Vaporizing Cannabis

To vaporize cannabis, you will need to heat the flower or concentrate between 250ºF (121ºC) and 400ºF (204ºC). Heating cannabis too much will result in combustion. Once cannabis is ignited, it releases compounds like benzene that have been linked to cancer and tar deposits in the throat and lungs.

By vaporizing cannabis, you are reducing the harms associated with smoke while still receiving many of the medical benefits. Despite this, only 8% out of 30,000+ who were surveyed reported using vaporizers. Vaporizing is currently the best way to prevent harms from cannabis use.

The study made several observations that may shed light on how vaporizing cannabis is leading to a decrease in nicotine dependency.

The Spliff

When you roll a marijuana join but add tobacco to the mix. Regular cannabis smokers are more susceptible to nicotine dependency because of how common it is to mix cannabis with tobacco. In Europe, for example, the spliff is the most common way cannabis is consumed.

Daily Pot Use Linked to Nicotine Dependence

According to a different study, published in the same journal in 2005, regular cannabis use increased the likeliness of people 24 or older to become dependent on tobacco more than threefold.

The study concluded that: “Weekly or more cannabis use during the teens and young adulthood is associated with an increased risk of late initiation of tobacco use and progression to nicotine dependence.”

It’s worth nothing that vaporization was not an option for cannabis user when this study was conducted.

Vaporize Tobacco?

The 2015 study found that out of 96 people only two reported ever having combined tobacco and cannabis in their vaporizers. The researchers believe that the use of vaporizers may lead to a disconnection between marijuana and tobacco use.

Conclusion

Once tobacco dependence sets it, it’s a whole mission to overcome it. The best way to battle that addiction is by never allowing it to arise. If cannabis vaporization leads to a decrease in tobacco dependency, it would be a better choice. Cigarette smoking is currently the second largest killer in the United States.

Many doctors don’t recommend marijuana to their patients. This may be due to the fact that they know it could lead to a higher risk of nicotine or tobacco dependency. Medical marijuana use is spreading across the United States. Additionally, vaping could reduce the possibility of nicotine and tobacco dependence. Some of the dangers of combustion smoking would also be mitigated.

Nations that had the highest rate of vaporizer usage were found to be least likely to combine tobacco and marijuana. This combination seems to make individuals more likely to develop a dependency to tobacco. Therefore, anything that will lead to a disconnect between pot and cigarettes is worth looking into. The researchers from the study are calling for more research on vaping.

The post Vaporizing Cannabis Could Lead to Decrease in Nicotine and Tobacco Dependence appeared first on Pot My.

In fact, there could be companies out there that allow employees to consume marijuana if it improves productivity. Medical studies have illustrated cannabis’ ability to increase mental focus. As a result, the case reports that marijuana also relieves symptoms of ADHD.

ADD/ADHD and Cannabis

Those who have ADD/ADHD have difficulty focusing. Additionally, paying attention to detail and holding interest can be difficult for these patients. Current ADD/ADHD patients are prescribed drugs like Adderall and Ritalin. Both of which come with common side effects like nervousness, restlessness, dizziness, anxiety and more.

In comparison, cannabis comes with less harmful effects and the potential to treat ADD. Studies have found weed to be more effective and safer method of treatment. Prescription pills can be highly addictive and insomnia-inducing. Furthermore, users can even report lack of appetite and suicidal thoughts after using prescription pills.

How Marijuana Can Hep

While there’s no guarantee cannabis will work for everyone suffering from ADHD, many have already had their symptoms relieve.

Anxiety is one of the most common symptoms of ADHD. Studies show medical marijuana can reduce anxiety. In fact, one study found cannabis to have specific anxiety-relieving effects.

When an individual ingests marijuana, receptors in the emotional portion of the brain are link to our “fight or flight” reflex slows down. However, you will nee the right strain with the right THC level to treat your ADHD. If anxiety is the symptom you’d like to combat, you should use weed low in THC. High THC levels may result in increased pain rather than decreased.

When anxiety strikes, get a cannabis strain high in CBD. CBD has the opposite of THC, meaning it alleviates anxiety rather than inducing it. CBD is the compound responsible for slowing down “fight or flight” reactions.

Marijuana directly affects the brain’s dopamine levels. Dopamine is a chemical neurotransmitter that is involved in mental awareness, focus, and memory.

A lack of concentration could just mean you have a dopamine shortage. Smoking or ingesting marijuana will increase dopamine levels but be careful not to get your dopamine levels too high. That’s when memory and focus become impaired.

Conclusion

Those looking to improve their focus without the adverse side effects should consider medical marijuana. It may take some time to find the proper strain and dosage, but the result will be an improvement in focus and productivity. The only problem is ADHD is not on the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana in many states. Moreover, those who do not have a medical card will have a hard time finding strains that are high in CBD and low in THC.

