LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Marijuana. Cannabis. Pot. Mary Jane. Weed. Grass. Dope.
There are almost as many nicknames for marijuana as there are people smoking it.

According to the CDC, marijuana is the most commonly used federally illegal drug in the United States with about 48.2 million people (18%) having used it at least once in 2019.

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Talk of marijuana has been brought to the forefront again recently with five states voting on proposals to legalize marijuana on the November ballot and President Biden recently announcing that he’ll be pardoning people charged with simple marijuana possession on a federal level.

States voting to legalize the possession and personal adult-use of cannabis products include Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota. Currently, 19 states and Washington, DC have already done this including Michigan.

The CDC says that marijuana use directly affects the brain and has an effect on memory, learning, attention, decision-making, coordination, emotion and reaction time.

The National Institute of Health says that there is “substantial evidence from animal research and a growing number of studies in humans indicate that marijuana exposure during development can cause long-term or possibly permanent adverse changes in the brain.”

But still, marijuana is becoming more and more popular as it gets legalized across the country and there are more and more options of ingesting it. Many people also point to it being much safer than drinking alcohol and it having medical benefits.

While looking at what marijuana is, some of the terms become interchangeable but there is a slight distinction between marijuana and cannabis. Cannabis is referred to as all products derived from the plant Cannabis sativa, a plant which contains about 540 chemical substances. Marijuana refers to part of or products from the cannabis plant that contain a substantial amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

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THC and CBD are two different cannabinoids (compounds) in the cannabis plant. They both interact with our cannabinoid receptors and have been reported to help treat or limit the effects or conditions such as pain, nausea, anxiety, insomnia, glaucoma and more. THC is what makes people feel “high” and CBD is associated with helping to alleviate medical conditions and pain.

According to Medical News Today, CBD lacks the psychoactive effects that many people associate with the characteristic “high” of cannabis. They explain that when a person takes a CBD dominant version of medical cannabis, they are using CBD from hemp, a specific variety of the plant.

In a document produced by the Michigan Marijuana Regulator Agency (MRA) titled “Marijuana in Michigan:
What You Need to Know,” marijuana varieties are “selectively bred in controlled environments and produce
female plants that yield budding flowers. These flowers are where the majority of cannabinoids (compounds) are produced. These cannabinoids, or the compounds that can get the user high, are produced within the trichomes (outgrowth) of the plant, found in high concentrations on the flower. These flowers are grown until maturity, removed from the plant, and then dried and cured. This process results in the flower that is sold in the medical and recreational markets.”

According to the Addiction Center, “weed is stronger now than ever before.” They point out that over the years, the rate of these active compounds (THC and CBD) that produce the sensations of relaxation and euphoria has risen. In 1994, variations of the plant contained about 4% of THC. Today, these amounts have spiked. They say that according to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, the drug’s potency has tripled, which makes it easier to develop an addition.

Perry resident Miranda Wellman talked with Michigan News Source about the new and improved legal marijuana of today as compared to what people were smoking when she was a teenager. She said, “I always tell people I would be scared to smoke pot today…I hear about people going on bad trips and hallucinating from smoking a joint. NO thanks.”

For those who still want to give marijuana a try, marijuana can be ingested in all kinds of ways. There are edibles like gummies, baked goods like brownies and cookies, bacon, potato chips, pasta, sauces, mints, hard candies and more. These products are infused with either THC, CBD or both.

In addition to foods with marijuana, there are also things called “tinctures” which are technically also edibles. They are absorbed through your mouth and tongue. They are highly concentrated extracts of the medicinal components of plants. They are usually put under your tongue with a dropper and then they are absorbed into the bloodstream. They can also be added to food and drinks.

Additional ways to ingest marijuana includes dissolvable cannabinoid powder that can be added to juice, tea, a smoothie or milkshake as well as baking or cooking with it; concentrates that can be smoked, vaporized or ingested; oils and waxes; sprays; marijuana-infused beverages like sodas, teas, coffee and alcohol; topical products for medical purposes that don’t produce a high and more.

There are, of course, the old fashioned ways of smoking marijuana in a pipe, a rolled-up “joint” (cigarette) or “blunt” (cigar hallowed out and replaced with marijuana or a mix of tobacco and marijuana). There are even marijuana products for pets. In fact, the state of Michigan has passed a law allowing veterinarians to consult with pet owners on using marijuana or hemp – including CBD – products for their pets. It was signed into law by Governor Whitmer in late December 2020. Although the state bans CBD animal products like treats, residents can add CBD products, such as oils, to their pet’s food. Just like in people, CBD is being used in pets to treat things like anxiety, pain and seizures.
Nationally, a 2021 survey from the Center of Canine Studies showed that 51% of dog owners who took the
survey had given CBD to their dog.

Whether you are using marijuana products for yourself or your pet, it’s a good idea to find a safe company with a proven track record for reliability and consistency so you know what you are getting. For pets, it’s recommended to order your products through your veterinarian.

With more growers and dispensaries coming online everyday and the push to legalize marijuana all over the country taking place, it looks like Mary Jane is here to stay, leading to moral, physical, financial, and possible legal ramifications across Michigan and the country.
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Coming on Monday, October 17th – Part two of a four-part series takes a look at the legalities of using and selling marijuana in Michigan and the rest of the country