Month: October 2022

Tips for Discussing Medical Marijuana with Your Physician

Since the 1960s and 1970s, marijuana users have been the focus of widespread persecution in the United States. Although marijuana is legal for therapeutic reasons in a number of states, many people continue to criticize those who use it. Due to the bad preconceptions around cannabis use, several people are hesitant to explore the advantages of cannabis with their physician.

Your physician will not judge you for enquiring about other therapies. You would not hesitate to discuss a prospective medicine with your doctor after watching an advertising for it on television. Also, you should not feel bad about discussing medical cannabis with your physician. I think these ideas will be helpful for the discussion.

Exude assurance.

Even if you are experiencing a tremendous degree of fear and uncertainty about the diagnosis your doctor will make, you must project an appearance of confidence. Since medical cannabis is allowed in our state, you have the same right to discuss it with your doctor as you have with any other prescription or dietary supplement.

An argument that is well-prepared is vital.

Prepare an explanation in the event that your physician denies your request for medical cannabis. What pushes you to experiment with medical marijuana? What beneficial results have resulted from your research?

Recognize the regulations and policies.

Your physician is not required to investigate Florida’s medical marijuana legislation. They must assist you in obtaining your medical marijuana card in a lawful and accurate manner. Knowing the average quantity of cannabis required to get the desired effects can impress the doctor and demonstrate your diligence.

Are you Interested in Obtaining a Medical Marijuana Card?

While federal law prohibits the use of cannabis, medicinal marijuana programs have been rapidly expanding within the United States and internationally. A medical marijuana card, issued by your state, is your ticket to cannabis’s healing properties (also known as a cannabis card or weed card).

As of this past July (2019), 33 states and the District of Columbia have approved medical marijuana. With the passing of the Medicinal Use of Marijuana Initiative in 1996, California became the first state to allow medical marijuana. Since then, states that have passed legislation to allow medicinal cannabis have imposed a wide variety of rules on the industry.

While each state has its own set of regulations for acquiring a medical marijuana card, familiarizing yourself with at least some of the steps involved will help you determine whether you want to pursue this option. Let me give you a quick rundown:

An explanation of the card allowing legal access to medical marijuana.

When a patient gets a medical marijuana card, they are legally allowed to buy cannabis products from a dispensary to alleviate the symptoms of their disease. In many cases, dispensaries will not let people in who are not patients in without a valid medical identification card.

Proof of medical necessity is required in certain jurisdictions for patients to legally use medical marijuana delivery services or cultivate a small number of plants for personal use. Patients may be able to designate a caregiver under state law to assist them with all aspects of medicinal marijuana use.

Many state health departments oversee and manage medicinal cannabis programs. These state agencies oversee not just the applications of patients but also the production and sale of medicinal marijuana and the applications of caregivers.

Many states have different laws regarding the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Patients in places like Colorado and California, where medical marijuana is legal, have access to a broad variety of products, while others like Texas, where marijuana is illegal, have more stringent regulations in place. Some states only permit medicinal cannabis derivatives, while others mandate that patients have tried all other available therapeutic options before medical marijuana may be recommended.

Is It Worth It to Apply? The Benefits and Drawbacks of Getting a Medical Marijuana Card

Numerous benefits come with obtaining a medical cannabis license in states that have a medicinal marijuana program but no recreational market. Unlike the marijuana sold on the black market, medicinal marijuana has to pass stringent tests for contaminants like mold and pesticides before it can be supplied to patients. Patients may locate the most helpful strains and treatments with the use of a medical marijuana card, which allows them access to a greater variety of cannabis products correctly labeled with the quantity of THC, cannabidiol (CBD), and other cannabinoids.

In a jurisdiction where cannabis is legal for recreational use, however, patients may wonder whether it’s worthwhile to apply for a medical marijuana card and pay the associated price. Knowing the advantages of having a medical marijuana license is helpful in a state where people may legally buy cannabis for both medicinal and recreational purposes.

A medicinal marijuana certificate in a recreational state may not be the best idea for many reasons. Patients over the age of 21 may lawfully acquire cannabis without a medical marijuana card if the application cost and wait period associated with the approval procedure are prohibitive. It’s possible that some individuals won’t want their information recorded in a register for persons who use medicinal marijuana. Although marijuana has been legalized in many places, there is still a stigma attached to it that might prevent some people from becoming patients.

