Cannabis has lived under the shadow of stigmatization for decades. It took many years for people to understand that there’s more to cannabis than psychoactive effects. Slowly and steadily the long-decade stigma was shoved outside and legalization prevailed in more than 33 US states. However, the rules and regulations associated with cannabis make it difficult for people to navigate through the cannabis industry. You see, cannabis is still illegal on the federal level, and the loopholes in the legal structure leave room for doubts and inhibitions. That’s why anything related to cannabis is quite intimidating. So much so that initiating a conversation with a licensed health physician or even a medical marijuana doctor about cannabis use becomes very awkward.

Unfortunately, not all doctors believe in the power of cannabis and most mainstream doctors were educated and trained to stick to the traditional methods. The only exception, in this case, is that sometimes medical remedies, too, have limitations. And in these cases, the body requires remedies that go beyond the existing treatment methods. Which until recently includes the phytocannabinoids of cannabis – CBD and THC.

US doctors and health physicians have not been exposed to cannabis and its therapeutic potential. To add to the problem, we have limited research on the subject of cannabis, and more clinical trials are required to prove the efficiency of CBD and THC. Although, medicines such as Epidiolex made out of cannabis extracts are approved by the FDA and used for the treatment of severe forms of epilepsy. So, as a patient if you seek cannabis care and you are afraid to talk to the doctor, here are some tips that can help you talk to a doctor and get a medical marijuana recommendation.

Conduct Research Before Your Appointment

If you have finally decided to seek cannabis care, ensure that you read everything about cannabis for medical purposes. It’s up to you to search the internet, talk to cannabis experts, and delve deep into the studies surrounding the therapeutic benefits of cannabis. You can also read thoroughly about how cannabis interacts with our body and what causes our body to react to terpenes and other cannabinoids. This way you will stay informed and you can get your message across nicely.

Be Serious During the Conversation

Cannabis use for medical reasons is a big decision. If you want to talk about cannabis with your doctor, take the entire matter seriously. Do not treat the conversation casual and discuss why you think cannabis can help you alleviate the symptoms of your medical condition. You will need ample time to talk to your doctor and sort things out.

If you happen to live in a region that allows cannabis use for medical purposes, bringing up marijuana will not be nerve-wracking. Also, if you believe in the therapeutic potential of marijuana and you think that it has helped you make a difference, present your case backed by scientific facts. Do not let stigmatization undermine your belief.

Learn About Your Condition

Medical marijuana patients have to undergo a process while receiving a recommendation. This step requires a patient to qualify for 420 evaluations. And by that, we mean that a patient must have a qualifying medical condition for marijuana use. Each state has a list of qualifying conditions.

So, first, look at that list and see whether or not your medical condition qualifies for cannabis use. If yes, go ahead and familiarize yourself with the medical condition and see how cannabis can prove beneficial. Attending the doctor with this knowledge will help you approach the doctor confidently. Not only this, but it will also give you a chance to take a stand when the doctor questions your choice.

Understand The Laws Associated With Cannabis

Cannabis laws vary across states and they sometimes fluctuate frequently. The reason behind the same is that cannabis is still in its infancy stage and it is illegal on the federal level. As a result, states despite legalization have to read and rewrite certain clauses that help them regulate cannabis use. In addition to this, some states have recently legalized cannabis in some or the other form. So, the laws can be a bit tricky to understand. Also, if you study the laws in your state, you will get the courage to speak to your doctor upfront. You can tell them CBD derived from hemp with less than or equal to 0.3% THC is legal nationwide. So, items like CBD oil can help alleviate pain. All in all, review the laws and see if cannabis advocacy is worth pursuing.