With millions of people now using medical cannabis on a regular basis, it is probably safe to say that there are a lot of cannabis discussions going on between doctors and patients. I imagine some of those discussions go very well. Others, not so much. If it were me, I would make an effort to bring up some specific points with my doctor.
One important thing patience should know is that their doctors probably have very little training in the human endocannabinoid system. Medical schools do not spend a lot of time on it. Not only that, but doctors are also not trained in pharmacology. So they have limited knowledge about how the human body interacts with medications.
With that knowledge and mind, there are some important points to cover when discussing medical cannabis with your doctor:
Current Condition and Symptoms
One would think that discussing conditions and symptoms with the doctor is a no-brainer. But truth be told, it is not uncommon for patients to hold things close to the vest. They don’t reveal all of the details about their health, how they feel, and even how they are attempting to self-treat.
When discussing medical cannabis as an option, it is critically important to be open and honest about your current condition and your symptoms. Your doctor needs as much information as you can give to make an informed decision. Without all the information, there’s no way for your doctor to know whether or not medical cannabis is right for you.
The Doctor’s Knowledge of Medical Cannabis
Just as your doctor needs as much information as possible about your health and symptoms, you need to fully understand the depth of your doctor’s knowledge of medical cannabis. So ask questions. Do not just assume that, by virtue of being a doctor, yours knows everything there is to know about medical cannabis.
Potential Benefits of Using Cannabis
Another key point to cover is why you think medical cannabis might be right in your situation. Essentially, that means discussing the potential benefits of using cannabis. You may need to do some research on this topic in advance of sitting down with your doctor.
Researching medical cannabis is easy enough thanks to a plethora of online information. However, be honest and objective. Avoid the temptation of looking only for information in support of medical cannabis. Research the topic from every angle.
The Benefits of Speaking With a Pharmacist
You might also bring up the point of speaking with a pharmacist. Some doctors will be offended by this while others will not. Here’s the deal: pharmacists are medical doctors with specialized training in pharmacology. Among all clinicians, pharmacists tend to be the most knowledgeable about both the human endocannabinoid system and cannabinoids as medicines.
Pharmacists with specialized cannabis training are mostly employed by medical cannabis dispensaries, like Beehive Farmacy in Brigham City, Utah. Beehive operators say they are required by state law to have a certified pharmacist on-site whenever their doors are open. Pharmacists are available to answer questions and offer advice.
The Possibility of Getting a Referral
If it appears as though your doctor doesn’t have enough training or simply isn’t interested in moving forward on the medical cannabis topic, the final point to cover is getting a referral. Your doctor should be able to point you to another clinician capable of helping you.
Discussing medical cannabis with a doctor can be uncomfortable. Perhaps that will change in the future. For now, the points brought up in this post should make any such discussions easier. Be sure to cover each point in detail.
