Just Because Medical Marijuana is Medicine Doesn't Mean You Have Hold Your Nose When You Take It
The Louisiana medical marijuana program has been in full swing since Baton Rouge-based Capitol Wellness Solutions opened its doors to the first cannabis patients in August 2019.
Since then, the other nine authorized Louisiana dispensaries have opened, the two medical marijuana producers allowed in the state are putting their products on shelves, access is expanding to patients with a multitude of qualifying conditions, and dispensaries are even allowed to deliver to all the precincts in their districts.
However, despite the fact that medical marijuana has technically been legal in the Bayou State since 1978, there is still an awful lot of stigma and misunderstanding surrounding its use. This has possibly contributed to the lower number of patient registrations than initially anticipated.
Some people are afraid to seem like the typical “stoner,” even though there is scientific evidence that medical marijuana is useful in treating a number of conditions, including chronic pain, opioid addiction, multiple sclerosis, and more. Others may be concerned that they are using their medical marijuana wrong because they enjoy the way it makes them feel.
Here at Louisiana Marijuana Card, we’ve got some excellent news for you. It is perfectly okay to enjoy the way medical marijuana makes you feel! As a matter of fact, you have every right to feel your best, and Louisiana legislation supports a natural path to healing.
Top 5 Myths About Using Medical Marijuana in Louisiana
1. People who use medical marijuana are “stoners” or “potheads”
Cannabis has gotten quite a reputation over the last sixty years or so. Before the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, it was a legal cross-border trade commodity. Marijuana was seen as a legitimate medicine, and it was mentioned in medical texts from the early 19th and 20th centuries.
When social changes began happening in the 1960s, counterculture movements took on the cause to legalize marijuana. The message got mixed into the pro-drug messages of Timothy Leary and people pushing for change through psychedelics. The phrase “Tune In, Turn On, Drop Out” became the catch-all phrase of an entire generation.
Unfortunately, cannabis has had a difficult time shaking this image. But just because you use medical marijuana, it doesn’t mean you support all the same principles as people who may still be celebrating the 1968 Summer of Love.
Using medical marijuana does not come with the requirement that you wear bell bottoms and patchouli, avoid gainful employment, and live a promiscuous lifestyle. (Though, Louisiana Marijuana Card is not here to judge your choices if that’s what you want to do.)
The only requirement for using medical marijuana in Louisiana is that you are diagnosed with a condition that benefits from treatment with cannabis, that you get a medical marijuana recommendation from a state-licensed doctor, and that you purchase your medicine from a licensed dispensary in the state.
2. Using medical marijuana is an excuse to be “high” all the time
This myth is becoming outdated, but it can still be persistent in some circles. The fact is, more people use marijuana to treat medical conditions than to party. While it can be fun to use marijuana for recreational purposes, it is more often than not used for reducing chronic pain, anxiety, and symptoms of cancer or PTSD.
People who use medical marijuana often prefer using a more natural treatment than opioids, and it is less addictive than many substances out there commonly used for fun. Alcohol use and binge-drinking are more prevalent than recreational marijuana use, and people often become addicted to cigarettes by the time they finish their first pack.
Many people who do not have access to a comprehensive medical marijuana program limit their use amounts and times to when they can just relax and focus on relief. And a program with full access to a combination of cannabis products allows patients to get the relief they need without becoming intoxicated.
Fortunately in Louisiana, dispensaries carry a variety of products that can help you find relief without constantly feeling impaired. Our doctors can help you decide what’s right for you and create a routine that works.
3. Medical marijuana is dangerous
Back in the early days of recreational legalization—when THC gummies and other edibles were brand new—the news was dominated by stories of people going to the hospital because they had too much marijuana.
The most common culprit of a marijuana-induced anxiety attack or vomiting is an edible that was unexpectedly strong. These stories are much rarer as manufacturers have managed to refine their products, and people understand the need to start slow with edibles.
Few (if any) deaths have been directly connected to marijuana use. It is possible to have too much, but the effects are not fatal. Most of the danger surrounding marijuana use is connected to people driving, operating heavy machinery, or being responsible for small children while impaired.
4. Medical marijuana makes it impossible to function
There are definitely medical marijuana strains that make it difficult to maintain normal functioning when using them. And you can use medical marijuana in amounts that make you impaired no matter what their intended effect.
However, this is not necessarily a rule of operation that has been carved in stone. As a matter of fact, using medical marijuana theoretically should help you function better because you can feel your best without some of the nasty side effects that come with many prescription medications.
If you are experimenting with using medical marijuana to treat your symptoms, you can still stay functional while seeking relief.
At Louisiana Marijuana Card, our doctors are educated about using strains and dosing techniques that minimize impairment while maximizing therapeutic benefits. Give us a call at (833) 253-2943 or schedule an online consultation to learn more about ways you can use medical marijuana while making fewer changes to your lifestyle.
A candid conversation with the pharmacist at your local dispensary might also be in order. They can help you find products made from strains that are less likely to cause impairment.
Additionally, combining CBD with your medical marijuana may help mitigate intoxicating effects. Finally, using the smallest amount it takes to get relief may be enough to help you function at your peak.
5. You have to smoke medical marijuana for it to be effective
In Louisiana, you can’t even get smokable medical marijuana products. Smoking is actually a bit of a waste of the medicinal properties found in marijuana anyway.
There are a number of ways to consume medical marijuana, and the optimal format differs depending on what you are treating, your treatment goals, your lifestyle, and your personal preferences.
Metered Dose Inhaler
Inhaling medical marijuana is the fastest way to start feeling the effects, but patients in Louisiana can only do this is through a metered-dose inhaler. This means that you are not exposing your lungs to toxic chemicals or heat, and the amount of medicine you get is carefully measured.
Edibles
Edibles must pass through your liver before you feel any effects, but they last for several hours until they are mostly digested.
Tinctures
Tinctures can be swallowed and digested, or they can be taken sublingually. When you hold a tincture under your tongue, it directly enters your bloodstream and kicks in within 20 or so minutes.
Topicals
If you are looking for more targeted relief for chronic pain or an injury, topicals may be your best option. THC-infused lotions and creams are a great way to relax and soothe pain without feeling impaired or having to inhale or ingest anything at all.
Smash Stigma and Get Your Louisiana Medical Marijuana Recommendation Today!
If you don’t yet have a recommendation from a doctor for medical marijuana in Louisiana, now is a great time to get one. Help get rid of the stigma associated with using cannabis for its therapeutic benefits, get the support and relief you deserve, and start feeling better as early as tomorrow!
The caring staff and doctors at Louisiana Marijuana Card are here to help you every step of the way. We will answer any questions you have, give you the guidance you need to get started, and make ourselves available for encouragement the entire time that your medical marijuana recommendation is active.
Call us at (833) 253-2943, or make an appointment for an evaluation through our convenient telehealth services today!
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