Medical cannabis is becoming quite popular as a treatment for various medical conditions. If you are considering using medical cannabis to treat your condition, it is important to talk to your physician about it. This may be a difficult conversation, but it is necessary to make an informed decision. The physician will be able to tell you if medical marijuana is the right choice for you and assist you in getting a medical marijuana card. This blog post will provide tips from a medical marijuana physician on how to talk to your doctor about medical cannabis.
Prepare for Your Appointment
To effectively discuss medical cannabis with your physician, it’s essential to prepare beforehand. Here are a few things you should pay attention to.
Familiarize yourself with your state’s laws on medical Cannabis – Since the passing of the Farm bill in 2018, medical cannabis is now legal in all 50 states. However, each state has different laws on how you can use it. Therefore, It’s important to know what these laws are so that you can discuss your options with your physician.
Be informed – When you meet with your physician, they will ask you questions about your condition and why you think medical cannabis will help. To answer these questions confidently, you should have done your research. In addition, displaying that you know about medical cannabis will show the physician that you are serious about using it as a treatment option.
Provide your physician with truthful information -You should also be prepared to discuss any other treatments you have tried in the past and how they worked for you. This will help your physician understand your condition and make a more informed assessment of the suitability of medical cannabis as a treatment option for your condition.
Have an outline of the issues you’ll want to discuss. If starting up the conversation about medical cannabis with your physician is proving difficult, have an outline of the topics you wish to discuss ready. This way, you can ensure that all of your questions are answered and that you get the information you need from the conversation.
Basic information on conditions qualifying for Medical Cannabis – It’s helpful to have basic knowledge of the qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in your state. This way, you can discuss with your physician from an informed point of view.
With this preparation, you will have a more confident and productive conversation with your physician about medical cannabis. Remember, the goal is to get information to make an informed decision about your treatment.
Appointment with your Physician
Now that you have prepared for your appointment, it’s time to meet with your physician. To help you have a positive encounter, here are a few tips.
Your doctor may lack education on cannabis – Though you expect your physician to be up-to-date on all medical treatments, the fact is that some physicians lack updated information on medical cannabis. This is where your research will come in handy. Be prepared to provide your physician with accurate and up-to-date information about medical cannabis so that they can make a suitable assessment of your condition.
Honesty – As with any conversation about your health, it is important to be honest with your physician. This includes being honest about any prior use of cannabis, both medical and recreational. The more honest you are, the more accurate their assessment will be.
Ask questions – Don’t be afraid to ask your physician questions about medical cannabis. With your outline of questions, you can ensure that you receive the answers you need from them. Consider including questions such as:
- How does medical cannabis work?
- What are the benefits of medical cannabis?
- What are the side effects of medical cannabis?
- How much medical cannabis should I take?
- What is the best way to consume medical cannabis?
- Can I drive while taking medical cannabis?
These are just a few examples of the questions you may want to ask.
Medical cannabis recommendation – Your end goal for this conversation is to get a recommendation from your physician for medical cannabis. This will allow you to access the medical cannabis program in your state.
If everything checks out and your physician is on board with trying medical cannabis, they will then write you a recommendation. This document will grant you access to the medical cannabis program in your state.
If you are considering medical cannabis as a treatment option, it is important to have an open and honest conversation with your physician. By being prepared and doing your research, you can ensure that you have a productive conversation about medical cannabis. With a recommendation from your physician, you will then be able to access the medical cannabis program in your state.
