How to Talk to Your Doctor About Medical Marijuana | Dr. Noah Minskoff | Palo Alto, CA
A medical marijuana card in many states requires a one-on-one meeting with a healthcare professional. Patients must typically complete and sign a Healthcare Professional Certification form to be considered for the program. This process can be the most challenging part of the process.
Contrary to popular belief, patients are not being prescribed medical marijuana. The healthcare professional merely confirms that the patient has a valid medical condition. Here are ten tips for talking to your healthcare professiona l about medical cannabis certification:
Before your appointment, you’ll need to learn about the various components of cannabis, such as its endocannabinoid system and CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Medical marijuana can be consumed in various ways, such as oral, inhalation, topicals, and transdermals. There are varying pros and cons associated with each.
Look through the literature for credible sources that support the use of medical marijuana. Many online medical journals carry articles supporting the use of marijuana for specific needs.
It’s essential to consider using medical marijuana as a first-line treatment for certain conditions, such as cancer. It’s proven safer than opioids.
Unlike other prescription drugs, marijuana doesn’t have many side effects. It’s also regarded as one of the safest substances to consume.
Despite the various advantages of medical marijuana, it’s not widely accepted by the healthcare industry. Some professionals rely on personal convictions instead of scientific evidence.
Don’t just ask your doctor to complete the certification for medical marijuana. Instead, start talking about the substance itself.
If you’ve successfully used medical marijuana to treat your condition, be open and honest with your healthcare professional.
Keep a journal of your use, including the dosage and strains. This will allow the healthcare professional to review your experience.
If the healthcare professional is not comfortable with completing the certification process, ask to be referred to another healthcare professional.
Originally published at https://drnoahminskoff.com on August 2, 2022.