But even if those things weren’t taken into account, there are still many advantages to having a medical marijuana certificate. Those things are:

Both the doctor and the budtender at the dispensary can assist patients choose which items will be most effective in relieving their symptoms.

In jurisdictions where adult-use cannabis is legal, those with a medical marijuana license have access to stronger products that aren’t authorized for general sale.

Many times, you might get a discount or tax break on medical supplies.

Individuals with a valid medical ID may be eligible to use restricted delivery services catering specifically to the medical community.

Medical marijuana facilities often accept patients who are 18 years or older, while adult-use programs typically need consumers to be 21 years or older. In certain states, kids under the age of 18 who potentially benefit from medicinal marijuana can apply for a card with parental or legal guardian permission.

How to Apply for a Marijuana Card for Medical Use.

While each state has its own set of regulations regarding medical marijuana cards, most of them have a very standard application and approval process. Every state has its own list of qualifying illnesses that a patient must have been diagnosed with in order to qualify for a medical marijuana card, therefore this is the first place to look.

To apply for a medical marijuana card in California, you must first determine whether or not your disease meets the state’s criteria for qualified patients. Both the physician and the patient need to agree that medicinal cannabis has therapeutic potential.

Even if occasional medicinal marijuana usage for very mild conditions may not need a card, there are still advantages to having one.

The next step is to submit an application for a medical marijuana card to the state agency in charge of the program, either online or through mail. It’s common practice for states to request payment from applicants before processing their requests for medicinal marijuana cards. Applying for a medical insurance card may include a charge. If you are experiencing unusually high expenses or a serious health problem, you may be eligible for a waiver in your state; thus, you should research your state’s application requirements.

With a medical marijuana card, how much weed can you buy?

It’s up to the each state to determine how much medicinal cannabis a patient may lawfully buy and possess. The quantity of marijuana that may be bought from a dispensary at one time is often capped at some point. Patients are only allowed to have a particular quantity of flower or other cannabis products at any one time.

Even as a person seeking medical treatment, you should be aware of these restrictions and how they vary from state to state. For instance, in Montana a certified medical marijuana patient may only have 1 ounce (or 28.35 grams) of cannabis flower, whereas in Delaware that number might go as high as 6 ounces (or 170 grams).

The same method need to be considered while growing at home. Some states’ medical marijuana programs allow for the home production of marijuana by registered patients or caregivers, whereas other states, such as New York and New Jersey, do not have such legislation in place.

Is the cost of medical marijuana lower than that of recreational use?

While both medicinal and recreational cannabis prices vary by state, in most cases, medical marijuana is less expensive than its recreational counterpart. Medical marijuana in the state of Colorado, for instance, is subject to a 2.9% sales tax whereas retail marijuana carries a 15% sales tax (not adding potential local taxes).

Can I Use My California Medical Marijuana Card in Another State?

Non-residents with valid medical marijuana cards may legally buy cannabis in a number of states where medicinal cannabis is permitted because to reciprocity rules. If your state participates in a system called “reciprocity,” where residents of other states may legally get and use medicinal marijuana, you’ll need to apply to that state’s medical marijuana program.

If you are a medical marijuana patient in your home state and you plan to visit Hawaii, you may apply for a Hawaii 329 Registration card so that you can take part in the medicinal cannabis program in the Aloha State. But you can’t just go up to a dispensary on Maui with your out-of-state cannabis card and expect to be served. Customers interested in getting medical treatment in Hawaii must be registered for a disease that is on the state’s approved list and must submit an application at least 60 days before their planned visit.

Is there anything good about using marijuana as medicine?

Marijuana has been outlawed for decades, but recent changes in policy have prompted a reevaluation of the drug from both a cultural and legal perspective.

The vast majority of Americans support medicinal and recreational marijuana legalization, according to recent polling. As a result, a growing number of states have legalized marijuana for either recreational or medicinal usage, or both.

However, additional evidence of marijuana’s therapeutic effects is needed to satisfy the skepticism of certain scientists and policymakers. In addition to the lack of current knowledge, there are also concerns that the potential drawbacks of marijuana use can sometimes exceed the advantages.

