Medical cannabis is now used by millions of people on a regular basis. And that is just in this country. I don’t think anybody really knows how many people use it worldwide. Regardless, I am guessing there are plenty of people who do not use it but wonder if they should. After all, how can millions of people be wrong?
If you are wrestling with the idea of using medical cannabis, don’t just jump into the pool because your friends are already swimming. Take a thoughtful and cautious approach – just as you would with any other medical procedure or therapy.
There is actually a very good way to determine if medical cannabis is right for you. I have laid it out in three easy-to-understand steps. Note that there are details I will not get into. These steps are just a general guideline.
Step #1: Look at Qualifying Conditions
Your starting place is the list of qualifying conditions in your state. Qualifying conditions matter because medical cannabis is not appropriate for every medical condition in the world. Eager proponents sometimes make it seem that way, but cannabis is actually quite limited in its medical benefits.
The operators of the Beehive Farmacy medical cannabis dispensary in Brigham City, UT, explain that there are 17 qualifying conditions in their state. Your state may have more or fewer. Look at state regulations and see what is allowed. If your condition is on the list, you have the green light to move forward. If it’s not on the list, you already have your answer.
Step #2: Speak With Your Doctor
Making it to the second step means you have been diagnosed with a qualifying condition. Now you need to talk things over with your doctor. Explain to your doctor why you think medical cannabis is appropriate. Your doctor will ask questions; be sure to answer them honestly. Also be prepared for whatever answer your doctor gives you.
If your doctor is unwilling to have the discussion, there are other providers out there. Fortunately, growing numbers of doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners are more open minded to the possibility of recommending medical cannabis.
Your doctor may think medical cannabis is a good idea but not have the legal authority to recommend it. In Utah for example, Limited Medical Providers (LMPs) can only recommend up to 15 patients at a time. A doctor who had reached her limit may be on board but unable to recommend cannabis to a new patient.
Step #3: Do Your Own Research
The final step is to do your own research into cannabis and how it might impact you physically and mentally. Be sure to look at the issue from every angle. By contrast, the worst thing you could do is draw a conclusion and then search for information to back it up.
The one thing to remember in all of this is that medical cannabis is a drug. More specifically, THC and CBD utilized for medicinal purposes or drugs. They need to be treated with the same care and caution as any other medicine. Just because THC and CBD are derived from plants does it mean it is okay to use them indiscriminately.
Be your own person. Do not jump on the medical cannabis bandwagon because other people are telling you to. Do your research, speak to your doctor, and make a thoughtful decision based on as much information as possible. Maybe even speak with family members and friends just for good measure. If everything points you in the direction of medical cannabis, by all means give it a try.
