How Medical Marijuana Can Change Your Life
In the state of Maryland, where I now reside, medical marijuana was finally allowed, and I found a doctor that practiced integrated medicine. He took the time to listen to my concerns and collaborated with me to find solutions. He was a proponent of the use of medical marijuana, also referred to as medicinal cannabis. Both of us had read research showing that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (the non-psychoactive component of cannabis) had favorable effects on patients with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, anxiety, and other conditions.
My doctor provided me with the information I needed to apply for a Medical Marijuana Card, which works as a prescription for the drug and allows me to purchase it from approved dispensaries. I was shocked at how simple it was to apply: a few brief questions, a photo of myself against a white background, and that was all there was to it. I had to wait around three weeks for the Medical Cannabis Commission of California to process my application, after which I was given a number to give to my doctor. He filed his written certification at my next doctor’s appointment, and I received a temporary card 48 hours later. Maryland now demands an official card, which I paid $50 for and will be valid for three years.
I was amazed at how nervous I became now that I had “permission” to consume medical marijuana. Is it truly going to help? Would I become “hooked on drugs” (I was a proud D.A.R.E. graduate)? What was I going to do next?
The author keeps a log of her experiences with each strain she tries, which she shares with her doctor and budtender.
My First Medical Marijuana Dispensary Visit
I drove to the dispensary after finally gathering my courage. In my imagination, it would be surrounded by armed guards and located in a seedy part of town. When I arrived, though, the place resembled a teashop more than a “pot store.” I pressed a button and was buzzed into a small, sterilized room with a towering desk and some visitor chairs, surrounded by trendy restaurants. An ATM sat in the corner; I quickly realized that dispensaries only accept cash. I was greeted right away, given my card, and asked to complete some paperwork, just as when seeing a new doctor.
A clean-cut young man in his early 30s greeted me behind “the door” minutes later. I expected to be escorted to a glass pane behind which a person clad in white surgical garb would be seated between two rows of medicinal marijuana that were tightly packed and ordered. Instead, I was ushered into a spa-like room with polished wood floors and plenty of natural light. All of the many cannabis items they offered were exhibited on a tall counter with glass-topped cases. When the cases slid out like jewelry store drawers, I giggled a little. I was able to smell “loose buds,” “edibles” (many in the shape of gummies), tinctures, pre-filled vape pens, and more traditional-looking pre-rolled joints within the displays.
The young man, who was formally referred to as a “budget,” was with me the entire time. We chatted about what I was searching for, what I was struggling with, and how I had never smoked marijuana before, for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. He recommended a few basic products and explained what they did and how they functioned. I passed on the concept of “flower” cannabis, which requires smoking and for which I was not prepared. Instead, he recommended Elixir Lemonade and Tea Half & Half, a beverage cannabis medication designed to aid sleep. It was a fantastic adventure. I also bought a pain-relieving “Lucid Mood” vape pen and Mary’s Medicinals 1:1 compound, a topical for acute discomfort. This was my first visit, and I paid between $150 and $200, which appears to be the same amount each time I go (every other month).
My Experience Trying Different Strains and Medical Marijuana Products: My Experience
With just the Half & Half tea, I fell asleep for the first time in over a decade! Sleep is truly restorative! I take a half spoonful before bed, and I don’t have a drowsy, pulling sensation as I fall asleep, nor do I wake up groggy. I can even get up in the middle of the night to tend to restless or fearful children before returning to sleep. This has been a life-changing experience in and of itself. Even more amazing, once I got back into a natural sleep pattern, I discovered that I didn’t need to drink the tea every night to have restful sleep for the first time in over a decade. It is something I use from time to time, but it is not something I require on a regular basis.
The first pre-filled pen I tried was Lucid Mood’s “pain.” The oil generated from the cannabis plant is frequently used in vape pens. I discovered that I could use the pre-filled vape pen to break a cycle of anxiety, which also helped to lessen the pain that typically accompanied an anxiety attack, preventing me from falling into a sad mood. I was able to take a breath. I felt like I could see things a little clearer and laugh a lot more easily. It was so disturbing to realize how much effort I had previously put into looking and sounding well. It was wonderful to laugh. I keep this pen on me and use it whenever I feel an anxiety attack coming on. I prefer three to four inhales and use it three times per week on average.
I also use Mary’s Medicinals’ “The Remedy” tincture of concentrated CBD oil (i.e., a concentrated oil derivative from the cannabis plant). I’ve worked my way up to putting five drops under my tongue first thing in the morning. My CBD oil contains no THC (the psychoactive component of cannabis) and relieves my anxiety, pain, and inflammation. I’ve tried gummies (sometimes known as “edibles”), which can be effective but take 30 minutes to an hour to take effect, making them an unreliable method of pain and anxiety relief.
