In spite of the fact that it technically remains illegal in the vast majority of the world, cannabis has most definitely gone mainstream. Even though it remains illegal at the US federal level, more than 30 states have already legalized medical cannabis use and another nine states plus the District of Columbia have laws that allow for recreational use. As a result, the North American legal cannabis industry alone was worth over $9 billion in 2017and is forecast to grow to over $47 billion within the next 10 years.
Whether it is for purely medical or recreational use, there is no doubt that cannabis provides many benefits. Nonetheless, the relative newness of the industry means that there is a lot that most people don’t know—especially when it comes to the huge variety of strains and the different benefits and effects they provide. To help combat this problem, here are four common strains and some of the positive medical benefits provided by each.
Increase Your Feelings of Hunger with Sonoma Coma
Sonoma Coma is a relatively newer strain of cannabis that is proving popular with both medical and recreational users. Like most other sativa strains, this strain provides users with an uplifting, energetic feeling. Some people also report increased levels of concentration and creativity, which can potentially help people with ADHD and other attention problems. However, the biggest benefit of Sonoma Coma comes in the fact that most people experience increased feelings of hunger. Of course, this is the case with many strains, but the feelings of hunger are far stronger with Sonoma Coma than most others. As a result, it can be a great choice for people looking to gain weight or anyone struggling with nausea or problems eating as a result of chemotherapy or other medications and treatments.
Feel Happier and More Energetic with Super Lemon Haze
Super Lemon Haze is another strong sativa that provides a very pleasant, mild, uplifting feeling. As the name suggests, this strain has a pungent lemon aroma and a strong taste of citrus that most users find more pleasant than the often strong, harsh tastes of many other strains. The high CBD count in this strain ensures it provides numerous benefits, and among these, its ability to help people feel much happier and more energetic is surely one of the biggest.
Ease Feelings of Stress, Anxiety and Depression with Durban Poison
Whereas most of the strains on the market today are indica-sativa hybrids, Durban Poison is a 100-percent pure sativa strain. A pungent pine smell and fruity, citrus taste are two of its biggest defining characteristics. As a pure sativa, this strain is often prescribed to people to help them overcome issues with anxiety, stress and even mild to moderate depression.
Find Relief from Pain with OG Kush
Og Kush is a very strong indica strain that typically has a quite high THC content. Of course, this is also true for most other indicas, which is why they are often prescribed to people suffering from pain, insomnia and various other issues. High levels of THC tend to produce a more calming, relaxed state compared to the uplifting euphoria often experienced with sativa strains. As a result, OG Kush is a great choice for pain relief, and many people also use larger doses of this potent strain to overcome insomnia and other sleeping issues.
Ultimately, there are now an almost endless number of different cannabis strains on the market. Moreover, new strains are seemingly being developed every day. What this means is that you have a huge choice when it comes to medical marijuana treatment. In this sense, the best thing you can do is perform a bit of research ahead of time, and when in doubt, ask an expert.
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Hannah Whittenly is a freelance writer and mother of two from Sacramento, CA. She enjoys kayaking and reading books by the lake.