Bringing up the topic of medical marijuana with a doctor can be intimidating or stressful for some people. This can be because of uncertainty about whether marijuana is right for you, hesitancy to ask about an “alternative” medical treatment, or even a desire to avoid the stigma surrounding medical cannabis.
It’s worth taking some time to think about how to talk to your doctor about medical marijuana before you’re actually at the doctor’s office and put on the spot.
Considering the questions you want to ask beforehand will help you ensure that you don’t leave with unanswered questions weighing on your mind.
Thinking about the concerns you’d like to have addressed will make for a more productive visit with the physician.
The questions you should ask depend on your personal situation. They should be individualized to your medical condition, your health, and your treatment plan. Here are 10 questions you may want to consider asking your doctor about medical marijuana.
1. Could my symptoms be improved with medical marijuana?
This is great question to ask when you’re already talking with your doctor about your symptoms at a routine primary care or specialist visit. The potential benefits and risks of using cannabis to treat your symptoms can be considered right alongside those of other treatments for your medical condition.
Asking this question will accomplish a couple of things. First, it will inform you whether your doctor is willing to have a productive conversation with you about medical marijuana.
Second, asking this question will provide an indication of the level of knowledge your doctor has about medical marijuana. The use of cannabis as a medical treatment is not something that doctors learn very much about in their medical training. Gaining knowledge in this area requires that they proactively do their research and stay updated on the medical literature.
Ideally, the answer to this question shouldn’t be a simple Yes or No. Your doctor’s response should include why you are or are not a candidate.
Start a conversation with your doctor! “Could my symptoms be improved with medical marijuana?”
2. What are the alternatives to medical marijuana?
Medical marijuana is never the only option for your symptoms. Though you may have heard that marijuana is a “cure-all” or “miracle drug” for pain or other symptoms, this is simply not true.
Before you obtain an Alabama medical card, it’s important to fully understand what other treatments may help your symptoms or condition. Your doctor should be able to talk to you about the various options (or refer you to a specialist who can).
3. Is medical marijuana safe for me to use?
All medical treatments carry risk. Some have a greater risk than others. The likelihood and severity of possible adverse effects depends on your personal risk factors. The danger of interactions with your other medications also needs to be considered.
Asking your doctor whether medical marijuana is safe for you to use will assist you in making an informed decision about whether the potential benefit outweighs the potential risks for you.
4. Will I have any side effects from using medical marijuana?
Many people feel great after using cannabis, but some experience side effects. Though the side effects from medical marijuana tend to be mild, they can be bothersome to some patients. This is a topic to ask your doctor about because it will help you understand what to expect. It will prepare you for how to respond to side effects, if you have any.
A few of the more common side effects of medical marijuana are dizziness, drowsiness, reduced coordination, and dry mouth. You may be more likely to experience certain side effects, depending on your overall health and your previous experiences with different medications.
5. Are you a registered certifying physician for medical marijuana in Alabama?
Doctors in Alabama can only certify a patient for medical marijuana if they have completed the required education and paid a fee to the state. Many doctors are not interested in making medical marijuana certifications a part of their practice. So, it is important to find out if your doctor is registered.
If your doctor is not a registered certifying physician, that doesn’t mean you can’t ask him or her about medical marijuana! Your doctor may still be knowledgeable about medical cannabis and be able to answer your other questions about it.
6. Can you refer me to a doctor who can evaluate me for a medical card?
Your doctor’s answer to the previous question may be “no.” In that case, you may want to ask about a referral to another doctor as a follow-up question.
It is often better to get a recommendation from your doctor about who to see than to blindly select a doctor based on a Google search or directory listing.
Moreover, getting a referral from your doctor increases the chances that both doctors will communicate with one another and be on the same page about your medical treatment. It can be frustrating to bounce around between different doctors and feel like none of them are fully aware of your medical situation.
7. How much medical marijuana should I use each day?
You shouldn’t feel like you’re totally on your own after getting a medical card. Having access to medical marijuana is just the first step to getting relief from your symptoms. You need to find the type of cannabis product that is best for you and the right amount to use.
Taking too much marijuana is one of the most common mistakes made by patients with medical cards. Symptom relief is often gained with relatively small doses of cannabis. This is in contrast to the higher amounts used by recreational users to “get high.”
Not only can your doctor help you determine the right amount of medical marijuana for you, they are required to provide a maximum daily dosage to the state at the time you are certified for a medical card.
8. What type of cannabis product should I use?
Similar to identifying the right dose of medical marijuana, you need to find the product or products that most effectively address your symptoms. To some extent, this is a matter of trial and error. However, your doctor is likely to have some good recommendations to get you started.
The cannabis formulation that will work best for you depends on your diagnosis, symptoms, medical co-morbidities, overall health, and personal goals.
9. What results can I expect from using medical marijuana?
Setting reasonable expectations is a good idea when starting any new medical treatment. This is especially true for chronic symptoms that are difficult to treat, such as pain and anxiety.
Ask your doctor about what benefit has been shown in scientific studies of medical marijuana in people with your condition. Also ask what results your doctor has seen with other patients who have similar symptoms to yours.
It’s impossible to know exactly how your own body and mind will react to medical marijuana before you use it. But it is possible to at least make an estimate and minimize the chance of disappointment or unpleasant surprises.
10. What if the initial dose or type of medical marijuana doesn’t improve my symptoms?
Many patients have ongoing symptoms after they start using medical marijuana. Some get no relief at all. Other get a bit of relief, but not as much as they’d like.
The good news is that treatment with cannabis is not a ‘one and done’ trial. You can try another product type, a higher dose, a different CBD-to-THC ratio, or a change in dosing schedule.
Your doctor may be able to increase your maximum daily marijuana dose that is registered with the state of Alabama if you don’t have symptom relief after your first 90 days of treatment.
Start a conversation about an Alabama medical card with your doctor
The first step to getting certified for medical marijuana in Alabama is to ask your doctor about it!
There is nothing wrong or inappropriate about bringing up this topic with your primary care doctor or a specialist if you feel that medical marijuana may be an option for you. Your doctor may not be able to certify you for a medical card, but should at least be open having a conversation with you about the uses, risks, and benefits of cannabis for your medical condition.
If you need a doctor to talk with about whether medical marijuana is right for you, contact Green Light Clinic.