Maryland Medical Marijuana: All You Need to Know About Getting Pot Help
If you’re looking to get help for your medical condition from a licensed physician in Maryland, you should know about the state’s medical marijuana laws. Currently, 16 states and the District of Columbia have legalized the use of medical marijuana, while eight have banned its use entirely. While this makes it harder to get access to cannabis oil in many places around the country, it doesn’t mean you can’t do so in Maryland. Read on to learn more about getting pot help in Maryland.
What is Medical Marijuana in Maryland?
As of January 1, 2018, the Maryland Medical Marijuana Law (“MMML”) became effective and allowed physicians to recommend the use of medical marijuana to their patients. Generally, a physician can recommend the use of medical marijuana to a patient if they have been given a certification as having a “debilitating medical condition” by the Maryland Health and Human Services Commission. The MMML lists these conditions as cancer, AIDS, and “other life-threatening diseases.” The law also allows for the use of medical marijuana for a person’s primary condition, even if they are taking other medications for that condition. In general, a patient may legally possess and use marijuana for medical purposes only if the patient has a valid prescription from a physician.
How Does Medical Marijuana Work in Maryland?
Typically, a patient’s doctor will recommend the use of medical marijuana to treat a medical condition. This can be a condition that the patient is ill with or one the doctor suspects may be happening as a side effect of another medication the patient is taking. The doctor will explain the steps involved in getting the medication, including the possible side effects and the reasoning behind each recommendation. If the patient agrees to try the medication, the doctor will issue a certification, which the patient will need to take to the doctor’s satisfaction before being allowed to use the medication. The certification process includes a patient interview and a medical exam.
What Are the Options for Getting Pot Help in Maryland?
Depending on your medical condition and its severity, you may be able to get medical marijuana from a doctor or a dispensary. A doctor’s recommendation is required for both. When a patient approaches a doctor for medical marijuana recommendations, the doctor will usually ask for information about the patient’s medical condition, including the symptoms and severity. If the doctor feels comfortable writing a recommendation for medical marijuana, the patient can then bring the recommendation to the doctor’s office to be signed. However, if the patient doesn’t have a doctor nearby who can write a recommendation, they can approach a dispensary.
Is Getting Pot Help Right for My Disease or My Patient Condition?
Getting medical marijuana right for your condition is important. For example, if you have cancer and have found that the drug colchicine works well for you, it may be best to rely on that medication instead of trying something new. Likewise, if you have type 1 diabetes and prefer to use the insulin that you make rather than taking the patch or shot, that’s fine as well. You should discuss these options with your doctor before taking any medication.
Conclusion
Although it can be difficult to get help for medical conditions in some areas of the country, medical marijuana is available in many forms in other areas of the country. While the laws vary from state to state regarding the use of medical marijuana, all patients need to do to obtain medical marijuana in Maryland is go to the dispensary and ask for the recommended dose and medical condition. In most cases, that’s it—you’re done. You won’t have to fill out any paperwork or go through any hoops. Getting medical marijuana in Maryland is quick, easy, and hassle-free!