You may be wondering whether this drug really has all the claimed advantages. We discuss some of the best-documented advantages and some concerns.

The benefits and drawbacks of using marijuana, please.

Similarly to how synthetic medications may benefit certain ailments while others do not, medical marijuana is not a catch-all solution. Cannabinoids, including cannabidiol, are believed to be responsible for marijuana’s therapeutic effects (CBD).

One of the cannabinoids in marijuana that has received the most attention is CBD. Related to cannabis, there is another plant that contains CBD: hemp.

In contrast to THC-containing marijuana, CBD has little amounts of the cannabinoid (THC). In large doses, this substance is notorious for producing hallucinations.

Cannabis plants may contain as much as 40 percent CBD. The central nervous system may become less reactive to pain and inflammation after being exposed to CBD. Numerous health benefits may result from this.

There is still some apprehension regarding the effects of THC on classic cannabis. This is due to the fact that it might elicit varying degrees of drowsiness and alertness in different persons.

The advantages of reduced inflammation from medicinal marijuana usage will likely be weighed against any potential psychological concerns.

What are pot’s perks, if any?

There are now two types of synthetic marijuana available. They are prescribed by doctors to deal with the after-effects of chemotherapy and cases of severe epilepsy.

What follows is a compilation of some of the most often cited medical and nonmedical uses for marijuana.

Controlling suffering

Marijuana’s cannabinoids may reduce pain by altering the nervous system’s response to it. This has the potential to alleviate chronic pain from illnesses such as:

  • arthritis
  • fibromyalgia
  • endometriosis
  • migraine

It has the potential to ameliorate some of the unpleasant symptoms of cancer therapy, such as nausea and weight loss.

People who have been using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen for extended periods of time may find relief from their symptoms by switching to medicinal marijuana.

lower swelling

Marijuana’s CBD may have anti-inflammatory effects. Theoretically, this might benefit inflammation-related diseases and disorders like:

  • Crohn’s disease
  • abdominal distress syndrome
  • an arthritic condition
  • Reducing systemic inflammation is another approach to better health.
  • Mental and neurological illness

Medical marijuana is occasionally prescribed for the treatment of the following neurological and mental health disorders due to its effects on the limbic system:

  • anxiety
  • epilepsy
  • chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (multiple sclerosis)
  • Illness caused by Parkinson’s
  • Affective Disorders Related to Trauma (PTSD)
  • Asperger’s syndrome
  • Treatment for insomnia

Insomnia sufferers may get relief from marijuana’s calming effects. If marijuana relieves your pain, you could find that it also helps you sleep better.

When used recreationally, what risks does marijuana pose?

Some claim that marijuana’s effects on the brain are comparable to those of opioids. When compared to synthetic opioids, however, its risks are far lower. In addition, it does not have the same addictive potential as other substances.

Both of these factors contribute to the widespread support for legalizing marijuana: the hope that those in need of pain relief will have access to more effective and less harmful options. To combat their opiate dependency, some patients turn to marijuana.

However, we must also consider the hazards associated with marijuana use. Here are some potential negative effects to discuss with your physician:

Resulting in hallucinations. Mild hallucinations, poor motor abilities, and altered perceptions of reality have all been linked to marijuana usage. Due to these factors, consuming marijuana may make it unsafe to do tasks such as operating heavy equipment. Never go behind the wheel if you’ve been smoking pot. Even in states where marijuana use is allowed, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of the drug.

Like effects of a depressant. In the same way that alcohol may make you drowsy, marijuana may have the same effect. Relaxed and as ease as you may be, you may have problems synchronizing and concentrating. Some individuals may experience feelings of sadness as a secondary reaction.

Actions with a stimulating effect. Although marijuana has certain therapeutic benefits, it also increases the risk of paranoia, agitation, and heart and blood pressure problems. These are less prevalent side effects of marijuana than the sedative ones.

The results were multifaceted. Some of them include increased hunger, dry lips, and redder eyes.

You should realize that marijuana might have varying effects on various individuals. Until you put it to use, you can’t be sure of the results.

in relation to the statutes

As of January 2020, recreational marijuana use is legal in 11 states and the District of Columbia, while medicinal marijuana usage is authorized in 33 states. However, marijuana possession is remains unlawful under federal law.

