1. Research Credentials and Experience: When considering a medical marijuana doctor, prioritize those with relevant credentials and experience. Look for doctors who are certified by the Florida Board of Medicine and have specialized knowledge in cannabis medicine. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests that patients treated by experienced physicians tend to have better outcomes.
2. Check Patient Reviews and Testimonials: Websites like Healthgrades, Yelp, or Google Reviews can provide valuable insights into patients’ experiences with specific doctors. Pay attention to reviews that mention the doctor’s expertise, bedside manner, and overall satisfaction. Positive testimonials often indicate a doctor’s competency and dedication to patient care.
3. Evaluate Communication Skills: Effective communication between you and your doctor is crucial for personalized treatment plans. During your initial consultation, assess how well the doctor listens to your concerns, explains treatment options, and addresses any questions you may have. A study in the Journal of Medical Internet Research emphasizes the importance of patient-centered communication in healthcare settings.
4. Consider Accessibility and Availability: Opt for a medical marijuana doctor who is easily accessible and available for follow-up appointments. Accessibility includes factors like the clinic’s location, office hours, and appointment scheduling process. Choosing a conveniently located doctor can streamline your treatment journey and ensure timely access to care.
5. Assess Knowledge of State Regulations: Florida has specific regulations governing the use of medical marijuana. Your chosen doctor should be well-versed in these regulations and able to guide you through the legal aspects of obtaining and using medical cannabis. This knowledge helps ensure compliance and minimizes potential legal issues.
6. Inquire About Holistic Treatment Approach: Look for medical marijuana doctors who embrace a holistic approach to healthcare. Beyond prescribing cannabis, they should consider your overall well-being and suggest complementary therapies or lifestyle modifications when appropriate. Research published in the Journal of Pain Research highlights the benefits of a holistic approach in managing chronic pain, a common condition treated with medical marijuana.
7. Seek Referrals from Trusted Sources: Don’t hesitate to ask friends, family members, or local support groups for recommendations. Referrals from trusted sources can lead you to reputable medical marijuana doctors who have positively impacted others’ lives. Personal referrals often provide a sense of assurance and credibility.
8. Verify Compliance with HIPAA Regulations: Protecting your privacy and medical information is paramount when seeking healthcare services. Ensure that the medical marijuana doctor adheres to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations to safeguard your confidentiality. Confirming HIPAA compliance can help you trust the doctor and the clinic with sensitive information.

By following these tips, you can navigate the process of selecting the best medical marijuana doctor in Tampa with confidence. Remember to prioritize qualifications, patient feedback, communication, accessibility, legal knowledge, holistic approach, referrals, and HIPAA compliance in your decision-making process.

For more information or to schedule a consultation with a reputable medical marijuana doctor in Tampa, visit The Herbal Clinic, MD today.

Sources:

• “Patient-Physician Communication About Marijuana in the United States.” – JAMA Network.
• “Patient-Centered Communication in Digital Medical Encounters.” – Journal of Medical Internet Research.
• “Holistic Approach to Chronic Pain Management: What Science Says.” – Journal of Pain Research.

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any medical treatment.

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Public opinion about marijuana has drastically changed over the last 50 years. 91% of American adults in 2019 believed that marijuana should either be entirely legalized or solely legal for medicinal use.

Are you curious about medical marijuana health benefits and how it works?

Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about medical marijuana.

What is Medical Marijuana?

Medical marijuana is cannabis that is used for medicinal purposes.

Cannabis is a plant native to Central Asia that is now grown around the world. The legality of cannabis varies around the world and between the U.S. states.

The marijuana plant has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Marijuana is increasingly considered a viable medicine after decades of prohibition.

The cannabis plant has been used in Taiwan at least 10,000 years ago to make fiber. It’s likely that the discovery of its medicinal properties was an early development.

