The 5 Best Substitutes for Marijuana

Weed or marijuana relieves many health issues and even prevents several ailments.

Once a banned drug, it’s slowly becoming legal in many places because of its beneficial effects.

Many governments allow citizens to buy, sell, grow and use a certain amount of marijuana.

If you use it for recreational or medicinal purposes and have run out or don’t want to use it anymore, you can look for some options.

The good news is there are several ingredients that you can use instead of cannabis.

Go through the whole write-up to know about the 5 best substitutes for marijuana.

What is Marijuana?

Called by multiple names and used for different purposes, marijuana is the dried leaves, seeds, flowers and stems of the hemp plant.

There are three species, namely cannabis sativa, cannabis indica and cannabis ruderalis.

People use all three types for different purposes.

The two main substances found in cannabis, cannabidiol (CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), are responsible for the effects on users.

If taken in moderate quantities, it can relieve pain, enhance lung capacity, help lose weight, and regulate and prevent diabetes.

It’s one of the most popular drugs worldwide, and enthusiasts call it various names.

They include dope, pot, grass, ganja, Mary Jane, skunk, spliff, etc.

But as not many people want to use it or can’t find it, here are the 5 best substitutes for marijuana.

The 5 Best Substitutes for Marijuana

The following are some alternatives for cannabis if you don’t want to use it.

1 – Kava-Kava

The root extracts of Piper methysticum found in the islands of the Pacific Ocean are known as kava-kava.

Native people in places such as Tonga and Fiji have used it for centuries as traditional medicine for many ailments.

Traditionally, the natives used to dry the roots, pound them into powder and drink it after mixing with water.

It’s currently available as a herbal supplement in many places, including online stores.

Like a weed, Kava also provides similar effects.

It soothes your mind and makes you feel relaxed.

People take it to get rid of anxiety, relax muscles, relieve pain and sleep disorders.

However, people with liver disease, bipolar disorder, depression and nursing and pregnant women mustn’t use it.

You mustn’t also take it longer than three months.

If you are under any medication, consult your doctor first.

Suitable ratio.

It’s best to take the lowest dosage possible because of its potency.

• 1mg marijuana =1mg kava (or follow doctor’s dosage).

2 – Valerian Root

The grasslands of Asia, North America and Europe are regions where valerian root or Valeriana officinalis grows abundantly.

It’s also an option in place of weed.

Ancient Greeks and Romans used it to relieve stress, headaches, trembling, insomnia and nervousness.

If you want to have similar effects as cannabis, it can help.

Many brands sell valerian root in capsule form these days, so you can get the supplement easily.

Valerian root is also a potent ingredient, and so experts recommend users seek doctor’s advice if they want to use it for more than a month.

The dosage for a sleeping disorder is higher than for stress and anxiety.

If you have insomnia, you should take it at least half an hour before bedtime.

The recommended dosage for insomnia is 300-600mg, while it’s 120-200mg for anxiety.

Suitable ratio.

• 2mg marijuana = 2mg valerian root .

However, it would be best to ask your doctor for dosage.

3 – Ginger

Ginger doesn’t make you drowsy, but you can use it in place of weed for other reasons.

Cannabis can help treat nausea, and so can ginger without giving a high.

Besides, ginger also offers many other health benefits.

It’s also a popular spice in the culinary world and finds its place in desserts, savory dishes and beverages.

You can use ginger fresh, cooked, dried and also in oil and powder form, and so it’s an especially versatile ingredient.

Besides alleviating nausea, ginger is also good for heart health and maintaining blood sugar.

It can also help with weight management, digestive function, fight infections and even prevent cancer.

Suitable ratio.

Ginger doesn’t make you sleepy, but it’s also not advisable to take high quantities.

Use the same quantity as weed.

• 1mg marijuana = 2mg ginger (you can add more if necessary).

Take ginger powder with warm water or tea, or you can also grind fresh ginger and boil it with tea.

4 – Turmeric and Black Pepper

Combining these two spices, often called ‘Golden Spice’ and ‘Black Gold,’ can alleviate several health issues as cannabis can.

Like ginger, they can be effective and beneficial without making you sleepy.

You can find the combination in oil form or as a herbal powder supplement.

You can also ground dried turmeric and pepper at home to create a mixture.

While each spice is potent on its own, the mixture can be even more effective.

Turmeric-black pepper combination can help alleviate stomach, liver and skin conditions.

It can also ease gallbladder problems and arthritis.

But you mustn’t consume high doses as it can cause stomach issues.

Suitable ratio.

• 5mg marijuana = 5mg turmeric-black pepper combination .

The ratio is only for safety purposes.

It’s always good to start with a lower quantity.

Or seeking a doctor’s advice is the best option.

5 – Coneflower

It’s the last substitute on the list, and it can be beneficial for various purposes.

The plant’s scientific name is Echinacea, and it’s native to the Americas.

You should look for supplements made with the original and natural coneflower and not hybrid ones.

The Natives in the American continents have been using coneflower to relieve migraines, inflammation, anxiety and arthritis.

The first coneflower plant reached Europe (England) only in the 18th century.

As per reports, the Europeans became interested in the plant after learning the medicinal power of Echinacea from the Native Americans.

Suitable ratio.

• 2mg marijuana = 2 mg coneflower.

Conclusion

You can use the substitutes mentioned above to relieve various health issues in place of cannabis.

There is a debate among experts regarding the ratio for each, so we have provided the least and safest options.

Add more only if needed.

If you are looking for marijuana substitutes for smoking, consider the above substitutes.

No matter whichever ingredient you choose, you should seek experts’ advice because some of them are quite potent.

It can be harmful if you consume a high amount unknowingly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)