Changing legal attitudes towards cannabis have made this potentially amazing medicine legally available to a majority of people in the United States – nearly 75% of States have some sort of legal cannabis program, ranging from fully available to anyone (adult use) to use restricted to Medical Cannabis patients certified for use by a medical provider.
Regardless of the circumstances, however, a significant knowledge gap exists for the proper (and scientifically supported) use of cannabis within the United States. On one hand, we have Western Medical Practitioners still operating under the false notion that cannabis is a dangerous drug and that there is no science supporting its use for various medical conditions. On the other hand, we have cannabis advocates that have been fighting for open access for years that claim that cannabis use is safe and effective for anyone and everyone, regardless of age or health condition.
The truth is somewhere in the middle for most people – but finding a health practitioner with clinical experience in the use of Medical Cannabis and a knowledge base of the biochemistry of the various components of the cannabis plant, including potential interactions with prescription medicines and sometimes complicated health conditions, has not been easy. Your search is over.
I am a traditionally trained pharmacist that served as the Medical Director and Dispensary General Manager for the largest cannabis company in Maryland for 3 years. In that role, and in my private practice since, I have consulted with hundreds of patients, helping them navigate the confusing path of what Medical Cannabis products to use, and how best to use them, for conditions like pain, sleep, anxiety, PTSD, gut issues, immune challenges, neurological concerns, any many more health issues.
There are vast differences in how the body absorbs and uses Medical Cannabis depending upon the dosage form and chemical makeup of the product. Should you smoke or vape cannabis for your sleep issues? Should you use a high dose of THC while you are on chemotherapy? Can someone get high using a THC-containing lotion?