Since its legalization in most of the states, medical marijuana is in great demand as an alternative medication to cure several chronic diseases. However, accessing and using medical marijuana can be challenging because of the legal limitations and regulations.
But there are some ways you can ensure getting your hands on medical marijuana. You will need to understand your state’s regulations as well as consult an expert physician to get yourself a medical marijuana card and start using medical marijuana without any legal limitations.
Below in this article, we are going to list the top 7 ways you can easily access medical cannabis and use it to treat your medical conditions.
Research Your State’s Laws and Regulations
Remember that cannabis has been legalized only at the state level. There is no federal law surrounding the legalization of cultivation and use. So, before you start obtaining and using medical cannabis for your healthcare needs, you will need to first research your state’s laws and regulations regarding it.
First of all, make sure that your state has legalized medical marijuana, and if this is the case, what are some specific restrictions on its use and possession? Also, find out what are the health conditions that qualify for medical marijuana as an alternative treatment.
These requirements and regulations vary from state to state. After you have understood all of these, look for the application process for obtaining a medical marijuana card so you can start using medical marijuana for your needs.
Consult with a Healthcare Professional
You will want to consult with a specialist physician if you need to access medical marijuana. A healthcare professional will assess your medical condition and evaluate you for any qualifying medical condition for the medical marijuana card.
They will also consider your medical history to see what kind of medications you have been using and whether they positively affected your medical condition. This will enable them to know if your condition can benefit from the usage of medical marijuana.
Based on this evaluation, they will provide you with a written certificate or a recommendation. This recommendation will act as a prerequisite for obtaining a medical marijuana card. By having this card on you, you can easily access medical cannabis in a variety of strains to treat your conditions.
Obtain a Medical Marijuana Card
As mentioned above, if your state allows the use of medical marijuana, you will need to obtain a medical marijuana card to access and use it. This card is a kind of legal certification that allows you to be eligible and authorized for the usage of medical marijuana.
For your information, there is a complete application process to obtain this card, and the first step is getting a recommendation from a specialist healthcare professional. Once your doctor has recommended you for a medical marijuana card, you will need to start applying for the card with the relevant state agency.
For example, if you live in Georgia, you will need to apply for medical marijuana certification in Georgia by visiting the marijuana state program agency in the state. The usual application process involves submitting your medical records, a doctor’s recommendation, and usually an associated fee.
After a certain processing time, you will receive your medical marijuana card by mail. You can then use this card to buy medical cannabis from the registered dispensaries in your state.
Consider Telemedicine Services
If you don’t have access to an expert medical practitioner to get recommendations for medical marijuana usage, there is another way you can do this – availing telemedicine services. As obvious by the name, these services allow you to follow an easy way to consult a healthcare professional and get medical marijuana recommendations.
This is a pretty easy way where you can simply schedule an online consultation with the doctor. It can be very important for patients who have mobility issues or live in remote areas where they cannot make in-person visits.
During this virtual consultation, the qualified doctor will evaluate your medical history, tests, and medical records. Based on these evaluations, they will see if your health conditions qualify for the medical marijuana card. Just be sure the doctor you choose for telemedicine is registered with the state marijuana program.
Explore Dispensary Options
After obtaining your medical marijuana card, you will need to access medical marijuana to treat your medical conditions. This marijuana can be obtained from the state-designated dispensaries. So, research the dispensaries that are licensed with the state and are in compliance with the state regulations.
Along with this, you will also need to know the different product strains available at a particular dispensary. These things will ensure you opt for a positive and reliable source for your medical marijuana needs.
Look for Alternative Consumption Methods
Medical marijuana can be used in many forms, and each of these forms has its own benefits. If you are going to use it on a daily basis for your medical condition, it is advised to research all the consumption methods and choose the one that is comfortable for you.
For example, if you are going to use medical marijuana to treat chronic pain, you will get a quicker and more effective cure by using topical creams and oils as compared to edibles. On the other hand, if you are looking for long-lasting effects to treat digestive issues, edibles can be more effective.
However, if you want dosage control options, you can go with vaporization or smoking. This type of consumption is good for health conditions that need immediate relief.
To find the best consumption method for your needs, you can first experiment with different methods and then choose the one that best suits your specific needs.
Consider Growing Your Own
If you have got a medical marijuana card, you will also have the option to cultivate your own cannabis plants. But make sure the plants are only used for personal use. This can indeed be a very cost-effective way to access medical marijuana.
However, these plants will only be used in smoking or vaporization. If you need edibles or capsules, you will need to visit the dispensary.
