And a study in the Journal of Addictive Diseases found that medical cannabis users with mental health conditions were more likely than those with other conditions to increase their use between March and April of 2020.
Spending more time at home with anxiety through the roof led plenty of people—including me—to explore their options for managing stress as well as many other health conditions at home.
The exact process of getting a medical cannabis card differs from state to state, but they all tend to follow a similar pattern.
Although it might seem like a superfluous step considering that, for most of us, our primary care doctors aren’t able to certify people for medical cards, it really is a good idea to check in with them first, Jordan Tishler, M.D., president of the Association of Cannabis Specialists, tells SELF.
And if you’re interested in using cannabis to manage a new issue, like new back pain, “those things deserve an evaluation and a workup” before assuming that cannabis is the answer, Dr.
So having this initial conversation with them first is a great way to get the ball rolling with a medical provider you already trust and to get any documentation you might need down the line.
In order to get your medical cannabis card, you need to be certified by a doctor who is registered in your state to do those certifications.
The goal of your evaluation with a cannabis specialist is to verify that you have a health condition that qualifies you for a medical cannabis card.
Remember that each state has its own list of qualifying health conditions that allow a registered doctor to certify patients for a medical cannabis card.
Migraines may not specifically be a qualifying condition in New York, but chronic pain and “pain that degrades health and functional capability as an alternative to opioid use or substance use disorder” are.
For example, some may give a more uplifting, energetic feeling that can be taken during the day while others provide a relaxing effect that’s better suited to nighttime.
During this evaluation, the doctor should also give you a heads-up about any side effects you might experience.
You should walk away from this evaluation with a solid idea of what to get at a dispensary, but no doctor in the country is allowed to actually legally prescribe cannabis.
Each state has its own rules and processes for medical cannabis patients.
“Once the doctor approves you, they push a button and send you your recommendation instantly through email, and you’ll get a hard copy in the mail.” If you have any questions about what you need to do after getting certified, talk to your doctor or check your state’s health department website for instructions.
“I always suggest that people try it themselves, but if they get stumped then we can help.
You will likely have to wait a few weeks for your physical card to arrive from your state health department.
You should be prepared to go in with your doctor’s recommendations, but know that different dispensaries carry different products, so yours they may not have exactly what your doctor has suggested .
Cannabis pharmacists, pharmacists that receive special training in the way cannabis works in the body and interacts with other medications, are becoming more and more common in dispensaries.
Niles says, so the pharmacists have specialized knowledge about which specific products at that store might be useful for you.
Cannabis can affect people in different ways, and even qualified doctors and pharmacists can’t always predict how a particular product will work for an individual patient.
If you try something and you don’t like the way it made you feel, you don’t feel like it did what it was supposed to do, or you’re having trouble getting your card, get in touch with your cannabis doctor.
SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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