Cannabis service: Problems over perks
Did you know Ohio has only 21 qualifying health conditions for medical marijuana? They include severe diseases such as AIDS/HIV, cancer, Parkinson’s and Tourette’s.
Keep in mind medical marijuana isn’t to be smoked or vaped because regulating the dosage is impossible. Certified medical marijuana physicians may recommend marijuana in other forms such as oils for under the tongue, edibles/gummies or transdermal patches.
How does someone legally obtain medical marijuana? Through a Cannabis Concierge Service, and here’s how it works:
Pre-screening consultation: A conversation with a certified medical marijuana physician, which includes gathering and looking at medical records.
Evaluation and recommendation: After submitting proper documentation and receiving a medical evaluation, the physician determines whether the patient qualifies. They forward their recommendation to both the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy and the Ohio Medical Marijuana Programs Registry. The patient then receives an email from the board of pharmacy, requesting he or she register (for a fee).
Obtain medical marijuana: This service will then offer strand recommendations, routine follow-ups, dispensary coordination and a digital card, which the patient presents at a dispensary for his or her recommended medical marijuana.
The problems
—Marijuana use creates health and safety risks such as overdose, addiction, drugged driving, lung issues and more.
—Marijuana is not FDA approved (except for three cannabinoids used for cancer and severe, rare forms of epilepsy).
—Marijuana is a schedule 1 controlled substance on the federal level.
—As a schedule 1, no federal funding is available for research, making it difficult to prove its health benefits.
—Dispensaries may not have what the physician recommends.
—Marijuana dispensary staff are not trained pharmacists.
The takeaway is do your own research using science-based sources so you can make educated decisions about your health.
Kristie Skaggs is a coalition prevention specialist at OneEighty.