The popularity of cannabis is growing in the US, with many people using it for various reasons. While some consume it for medical purposes, others use it for relaxation and anxiety management.

According to a Gallup survey, around 50% of Americans have tried marijuana at least once in their lifetime. The report also shows that three in four participants were concerned about its effect on the youth. However, despite the concern, 17% of the participants are current users.

As cannabis use becomes more common, many individuals are left wondering if it can affect their birth control methods. With different types of contraception available and the varying ways cannabis can influence the body, it’s essential to understand the potential interactions.

Understanding Birth Control and Its Effectiveness

There are many birth control methods that you can rely on available in the market. From pills and intrauterine devices (IUDs) to patches and implants, you can choose from a wide variety of options. All these contraceptive methods work differently to prevent pregnancy.

Some of them regulate hormones to stop ovulation, while others create barriers to prevent the sperm from reaching an egg. While all these methods can be helpful, their effectiveness varies based on various factors, such as:

• Medication
• Lifestyle habits
• Certain health conditions

The type of method you choose can also influence the effectiveness of birth control, as stated by the National Health Service (NHS). For instance, implants and IUDs are more than 99% effective when used correctly. Similarly, combined pills, progestogen-only pills, patches, and vaginal rings are all 91% effective.

Importance of Choosing the Right Contraceptive Method

As mentioned earlier, the type of contraception you choose can influence the effectiveness of birth control. However, this does not mean that you should always go for highly effective methods. Besides the effectiveness, it is also important to consider their side effects and your health.

Copper IUDs like Paragard, for example, can have severe consequences if not used appropriately. According to TorHoerman Law, Paragard IUDs are subject to breakage and fracture, especially when removing the device. If the device breaks, there are high chances that the broken parts enter your body through the vagina. This can lead to severe consequences, such as:

• Internal bleeding
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Organ damage
• Infection
• Severe pain, etc.

Therefore, many victims have even taken the legal course and filed a Paragard lawsuit against Teva Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of copper IUDs. The victims want to claim rightful compensation for the suffering the device has caused them. They want the manufacturer to take responsibility and improve the product to ensure that no one else is impacted by its faulty design.

The Potential Impact of Cannabis on Birth Control

With cannabis use on the rise, people are beginning to question whether it could be one of the influencing factors in birth control. Research into the direct impact of cannabis on birth control’s effectiveness is limited.

A ScienceDirect study monitored the use of cannabis among women across different phases of their lives: fertility, contraception, menopause, and pelvic pain. It was found that the use of cannabis among women is increasing for both medical and recreational use.

The study concluded that there was no evidence found linking the use of cannabis with altered birth control effectiveness. Moreover, the evidence about its usefulness for managing perimenopausal symptoms was also not conclusive.

However, this does not mean that it does not impact the effectiveness of birth control. One primary concern that many consumers have is the influence of cannabis on hormone levels.

One primary concern is how cannabis can influence hormone levels in the body. Some studies suggest that cannabis can affect the production of certain hormones, like estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are key in regulating the menstrual cycle and fertility.

Since many birth control methods rely on these hormones to work effectively, it’s possible that cannabis use could alter their balance. However, more studies are needed to confirm this, as the currently available data is insufficient to draw conclusions.

The Role of THC and CBD

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and CBD are the two primary compounds found in the cannabis plant. Both these compounds can have different effects on the body: THC is associated with the high, but CBD is known for its therapeutic benefits. The effects on your body may also vary depending on how much THC or CBD you eat.

THC is more likely to influence hormone levels and interact with liver enzymes, while CBD appears to have less impact on these processes. Additional study is necessary to completely understand how these substances interact with birth control because they can have complicated effects on the body.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can cannabis affect the effectiveness of non-hormonal birth control methods?

Cannabis can affect the production of estrogen and progesterone, which can impact the menstrual cycle. However, when using non-hormonal birth control methods, these hormones are out of the play. Therefore, there are very few chances that cannabis use can affect the effectiveness of non-hormonal birth control methods.

Does smoking cannabis have a stronger impact on birth control than consuming edibles?

The information available on this subject of the link between cannabis and birth control is very limited. So whether you are smoking cannabis or consuming edibles, the impact on birth control effectiveness might not change. The only primary difference between these two cannabis consumption methods is the onset of its effect. Smoking causes immediate effects, while edibles take longer, but their hormonal impact remains the same.

