understanding that cannabis can be an effective treatment for many conditions: and sometimes can work better than other legal medicines.
So here’s some of the most important arguments for legalizing medical cannabis. Next time your friend south of border asks why medical marijuana in Canadahas been legal for nearly 20 years, you’ll know what to tell them.
- Cannabis effectively treats chronic pain
One of the most common uses of medical marijuana in Canada is to treat chronic pain. Patients with serious conditions like fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, endometriosis, and arthritis report reductions in pain from using cannabis.
While more research is needed, there is growing body of evidence that suggests cannabis is an effective pain treatment. It’s also been approved for reducing seizures caused by epilepsy, and has signficantly reduced seizures, even in children.
- It reduces nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss
Another popular use of medical cannabis is to reduce nausea, vomiting and appetite. Often, it’s recommended for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, or those suffering from HIV/AIDS.
In fact, back in 2001 these were some of the first legal uses of medical marijuana in Canada. Even back then, doctors and the government recognized the potential for cannabis to provide vital relief for people suffering from serious, long-term conditions.
- It’s safer than lots of other prescription drugs
It’s no secret that a lot of existing medicines have worrying side effects and associated risks. You only need to look at the opioid crisis sweeping North America to see that prescription drugs can have dangerous health impacts.
Medical cannabis, on the other hand, is comparatively safe – in fact, it’s essentially impossible to overdose on cannabis, and the side-effects of use are typically mild. The most common side effect is “greening out”, and while it’s an uncomfortable experience, it will be over in a few hours and has no lasting effects.
- It’s less addictive than other drugs
Another advantage to medical cannabis is that it’s far less addictive than other substances. We’ve already mentioned opioids – drugs like morphine, methadone, and oxycontin – which are known to be highly addictive but are widely prescribed for many conditions.
In fact, cannabis is even less addictive than common legal drugs like nicotine and alcohol. Only around 10% of users will develop some psychological dependence, and there are no clear withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping medical cannabis use. Meanwhile, it’s estimated that about 29% of opioid users misuse the drugs.
- It can be more effective than other pain-relief medicines
There are still lots of unknowns in the medical world, and treating chronic pain is one of them. Lots of patients don’t find relief from typical pain medication. And if they do, they often notice severe side-effects like drowsiness that affect their ability to go about their life like normal.
Many people find that medical cannabis solves these problems. Of course, everyone is different, so it might not work for everyone. But plenty of people find medical cannabis to be more effective for pain relief, with fewer side effects, so it’s easier for them to keep living their life.
- You don’t have to smoke cannabis to get medical benefits
Understandably, some people are concerned about the health effects of smoking marijuana. And while smoking cannabis is safer than smoking cigarettes, it’s still true that smoking anything will cause you to inhale some organic particles into your lungs, which might not be good news.
But these days, you don’t need to smoke to get the benefits of medical marijuana. In Canada, you can easily buy edibles, tinctures, and vapes to consume your cannabis instead. That way, you can get the medical benefits without the associated risks of smoking.
- Legal medical marijuana is safer and easier to regulate
As well the medical arguments, there are practical reasons why countries should legalize medical marijuana. Most importantly – once cannabis is legal, it becomes safer and easier to control. Governments can regulate cannabis production, and tax sales.
That means consumers know what they’re getting, and they aren’t forced to look to the black market for medical cannabis. Now that medical marijuana in Canada is legal, you can easy choose the right strain for you, and be confident that what you get is what you paid for.
So there you have it – seven great reasons why medical marijuana should be legal everywhere. It’s worth remembering too, that cannabis was legal for most of human history. It was used in ancient cultures from China to Rome, Greece to Persia – and only prohibited for the first time in the early 20th century. Hopefully, the rest of the world will catch up with us Canadians before too long!
It’s easier than ever to take advantage of Canada’s forward-thinking medical cannabis laws. If you want to know where to start, learn more about the benefits of buying cannabis online and find the product that works for you.
