Perspectives

By now, you’ve probably heard of cannabis being used as “medicine” in some capacity. So why is it that we don’t see it being dispensed in hospitals or at your local pharmacy?

On a federal level, cannabis is still a schedule I substance under the Controlled Substance Act of 1971. This means by legal definition, it’s recognized as having “no accepted medical value”!

This schedule I label makes cannabis incredibly difficult to research starting from the chemical makeup in a lab all the way up to large scale clinical trials that pharmaceutical drugs undergo in order to get to market.

Cannabis cannot be advertised to treat, cure, or prevent any medical conditions according to the FDA because of this designation. Yet, 38 states across the US participate in medical cannabis programs today and are actively helping patients ranging from severe debilitating medical conditions to simple insomnia.

In 2017, a landmark study by The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine was published determining there was strong evidence for the use of cannabis in patients with chronic pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting, and multiple sclerosis spasticity symptoms. This is just the beginning of us discovering the full benefits of the plant.

In Pubmed, the most widely used search engine for citing clinical literature in the US, searching for “cannabis” yields over 29,000 results, while “oxycodone” comes up with less than 5,000.

Did you also know that since 2003, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has owned patent no. 6,630,507 for cannabinoids (the pharmacologic ingredients produced by the cannabis plant) as antioxidants and neuroprotectants?

While we wait for healthcare science and policy to catch up with each other, the delineation of cannabis consumption between health and recreation is not monochrome, but a bright and beautiful spectrum.

Clinicians and prescribers are still navigating this newly emerging field of alternative medicine through holistic practices. Having unrestricted access to these products provides a unique opportunity for integrating cannabis into daily health and wellness routines.

Cannabis in its most pure form is a plant that contains over 144 cannabinoids alongside complex molecules like terpenes and flavonoids that give its unique tastes and aromas.

D-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most commonly discussed cannabinoid, but is just one singular part of the equation.

Like a perfectly harmonized symphony, the ability to consume cannabis and craft specific experiences involves a higher level of understanding of what you’re consuming and an intentional approach to your consumption methods and habits.

• Do you remember a time when somebody took one too many edibles after “not feeling anything” from the first one and it uncomfortably hit them all at once?​
• Have you ever induced an anxiety attack or paranoia when ironically you started consuming cannabis to help with anxiety in the first place?​
• Do you regret spending too much money on some popcorn bud “mids” with fancy packaging because a fellow Redditor said it was “fire”?​
• Are your daily concentrate dabbing sessions causing your tolerance to go through the roof?​

The primary benefits of participating in a legal, regulated industry are the certainties and standards that cultivators and processors are expected to uphold. Understanding how to interpret a certificate of analysis and accurately reading a packaging label allows you to confidently and repeatedly experience cannabis the way you want to.

All of us enjoy tailored, personalized experiences in life. From the food that we eat, the music we listen to, and the clothes that we wear, there’s nothing better than feeling comfortable in your own skin.

The process of figuring out which cultivars and products will “lock” you in the couch versus making you clean your entire house at 2AM can be seemingly difficult, but we’re here to guide you in the right direction.

Even though cannabis is not yet widely embraced as medicine in every setting, the real power lies in the hands of individual consumers who take control of their own wellness journeys. The bottom-up approach means not waiting for top-down approval from randomized double blind placebo controlled studies (the golden standard for traditional pharmaceutical drugs), but actively engaging in self-education: learning the specifics of the products being consumed, tracking dosage, and observing personal patterns of use. By understanding the unique effects of different cultivars, product formulations, and methods of consumption, individuals can craft routines that bring them closer to their desired health outcomes, whether it’s for calmer evenings or more energetic days.

Being mindful of how much, how often, and what you consume transforms cannabis from a guessing game into a tool for holistic well-being. This approach allows people to avoid the pitfalls of overconsumption, mitigate unwanted side effects like anxiety or tolerance buildup, and ultimately, to feel empowered about their choices—regardless of broader debates about medical legitimacy. In a world where personalization is celebrated in all aspects of life, taking this intentional, informed path with cannabis is an act of self-advocacy and self-respect, ensuring every experience can be as safe, effective, and enjoyable as possible.