Many people are into Medical marijuana for the feeling it gives them, whether it is to calm them down or to heighten their senses. Recreational marijuana use is now legal in several states and the District of Columbia, and people are allowed to go into stores, buy Cannabis products legally, and consume those products however they want. However, for many people, Cannabis may provide relief from a host of ailments, and that is the reason they are looking to obtain Cannabis legally. If you are a patient who is looking to buy Cannabis to help with the management of symptoms for a medical condition, or for symptoms, there are steps you can take to obtain medical marijuana. Keep reading below in order to find out how to obtain permission to get medical marijuana, what you need to know before you go to a medical dispensary, and how to make sure you get the product that’s right for you.
How to Be Sure You Qualify for Medical Cannabis
First, you need to have a qualifying condition, which means that you have a condition that would allow you to obtain medical Cannabis under your state’s laws. Every state is different, and you will need to check with your state to see if you have a condition that qualifies for medical Cannabis. Common conditions that qualify in the state of California include: Cancer, HIV/AIDS, Multiple Sclerosis, Seizures, Nausea, Glaucoma, Arthritis, Migraines, Fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, and some mental health issues such as PTSD, Anxiety and Depression.
Medical cannabis is prescribed, just like any other prescription medication, you will receive a prescription for medical Cannabis.
Getting a Medical Cannabis Card
In order to get a medical cannabis card, you will need to find a doctor that is able to prescribe cannabis. If your doctor prescribes marijuana, then you will be able to get prescriptions from him or her. If they are not comfortable prescribing marijuana, ask for a referral from a medical professional who does prescribe Cannabis. Once you find a doctor who is willing and able to prescribe marijuana for you, you will be able to get a medical marijuana card.
Finding a Cannabis Dispensary
When you have a medical marijuana card, you will then be able to look for a dispensary in your area. While some states have recreational and medical marijuana stores, other states just have medical marijuana stores, so you will need to do some looking before you start shopping. Some stores that are both recreational and medical marijuana stores will cater more to medical marijuana users–while others will be more interested in the recreational users. You want to find a store with as much expertise in medical marijuana as possible, and your particular condition as well.
Ask Questions and Get Informed
When you have found a dispensary that best suits your needs, you need to get educated about the best products to help alleviate the symptoms of your condition, as well as how each product works. Some Cannabis products are able to relieve symptoms quickly, while others are better for long term alleviation of symptoms.
While the staff of medical marijuana shops are able to help you with your questions, it is helpful to have some knowledge of your condition before you go into a medical marijuana dispensary for the first time, because that will allow the budtenders to help you find the products that are right for you.
In general, you can count on these general guidelines:
● If you want to smoke Cannabis or put in in a vaporizer to quickly relieve symptoms, you may want to look at the flower varieties.
● If you want something that is potent, you may want to think about trying tinctures that you can put under your tongue, as well as waxes, resins, and shatters, which provide more concentrations of cannabinoids.
● If you are looking for relief of symptoms that is longer lasting (providing several hours of relief) you may want to try edibles.
● If you have trouble rolling your own joints because of mobility issues, you can ask the dispensary for pre-rolled joints.
● You may also want to ask about lotions or sprays if you need topical relief from pain or inflammation.
● You can also ask about pills, oils and suppositories if you have conditions that make smoking marijuana not advisable (such as lung disease).
When you are just beginning on your cannabis journey, be sure and try a few different types of Cannabis products, so that you can find the right combination for you to alleviate your symptoms and find lasting relief.