How much cannabis use is needed to potentially impact birth control?

Although there is no evidence, heavy and regular cannabis use is more likely to impact birth control effectiveness. This is because heavy use can have a larger impact on the endocannabinoid system and hormones. However, the exact threshold for cannabis consumption to avoid impact on birth control effectiveness is unclear.

There is no data showing a direct link between cannabis use and its effect on birth control effectiveness. While there are some concerns about how cannabis can impact hormone levels and liver enzyme activity, the research remains limited.

Knowing how cannabis affects your body is crucial whether you use it for medical or recreational reasons. You can speak with your doctor to make an informed choice about whether to continue or cease taking cannabis while utilizing contraception.

Great news, America. The price of cannabis should fall for most of your adult life. Legalization has ushered in economies of scale—bringing a $60 bag down to $6. There’s penny joints, buy one get one free, buy two get one free, and on and on.

The question remains—how do I get at this fabulous affordable herb? Here’s a Leafly Cannabis 101 article on Why you should shop early for cannabis deals.

Wait, there are deals on weed in stores now?

If you just woke up from a coma, there are 24 legalization states, and over 40 medical ones. Thousands of dispensaries blanket the land—from remote Alaskan islands to balmy Miami.

Cannabis offers a popular alternative to stronger holiday stuff including alcohol. Plus, weed fans relish the chance to pick up something special for the holidays; and share it with friends.

Leafly connects you to cannabis via thousands of dispensary menus. You can look up thousands of strains by name and effect; it’s better than wine or beer marketplaces.

Why you should shop early for cannabis deals: Save money

Employment is booming, but inflation has ate all our pay gains. You need to be deal-maxxing. And timing is half of deal-maxxing.

In a free market, you win at buying stuff when you have the time to shop around for a deal. When you’re out of time, you’re paying full price.

For example, Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 28th. The day before, buying peaks on what’s now called Green Wednesday. 

Everyone loads up at the last minute on some pre-rolls or gummies or what have you. The line gets long, supplies run low, and in terms of the price—you can take it or leave it.

But today, November 4, three weeks out—you have your pick of the menus, and time to shop around deals near you. Weed prices are volatile. The good stuff holds firm at $60 per eighth ounce, then goes for half that when it runs the risk of going stale. Pounce on that.

You gotta take advantage of timing and shopping around, or you’re doing capitalism bad and you should feel bad.

Why you should shop early for weed deals: Better selection

Here’s a fact—the best stuff often sells out the fastest. Grab a Cannabis Cup or Emerald Cup winner the second it drops. Shoot, order it for pick-up. Don’t get left with the snickle-fritz on Green Wednesday.

Maybe—instead of grabbing an overpriced, stale pre-roll on Christmas Eve, go in early December and get a premium hashhole with a gram of bubble hash for a penny.

What is early for cannabis deals this season?

Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 28th, 2024. You can plan your Turkey Day sesh out exquisitely starting today. Take a voice note of your dream scenario: ‘Some Permanent Marker flower, some Z live rosin. …’ Then search it up on Leafly, and order it.

There’s no shame in visualizing now what sesh success looks like on Nov. 28. Look around you. The Christmas catalogs from Amazon have dropped. Mariah Carey is taking pre-orders for the 30th anniversary edition of Merry Christmas. 

Why you should shop early for cannabis deals: Stress less

Stress is toxic.

Don’t be one of those stressed-out fools honking in traffic on Green Wednesday. Be at home, stocked up in your snuggery, making crafts and stuff. Go marinate something for Thanksgiving the next day. Spend your weed savings on gifts for yourself—I mean, other people.

It’s 2024—you’re not sitting in traffic, you are traffic. There are so many new stress-free ways to re-up. In Canada, you can get a joint with your burrito on Uber Eats. Missouri has legal weed drive-throughs. More places offer pickup and curbside pickup. Arizona just added home delivery for all adults age 21+.

Waiting in lines is lame. Do something great for your future self, and lock in a sweet holiday stash today.

Holidays are the most fun when you plan well, get what you need, and allow yourself to be present and enjoy the vibes. Good luck out there.

