What Are The Best Legal Alternatives To Marijuana?

legal alternatives to smoking weed

Legal Substitutes To Smoking Weed

Marijuana is one of  the most commonly used drugs in the world. 

It’s also one of the oldest plants known to humankind, having been used medicinally and recreationally for thousands of years. But marijuana isn’t legal everywhere.

There are many options available today for those seeking legal alternatives to marijuana.

Some of these  include CBD products (hemp and marijuana-derived), synthetic cannabinoids like K2 or Spice, and other THC alternatives like delta-8 THC products (which are not yet regulated by the DEA). 

These products may offer some of the benefits as marijuana, but the risks attached to each one can vary depending on a number of things.

So let’s take a closer look.

Is Marijuana Even Legal?

In the United States, for example, marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, although some states have legalized it for medical use and others have legalized it for recreational purposes.

This has created a legal gray area for cannabis products such as cannabinoids, which are chemicals found in cannabis plants.

Marijuana is considered an illegal substance by the federal government.

Furthermore, banks are often reluctant to provide services to cannabis-related businesses or individuals working in the cannabis industry because of the safe banking act. 

The federal law prohibits any prescription or sale of marijuana. 

Marijuana possession can also attract criminal penalties and possible jail time. 

With its illegality comes a stigma that has led many people to seek a legal alternative that satisfies their need for relaxation but doesn’t come with the perceived risk of using illegal drugs. 

A Brief History Of Cannabis Regulation In The U.S

Cannabis has been under federal control since the passage of the Marihuana Tax Act in 1937, which restricted the possession, sale and use of marijuana for medical purposes. 

Although many states have passed laws allowing for medical and recreational use, cannabis remains illegal under federal law. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) categorizes cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning that it is considered to have a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use.

The Compassionate Use Act legalized limited medicinal use of cannabis in California in 1996.

Since then, 33 states and Washington DC have approved medical marijuana laws legalizing its use. 

Ten states and Washington, DCDC, have approved recreational marijuana laws.

In 2018, Congress passed the Farm Bill that removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). 

This opened the door for industrial hemp farmers to grow hemp plants.

Hemp is now considered a legal agricultural product in all 50 states.

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How Do Legal Weed Substitutes Work?

No matter how people feel about marijuana legalization, it’s undeniable that more and more states are legalizing the drug for medical purposes. 

Just because medical cannabis is legal in your state doesn’t mean you have use to it. 

You may live in a state where marijuana is not legal, or you might find yourself in a position where your doctor won’t prescribe it.

Some people also seek legal alternatives to marijuana, either because they don’t like the high or are looking to relieve various medical conditions without the high. 

Many choose to stick with legal alternatives in states where recreational marijuana has been legalized because they feel more comfortable doing so. 

Cannabis has been under federal control since the passage of the Marihuana Tax Act in 1937, which restricted the possession, sale and use of marijuana for medical purposes. 

Others seek out legal options because they live in areas where access to recreational marijuana has been limited or banned by local governments. 

Still, others are concerned about the long-term health effects of using cannabis or don’t like how it makes them feel.

The Role Of THC In Legalization

There are plenty of products that claim to mimic the effects of cannabis, but most of them don’t contain THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that gets users high. 

While these products may not produce an intense body and mind buzz the way actual marijuana does, they can still provide some pretty incredible effects — just without the paranoia-inducing side effects.

If you want a mild high, there are plenty of legal options out there for you.

Some people even prefer them to weed itself (or at least as an alternative when they’re trying to cut down).

Synthetic cannabinoids are sometimes sold as ‘fake weed’ or ‘herbal incense’ in the black market. 

They contain chemicals that act on the same cannabinoid receptors in the brain as THC does; this results in a high similar to that of marijuana. 

The problem is that synthetic cannabinoids aren’t regulated at all — there’s no control over the dose or the quality.

Cannabis is more regulated than synthetic marijuana, so you know what you’re getting. 

When you’re buying a legal product, you might know how much THC or CBD it has, whereas, with illegal products, there’s no way to tell what’s in it. 

Synthetic cannabinoids can be extremely potent and commonly cause extreme anxiety, confusion, and paranoia.

There have been reports of deaths associated with their use. 

Herbal marijuana is created by blending various herbs, plant material, and extracts into a smokable mixture that mimics the effects of real marijuana. 

Herbal marijuana alternatives do not contain THC or any other cannabinoids, but they contain compounds that have similar effects when ingested, such as euphoria and relaxation. 

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If you’re looking for legal alternatives to marijuana, you should consider some of these:

7 Legal Substitutes To Smoking Weed

1. Cannabidiol (CBD)

The cannabis plant contains hundreds of compounds, including THC and CBD, which are the most popular. 

The FDA recently approved a drug called Epidiolex that contains an extract of CBD and is used to treat seizures in two rare forms of epilepsy.

Additionally, there is also a wealth of anecdotal evidence about people using CBD to treat;

But the truth is we still don’t know much about how CBD works or how it would affect the average person.

More On CBD As An Weed Alternative

A recent study of the existing body of research concluded that CBD might be an effective treatment for numerous forms of epilepsy. 

Other studies have shown that CBD can help treat conditions like multiple sclerosis (MSMS) and Parkinson’s disease by alleviating pain and inflammation and reducing muscle stiffness. 

There’s even evidence from a clinical presentation that CBD can help prevent cancer from spreading and reduce chemotherapy side effects like nausea and vomiting.

