Medical Marijuana Card
Medical Marijuana Basics
Here at Express Cannabis Cards, the majority of our patients are either new to Medical Cannabis (otherwise known as “Medical Marijuana”), or tried it many years ago. The way they tried it back in the day is incredibly different and far more advanced than what many of our patients remember. However, this advancement is what distinguishes Medical Marijuana from illegal marijuana (also known as weed). If you’re new to cannabis as an alternative plant medicine, or coming back “to the green team” after a number of years, we are happy to teach you about how the times have changed
No longer is this miraculous plant’s potential stymied by visions of drug dealers, jails, and criminals. International researchers and patient testimonials have proven that when used responsibly, the cannabis plant and its incredible cannabinoids can restore balance to the human nervous system, promote natural healing, and help keep us in homeostasis.
Depending on your condition, there are different options for delivery and dosages of Medical Marijuana. Patients can now easily choose between inhalation for quick relief, sublingual drops for precise and long lasting dosing, capsules for all day relief, and topicals for targeted treatment of local pain. These are just some of the delivery methods among other innovative treatments that are released by different Medical Marijuana dispensaries across Florida.
We hope to guide new patients and those with more experience with the information we have provided below. You deserve relief from your daily symptoms along with ample education in your new alternative medicine.
Medical Marijuana Delivery Methods
Inhaling Medical Marijuana
For patients seeking rapid relief from physical or emotional pain, inhalation is an excellent delivery method of Medical Marijuana. If you’re “vaping” a cannabis product, you’re inhaling a concentrated oil that’s heated by a battery coil–not smoke. Once inhaled, capillaries in your lungs trap the vapor and deliver it to your bloodstream instantly. Relief typically lasts up to two hours. Although a very popular choice, vaping Medical Cannabis should be viewed as a treatment for a current issue in need of rapid resolution. It should not be considered a preventative against other health challenges.
Smoking Medical Cannabis is another “inhalation” option and has been proven to be very effective. Although not as clean as vaping an oil, smoking delivers a broader array of cannabinoids to the body. Many people find it more effective and natural than vaping oil. Interestingly, despite the perceived risks of inhaling smoke, recent studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association have found there is not a connection between smoking the plant and lung cancer. In fact, Medical THC and CBD have been proven to have significant anti-cancer effects.
Importantly, the psychoactive “high” produced in patients by inhaled Medical Marijuana is also quickly neutralized by CBD. This is especially important for patients seeking relief from anxiety. If you are suffering from PTSD, be careful with THC – especially sativa strain products. The high of THC has been well documented and is known to increase your symptoms. However, if this happens, you can quickly find relief by taking a high quality CBD oil (like RevitaOil). It is important to find the balance between your CBD and THC levels. This helps you effectively manage your Medical Marijuana prescription and its effects.
Finding your effective Medical Marijuana dose with a vape is incredibly easy. You simply take a small pull on the vape for 1 to 2 seconds, inhale normally, and exhale. Some minor coughing is normal, but don’t be alarmed. There is no plant matter or burnt carbon in your lungs. Drink some water and you should feel fine!
After your first puff, wait 5-10 minutes and see how you feel. If you are comfortable with the level of psychoactivity and want more relief, try another pull for a couple seconds. Then, wait to see how it affects you.
The only negative effect you may experience is feeling too high. If that happens to you, take a dose of high-quality CBD. You should quickly find that any troublesome thoughts or feelings dissipate.
Capsules
Capsules are often the choice for Medical Marijuana patients who suffer from severe chronic pain. This Medical Marijuana delivery method is incredibly long lasting, often lasting for 10 to 15 hours at a time. They are often more potent than other Medical Cannabis delivery methods. This is due to the fact that when THC is digested by the liver, it is metabolized into a different form of THC, known as 11-Hydroxy-THC. This metabolite of THC can be three to five times more psychoactive than “regular” THC! That’s great news if you’re in pain, but it is important to be cautious!
THC that has been ingested and converted to 11-Hydroxy-THC cannot be neutralized by CBD. This means that once you have reached a point of an uncomfortable high, you will continue to feel uncomfortable until the effects wear off. For some patients that can be a blessing, but for others it can be a stressful nightmare.
It is important to always be cautious and find your appropriate Medical Marijuana dose with sublingual drops before you begin using capsules. If you know that 10 mg of sublingual delivers desirable effects, you should find that a 10 mg capsule is an effective dose. It is your responsibility to plan ahead so you can safely and peacefully experience relief from your symptoms and ailments.
Sublingual Drops
Sublingual drops are a recommended delivery method for everyone between novices and experienced patients. These Medical Marijuana drops are easy to dose precisely, have an extended relief period compared to inhalation, and can be neutralized by CBD.
Indica strain sublingual drops are especially valuable to Florida Medical Card patients who desire better sleep. These drops last up to six hours and can help patients get a full night of rest without feeling groggy in the morning. They are incredibly versatile and can even be used topically on local pain.
Compared to inhalation, sublingual drops are also more restorative to the endocannabinoid system. This can help balance your body long term instead of the simple quick relief offered by inhalation.
Topical
Topical Medical Marijuana is applied to the skin in creams, lotions, or massage oils. This delivery method has been proven to be effective as a local treatment for arthritis, migraine headaches, sore muscles, and other aches and pains.
Relief for Medical Card patients varies between 30 minutes and three hours, but results are often significant and fast acting. When combined with vape, oral, or capsule delivery methods, Medical Marijuana patients are consistently able to find significant relief.