What does this signify for those interested in medicinal marijuana’s potential benefits?

Before using marijuana for any medical purpose, you should see a physician.

What follows is a call to your state’s legal resources. Use of marijuana is still illegal regardless of if it is allowed in your own state. Get ahead of any legal difficulties by preparing ahead of time.

It is also essential to understand that cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD) are two different substances.

Hemp-based CBD products with less than 0.3% THC are permitted at the federal level but are still illegal in several states.

Hemp-derived CBD products are illegal on a federal level, but laws vary by state.

Be sure you’re in compliance with the laws of the countries you’re visiting. Bear in mind that the Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated the accuracy of the labelling on CBD products sold without a prescription.

Intended Meaning

The legal and medical status of marijuana is now one of the most hotly debated topics.

Before deciding whether marijuana should be used for medicinal or recreational purposes, advocates on both sides of the argument need more information regarding its health advantages.

Meanwhile, if you’re curious about the therapeutic potential of cannabis, it’s best to see a medical professional. They can assist you learn how to receive a medical marijuana card in your state and advise you on the relative merits and hazards of using marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Never attempt to address a health issue on your own by using drugs or substances. Plant-based substances like marijuana are included in this category.

The myths and facts of cannabis and dementia

Cannabinoids, the chemical chemicals in cannabis responsible for its therapeutic and recreational characteristics, have been studied by scientists and medical professionals over the last decade. Cannabinoids’ potential to calm anxious feelings is one area of research.

Agitation is a known behavioral alteration in Alzheimer’s patients. Medications may be necessary for severe agitation that does not respond to non-drug techniques, although everyone believes that non-drug methods should be tried first. Unfortunately, many of the current drugs used to treat this sort of behavior come with very dangerous side effects. Unfortunately, the most effective drugs are also the ones that may cause stroke and even death.

However, cannabinoids interact differently with the body, making them potentially safer and more effective for treating agitation. It’s believed that certain of these impacts may even assist prevent brain cell death.

However, there has been a lack of research on the efficacy of cannabis as a therapy for Alzheimer’s disease. Cannabinoids may not have the same impact on an Alzheimer’s disease brain as they do on a healthy brain, thus further research is needed. Cannabinoids, for instance, have been shown to have a soothing impact in healthy individuals, but they may have the opposite effect in those with Alzheimer’s disease.

My team at Sunnybrook Research Institute has begun investigating this further using seed money from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation and the Alzheimer Society Research Program.

We administered nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid used to treat agitation and/or violence, to a group of persons with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease over a period of 14 weeks. Currently, Nabilone is the only drug licensed in Canada to alleviate nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

We want to see whether nabilone can decrease agitation without generating the main adverse effects associated with other drugs by comparing its effects to those of a placebo.

Also contributing to anger and violence in patients with severe Alzheimer’s disease are pain and weight loss. We also monitored changes in pain and appetite in trial participants because these symptoms have been shown to improve with cannabinoids.

After this, what do we know better?
Nabilone not only decreased agitation considerably as compared to the placebo group, but it also improved behavioral symptoms generally. One of the most prevalent negative effects was a drowsier feeling. Our next step is to test our hypotheses in a larger population to ensure the highest levels of safety and effectiveness.

We advise doctors, persons with dementia, and their families that more research is needed before we can prescribe cannabis to treat agitation, but we believe this study will pave the way for further studies on the use of cannabinoids to treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. More research is needed to confirm our results and examine potential cannabis side effects, such as drowsiness and memory loss.

More study is needed to shed light on the pros and cons of medicinal cannabis and to back up well-informed laws, guidelines, and standards. This will allow us to devote more time and energy on improving the quality of life for individuals with dementia, rather than just focusing on preventing negative behaviors.

Krista Lanctôt, PhD, is a professor at the University of Toronto’s Department of Psychiatry and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and a senior scientist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre’s Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program. With the help of a biomedical grant from the Alzheimer Society Research Program, she conducted a pilot research on the use of cannabis in the treatment of behavioral abnormalities associated with Alzheimer’s disease.