Opinion: Here's what you must do to get a medical cannabis membership

Mar 28 2018, 12:11 pm

Written for Daily Hive by Christopher, a budtender and content manager at Air Reserve Collection.


If you’ve never used cannabis before, get informed.

Your relationship with your doctor, and how well you communicate with each other, will ultimately affect the decision you make about your health care. Your doctor may be unfamiliar with medical cannabis, the current research and laws surrounding cannabis legislation, cannabis as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for a range of medical conditions and their symptoms, and therefore hesitant to recommend it.

Existing research that supports the use of medical marijuana will be vital in your pursuit. It is important to be your own advocate, so be sure to obtain and present documentation to explain the science and support your experience, as well as research, as the best way to approach your physician is from a position of knowledge. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

If you are over 18, your doctor is bound by confidentiality laws not to share your medical details without your consent. A good idea (if possible) is to check beforehand if your health care practitioner/institution, is aware of or supports any therapies you may be thinking of trying whether it be a flower, concentrates, topicals or medical edibles.

Some physicians may have a negative attitude toward cannabis use, but if you can at the very least explain how medical cannabis would benefit you as a treatment option, it will increase your chances of receiving support.

It is recommended that you make a list of the medicines and therapies you have tried in case your doctor prescribes something like an antibiotic or other drugs that can’t be mixed safely with – for example – alcohol, instead of assuming that you don’t drink because you smoke (which is surprisingly more common than you might think).

Other information you may consider includes:

How does your condition affect you?

What other therapies your medical practitioner recommends, and how those therapies may compare to more conventional therapies.

Find out if or how cannabis may react with any of the other medications you are taking and if so, what side affects you can expect.

It is also important to discuss with your healthcare practitioner how you are planning on using cannabis. (Vaporization, smoking, edibles, etc.) Do some research on reputable dispensaries in your area. Word of mouth will be your best bet.

As with all things, honesty is key. Should you not feel comfortable discussing your marijuana habits with your current medical practitioner it is strongly advised that you seek out an additional trusted medical source. At the end of the day, it should be about what is best for your health as opposed to personal opinion.


Christopher is a budtender and content manager at Air Reserve Collection, when he’s not doing research on latest strains and products for the store, he’s busy making cannabis chocolate covered strawberries and discovering new ways in incorporate cannabis into his morning smoothies.

Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Daily Hive. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.

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