Introduction
Medical marijuana has been a hot topic in the United States for years. While some states have legalized marijuana for both recreational and medical use, others have only legalized it for medicinal purposes. In this article, we will discuss how many states have legalized medical weed and what the laws surrounding it are.
What is Medical Marijuana?
Medical marijuana is the use of the marijuana plant for medicinal purposes. It is used to treat various conditions such as chronic pain, nausea, and muscle spasms. The use of medical marijuana is legal in some states in the US, but it remains illegal at the federal level.
States Where Medical Marijuana is Legal
As of 2021, medical marijuana is legal in 36 states and the District of Columbia. These states include:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
States Where Medical Marijuana is Not Legal
Medical marijuana is still illegal in 14 states. These states include:
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Nebraska
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
States Where Medical Marijuana is Limited
Some states have limited the use of medical marijuana to only certain medical conditions. These states include:
- Florida
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card
In states where medical marijuana is legal, patients must obtain a medical marijuana card to purchase and use medical marijuana. To obtain a medical marijuana card, patients must visit a licensed medical marijuana doctor and receive a recommendation. Patients must then submit an application to the state's medical marijuana program and wait for approval.
The Benefits of Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of conditions. Some of the benefits of medical marijuana include:
- Pain relief
- Nausea relief
- Muscle spasm relief
- Reduced anxiety and depression
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved sleep
The Risks of Medical Marijuana
While medical marijuana has many benefits, it also carries some risks. Some of the risks of medical marijuana include:
- Impaired judgment and coordination
- Increased heart rate
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Short-term memory problems
- Psychotic symptoms in high doses
Conclusion
Medical marijuana is legal in 36 states and the District of Columbia in the US. Patients must obtain a medical marijuana card to purchase and use medical marijuana. While medical marijuana has many benefits, it also carries some risks. It is important to speak with a licensed medical marijuana doctor to determine if medical marijuana is right for you.