Marijuana is the latest buzzword in the medical community. Studies have shown that the use of this drug can be useful for treating pain and other serious illnesses. However, when you tell your family and friends that you’re using marijuana for medical purposes, you hear a mixture of responses and usually quite a bit of judgment.
Along with working through the ethical side of using marijuana for medical purposes, there’s also the importance of using it properly. Marijuana can be habit-forming, so it’s important to listen to the advice of your doctor and use it properly. If you’re just starting out with medical marijuana, here are some facts that can help you out.
Legal limitations
It’s important to use medical marijuana only where it’s legal to do so. Otherwise, you’ll run into problems with the law. Medical cannabis is legal in various forms throughout 39 states. If you live in a state where it’s not legal, you’ll have to cross state lines to use it or find a different alternative.
Unfortunately, even in states where medical marijuana is legal, limitations and restrictions still make it difficult for individuals to get the most out of medical marijuana. To defend your case for using the substance in a medical form, contact medical marijuana attorneys in California, or lawyers in your state, to receive support and fight for your rights.
Qualifications
Despite what many believe, it’s not difficult to become qualified for use of medical marijuana.
“Any individual suffering from a serious or chronic medical condition in which other traditional measures and medicines have not been effective can see a qualifying health care professional who can write a recommendation for medical marijuana as part of ongoing treatment of the patient’s terminal or debilitating condition,” says an article from United Patients Group.
Even if medical marijuana is not legal in your state, your physician can still recommend your going out of state to receive treatment where it is allowed.
Responsible use
It’s also important to be a responsible patient when using medical marijuana. Abiding by the laws in your state is only part of it. You’ll also want to use it appropriately to avoid a recreational dependence.
It starts with choosing the right consumption method. “There are many different methods of using cannabis, but not all consumption devices or types may be ideal for you,” says an article from Leafly, a publication that specializes in articles on the use of medical marijuana. “Some forms of intake, such as smoking, can aggravate symptoms instead of delivering the medicine intended to help alleviate them.”
Thankfully, medical marijuana can be taken in a number of ways, including salves, tinctures, pills, edibles, drinks, and more.
The article also discusses a number of other options, such as choosing the right strain, deciding whether to have it delivered or pick it up in a store, choosing reputable businesses, and taking certain precautions, like keeping it out of the hands of children and properly storing it.
Doctor guidance is also key. “Don’t overuse your medication; instead, make sure you’re following your doctor’s recommendations and listening to dispensary employee feedback to ensure you’re not using more than you need,” the article warns.
Be realistic
A Rolling Stone article cautions against believing that medical marijuana is some kind of cure-all treatment.
“A lot of people talk about marijuana like it’s some kind of magical cure-all that is going to clear up your acne and eliminate your migraines and save your life,” the article says. “I mean, it might do some of those things. But it’s certainly not guaranteed.”
Don’t expect it to save your life, and don’t try to oversell the product to others. It will work for some things sometimes, but not always. Be realistic in your expectations, and you won’t be disappointed.