How Do I Talk To My Doctor About Medical Marijuana?

Talking To Your Doctor About Cannabis

How Should I Ask My Doctor About Medical Marijuana? from CannabisNet on Vimeo.

Skip the awkward silence and, as Nike says, Just Do It!

Talking to your doctor about your cannabis use isn’t, and shouldn’t be like rocket science. Be honest and straightforward with your doctor.

Not all doctors are created equal, though: do keep in mind that the medical community is still pretty much in a haze on the medicinal properties of cannabis because they still want more evidence before prescribing it. However, under the First Amendment, doctors are protected for discussing the medicinal use of cannabis with their patients. It’s actually safe to say that *many* doctors (especially in states where marijuana is already legal) are already used to the idea of cannabis use being brought up in discussions as a treatment option.

While it’s always best to go straight to a physician who is already familiar with your medical history (and questionable hygiene), I understand that not everyone with a medical marijuana card might be going to a regular doctor.

If it’s your first time to meet with a new doctor, or you aren’t sure how welcome marijuana will be in the discussion, follow these tips:

Some doctors are still in the dark about the use of medicinal cannabis. No judgement: they just simply aren’t educated enough about it and will most likely be hesitant to prescribe it. The best way to go about it is to bring your own research and documentation so that you can share the evidence and do a little educating. It might be weird that you know more about medical uses of cannabis than they do (initially) but stay humble in your approach and feel free to ask questions about it. After all, doctors know far more about human anatomy than you do.

marijuana nurse

Aside from medical research, your doctor will also find it helpful if you provide info on local laws and regulations for prescribing cannabis on your state - from there, he can do his own research and be confident enough that he is making an informed decision to prescribe medical cannabis for you. Being knowledgeable about your state laws and regulations will come in handy; so if needed, it’s best you check ahead and be prepared to bring the necessary paperwork to your doctor’s appointment.

If you have a serious or debilitating condition that requires you to get (more) medical marijuana but have to convince a doctor, make a list of different therapies or medicines you’ve tried in the past if any, the effects of each, and which didn’t work for you. Tell your doctor what you do to help reduce the symptoms; aside from lighting up, does meditation or other kinds of medicine help?

Share your experiences of marijuana with your doctor. No, this doesn’t mean that you should go into detail about how you love getting stoned! I’m talking about telling your doctor how cannabis actually contributes to the quality of your life, especially when it helps relieve you of otherwise debilitating symptoms. If it’s helped you concentrate at work better, eat better, and live better - tell your doctor these details.

The more transparent and honest you are with your doctor, the better for your doctor-patient relationship. There isn’t any way to predict how a doctor will respond about cannabis until you finally open up about it. If your doctor is receptive and positive - great! This can spark a change in their own personal sentiments towards marijuana legalization and can encourage them to learn more about it on their own so that they can be better at their profession for you and for their future patients!

At the end of the day, your quality of life and health are what matters the most. If you find yourself face to face with a judgmental doctor who dismisses the use of medicinal cannabis, you’re better off getting another opinion elsewhere. Sadly, doctors can withdraw prescriptions for medical cannabis - some really do, which is scary especially for patients suffering from chronic pain and debilitating conditions. This kind of action is the opposite of what “compassionate care” is all about.

In the event of a negative outcome, it’s high time for you to seek out a cannabis specialist, or a doctor who specializes in prescribing medical cannabis. Your wellbeing is FAR more important than the feelings of a doctor.

How Do I Talk To My Doctor About Cannabis?