Even though the Alabama medical card program is quite restrictive, it still allows many people to potentially be candidates for medical marijuana. But just because you have been diagnosed with one of the qualifying conditions and haven’t had success with conventional medical treatment doesn’t necessarily mean that you should start using medical marijuana!
There are certain circumstances in which marijuana is not a good treatment option. This article discusses 8 of them.
Reasons that you shouldn’t use medical marijuana
You should NOT use medical marijuana if any of the following apply to you.
Even though the Alabama medical card program is quite restrictive, it still allows many people to potentially be candidates for medical marijuana.
You are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant
Due to potential risks to the fetus or infant, anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant should not use medical marijuana.
A review of the research that has been done on this topic concluded that there is no amount of marijuana use in pregnancy and lactation that is safe. This is true of all cannabis products.
Marijuana use while pregnant or breastfeeding carries the potential for adverse maternal, fetal, and long-term childhood developmental outcomes.
You have acute psychosis or a poorly controlled psychotic disorder
Having a psychiatric condition doesn’t automatically mean that you shouldn’t use medical marijuana. In fact, several psychiatric conditions are actually qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in Alabama! Panic disorder, PTSD, and depression are qualifying conditions, as a few examples.
However, it is not a good idea to take marijuana if you have a psychotic disorder (such as schizophrenia) or an unstable psychiatric disorder. Psychosis is typically characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and an impaired sense of reality.
A person with an unstable psychiatric condition or acute psychosis needs more than to just avoid marijuana. They should be evaluated in a healthcare setting urgently.
You have an unstable heart condition
As with psychiatric conditions, physical medical conditions can also be a reason that medical marijuana should not be used.
Unstable cardiovascular diseases are particularly relevant here. Marijuana can lead to an increase in your heart rate, make your heart pump harder, and cause your blood vessels to dilate. It may also increase the risk of a heart attack during a period of time after using it. These physiologic changes are typically not dangerous in a healthy person. But the risk can be significant in someone with underlying heart disease.
Medical marijuana may not be appropriate if you have poorly controlled high blood pressure, heart failure, arrhythmia, or coronary artery disease.
Always talk with your doctor before beginning medical marijuana if you have any chronic medical conditions or unexplained symptoms.
You have cannabis use disorder
Cannabis use disorder is the medical term for marijuana addiction. Anyone currently dealing with cannabis use disorder or a history of cannabis use disorder should not use medical marijuana.
Having a marijuana addiction means that marijuana use is causing problems in your life. The exact nature of these problems varies a lot from person to person.
Here are a few examples of what could qualify as ‘problematic’ marijuana use:
- Marijuana use has led to legal problems.
- Marijuana use takes up so much time that you’re at risk of losing your job.
- Marijuana use has triggered instability in your personal relationships.
- Marijuana use has caused financial strain.
The diagnosis of cannabis use disorder doesn’t require that you use a certain amount of marijuana or that you use it at any particular frequency. The negative effects of use on your body, mind, and life are what determine if you have an addiction.
The vast majority of people who use marijuana do not have cannabis use disorder. But those who do should work with a healthcare professional to discontinue their problematic use.
Your medical condition is well controlled with conventional medical treatment
Medical marijuana is not considered first-line treatment for any medical or psychiatric conditions at this time. Alabama’s medical cannabis law stipulates that a patient can only qualify for medical marijuana if conventional medical treatment has failed to control the condition.
Moreover, FDA-approved medications tend to have more evidence to support their efficacy than plant-based medical marijuana has for any of Alabama’s qualifying conditions.
As with any foreign substance introduced into the body, there is some amount of risk associated with cannabis. There is generally no need to use medical marijuana if your symptoms are not severe or particularly bothersome to you. This may also be the case if your symptoms can be well controlled with low-risk, easily accessible non-medication treatments, such as physical therapy or counseling.
You’ve had an adverse reaction to marijuana
An adverse reaction or side effect that occurred when you used marijuana in the past may recur if you use marijuana again. For this reason, anyone with a hypersensitivity to marijuana or who has experienced a significant adverse reaction with prior use is unlikely to be a good candidate for medical marijuana.
You are participating in drug court
Alabama medical marijuana legislation does not affect or supersede any obligation imposed on an individual who is participating in a pretrial diversion program or other court-ordered substance abuse rehabilitation program. In order to meet the requirements of “drug court” or a similar program, it may behoove you to avoid medical marijuana.
It would prevent you from doing your job
Certain job tasks cannot safely be completed while using marijuana. This includes some jobs that involve driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery, for example.
Before starting medical marijuana, be sure to review your employer’s policies and discuss your work responsibilities with your doctor. Alabama’s medical marijuana law does not prohibit employers from having a drug-free workplace program. Many business’s drug policies prohibit marijuana use. Employers are not required to make an exception for medical marijuana.
Should you take medical marijuana? The answer is a personal one
This is not an exhaustive list of the contraindications to medical marijuana treatment. Be sure to tell your doctor about your complete medical and mental health history. Also divulge any symptoms you’re having and any medications you take. This information will help your doctor decide if you are good candidate for medical marijuana.
Need to talk to a doctor about your candidacy for a medical card in Alabama? Contact Green Light Clinic today.