Medical Marijuana Health Benefits

The field of scientific marijuana research is still in its infancy. That being said, there is a lot of optimism about the potential health benefits of marijuana for a long list of conditions.

Pain Management

Medical marijuana has been used in the treatment of chronic pain conditions such as:

• fibromyalgia
• migraines
• endometriosis
• arthritis

Pain is one of the most common conditions for which doctors prescribe marijuana.

It is believed that marijuana can reduce pain because the cannabinoids in the plant can alter the pain perception pathways in the brain. Some reports claim that marijuana helps replace frequent use of NSAIDs.

Mental and Neurological Disorders

Some doctors prescribe medical marijuana to help with neurological and mental disorders. This is because of its effects on the limbic system.

Conditions like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and Tourette syndrome are at times treated with marijuana.

So far, the only drug containing marijuana-derived ingredients that has been approved by the FDA is known as Epidiolex. It’s prescribed to treat two rare forms of epilepsy known as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and Dravet syndrome.

To learn more about how medical marijuana can help with anxiety and depression, check out our post on the topic.

Inflammation and Digestion

There is a long list of diseases that are thought to be caused by inflammation.

Marijuana contains over a hundred specific cannabinoids, one of which is cannabidiol, also known as CBD. CBD is believed to help reduce inflammation. Therefore it’s potentially beneficial to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Well-known for its ability to reduce nausea, marijuana may also have benefits for the digestive system. Its ability to modulate appetite means that it may be effective in treating anorexia.

Sleep Management

Somewhere between 50 and 70 million American adults experience sleep disorder symptoms.

People who suffer from sleep disorders like insomnia can find the relaxing effects of marijuana to help them fall asleep.

Another reason marijuana might help with sleep is because of its ability to reduce pain can make sleep come easier.

Addiction

It’s no secret that the U.S. is undergoing an opioid epidemic. Whether individuals first begin taking the medication for pain and become addicted, or they first obtain opioids illicitly, the rise of opioid-related deaths has been tragic.

It’s possible that prescribing marijuana for applicable conditions rather than opioids could reduce instances of opioid dependency. There are also some proponents of using marijuana as a treatment in drug addiction recovery as an alternative to drugs like suboxone.

How to Get a Prescription for Medical Marijuana

The laws regarding what conditions qualify for medical marijuana use vary between states. Obviously, in states where marijuana is recreationally legal, it is available to be purchased to anyone meeting the legal age. That being said, adults in states where recreational marijuana is legal might not have access to the same products as medical patients.

In the state of Florida, the following conditions qualify a person to become a medical marijuana patient:

• Epilepsy
• Cancer
• HIV/AIDS
• Glaucoma
• Lou Gehrig’s disease/Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Chronic seizures
• Crohn’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Medical conditions comparable to those listed above or of the same class or kind
• Chronic nonmalignant pain
• A diagnosis from a physician other than the doctor issuing the certification of a terminal condition

If you’re trying to find out how to get a prescription for marijuana, it’s important to know that technically physicians cannot prescribe marijuana. This is because cannabis is still illegal at the federal level. Instead, doctors can write a medical marijuana recommendation for you which can be filled at a dispensary.

If medical marijuana is legal in your state, there are likely many doctors that can provide a recommendation for you if you meet the qualifications. Making an appointment with a qualified physician is the first step.

Are You Ready to Become a Medical Marijuana Patient?

People have been using marijuana medicinally for thousands of years. Luckily after a long period of restriction, it’s becoming more available to patients in need.

Research is constantly being done in the field of medical cannabis research. As time goes on, we’ll learn more about the extensive medical marijuana health benefits.

Whether you’re interested in obtaining marijuana for inflammation conditions, cancer, epilepsy, or any other qualifying condition, it never hurts to talk with a doctor about your options.

If you’re in the Tampa area and looking to meet with Dr. Hashim, head over to our Contact Us page to request an appointment now!

