Medical Marijuana Doctor Issuing Recommendations for Patients Near Tampa, St. Petersburg and All of Florida

Seniors often take an array of pharmaceuticals to cope with the natural process of aging. For some, however, long-term pharmaceutical use can have a detrimental effect on their health and quality of life. Medical marijuana could be an ideal solution for seniors looking to reduce their pharmaceutical intake while significantly improving their quality of life.

If you would like to learn more about the many ways medical cannabis can help you feel your best, please contact us today at (727) 209-5470. Our St. Petersburg facility helps seniors from Tampa and other Florida communities.

What Conditions Can Cannabis Address?

Thousands of studies published by peer-reviewed journals show that cannabis has medical value in treating patients with serious ailments and a variety of neurological disorders. The use of medical marijuana has been endorsed by several professional organizations, including the the American Public Health Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Nurses Association.

Scientific research continues to advance in the study of cannabis and its medical benefits. For many seniors, medical marijuana has been found to help with conditions such as:

  • Chronic pain: Marijuana can effectively treat chronic pain by mitigating the inflammatory process and and affecting nerves in a similar way to local anesthetics. When used in conjunction with other chronic pain therapies, marijuana helps many patients reduce their daily opioid requirement.
  • Arthritis: Because of its powerful immune-modulation and anti-inflammatory properties, medical cannabis can play a role in both the symptom management and treatment of arthritis.
  • Alzheimer’s disease: The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease published a preclinical study which found that a small amount of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a chemical found in cannabis, can slow the production of beta-amyloid proteins, believed to be a signature characteristic and major contributor to the progression of Alzheimer’s.
  • Cancer: The FDA has approved two synthetic pill forms of THC, Dronabinal and Nabilone/Cesamet, currently being used to treat nausea and vomiting associated with chemo treatment. The National Cancer Institute acknowledges that marijuana can also help manage cancer symptoms by providing pain relief, stimulating appetite, improving sleep, improving mood, as well as inhibiting the growth of certain types of tumors.
  • Heart disease: When combined with exercise, good sleep and a healthy diet, cannabis can help prevent heart disease by reducing anxiety and helping patients deal with stress. Marijuana is also helpful for managing pain for patients suffering conditions such as angina.
  • Glaucoma: Ingesting cannabis can help people with glaucoma gain temporary relief by reducing pressure in the eyeball.
  • Diabetes: Substantial research indicates that medical marijuana may prevent and treat diabetes by lowering insulin resistance, relieving pain and combating both oxidative stress and inflammation.
  • Fibromyalgia: While the primary trait of Fibromyalgia is unexplained and often debilitating pain, the illness can also produce symptoms of fatigue, poor sleep, depression and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Cannabis can offer a broad-spectrum relief by helping patients get better sleep, manage pain, improve mood and even address gastrointestinal issues like IBS.

Am I an Ideal Candidate for Medical Marijuana?

Ideal candidates for medical marijuana suffer from a qualifying medical condition. Medical marijuana might be right for you if you are looking for relief from debilitating symptoms and want to explore alternatives to traditional pharmaceuticals. Seniors are often among those who may likely benefit from the measured and responsible use of medical cannabis in the state of Florida.

If you want to find out if you are a candidate for medical marijuana, schedule an evaluation. Our state-licensed physician will gladly determine if this natural and holistic therapy is right for you.

How Can Medical Marijuana Be Consumed for Seniors?

There are several ways for seniors to consume medical marijuana. These methods include:

  • Oils
  • Tinctures
  • Edibles
  • Vaporizers
  • Topicals

If you don’t want to experience the psychoactive effects of marijuana, often referred to as a high, you can still enjoy its potential benefits. Ask our state-licensed physician about taking CBD.

Will I Face Legal Ramifications for Medical Marijuana Usage?

Generally, you will not face ramifications for using medical marijuana according to state law. As far as discrimination against state-legal patients who test positive for marijuana, the relevant statutory language says, “The medical use of marijuana by a qualifying patient or caregiver in compliance with this section is not subject to criminal or civil liability or sanctions under Florida law.”

However, it is worth noting that marijuana cannot be used on-site in any correctional institution or detention facility. It also cannot be used in a place of employment or education. Finally, medical marijuana cannot be smoked in any public place.

What Are the Side Effects of Medical Marijuana Usage?

Medical marijuana can come with side effects such as:

  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Dry mouth
  • Nausea
  • Slower reaction times
  • Impaired memory and concentration
  • Negative drug interactions

The side effects of medical marijuana use are typically mild to moderate in severity. In addition, they are usually temporary and resolve quickly. However, it is possible for more serious side effects to occur. Our state-licensed physician can explain the pros and cons of MMJ use.

How Do I Get a Medical Marijuana Card?

We have a complete guide that explains the steps involved in getting a Florida medical marijuana card. To summarize, you must be a permanent or seasonal resident of Florida. You must also be diagnosed with a qualified medical condition and entered into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry. Finally, you must obtain a Medical Marijuana Use Registry Identification Card.

Is Medical Marijuana Safe for Seniors?

Since 1999, overdose deaths involving prescription opioids have quadrupled, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). By 2020, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) predicts that more than 4.4 million seniors will report prescription drug abuse. Even when not abused and taken as prescribed, many drugs harbor life-threatening side effects, especially in senior patients. Opiates can lower a patient’s resilience, and increase the risk of falls and confusion.

Medical marijuana is incredibly safe. When used correctly and with proper guidance, many of the risks of opiate use are greatly reduced, and the risk of fatal overdose is completely negated.

Contact Us Today

To find out if medical marijuana is right for you, please contact us today at (727) 209-5470. We help senior patients from St. Petersburg, Tampa and across Florida. If you are unable to travel, we can still help by arranging a visit with our traveling clinic and even help you understand Florida’s home delivery program.