Medical cannabis is a natural medicinal plant that often has a significant therapeutic effect on mental and physical health problems. But even though it is a natural treatment, users still need to use cannabis with care.
It is essential to practice moderation and maintain proper usage even with natural treatments. The safer you are with cannabis, the more favorable your experience is likely to be. Medical marijuana safety can be achieved relatively easily, as long as you have some basic information. Here are four tips for you to consider.
Read Product Labels Carefully: All medical cannabis products are packed and labeled with all the necessary information regarding product quality. It is essential to read labels carefully to understand exactly what you are consuming, as you do with all medications.
These product labels will indicate:
* expiration date
* usage instructions
* recommended serving sizes
* warnings specific to the product
* the CBD, THC, or other cannabinoid content
* a batch number or QR code used to access the Certificate of Analysis, which provides more information as to the individual components of your cannabis product.
Like with any nutritional label, the purpose of reading it is to guarantee that you are purchasing quality products that are safe and appropriate for your specific medical condition.
Store Cannabis Properly: Medical marijuana users may not realize that one of the most crucial cannabis safety measures is appropriately storing the product. While your family may quickly recognize cannabis flowers, other cannabis products – such as edibles – may be mistaken for everyday snacks. Leaving your cannabis lying around can lead to accidental ingestion or cause difficulty for those who should not consume the substance. The Washington Post recently reported that in 2020, there were 554 children brought to poison control centers or emergency rooms because they ingested edible. Four hundred of these cases involved children under the age of five. Medical cannabis patients can avoid these situations by adequately storing their products. Be sure to keep any edibles, flowers, or other THC-cannabis products in a sealed container and place them out of reach of both children and pets. If cannabis products are required to be in the refrigerator, label them clearly and put them in a child-proof container.
Remember That Cannabis Affects Everyone Differently: Not everyone experiences cannabis in the same way. Variables such as age, metabolism, past cannabis use, hormones – as well as the specific medical condition you are treating – can result in different effects. These factors will all contribute to the amount of cannabis a patient requires to obtain the therapeutic effects they want.
The definitive way to establish the correct dose for yourself is a process called microdosing. The method includes dividing your total dose into smaller quantities and taking them throughout the day depending on the effects you need. By doing so, you can identify the best dosage for your medical condition and eliminate the risk of overdose.
All medical marijuana patients must consider the delivery method being utilized while microdosing. For instance, edibles often provide more powerful effects than smoking flowers, but the onset of the relief takes much longer. In other words, you may be tempted to take more edibles because you don’t feel any effect – and could have too much in your system when the effects kick in.
Even Medical Cannabis Impairs You: Yes, cannabis is legal and medicinal. However, it also still causes a psychoactive “high.” Cannabis contains Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which affects the body and causes you to become less responsive and alert.
As with any medication which can cause dizziness, fatigue, or another cognitive effect, driving a car or operating heavy machinery should be avoided. Therefore, physicians will recommend that patients only dose in a safe, private location.
Stay Safe When Using Medical Cannabis
Cannabis is a medical treatment with enormous potential to provide relief from a myriad of diseases and conditions. Paying attention to labels, dosing and storage can help keep you and your family safe.
It is imperative to follow the instructions and advice of your physician. If you have questions regarding the use of medical cannabis for your illness, call Dr. Daniel P. Stein. Stein is a board-certified neurologist who has successfully integrated cannabis with traditional methodologies to help his patients achieve their best results.