The post What Are the Medical Marijuana Health Benefits and How Does It Work? appeared first on Medical Marijuana Doctor in Tampa | The Herbal Clinic, MD.

Even with its surge of popularity, there are still plenty of reservations about using medical marijuana, such as how to find a reputable medical marijuana clinic. Many brick-and-mortar stores are subject to opening, but how do you know if these ‘clinics’ are a safe and verified environment? 

Let’s explore some ways you can know for sure that the clinic near you is worth visiting. 

What is Medical Marijuana?

Unlike recreational marijuana, medical marijuana is intended to provide relief to symptoms and medical conditions for patients with qualifying conditions. The cannabis plant is used to help treat or manage health problems ranging from Alzheimer’s, glaucoma, and even symptoms like nausea or pain. 

Marijuana contains hundreds of chemicals called cannabinoids that interact with your body and have different effects. One of the chemicals, tetrahydrocannabinol or THC for short, is the cannabinoid responsible for giving you that “high” feeling. 

Right now medical marijuana is legal in 33 states, while some have heavier regulations. 

You can only obtain medical marijuana certifications from medical cannabis doctors who are certified to submit recommendations to the State of Florida in order for patients to receive their license. Not all doctors favor medical marijuana, so you’ll have to find a marijuana-friendly doctor, and apply for a medical marijuana card. Once you have your recommendation, you can visit a state-licensed dispensary to purchase your medical cannabis.  

How to Find The Best Medical Marijuana Clinic in Florida

Here are some tools and tips you need to know to keep yourself safe, healthy, and put your money in the right place. 

1. Know Your State Laws

You must understand how medical marijuana works in Florida. The Florida Department of Health provides patients with a number of qualifying conditions to access medical marijuana as a form of treatment.

2. Book an Appointment

If you search for “medical marijuana clinic near me” on the internet, be sure to try and select a medical marijuana doctor based on reputation, education, and medical expertise… not just based on price.

3. Get A Medical Marijuana Card

To get a medical marijuana card in Florida, you’ll need to make an appointment with a medical marijuana doctor in Tampa like The Herbal Clinic, MD, have a qualifying condition in order to receive a recommendation from Dr. Mark Hashim and complete the necessary state application. A good medical marijuana doctor should guide you in this process. 

Clinicians that are more prone to holistic medicine such as The Herbal Clinic, MD are more likely to recommend medical marijuana for patients. They have experience treating patients holistically (which means treating the whole person, not just the symptoms of disease) and understand how cannabis works in different situations. At The Herbal Clinic, MD, we are focused on providing patients with natural alternatives that benefit their overall health needs.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Perhaps you’ve never visited a medical marijuana doctor before, and you’re not sure what to expect. Is it exactly like being at a regular doctor’s office, or are there significant differences?

Here are a few things you can look forward to so you can be prepared. 

1. Bring Your Medical Records

You will likely need to bring your medical records with you to your appointment, but the staff will inform you of what records to bring prior. In any case, you’ll need to fill out our new patient intake forms.

2. Questions, Questions, Questions

Even if your doctor reviews all your medical records, be sure to bring all your pressing questions like dosage and ask if they write a plan for treatments. 

At our clinic, Dr. Mark Hashim will also ask you questions concerning your diagnosis and what treatments you’ve used in the past to treat your condition and present you with recommendations based on your specific health needs.

3. Medical Marijuana

Just because you visit a medical marijuana doctor, does not mean you have immediate access to medical marijuana. This is because a recommendation must be submitted to the state and you must complete the state application in order to receive your medical marijuana card in Florida.

Once you obtain your medical marijuana card, you will be able to visit any state-licensed dispensary in Florida to purchase your medical marijuana.

Best Medical Marijuana in Tampa, FL

Finding a medical marijuana clinic is no easy task, but it could be the key to being free of pain and other health problems. 

Are you looking for information on cannabis in Tampa? Our team is here for you! Contact us today to see how we can help. 

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