You've probably heard about medical marijuana becoming legal in more and more places. What started as a controversial topic has blossomed into a rapidly growing industry. According to the Pew Research Center, 72% of adults under the age of 30 support the legalization of marijuana for both medical and recreational use. But do you know all about the latest developments shaping the medical cannabis landscape? Keep reading to learn more about the evolution underway with medical marijuana.

The Research Frontier

While anecdotal evidence has long supported the use of medical marijuana to treat certain conditions, scientists have only recently been able to study the plant in earnest. The early research is very promising for some applications, like chronic pain, epilepsy, PTSD, and more. Scientists are also investigating which compounds and strains work best for different conditions and symptoms in rigorous double-blind studies. This wave of evidence-based research is helping to legitimize medical marijuana in the eyes of doctors, patients, regulators, and health insurance companies. More research funding will allow scientists to continue to validate marijuana's medical utility.

Product Innovation

Gone are the days of only being able to smoke medical marijuana. Today there is a dizzying variety of products to suit different needs and preferences for delivery method, onset time, duration, and dose consistency. You can find specialized topicals, inhalers, transdermal patches, sublingual strips, beverages, food items, pills, oils, and more. Companies are investing heavily in developing and testing products that have precisely measured and standardized doses so that both patients and doctors can better calibrate use for optimal symptom relief. This innovation explosion will continue as the industry matures.

Regulatory Change

The federal government still classifies cannabis as a Schedule I illegal substance, but over 35 U.S. states now permit medical marijuana access in some form. More states, along with the District of Columbia and certain U.S. territories, pass new medical marijuana laws every year. Some allow only low-THC preparations, while others permit everything from bud to edibles, to concentrates. This shifting regulatory landscape aims to enable access for patients in need while still prioritizing public health and safety through licensing, lab testing requirements, seed-to-sale tracking, security protocols, and more. Countries around the world are modernizing their medical marijuana policies too. Regulatory evolution will press forward as lawmakers recognize the benefits relative to the risks.

The medical marijuana arena has come a remarkably long way in just a couple of decades. With all the innovation and change underway, it will be very interesting to watch how the field continues advancing to help patients worldwide. If you're in need of medical marijuana, we can help. Visit Relief Clinic LLC today to learn more.