What is medical marijuana? Marijuana (either the plant or a substance derived from it) is used to treat illnesses or medical conditions by patients who have a prescription from a doctor. While it is the same substance as marijuana that is used for recreational purposes, it is utilized for medicinal purposes. Cannabinoids are more than 100 distinct compounds found in the marijuana plant. One herb has a distinct effect on the body every time it is taken. These two primary molecules in medicine are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). According to researchers, THC is also responsible for producing the "high" individuals get when they smoke marijuana or consume foods that contain it. What does the FDA say? The FDA has approved two medications, Dronabinol and Nabilone to treat post chemotherapy nausea and vomiting. The cannabidiol Epidiolex was approved in 2018 for treating seizures. How is it taken? It can be taken in several ways including the following: Smoked Inhaled through a vaporizer that turns into a mist Eaten in foods such as brownies or candy Topically - applied to skin in lotions or oils Sublingually - a few drops under the tongue