How Cannabis is (An Alternative) Medicine

When used for medicinal purposes, cannabis falls within a grey area. Some take cannabinoid medicines as prescribed by their doctor, others grow it themselves to achieve medical benefits. This elasticity of cannabis’s use allows the plant to have a foot in two doors at once.

As we wrote last week, the legalization of cannabis doesn’t simply mean we’ll see a singular, homogenous cannabis industry emerge. As we’re already seeing throughout the world, cannabis products are able to fit into a wide array of industries, such as the food and beverage industry, pharmaceuticals, fabrics, textiles, and more.

In fact, part of the reason that cannabis became illegal was due to this capacity to disrupt multiple industries simultaneously.

Not only could cannabis find its way into most industries, but it’s also a very democratic plant — it only requires a pot, some soil, seeds and water, and anyone can grow it. Moreover, while cannabis was prohibited, it’s use became more known among alternative health practitioners and home connoisseurs. Once THC has been activated by heating cannabis, users can gain all of its medicinal effects without any further…