A Patient’s Guide To Medical Marijuana-How To Get Started

Updated on November 5, 2020

Medical marijuana is a growing trend as more and more patients are finding it to be a safe and effective natural remedy for their conditions. It works on a range of health issues, from chronic pain to anxiety, depression, insomnia, and age-related cognitive diseases. Even cancer patients struggling with the pain and side effects of chemotherapy can experience relief with this therapy. But when it comes to switching to medical marijuana, you may need an extra dose of confidence to get started. Fortunately, a specialist cannabis doctor can have the best advice for you when it comes to choosing the right consumption method to get started. Here are the options you can consider.

Smoking

Perhaps the most popular and widely used method of medical marijuana consumption is smoking. It offers instant relief as the extracts are available almost immediately on the combustion of the plant. So if you are looking for quick relief from pain or anxiety, smoking is just the right way to start. It is cost-effective as compared to the other options, considering that you need not spend a fortune on devices and equipment. A single smoking device is enough to get started, though you can even begin with rolling papers. 

Vaping

If you are looking for a less aggressive way to dip your feet, vaping is an excellent alternative to smoking. It does not burn the herb like smoking, but you can still expect comparable results because the smoke is hot enough to unlock the medical benefits. Moreover, vaping isn’t harsh on the lungs, which is the downside of vaping. You will have to invest in a vape pen, but the investment is worthwhile.

Dabbing

Dabbing is a relatively newer method that medical marijuana delivery that patients can try as they gain more experience. Dabs are a tad more complicated to handle, but you can learn eventually. You can pick sweetleaf concentrates to dab and get the most incredible results with these pure and potent products. Dabbing weed in concentrated form has a clear benefit that you can achieve more with less. 

Edible consumption

Infusing medical cannabis in food and drinks is a great alternative for patients looking for lasting relief. Edible forms often take longer for the effects to set in, but the subtle influence stays for longer. However, you must be extra careful with the dosage as most patients go wrong with the repeat dose when the effects are not noticeable with the first dose. Just wait and give yourself time to understand your tolerance levels. Apart from edibles, you can also use sub-lingual tinctures for oral ingestion. It works faster than edibles but does not give a sudden kick as it happens with smoking and vaping.

Topical application

Your doctor may recommend topical application of cannabis-infused creams and lotions to provide local relief from muscle soreness and arthritis. You can also use cannabis-based skincare products for treating skin conditions like acne, dark circles, and wrinkles. As these products are applied on the skin, they seldom give you the quintessential high offered by cannabis. This method is recommended for a more targeted approach as the product works only on the area of application.

The choice of the medical cannabis consumption method greatly depends on your condition and tolerance levels. It is best to consult your doctor before you get started. Moreover, you will also need their recommendation to get your medical marijuana card for buying a product without any hassles. 

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