Medical Marijuana

Consider getting a medical marijuana prescription if you have a qualifying condition and want to avoid traditional prescription drugs. At Advance Telemedicine, based in Orange, Connecticut, the team of board-certified primary care providers offers medical marijuana to qualifying patients. After a comprehensive exam, they write you a prescription so you can purchase medical marijuana at local medical marijuana dispensaries. Call Advanced Telemedicine to schedule a medical marijuana appointment, or book your visit online today. 

What is medical marijuana?

Medical marijuana uses the cannabis plant and other cannabis-derived products to manage chronic health problems. 

Although many people consider marijuana a recreational drug, the plant contains properties that stimulate the cannabinoid receptors in the brain. Stimulating these receptors provides various benefits, including relief from symptoms like nausea, insomnia, and chronic pain.

Who qualifies for medical marijuana?

To qualify for medical marijuana in Connecticut, you must have one of the following conditions:

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Epilepsy
• Cachexia
• Wasting syndrome
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Cerebral palsy
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Muscular dystrophy
• Neuropathy (nerve damage)
• Chronic pain
• Severe epilepsy

Providers can also prescribe medical marijuana for certain mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Tourette syndrome. 

What is the process for getting a medical marijuana prescription?

Your Advance Telemedicine provider completes a comprehensive exam before recommending a medical marijuana prescription. During your appointment, they discuss your symptoms and lifestyle, complete a head-to-toe physical, and order lab testing, including bloodwork and urinalysis. 

If you have a qualifying medical condition, they write you a medical marijuana prescription. Afterward, you submit the paperwork to the state of Connecticut. The state processes your application and sends you a medical marijuana card in the mail.

Once you receive your medical marijuana card, you can visit local dispensaries and purchase marijuana products. 

How is medical marijuana administered?

Medical marijuana is administered in several ways, including:

• Inhalation (vaping and smoking)
• Oral consumption (gummies, tinctures, oils, and capsules)
• Topical (salves, balms, and patches)
• Suppositories

The type of medical marijuana that will most benefit you depends on several things, including your symptoms and lifestyle. At first, it might take some trial and error to determine the best approach. 

Don’t be afraid to try different things and include your Advance Telemedicine provider in the process. They can make recommendations that align with your needs. 

Is medical marijuana safe?

Medical marijuana is safe and typically well-tolerated, but it can present side effects. 

For example, after using marijuana, you might experience an increased heart rate, short-term memory loss, or lightheadedness. These symptoms aren’t anything to worry about and resolve after the “high” is over, but some people find them uncomfortable. 

The Advance Telemedicine team makes dosage recommendations to reduce these symptoms and ensure you get the most from treatment.

Call Advance Telemedicine to schedule a medical marijuana consultation, or book your appointment online today.