Five medicinal cannabis essentials

It’s a great time for cannabis in the U.S., with a wide variety of quality products reaching different areas of the country. While marijuana is not legal on a federal level, U.S. states seem to be more open to the possibility of cannabis as a valid option for people struggling with different illnesses or who want to consume it recreationally.

There are thousands of medicinal cannabis products available for purchase online, but the Internet can be a hard (and questionable) place to buy stuff unless well-informed aobut what you’re looking for. Here are five of the most common products that consumers may want to learn more about.

Medical cannabis oil

This product is mostly administered through an oral syringe and made up of a dark coloured liquid containing a mixture of components within the cannabis plant. Offering cannabinoids and terpenoids, many cannabis oils are high in antioxidant features and have painkilling and anti-inflammatory properties. Cannabis oils have been reported to be helpful in treating a variety of ailments and can even be prepared at home.

CBD hemp oils are easier to acquire in most U.S. states since a medical card is not needed to purchase. / Photo: iStock / Getty Images PlusPhoto: iStock / Getty Images Plus

CBD hemp oil

This product is made from hemp plants with low THC and high CBD content. Since these hemp products contain almost no THC, they’re non-psychoactive, which means that they won’t get a user high. CBD hemp oils are easier to acquire in most U.S. states since a medical card is not needed to purchase.

Topical cannabis

This type of product includes creams, lotions, balms and other skin and personal care items that can be used to target localized pain or inflammation. Aside from reportedly helping to provide muscle and joint relief, some of these products have also been touted as options for skin care that are also non-psychoactive.

Some of these products have also been touted as options for skin care that are also non-psychoactive. / Photo:rgbspace / Getty Images

Transdermal patches

Transdermal patches are also topicals, with the difference being that some of them provide a bit of psychoactive stimulation thanks to the THC in them. These patches likely will go further than regular topicals because they reach the bloodstream, making it a fun and discreet option that may also be able to provide relief from physical pain.

Raw cannabis

Consuming cannabis in its raw form is said to have many health benefits. The THC is uncooked, so a user would get is the benefits of THCA, a different cannabinoid. Raw cannabis have been cited for offering vitamins, fibre, antioxidants, pain relief, healthy fats and other perks that are present in other leafy greens.