As medical marijuana legalization spreads nationwide, more Americans are turning to cannabis for relief from conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, and the brutal side effects of chemotherapy. In certain US states where recreational marijuana use is restricted, individuals can obtain a medical marijuana card to access marijuana for medicinal use. Yet stigma lingers, leaving many unsure if they should inform their healthcare providers about using this still federally illicit plant.
Discreetly securing a medical marijuana card often feels easier than facing potential disapproval or lectures from traditionally trained physicians and nurses. However, keeping your doctor in the dark about any substance you consume, particularly one with psychoactive properties, deprives them of information crucial to properly caring for your health.
This article explores why honesty remains the best policy when it comes to discussing medical cannabis with your doctor—and how authentic conversation can enrich the patient-provider relationship to profoundly benefit your treatment.
What are the advantages of disclosing your medical marijuana use to your doctor?
Opening up to your physician about using cannabis medicinally fosters an environment of transparency that lends itself to more customized and attentive treatment. With knowledge of the specific strains, dosages, and frequency that provide you relief, doctors can better grasp your health goals and formulate tailored recommendations to address symptoms. This candor also presents an opportunity for physicians to monitor and assess the ongoing therapeutic effects and any side effects of cannabis over time.
Constructive evaluation enables fine-tuning of marijuana regimens, allowing doctors to suggest modifications should the efficacy plateau or new concerns emerge. Beyond optimizing physical health, disclosing medical marijuana use bridges understanding between patient and provider. It invites an equitable exchange in which judgments are suspended and replaced by a joint commitment to discuss treatment considerations thoroughly and compassionately. The result can be healthcare rooted in trust and centered around your well-being.
It’s a two way street – inform your doctor about medical marijuana use
Despite the fact that cannabis (the plant) is legal for medical use in a number of states, doctors are still not allowed to prescribe it under federal law. This implies that your doctor is not allowed to prescribe cannabis to you legally. Alternatively, your physician may write a recommendation, certification, or attestation regarding the potential effectiveness of medical marijuana in treating your specific ailment.
Not every doctor, though, will feel at ease signing a certificate. There are specific doctors available in many states in the US to assess your case for a medical marijuana card. The attestation of a physician is necessary in order to apply for a medical marijuana card online. There will be a different cost for the card in each state.
We must also talk about certain physicians’ “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy regarding medicinal marijuana. Despite the availability of FDA-approved medical options and the legalization of medical marijuana in almost all states, patients still lack confidence when navigating their options for complementary or integrative medicine. Because there might be an interaction with other treatment options you are pursuing, it is best to have a provider with whom you feel comfortable and knowledgeable.
The Influence of Medical Marijuana on Your Treatment Journey
It’s crucial to disclose to your doctor your marijuana use habits, including how often you use it for medical or recreational purposes, regardless of whether it’s legal in your state. As previously discussed, marijuana disrupts the metabolism of numerous medications, such as herbal supplements and chemotherapy drugs. The liver is where marijuana and many chemotherapy drugs are metabolized.
Choosing Between Medical Marijuana and Conventional Therapy
Notifying your Cannabis Doctor San Francisco about cannabis use in lieu of traditional therapy is highly recommended. There is currently insufficient evidence to support its use as a stand-alone treatment. Since there is a limited window of time during which treatment is most effective, trying to use cannabis as a “cure” could cause the cancer to advance to a stage where treatment becomes more challenging.
It is noteworthy that a significant number of individuals who assert that cannabis or hashish oil has cured them have also been undergoing standard therapy. “What really upsets me the most, though, is when I see a patient with a potentially curable malignancy who is using cannabis oil instead of conventional therapy,” stated Dr. Donald Abrams of the University of California, San Francisco. In some cases, when a patient’s cancer worsens while using cannabis alone, the window of opportunity for a possible cure may close.
In order for your doctor to properly care for you, let them know if you use medicinal marijuana. If you or someone you care about is thinking about using medical marijuana, do your homework, check out the references, have conversations with others, and consult your physician.