The Food and Drug Administration has a strict cannabis policy, and so many products haven’t been approved as a drug for treating any condition.

CBD is considered a dietary supplement. Some states have restrictions on CBD, but these laws vary widely.

CBD (Cannabidiol) is a chemical compound from the hemp plant. It is one of over 85 unique chemical compounds found in hemp plants, known as cannabinoids. 

Research shows that CBD offers a wide range of potential health benefits.

Many people want the health benefits of cannabis without the high – or with less psychoactive effects.

Safe, legal products have only small amounts of THC. Many CBD products are available for purchase online and in many grocery stores, local dispensary, gas stations, or health food stores.

CBD products made from hemp are legal to buy and sell online so long as they contain less than 0.3% THC by volume. 

CBD has a lot of health benefits and is safe for all age groups. You can find CBD in oils, capsules, edibles and even beauty products.

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2. Delta 8-THC

Delta 8-THC is technically an analogue of Delta-9 THC because of the location of a double bond. 

That main difference is that it has a double bond on the 8th carbon chain instead of the 9th, which changes its effect on the body. 

It gives users a clear-headed feeling with a slight body buzz and a bit of hunger.

Delta 8-THC is a legal alternative to marijuana that acts on the same receptors in the brain as THC but with milder psychoactive effects. 

You can get delta 8-THC from many online vendors, and it’s even been found in some CBD products. 

If you want something more potent than CBD and can kill anxiety, delta 8-THC is the way to go.

There are two main ways you can enjoy delta-8 products:

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Delta 8 Vape Cartridges:

The cartridges are pre-filled with delta -8 oil, which means you don’t have to mess around with any oils or concentrates, making them easy to use.

Delta 8 Gummies:

Gummies are a great option if you want something discrete and easy to carry around anywhere. 

They also come in different dose sizes, so you can pick one that suits your tolerance levels.

The use and sale of delta 8 depend on regulations by local governments.

Although it’s derived from hemp, which contains only trace amounts of THC and is federally legal, delta 8 isn’t legal everywhere.

In some states, it’s illegal or requires a prescription. And in others, its legality is unclear.

3. Kratom

One of the first supplements that comes to mind is Kratom. 

Kratom is a tree native to Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Borneo, etc.).

Its botanical name is Mitragyna speciosa. Kratom is in the same family as the coffee tree (Rubiaceae).

The leaves of Kratom have been used as an herbal remedy from time immemorial by peoples of Southeast Asia. 

Kratom is used in folk medicine as a stimulant (at low doses), sedative (at high doses), recreational drug, pain killer, medicine for diarrhea, and treatment for opiate addiction.

It should be approached with a degree of caution and research, due to its potency.

4. Kava Kava

Kava kava is a plant that is used in ritual drinks by the native people of Melanesia, an area of islands in the Pacific Ocean. 

The root is used as a tea or can be chewed on. It creates feelings of;

  • Euphoria
  • Relaxation
  • Well-being

You can buy it at most health food stores or online as pills or liquid extract. 

Kava kava is not addictive, but you should take it only for short periods because it can have severe side effects if used for long periods. 

It might also interact with some medications, so it’s important to check with your doctor before taking it.

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5. Blue Lotus

The blue lotus flower was prized in ancient Egypt for its mystical powers and intoxication and euphoria when smoked or made into wine or herbal tea. 

Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) is a natural sedative originating from the Nile River delta. 

It features a relatively low-risk profile and causes psychoactive effects similar to marijuana smoked or steeped for tea.

But unlike cannabis, Blue Lotus doesn’t produce any noticeable cognitive impairment. 

Users report feeling more focused and relaxed, with an increase in sociability.

Blue Lotus is legal in most states and countries due to its non-psychoactive nature.

6. Hemp Oil

Hemp oil is obtained by pressing hemp seeds and used in several products, including cosmetics, dietary supplements, and fuel. 

It has many health benefits, including improving skin conditions and reducing inflammation. 

Hemp oil is an increasingly popular legal alternative to marijuana for looking for a natural product with no psychoactive effects. 

This oil comes from the same plant species as marijuana but does not contain THC, the psychoactive chemical that produces a ‘high’.

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7. Psychedelic Mushrooms

Psychedelic mushrooms are fungi containing psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive compound known for its hallucinogenic properties. 

Psychedelic mushrooms have been a part of countless religious, spiritual and healing rituals for thousands of years. 

They can help with anxiety and depression, and the psychedelic experience is not like that of marijuana, although it is much stronger.

Note:

Several prescription drugs are commonly used as legal alternatives to marijuana.

The three most popular ones are Marinol (dronabinol), Sativex, and Cesamet (nabilone). 

These drugs also act on the body’s endocannabinoid system like marijuana, but they’re synthetically produced and don’t come in plant form.

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Legal Alternatives To Marijuana - The bottom line

Legal weed is now available in most American states. However, some people still prefer to go for legal marijuana alternatives.

There are many reasons for this, including the lower prices and availability of products.

Plus, some people prefer the pure experience of using an option that is not marijuana.

Remember that you should always be careful when playing around with chemicals or underground products.

Do your homework, don’t trust just anything that comes along.

Please make sure you know everything about the product you are buying, or else you might buy products containing dangerous heavy metals and pesticides.

The internet has made it possible to open up medical marijuana dispensaries on the web. 

Where customers can visit the site, select a product including price, method of payment and make an order to be delivered right at their doorstep.