What is Medical Marijuana Used For?

The most common condition that medical marijuana is used to treat is chronic pain. This may be due to cancer, trauma, neuropathy due to diabetes or other nerve damage, or other medical conditions such as interstitial cystitis, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, or inflammatory bowel disease resulting in chronic pain. Considering the rampant opioid crisis in the US at this time, it is comforting to know that there is a non-addicting, safer alternative to opiates available in medical marijuana. A study published this year found that in States where medical marijuana was allowed, the number of opioid prescriptions fell. Medical marijuana can also be very helpful in treating muscle spasms and tremors from conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease.  It can be used to manage nausea and weight loss associated with HIV and cancer.

Florida Statutes regarding qualifying conditions include: “Debilitating Medical Condition” means cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or other debilitating medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those enumerated, and for which a physician believes that the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the potential health risks for a patient.

In order to qualify for medical marijuana, a consultation with a physician registered with the State is needed, and the patient must be entered into a database qualifying him or her to receive a medical marijuana card, which may then be taken to a dispensary to obtain the appropriate products. As a registered physician I will work with you to achieve the desired treatment goals and adjust dosages and compounds as appropriate.