The perception of cannabis, be it medical or recreational, has changed quite a good deal over the past century. More and more states legalize both medical and recreational marijuana each election cycle. Maryland legalized medical marijuana in 2014, and more recently legalized recreational usage in 2023. Despite this growing acceptance, there are still some common myths that tend to persist. At CannaLeaf Health, we’ve been at the forefront of the medical cannabis industry in Maryland and wanted to debunk some of these myths today.
Myth: It’s Possible to Overdose on Cannabis
There are many drugs, both pharmaceutical and illicit, that it is 100% possible to take too much of. In fact, with nearly any drug, it is a serious reason why you should only take the amounts recommended by a medical professional. Cannabis, on the other hand, is not a drug you can overdose on. Using too much of it can cause adverse effects, and can create an unpleasant experience, but you don’t have to worry about dying because you smoked too much.
Myth: Cannabis is Highly Addictive
Cannabis can be habit forming, just as anything really can be, but cannabis itself is not addictive in the same way that many other drugs are. Our bodies don’t develop the same chemical dependencies in our brains with cannabis as they do with other drugs such as opiates.
Myth: Marijuana isn’t Medicine
A pure myth, it’s simply not true. Marijuana has long been used for medicinal purposes, dating back to ancient China and Egypt. This myth is an invention of those who sought to make the drug illegal. We have witnessed firsthand how helpful medical cannabis has been for so many of our patients.
Myth: Marijuana is a Gateway Drug
This is a myth that was peddled by the anti-cannabis lobbyists for decades. We’ve long heard the story of the teenager who smokes a little marijuana and instantly turns into a criminal, hungry for harder drugs. It’s simply not true. Just because you use marijuana does not mean you are going to crave a harder drug.
Myth: Smoking Cannabis is Just as Bad as Smoking Tobacco
Any kind of smoke entering your lungs will cause some form of damage, but not all smoke is created equally. The adverse health effects associated with smoking cigarettes or any tobacco products have long been documented. Smoking tobacco is terrible for your lungs. Smoking marijuana certainly is not good for your lungs, but cannabis smoke will not damage your lungs at nearly the rate tobacco will.
Reach Out to a Medical Cannabis Professional
There’s a lot of misinformation out there about cannabis, and there’s already been over a century’s worth of established propaganda. It can be hard to tell who or what to believe regarding marijuana. At CannaLeaf Health, we are huge advocates for medical cannabis and have been helping Marylanders alleviate their pains and ailments for years. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us. We’d be more than happy to help you in any way we can!
