Medical Cannabis
Category: Medical · Level: Beginner
Medical cannabis refers to cannabis or cannabis-derived products prescribed or recommended by a licensed healthcare professional for therapeutic purposes.
Medical cannabis encompasses cannabis and its derived products used under the supervision of healthcare professionals for therapeutic applications. Medical programs are established in over 40 countries and numerous US states and Canadian provinces. Qualifying conditions vary by jurisdiction but commonly include chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy-induced nausea, epilepsy, and PTSD. Medical cannabis products may include dried flower, oils, capsules, tinctures, and pharmaceutical formulations. Regulatory frameworks typically require patient registration, physician authorization, and dispensation through licensed pharmacies or dispensaries.
Also known as
Medical marijuana, Therapeutic cannabis, Medicinal cannabis
Usage
- Medical
- Legal
Regulatory notes
Medical cannabis programs exist in Germany, UK, Australia, Canada, Israel, Brazil, and many others. Each country defines qualifying conditions and product forms differently.
Related terms
- THC — Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, responsible for the 'high' associated with its use.
- GMP — Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is a quality assurance framework mandated by regulatory agencies for the production of pharmaceutical, food, and cannabis products.
- CBD — Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis and hemp, widely used in medical research and consumer wellness products.
- Pharmaceutical Cannabis — Pharmaceutical cannabis refers to cannabis-derived medicines that meet pharmaceutical manufacturing standards and are prescribed through formal medical channels.
- Adult-Use — Adult-use refers to the legal, non-medical sale and consumption of cannabis by adults, typically defined as individuals 21 or older.