Learning the Language of Medicinal Marijuana, Part One
A friend of mine uses vision boards. She’s an eclectic artist whose works are always visual masterpieces. From clay sculptures to wire art, watercolors, and oils, I can’t help but admire her genius.
Every December, she devotes a weekend to setting creative, professional, and personal goals for the upcoming year. “Our dreams come to life through visualization,” she explains. “It helps me stay focused and encourages me to push myself beyond my comfort zone.”
By New Year's, her board is filled with vibrant colors, lists of new mediums to try, and exotic destinations that will no doubt inspire her.
When she first suggested the practice, I scoffed. I’m not exactly artistic—I’m articulate, yes. Snarky? Absolutely. Crafty? Not at all. Learning to color within the lines was a struggle. However, I was open to goal-setting and the satisfaction of crossing off items on a to-do list.
Cannabis was never part of my vision board, but the last two years have changed my perspective on what’s possible, and plausible, but mostly why keeping an open mind is important.
Since 2022, I've been living with chronic and debilitating pain. Was it from a terrible car accident or falling off the roof while hanging Christmas lights? No, I’ve succumbed to life’s most dangerous sport—getting older. Maybe a little too old, but certainly too soon.
The path I took that led me to this juncture in the road was painfully ironic. I hurt myself sleeping. Weird, huh? In my defense, I do tend to sleep in positions more akin to a police chalk outline.
Now in my mid-40s, I feel more like a frail 80-year-old woman. It’s a bummer that we’re not in Victorian times—I imagine they would have sent someone like me to the seaside to convalesce.
Chronic pain is dangerous because it’s an invisible illness. For those of you who know or care for someone with chronic pain, can I ask a favor? Please avoid saying, “But you don’t look sick!” This is never a compliment anyone wants to hear.
Chronic pain alters every aspect of your life—driving, shopping, and socializing all look dramatically different. Yet, I still look the same. Remember the wise words of your Mamaw: "If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all."
Cannabis was never a path I considered, but after modern medical science led me to dead ends, I found that the road less traveled may just be worth exploring.
In October of 2022, Kentucky's Governor Andy Beshear issued an executive order on medical cannabis. To his credit, Andy and so many other Kentuckians already knew one thing. This plant, once associated with high school mischief, has some incredible medicinal benefits.
At that time, I didn’t foresee cannabis being part of my journey, but once I exhausted every medical test and treatment (I’ll share more of my journey in future articles), medical marijuana became my last resort.
After trying physical therapy, chiropractic care, multiple MRIs, X-rays, EMG nerve tests, dry needling, kinesiology taping, and injections—all without relief—I was willing to try anything to ease the pain, even if it was just for a few hours.
I made my first trip out of state in April 2024.
As a rule follower, I’ve never knowingly broken the law—well, except for that occasional speeding. But crossing state lines to purchase cannabis was different.
You better believe I took every precaution! Armed with copies of my medical records and a certified letter from my pain management physician, my husband and I took a weekend trip to Illinois, the closest recreational state to Kentucky. Though they claim to be the "Land of Lincoln," I think it’s safe to say they deserve joint custody of his legacy.
In this series, I’ll share the lessons I’ve learned exploring the world of medicinal marijuana, but let’s start with the basics.
For legal reasons, I am not offering medical advice. If you think medical marijuana might be right for you, consult your primary care provider or schedule an appointment with a licensed medical cannabis provider.
A special shout-out to my provider, Marlena O’Neil at Heartland Medical Cannabis Health and Wellness, who offers easy online scheduling and ensures her clients meet Kentucky's medical marijuana criteria.
Marlena and I recently recorded a segment for WDRB in Louisville. Check it out here. I hope it will be an excellent CliffsNotes guide to certification!
Understanding the Language of Cannabis
To navigate the world of cannabis, it’s essential to become fluent in the terminology. Spoiler alert: we learn by doing. Trying cannabis is like a first date—you’ll know by the end of the evening whether you want to keep seeing it or let it go.
Cannabis vs. Marijuana
Two names, one plant. Cannabis, originating from Southern and Eastern Asia, has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. You may know it by its more colorful names—weed, pot, or the infamous "Devil’s Lettuce."
Studies have shown that cannabinoids can be a safer alternative to traditional prescription drugs. Many people use it to manage chronic pain, cancer, glaucoma, and more.
Kentucky’s Medical Marijuana Qualifications:
Any form of cancer
Chronic or severe pain
Epilepsy or other seizure disorders
Multiple sclerosis, muscle spasms, or spasticity
Chronic nausea or cyclical vomiting syndrome
PTSD
For more details and to apply for Kentucky’s medical marijuana program, visit Team Kentucky's Office of Medical Cannabis.
Cannabinoids
These are the compounds in cannabis, such as THC, CBD, CBN, and CBG, each affecting the body differently.
THC – Tetrahydrocannabinol
THC is the psychoactive compound responsible for the “high” associated with cannabis. Whether it offers pain relief, energy, or euphoria depends on your body’s unique response. With Governor Beshear’s executive order, crossing into a recreational state and returning with less than 6 oz of products carries no criminal penalties. I’ll go into more detail about shopping for cannabis in a future article.
CBD – Cannabidiol
CBD, one of 113 cannabinoids, is legal in Kentucky and can be found in various shops, from pharmacies to vape stores. It’s even safe for pets, so if your dog suffers from anxiety or other conditions, talk to your vet about CBD options.
CBN – Cannabinol
CBN is known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s often used to promote restful sleep, though I personally haven’t seen significant improvement with my insomnia.
CBG – Cannabigerol
Like CBN, CBG has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. It's been proven effective in treating symptoms associated with chemotherapy, including muscle atrophy and nausea.
Types
In the world of cannabis, there are two main types of cannabis: Sativa and Indica. Sativa is known for its euphoric, uplifting high, while Indica has more relaxing and pain-relieving properties.
Think of it this way. Chocolate cake vs Red Velvet cake? There's no bad flavor of cake, but I'll give you a hint on my favorite.
Hybrids combine both, offering a balance of effects.
Cannabis Products
From smoking and vaping to edibles and tinctures, there are many ways to consume cannabis. I prefer edibles because dosing is straightforward, and each product will indicate its potency in milligrams.
Beginners should start with a 2.5 mg dose, and I typically use products with 5-7.5 mg, depending on the strain.
In the coming weeks, I’ll share reviews of some popular products I’ve tried.
We've covered the basics, but feel free to reach out if you have more questions. My journey with medicinal marijuana, acupuncture, meditation, and journaling has given me a renewed sense of purpose.
In 2025, my vision board is filled with goals to educate, advise, and share my experience to destigmatize the use of medicinal marijuana.
For those new to this path, welcome! I’ll be here to offer support as you consider the road less traveled.
Happy Trails and Thanks for Reading!
~ Christy
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