Aug 10th 2023

10 Questions to Ask Your Medical Cannabis Physician

Embarking on the journey to explore medical cannabis as a potential treatment option is a significant step toward managing your health in a holistic, safe, and alternative manner.

At Compassionate Clinics of America, we understand the importance of informed decision-making, and that starts with asking the right questions during your appointment to get your medical cannabis certification for your medical card.

Offering compassionate support across 27 states, we’re committed to helping you navigate this process and empowering you to have productive discussions with our experienced medical cannabis doctors.

Important Questions to Ask Your Medical Marijuana Physician at Compassionate Clinics of America

Everybody is different and every BODY is different, and there is truly no one size fits all approach to treatment with medical cannabis.

In this blog, we present 10 crucial and common questions to ask your medical cannabis physician to ensure a productive conversation and that you receive the personalized care you deserve:

Has Medical Cannabis Proven to be Effective for [Insert Qualifying Condition Here]?

Understanding the range of conditions that medical cannabis can effectively address is key; however, it’s important to understand that cannabis isn’t a cure or a panacea.

While it is still illegal on the federal level causing some barriers, medical research on cannabis has increased significantly over the last several years to help us understand how the plant interacts with the body, and why so many people are using cannabis for their health.

Whether you’re living with chronic pain, anxiety, epilepsy, nausea from cancer treatments, or another condition that makes you qualify for your state’s medical cannabis program, ask your doctor about the emerging research to help you remain in-the-know about cannabis medicine and make an informed decision on whether you use it.

How Could Medical Cannabis Interact with My Current Medications?

Cannabis can affect the way certain medications are metabolized by the body, potentially leading to undesirable effects or reduced efficacy.

For instance, cannabis may amplify the sedative effects of medications like opioids, benzodiazepines, or certain antidepressants. Additionally, cannabis could alter blood pressure, potentially impacting medications used to manage hypertension.

It’s essential to let your medical marijuana doctor at Compassionate Clinics of America know about any other prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking in case of possible interactions.

What is the Best Consumption Method for Medical Marijuana for Me?

While smoking cannabis is a traditional route, it might not be the optimal choice for some medical cannabis patients. Smoking exposes the lungs to potential irritants and harmful compounds, which could exacerbate respiratory issues or lung conditions.

For a medical cannabis patient seeking a safer alternative, options like vaporization, edibles, a tincture, or topical creams provide precise dosing and minimize potential lung-related concerns.

If you are unsure whether you should be smoking or vaporizing your medical cannabis, ask your doctor about alternatives to help ensure you are still able to experience the benefits of medical cannabis without exposing the lungs to potential harm.

How Will I Determine the Right Dosage?

Understanding the appropriate dosage is crucial for effective treatment, and sometimes there is too much of a good thing.

With the variety of marijuana products available to a patient, it is important not only to understand the different strains that you can take, but also how much of a product you should smoke or ingest.

Our doctors will work with you to establish a personalized dosing and treatment plan, teaching you how to titrate your doses of THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids, ensuring you achieve the desired therapeutic effects.

Are There Any Side Effects?

As with any treatment or medication, medical cannabis may have potential side effects. A common side effect, for instance, with cannabis is dry mouth.

We encourage patients to talk to your doctor about any potential side effects of using cannabis to treat a medical condition. While cannabis is a relatively safe medical treatment, as mentioned above, it could have possible interactions with other medications prescribed by your primary care doctor that you should disclose to the doctor you visit at Compassionate Clinics of America.

Our doctors will guide you through the potential risks and benefits, helping you make an informed decision.

Can I Continue My Normal Activities While Using Medical Cannabis?

It’s important to address potential impacts on daily life to ensure a balanced and responsible approach to certifying patients for medical marijuana.

Our experienced doctors understand the significance of maintaining your routine activities. They will discuss in detail how medical cannabis may influence your ability to perform tasks such as driving, operating machinery, or cognitive tasks at your job. By providing personalized insights, our doctors can guide you in making informed decisions on how cannabis affects your day-to-day activities.

Whether it involves adjusting your dosages, selecting specific consumption methods, or planning your cannabis use around your activities, our goal is to empower you with the knowledge you need to seamlessly integrate medical cannabis into your lifestyle while prioritizing safety and effectiveness.

What if Cannabis Doesn’t Help Improve My Symptoms?

As mentioned above cannabis is not a cure-all or panacea. It’s important to understand that some patients go through a significant period of trial-and-error before they find the right products, doses, and strains to treat their medical condition.

Your medical marijuana doctor at Compassionate Clinics of America will be able to talk to you about the process of trying different products, doses, and strains to find the most effective path to using medical marijuana. They will also remind you that cannabis isn’t for everyone, and will not give you false hope that cannabis will be the solution to your medical problems.

Can Medical Cannabis Help Me Reduce Use of Other Medications?

While this is a discussion you should also be having with your primary care physician, our doctors are equipped to provide comprehensive insights into the potential role of medical cannabis in reducing your reliance on other medications.

Through a thorough evaluation of your medical history and condition, they can explore whether medical cannabis could serve as a viable alternative or complementary approach to managing your health.

Our goal is to empower you with a well-informed perspective, enabling you to make the best decisions for your medical needs.

What Strains (Cultivars) Should I Use?

There are hundreds, possibly thousands of different cannabis strains (cultivars) out there, making it sometimes overwhelming for patients who are wondering which ones they should access to address their symptoms or medical condition.

Compassionate Clinics of America’s doctors will be aware of some of the strains and marijuana products that people are using to find relief. Ask your doctor whether they may be able to speak about some strains they’ve seen people have success with within their practice. This is a question you can also ask your budtender at your local medical marijuana dispensary, as they constantly receive feedback on marijuana products that are working, and aren’t working, for patients.

What are the Legal Limitations of My Medical Marijuana Card?

Even though the legalization of cannabis is rapidly making its way across the United States, medical cannabis remains the only way to consume cannabis legally in many states. Even so, there are possession limits or limits to how much can be purchased at one dispensary visit.

Even where cannabis is legal, there are restrictions on where it can be consumed. If you’re unsure about the legal limitations of your medical marijuana card, ask your certifying physician.

Book an Appointment with a Medical Cannabis Physician Now!

At Compassionate Clinics of America, we’re committed to empowering you with the knowledge and guidance needed to make informed decisions about your health and wellness. By asking these 10 essential questions during your medical cannabis consultation, you’ll embark on a journey toward personalized treatment and improved well-being.

With our presence in 27 states, including Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, & West Virginia,, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Contact Compassionate Clinics of America today to schedule your appointment for your certification and medical cannabis card and begin your path toward a more compassionate approach to healthcare.