In 1996, medical marijuana became legal in California, marking a huge step forward treatment for people plagued with certain medical conditions. By 2012, recreational marijuana became legal in Colorado and Washington, paving the way forward for a boom in legal smoke shops. Since then, more states have adopted legal marijuana laws.

Medically, this plant has a history of helping to ease the pain and symptoms of many conditions and diseases.

Here are some interesting facts about this star-shaped plant and the hardware that people use to smoke.

Health benefits of marijuana

CDB and THC are the two main chemicals in marijuana. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the ingredient in marijuana that most people are familiar with. This is what causes the hallucinogenic high you feel when ingesting or smoking the plant. CBD, or cannabidiol, is the element that contains no psychoactive substance, and produces the relaxing mellow high of the substance without the psychotropic effects. You can find this in edibles such as gummies, chocolate, or confectionery items like cake pops. CBD oil can also be taken with an eyedropper by mouth.

Both elements of marijuana have been found to help in a variety of health related issues and symptoms, including the reduction of anxiety and nausea. THC can help lessen the side effects that chemotherapy has on cancer patients, including nausea and vomiting. It can also help with inflammation, chronic pain, and digestive issues. CBD can lessen inflammation and neuropathic pain, epilepsy, ADHD, and anxiety. In many cases, CBD is easier to purchase because it lacks THC and is therefore legal in more states. Before buying marijuana in a state such as Colorado, check to see whether your own state legally allows this substance.

Marijuana for opioid addiction

America has seen a dramatic rise in opioid addiction and opioid-related deaths in the last decade, which has prompted many suffering addiction to turn to marijuana to help ease their pain and withdrawal symptoms. Due to physical injuries from things like car accidents or workplace falls, many patients were prescribed opioids to manage their pain, and in many cases an addiction formed, and people built up a tolerance to the prescribed dosage.

Medical marijuana can provide relief from the physical pain they are suffering without the side effects of using a dangerous and addictive narcotic. Those who suffered with pain say that using marijuana has helped greatly, letting them kick the narcotic habit.

What to use to smoke marijuana

To use marijuana, you need to have the right paraphernalia. You can use a bong or pipe to smoke marijuana or flavored tobacco. There are many popular and different shaped pieces, such as a one-hitter, or a larger glass RooR pipe. There are other types of bongs such as bubblers or smaller hand bongs, which are great for on-the-go.

Bongs and pipes, ranging in price from about $24 to a few hundred dollars each, offer a stylish way to enjoy some relaxing downtime. You can also find accessories to house your glass pipes, and grinders for the weed. Thanks to the unique colors and shapes these pipes come in, many pipes and bongs can become conversational and decorative pieces too.

Be sure to take care of your pipe or bong by hand washing it, or soaking it overnight to loosen the extra residue that may accumulate.

The legalization of marijuana in more states means a lot more people are enjoying it, from college students to middle-aged parents. So call a few friends over, or maybe even a parent, and enjoy the medicinal and social aspects of enjoying a carefully crafted bowl of marijuana.