Pain relief is the No. 1 reason why Californians obtain a medical marijuana card. With many people growing weary of prescription medications due to their numerous harmful side effects, MMJ is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways for cannabis card holders to alleviate pain without the use of narcotics. From cluster headaches to chronic back pain, certain medical marijuana strains have been proven time and time again to be an effective and safe treatment for pain.
Although pain works the same way throughout the body, different areas react to pain differently. As pain encompasses a broad and diverse spectrum of areas, types and reactions, you should be treating it as such. Don’t assume all medical marijuana strains are equipped to treat all pain equally.
Choosing the right strain of medical marijuana to treat a specific pain is an important decision to make for any MMJ card holder. Sure, some strains can be amazing at eliminating your post-surgery pain, but if they knock you out in the process, you need to opt for something else. Likewise, a certain strain could effectively target your lower back pain, but if it keeps you up at night, chances are it’s not worth it.
Humming and hawing over which is the right strain sound like a laborious process, but trust us, when you’re walking on air thanks to the perfect pain-combating medical marijuana strains, you’ll know it’s worth it. To help guide you in the right direction, here are some of the best pain-busting MMJ strains available to California medical marijuana holders right now.
Forget prescription pain relievers. These MMJ strains relieve pain without nasty side effects.
Mild Pain: White Widow
Probably one of the most famous medical marijuana strains worldwide, White Widow is a mixed sativa-indica strain first cultivated in the MMJ haven of the Netherlands. A soothing mix of Brazilian sativa and Indian indica, White Widow is a majorly potent strain that will effectively soothe your mild aches and pains while also providing you with a euphoric buzz. Not only does White Widow act as an ultra-effective pain reliever, but also it is a favorite of creatives the world over due to its unrivaled ability to stimulate their creative side.
Severe Pain: Blackberry Kush and Northern Lights
Although high-CBD medical marijuana strains are often thought of as the go-to painkiller for severe pain, due to their relative newness, they’re not very easy to acquire, especially outside of 420 card states. Instead, medical marijuana card holders who need a more potent painkiller should opt for Blackberry Kush. An indica strain that is super high in THC, Blackberry Kush is nearly guaranteed to obliterate any pain you have. The sensation received from this strain is a wholly numbing effect, alleviating pain and giving you a relaxing feeling that is guaranteed to take your mind off your ailment. However, it’s worth noting that due to the potency of Blackberry Kush, it’s recommended that you do not consume it before work, school or any other important commitment.
Another great alleviator of severe pain comes in the form of Northern Lights. This high-indica strain will numb your aches and pains, making your mind and body ultra-relaxed. However, like Blackberry Kush, it’s recommended to only be used when you have a day of relaxation ahead of you. This is not a work-friendly strain!
Inflammation: Harlequin
Harlequin is a sativa-heavy strain with a high CBD content. However, unlike a lot of CBD-heavy medical marijuana strains, it still produces a CBD to THC ratio of around 5:2, making it an excellent pain reliever, especially pain related to inflammation. Popular among arthritis sufferers, Harlequin gives you a euphoric high with the much-welcomed addition of making you super focused. The clearness of this strain means that it’s perfect to consume before work, school or any other activity that requires your full focus.
Migraines: Blueberry Headband
Blueberry Headband is one of the best medical marijuana strains to alleviate the drilling pain between your eyes.
The unmistakable aroma of Blueberry Headband is just one of the many things that stand out about this MMJ strain. Part of the Headband hybrid family, Blueberry Headband offers a cerebral effect that goes straight to the crown of your head. The targeting effect gives completely focused relief with a happy, relaxed buzz, which will soon make you forget about that drilling pain between your eyes.
Back Pain: Mazar-I-Sharif
For chronic, debilitating back pain, it’s best to go for a potent indica-heavy strain such as Mazar-I-Sharif. This Afghani plant is best known by its reputation as the ultimate relaxer. One puff of this stuff, and you’ll feel a wave of calm wash over you like you’ve never experienced before. Thanks to its high cannabinoid content, it’s no surprise that those suffering from persistent, stubborn back pain are such big fans of it. However, overindulgence in this strain can lead to potent immobilizing, narcotic effects that can be too much to handle for most people, so dosage supervision is vital.
With your medical marijuana card, a diverse world of pain relief is opened up to you. As more and more people flock to benefit from MMJ’s unrivaled pain-busting power, more pain targeting medical marijuana strains will become available, giving you even more options to choose from. As ever, it’s best to consult with your doctor before starting any form of MMJ treatment, but with the above list and your 420 card, you’ll be more than equipped to know the best place to start.