Louisiana has a robust menu of cannabis products available for patients registered for a medical marijuana certification.
Patients are free to choose from any of the available products, but there are some pros and cons for newer patients to consider when choosing the right cannabis products.
Edibles may be a good option but might come with more intense highs, flower might be best for low tolerance but maybe smoking isn’t the right way, or perhaps tinctures are approachable since they combine the best of both worlds.
There are a lot of choices for new medical marijuana patients, and in this article, we’ll cover which products new patients should try, and which ones they should avoid!
Best Products for New Medical Marijuana Patients in Louisiana
Cannabis Flower Is Usually the First Choice of New Patients
Cannabis flower comes in many different forms, can be used in a variety of ways, and offers the most flexibility when trying to find products that won’t be overly intense for new patients.
Cannabis flower is the perfect first choice to get familiar with cannabis in general, and new patients typically either vaporize or smoke cannabis flower.
You can find low THC high CBD cannabis flower, CBD flower, indicas, sativas, or hybrids, as you’ll be able to choose your cannabis flower from an array of different strains.
Tinctures Are One of the Best Ways to Consume Cannabis
Tinctures are also extremely popular for both new and experienced cannabis consumers.
Tinctures offer you a way to consume cannabis without smoking or vaporizing, and they don’t typically come with as significant effects as edibles.
Tinctures are in liquid form and are traditionally dosed using a dropper-bottle, with around 4-5 drops applied under the tongue to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Patients can use tinctures conveniently and portably, and they offer one of the best alternatives to smoking in the cannabis industry.
Vaporizer Pens Are One of the Most Portable Way to Consume Cannabis
Vaporizer pens are also very popular among new patients, because they offer a higher THC percentage than flower, but the effects are much less severe than something like dabbing.
Vaporizer pens can be consumed by installing the vape cartridge onto a portable battery, which will heat up the oil and produce a vapor when inhaled.
It’s important to note that using a vaporizer pen is not the same as smoking, as it does not produce the same carcinogens and toxic carbons that smoke production causes.
Although not quite as healthy as whole flower vaporization, vape pens offer a portable alternative to smoking cannabis.
Cannabis Products That New Patients Should Avoid
Large-Dose Edibles Are Too Strong for New Patients
If you haven’t built a strong tolerance to THC yet, it’s best to leave the high-dose edibles on the dispensary shelf.
High-dose edibles (above 10mg dosage) are extremely potent and produce heavy effects that can be uncomfortable for patients who have a lower tolerance to THC.
While high-dose edibles are very effective for extreme pain and patients with a high tolerance to THC, the effects produced from high-dose edibles are likely too potent for newer patients to experiment with.
For newer patients, look for edibles with low dosages like 10mg and below.
High THC Cannabis Flower
While cannabis flower in general might be the most popular cannabis product for newer patients, high THC flower should be avoided by new patients.
Cannabis flower with THC percentages above 20% can often be overwhelming and overly potent for patients with a lower tolerance to THC.
Cannabis flower can range nearly as high as 40% these days, and it’s not uncommon to find cannabis flower with 25%, 30%, or even 35% on the market. With these levels of THC, effects will be considerably more pronounced, and this can cause anxiety, rapid heartrate, and even panic attacks for patients without a strong tolerance to THC.
Newer patients should look for cannabis flower with 20% THC and below, ranging somewhere from 12% - 18%.
Concentrates Are for Experienced Users Only
Concentrates (hash) are one of the best cannabis products designed for patients with high tolerances.
Delivering extremely potent levels of THC, concentrates typically range from 60% THC to 99%+ THC, and they are not for the uninitiated. Concentrates deliver a potent extract of THC immediately, and the intense effects tend to last for a relatively long amount of time.
Patients who don’t have a strong tolerance to THC will undoubtedly find this experience unpleasant, as extremely high levels of THC can cause a range of side effects such as paranoia, hyperactive thoughts, as well as sedation.
Hash works wonders for extreme symptoms and patients who’ve been consuming cannabis for long periods of time, but for newer patients, it’s best to wait until you’ve reached a point with your cannabis consumption that a higher amount of THC is needed for pronounced effects.
Get Your Louisiana Medical Marijuana Certification
There are plenty of cannabis products for new patients to choose from at Louisiana dispensaries. To legally purchase medical marijuana in Louisiana, patients must be diagnosed with a qualifying condition and receive a medical marijuana certification. Get your medical marijuana card today from the comfort of your own home!
Beat the lines and get your medical marijuana certification in Louisiana today, and you can even get certified for medical marijuana online for ease of use and convenience.
For questions about Louisiana’s medical marijuana program or how to become a medical marijuana patient in Louisiana, consult with one of our trusted doctors and book an online medical marijuana appointment today!
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
At Louisiana Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (833) 253-2943, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Louisiana Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in Louisiana!