4 tips for first time medical marijuana patients

After some thorough discussion and debate, many states are now recognizing the viability of medical marijuana to help treat and relieve the symptoms of various health problems. Of course, that doesn’t mean that medical marijuana use is absolute. There are metrics that need to be considered such as dosage limits, sources, and supervision by a healthcare professional.

Once you have a prescription from a qualified doctor, you must be very careful in all of your decisions and decisions related to the use of medical marijuana. You need to make sure that the medical marijuana you are using is complementary to other medications and does not affect its effectiveness.

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With that in mind, here is a handy guide for first time medical marijuana patients to help you stay as safe and healthy as possible while using it.

Prepare for a lot of research

Although there are different types of medical marijuana products and manufacturers sold in pharmacies today, they are not made the same. There are some that are better than other products, both in terms of performance and quality. Since you want to use marijuana for medicinal purposes, it is only appropriate that you focus on products and manufacturers that are reputable and known in the medical field for their top quality.

RELATED: Why the U.S. Medical Marijuana Market Probably Wouldn’t Allow Smoking

There are many ways to do your research other than seeking advice from your doctor:

• Online Resources: The Internet is a information superhighway, so take advantage of the resources available online. For example, you may find marihuanadoctorsrx.com helpful. Just make sure you only read from credible sources. The internet can give you insights into the reputations of certain brands and manufacturers. So before you head to a pharmacy, you may already have an idea of ​​which brands to look out for.

• Talk to Other Medical Marijuana Patients: If you know someone personally who is a medical marijuana patient, you can also seek advice on what brands and types of products to trust. Mainly because they are patients themselves, you can trust them enough not to recommend products or brands that they know are not reputable or of good quality.

Know the conditions that are approved for medical marijuana

Note that medical marijuana is not absolute. This means there are few diseases or conditions your state may have approved for medical marijuana use. So, if your disease isn’t on the list, then most likely your doctor won’t get you a prescription or approval to use medical marijuana.

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Some of the most common conditions approved for medical marijuana are:

• cancer
• eating disorder
• Chronic pain
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• epilepsy
• arthritis
• HIV / AIDS
• glaucoma
• multiple sclerosis
• Hepatitis C.

However, with this list, keep in mind that it is not absolute. It can vary from state to state. Also check with your local medical authorities for safety.

Learn what to do when visiting a marijuana dispensary

Since your intended use of marijuana is for medicinal purposes, it means you will need a prescription before you can get certain products from a pharmacy. But you don’t have to be so anxious on your first visit. Compare this with a visit to your trusted pharmacy. Most of the people who work in pharmacies are very relaxed and will be more than ready to help you with your medical problems.

RELATED: Getting Medical Marijuana Can Be Difficult at Times – How to Navigate

You don’t have to go to just one pharmacy either. You can start with whoever is closest to you. If the products aren’t there, you can look for other pharmacies that may have the brand and type available.

Different types of products are available

When your doctor gives you medical marijuana clearance, they won’t always state the type of product you will be using. In many cases, they might just be indicative of the potency or the amount of CBD that should be in any marijuana product you will buy. This needs to be calculated along with the required dose and frequency determined by your doctor.

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The budget tender or the staff curator of the pharmacies you shop at will be happy to help you ensure that it is correct. But you need to be prepared to meet face to face with numerous medical marijuana product options to choose from.

These medicinal marijuana products each have their respective advantages and disadvantages. So it’s up to you to choose according to your preferred type or the one you are most comfortable with:

• Cannabis edibles: These are popular with many patients because they are easy to consume. Cannabis edibles are easier to digest, especially for those who have an aversion to capsules or gels, or because they are already ingesting too many in one day. These can be incorporated or mixed into beverages, or used as the main ingredient in cooking the patient’s food.
• Cannabis Topicals: These are ideal for patients who need a localized effect or feel of their medicinal marijuana. Typically, these are for patients who use medical marijuana to relieve chronic pain. It is best to do a patch test with topical agents first to make sure the patient’s skin is not experiencing any side effects.
• THC vapes: Vaping cannabis, including medical marijuana, is becoming increasingly popular because of its ease of use.

Conclusion

With so many patients enjoying the benefits of medical marijuana, it is not surprising that its use is increasingly being approved in many places. If your doctor has given you this approval, the next step is to source a safe, high quality medical marijuana product and administer it in the correct and correct dosage. It is not worth sacrificing your health for anything. Therefore, always pay attention to the tips mentioned above.

If in doubt, do not substitute medical advice. Your medical marijuana approved doctor is always your best source for all health-related questions and concerns. If you feel uncomfortable with the medical marijuana type or method used, be sure to let your doctor know.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and was republished with permission.