There has undoubtedly been much ado about something recently, and when it comes to the benefits of Medical Marijuana, there’s good reason for the trend of managing many health conditions with this controversial option. As curious as you may be about whether medical marijuana is your ticket to relief from things like persistent pain, glaucoma, seizures, and other chronic illnesses, you probably still have some unanswered questions.
At McTammany Health Services, our knowledgeable team will work with you to create a comprehensive treatment plan that fits your lifestyle so you can get back to living your life comfortably and symptom-free. We are proud to offer comprehensive medical marijuana treatment to Florida state residents looking for natural and effective relief.
What is Medical Marijuana?
Medical marijuana is made from all parts of the cannabis plant, from the flowers and buds to the leaves and resin. Each part of the plant contains a different level of cannabinoids which are chemical substances that have a reactive effect on your body, ranging from calm to energetic.
Your body naturally produces its own cannabinoids called endocannabinoids as part of a system that regulates your memory, appetite, metabolism, pain, stress levels, immune system, and sleep. By incorporating different strains of cannabis phytocannabinoids found in medical marijuana, you can better regulate your entire endocannabinoid system to find relief specific to your body’s needs.
Is Medical Marijuana legal in Florida?
In 2016 Florida became the 22nd state to legalize at least partial access to medical marijuana with the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014. After a few years and a few more votes, 71% of Florida voters approved the Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative in 2016, giving eligible patients expanded access to medical relief. Medical Marijuana is available to permanent or seasonal Florida residents diagnosed with qualifying medical conditions.
Who can benefit from Medical Marijuana?
Most commonly, medical marijuana is prescribed for the management of chronic pain, whether as its own condition or to treat a symptom of another ailment like endometriosis and even nerve pains like those associated with Multiple Sclerosis. Marijuana has not been proven to be addictive and does not harm critical organs like your kidneys, making it a safer pain relief option than over-the-counter and opioid pain medications. It also has fewer side effects allowing you to resume your previous lifestyle without feeling disengaged.
Many patients have found relief from nausea and appetite loss which is familiar with standard cancer treatments, and it has even been prescribed for patients suffering from anorexia or weight loss. Many military veterans are even finding relief from PTSD, while Parkinson’s patients are seeing their tremors lessen. One form of childhood epilepsy is practically impossible to control but has been documented on video to respond dramatically to a specific strain of medical marijuana.
While studies are fairly limited on the full spectrum and possibilities of marijuana, there has been a notable “entourage effect” observed and documented that illustrates different cannabinoids working together to create various levels and types of relief based on your body’s cannabinoid needs.
If you are suffering from one of the medical conditions below or need help figuring out what is going on and what will be your best pathway to relief, talk to our friendly and knowledgeable team in Melbourne to get started today.
Qualifying Medical Conditions
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Crohn’s Disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Medical Conditions of the same kind or class or comparable to the ones listed above
- Chronic nonmalignant pain that is caused by or that originates from a qualifying medical condition and persists beyond the usual course of that qualifying medical condition
- A terminal condition diagnosed by a physician other than the qualified physician issuing the physician certification
Steps to Treatment
The first step to relief with medical marijuana is to be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition by a certified physician. Dr. McTammany is one of more than 2,000 licensed physicians in Florida and is proud to offer comprehensive treatment plan options to women and men alike.
Next, you and your caregiver will be entered into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry by Dr. McTammany, where you will both apply for your Registry Identification Card. Once you have been approved, you will need this card to obtain your medical marijuana prescription from a state-approved medical marijuana treatment center.
How to Use Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana can be consumed in many different ways, inhaled, orally, topically, and in some cases vaginally or rectally. Most commonly, medical marijuana is inhaled by burning the flower with heat or vaping the oil from a cartridge which is the fastest method of relief. However, this method is not recommended if you have a breathing condition or lung impairment.
The next most prevalent method of utilizing medical marijuana is orally through infused foods and drinks called edibles. The effects of this delivery method can be delayed but will typically last longer than you’ll experience with inhalation. For some patients like those struggling with appetite and eating, a more concentrated oral option called a tincture is available and uses drops placed under the tongue which work a bit quicker than other oral methods.
Medical marijuana can also be applied to the skin as a topical lotion, oil, cream, spray, or ointment for localized relief that gets the cannabinoids the closest to where you need with maximum effect and minimum side effects. In some rare cases, whether the patient is not able to consume their prescription in one of the other ways, or the patient needs more direct treatment, such as with endometriosis, medical marijuana can be prescribed as a suppository that can be taken vaginally or rectally to provide the anticipated relief.
Curious if YOU might benefit from medical marijuana? McTammany Health Services is here for you!
When you feel like you’ve run out of options or possibilities for living a full life and you’re tired of not finding the relief you need, McTammany Health Services is a one-stop office for your health services to help you look and feel your best! Our spa-like environment will make you feel like more than just another patient, you’ll feel like a priority.
No matter your stage of life, McTammany Health Services is ready to answer any questions you have about the benefits and possibilities of medical marijuana and we look forward to helping you take the necessary steps to take back your life with the relief you deserve. Contact us to get started today!