During my subsequent visits with my budtender, I learnt that smoking has the most immediate effects and is the easiest to manage in terms of how much is consumed and how long the effects may last. He suggested a few “buds,” which are the marijuana plant’s flowers, and explained why he thought they would be beneficial. He asked me to smell them, reasoning that if they smelled good, they were presumably a good match (i.e., the nose knows). So I went out and bought my first bud, “Jilly Bean.” My butler directed me to a different shop to get my first bowl and gave me a discount coupon.
Purchasing a pot bowl was strange. I went from a dispensary, which provided a mature and educated experience, to a straight-up head shop, where the clerk had no counsel for me other than “which one do you prefer,” as in whatever bowl looked lovely. I bought a tiny one that looked nice and went home. It had been a dreadful experience. I had the sensation of licking an ashtray. While the impact was pleasant and relaxing, I quickly realized that I was not a bowl smoker. This prompted me to seek a vaporizer, a little convection heater that warms the ground flower buds just enough to release the plant’s vapor without causing them to catch fire. I settled on FORCE by Healthy Rips, which cost around $150 online and came with a grinder to crush up the bud. The vaporizer made such a difference! Now that I’ve tried smoking marijuana, I’ve found that it’s a pleasant experience with a flavor that’s similar to that of the bud.
Prepare to cough a little whether you use a bowl or a vaporizer, which I highly recommend. To assist, keep a drink nearby. You’ll need to break the bud apart with your fingers or use a grinder to put it into your smoking device because it comes dried as a full flower. You won’t want to grind up all of your flowers at once; instead, keep your extra grinds in a safe place until you need them again. For myself, I’ve made a small “pot caddy” (see pic below). I have tiny glass jam jars in there that I name with the type of grind they contain. I preserved the dispensary flower in its original container. I also keep a small journal with the many types of medicinal marijuana I’ve tried and their effects. Leafly is an excellent app to have on your phone because it provides a wealth of information about different strains as well as where to buy them. In addition, the app includes a brief “history” of each of the plants accessible, complete with taste, reviews, and probable side effects.
The author’s “pot caddy” organizes and secures his belongings.
I’ll warn anyone thinking about trying medical marijuana for chronic pain or other ailments that I had one terrible experience with it during my early attempts. It was through the use of a vape pen and a product known as “Big Lemons.” I had tried a few hits with the pen and saw that my heart rate had raised and that I felt a little strange, but I ignored my feelings. Twenty minutes later, I began to shiver and feel queasy. Then things quickly got out of hand. My thoughts were racing, my imagination was flying, and the front of my brain seemed too “active.” I couldn’t stand it any longer and eventually puked. I tried hard to concentrate on relaxing, knowing that the marijuana was having a negative effect on me and that it would pass shortly. It did come to an end three hours later. The next day, I called my dispensary representative, who invited me to come in and discuss it. She and my budtender listened to my story and emphasized that some strains can be harmful; they suggested starting with small doses when trying a new product to see how the body reacts. It was a fascinating discussion, and I’m delighted to have a dispensary that genuinely cares about its customers.
Find out what additional plants can assist with chronic pain.
With the help of medicinal marijuana, I was able to reclaim my life.
Overall, I can’t believe how much has changed in my life in just a year. It’s something I’m working on. I’m not going to fall apart. In a decade, I’ve never felt closer to myself. I’ve discovered that the colder the weather gets, the worse my fibromyalgia symptoms get. For years, I’ve feared the transition from summer to autumn, unsure of what would happen and whether I’d be able to make it through another winter. Yes, winter is still difficult, but when worry and pain strike, I now have something to turn to for relief and a respite from the cycle.
I don’t use medical marijuana every day; rather, it’s a trustworthy “buddy” I turn to a few times a week when I know I need to break the cycle. I consider myself quite fortunate. I would advise anyone who is struggling and feels as if there is no relief or answers to try cannabis. As we understand more about this diverse plant and its myriad potential advantages, I feel that medicinal marijuana has the potential to alter the lives of many people.
Tips for Your First Visit to the Dispensary
Look for a distribution center where you feel at ease. A reputable center will have someone to chat to about your worries and issues.
Get rid of the taboo. You will not become an addict simply because you wish to try a substance that has medicinal benefits. Instead, take part in new debates and a burgeoning movement in support of medical marijuana.
When smoking a new flower, for example, start small. Take a hit with your pen or bowl, then wait 3 to 5 minutes for the effects to wear off before trying again. If it’s a brand-new gummy, consume half and wait 30 minutes to see if it has any impact. Gummies and other edibles have the potential to stay in your system for a long time, so don’t overdo it.
When you’re first trying out different marijuana strains, attempt to do so alongside someone. It’s a good idea to have someone on your side.
Keep track of what you’ve tried and make notes about your experiences with each product in a journal. These notes can help you figure out what works best for you and can be shared with your dispensary and doctor as you figure out what works best for you.
If you need to take a prescription medication, don’t use medical marijuana. You may be able to reduce or stop taking some of your medications over time (if your doctor agrees), but you must do so under the supervision of a doctor. This has been my own experience with fibromyalgia.