In this market, dealing with countless items related to one’s well-being and lifestyle seems almost impossible. It is especially hard for individuals when they are faced with too many choices at the same time, which may or may not work. This is where acquiring a medical card becomes important. A medical card not only allows you to access more products but also allows you to trust providers of such authentic products. Professional cards are also useful when one only wishes to limit the number of items purchased within the confines of a particular standard without specializing in them. In this post, we will explain how simply being equipped with a medical card can help you buy trusted products and make up your mind quicker when making a major purchase.

Access to regulated products

A medical card is treated as a defense weapon, hot in demand as it opens doors to sell licensed products at certified dispensaries. A medical card enables consumers to ensure that they meet certain quality requirements.

In this case, the oversights imposed by those in power ensure at least some compliance with standards and provide greater clarity in production – who, what, and where the product is made – this is often lost when products are acquired from uncontrolled chains. Besides, a medical card usually provides access to greater choices, such as more specific products.

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Assurance of quality standards

For patients, having a medical card can facilitate the purchase of certain products, as such cards usually provide trusted users with access to quality products. Most licensed dispensaries or vendors practice stringent controls in availing their products, guided by specific safety, consistency, and purity benchmarks.

Therefore, the card facilitates contact with approved suppliers, which helps avoid receiving low-quality and fake goods. Moreover, those selling such products also provide details and available test results, enabling the consumers to make appropriate choices.

Verified product sourcing

A medical card is perhaps most important in its specificity in ensuring access to only trusted and verified products. Consumers with a medical card can buy from licensed dispensaries, which are regulated and controlled for quality.

Such establishments must buy from reputable suppliers who follow procedures for growing, producing, and testing the goods. This degree of administration guarantees the safety of the products and their correct labeling in accordance with the regulations.

Guidance from licensed professionals

A medical card allows you to consult with licensed people who know how to select and use the products, making it easier to select trustworthy products. When you have a medical card, you can talk to professionals who can offer you products that suit your individual requirements, which means you will make sound decisions.

This professional opinion enables you to select the most appropriate among a vast array of options, giving you a sense of assurance that your choices are professional-driven.

Legal protection for purchases

A medical card is a vital legal cover when purchasing certain products, allowing you to make purchases from reputable vendors. When you possess a medical card, you can legally obtain items from registered sellers who follow the law and regulations, which makes it possible for the items to be safe and of good quality.

Such a legal status also protects the buyers as consumers, knowing, for example, that all the goods they are buying are legal, minimizing the chances of getting into trouble over legal issues.

Transparency in labeling

There’s a reason why a medical card is important in relation to accessing credible products – transparency in labeling. This builds trust between consumers and sellers.

Other buyers use an in-hand medical card to confirm that their products are legitimate and have passed the necessary testing as more strict label requirements will be followed. For instance, with kratom shots, knowing the ingredients and their potency is critical.

Exclusive access to certain suppliers

Due to governmental regulations and supplier exclusivity, a medical card is important in accessing reputable products. Individuals with a medical card can purchase from licensed suppliers and dispensaries bound by stringent product quality, safety, and transparency standards.

Generally speaking, these suppliers provide a wider range of products designed to treat specific health conditions, implying even more oversight than other sources offer. Moreover, such a medical card allows one to access specific products otherwise unavailable to the general public.

How Do You Get A Medical Card To Buy Trusted Products?

Obtaining a medical to purchase trustworthy products will take some time and may vary by location.

To start, you need to know the requirements pertaining to your state or country’s regulations, which are usually centralized.

Usually, the first step involves making an appointment with a qualified doctor, who will decide if you qualify for a medical card according to that region’s administration.

Once given such permission, a person must file a formal application with the relevant authority, along with documents like proof of residence and ID.

In some areas, a registration fee may also be imposed. When the application is processed and approved, you will receive a medical card, which will authorize you to buy items from licensed dispensaries or sellers of genuine regulated products.

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Things To Ensure While Getting A Medical Card

It is important to be sure of certain basic principles when claiming a medical card so that obtaining one is efficient and successful.

To begin with, confirm your state’s eligibility criteria because they have vast differences and may have to do with minimum medical conditions and/or minimum age or residency requirements.

All relevant forms of identification must be assembled, such as proof of residency and medical records pertaining to the application.

In addition, take time to look for a registered medical practitioner who understands the examination: such a person should understand the medical card system and be able to assist in his recommendations.

Lastly, make yourself acquainted with the sequence of the steps to be taken in the process because these may be time-bound.

Check the progress on the application and any indicative follow-ups that may have been made to the application so that the medical card is received in due time.