The post Can Weed Increase Focus and Productivity? appeared first on Pot My.

Secreted in the same glands that product cannabinoids like THC and CBD, terpenes are the pungent oils that give cannabis its variety of distinctive flavors like citrus, berry and mint. Medical research on cannabis has so avidly focused on cannabinoids that there hasn’t been a lot of research done on terpenes

Terpenes are synthesized in cannabis in secretory cells inside glandural trichomes, and production is increased with exposure to light. These terpenes are mostly found in high concentrations in unfertilized female cannabis flowers prior to senescence (deterioration with age). The essential oil is extracted from the plant material by steam distillation or vaporization. Many of these compounds vaporize around about the same temperature as THC, but some are more volatile than others. Terpenes also play an important role in providing the plant with natural protection against bacteria, fungus, insects and other environmental stresses.

There are many factors that influence a plant’s development of terpenes, including climate, weather, age and maturation, fertilizers, soil type, and even time of the day.

It is a well established fact that marijuana is capable of affecting the mind, emotions and behavior of its user. The main psychotropic cannabinoid, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been intensely studied. However, many of the other cannabinoids, terpenoids and flavonoids found in cannabis that play a big role in boosting the therapeutic effect of cannabis remain understudied.

Terpenes are common components of flavorings and fragrances. Unlike cannabinoids, they are responsible for the aroma and taste of cannabis. The FDA and other agencies have generally recognized them as “safe.”

Terpenes act on receptors and neurotransmitters.

Characteristics of terpenes

• They are prone to combine with or dissolve in lipids or fats;
• Act as serotonin uptake inhibitors;
• Enhance norepinephrine activity;
• Increase dopamine activity;
• and they augment GABA.

Even with all the data, more specific research is needed for improved accuracy in describing and predicting how terpenes in cannabis can be used medicinally to help treat specific medical conditions.

Terpenes and Their Characteristics

The post Terpenes appeared first on Pot My.

Both tested doses of the drug, epidiolex, were found to have induces a statistically significant improvement in reducing seizures in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), GW said on Monday.

LGS is a disease that is characterized by seizures, impaired intellectual functioning, developmental delays and behavioral disturbances.

The drug had already succeeded in another late-stage study in LGS and GW has also announced positive results from a late-stage study on patients with Dravet syndrome, another severe form of epilepsy.

GW said it expects to submit a marketing application for the drug to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration in the first half of 2017. If approved, it could become the first drug in the country to be made from organic cannabis.

The post GW’s cannabis-derived drug succeeds in third epilepsy study appeared first on Pot My.

The Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act, established a patient registry program, protects registered qualifying patients and registered designated caregivers from “arrest, prosecution, or denial of any right or privilege,” and allows for the registration of cultivation centers and medical marijuana dispensaries.

How Can I get a Medical Marijuana card in Illinois?

In order to qualify for a medical card and legally purchase marijuana, you must fulfill the following qualifications:

• Be 18 years of age or older (minors need two physician recommendations as well as consent from their legal guardian),
• Be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition
• Have consent from a physician.
• Be an Illinois state resident with proof of residency

For any questions regarding patient and caregiver registration, call or email the DPH Division of Medical Cannabis at 855-636-3688 or DPH.MedicalCannabis@illinois.gov.

Medical Cannabis Registry Identification Card Application Fees (Reduced Cost for Adult Qualifying Patients)

• Veterans who receive health services at a Veteran’s Administration (VA) facility are not required to obtain a physician’s written certification, but must submit 12 months of VA records to the Department with their application.

Which conditions qualify for Medical Marijuana in Illinois?

The following list of medical conditions qualify for medical cannabis:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Cachexia
• Cancer
• Crohn’s Disease
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• HIV/AIDS
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Parkinson’s
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Spinal cord disease
• Tourette’s Syndrome
• Traumatic brain injury and post-concussion syndrome

And many more…

Can qualifying conditions be added to the list?

Yes. The Illinois Department of Health can add conditions, for example, PTSD was added on June 30, 2016.

Where can I find a Medical Marijuana Doctor in Illinois?

Due to personal/professional reasons, not all doctors will sign medical marijuana papers for you. In order for a doctor to be able to sign your paperwork, they have to fit the following description from the Illinois Department of Public Health:

“The medical provider must be a doctor of medicine or osteopathy licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987. have a controlled substances license under Article II of Illinois Controlled Substances Act, be in good standing to practice medicine in Illinois, and have a bona fide physician-patient relationship with the patient they are certifying for medical cannabis.”

Where are the Cannabis Dispensaries located?

There are numerous medical marijuana dispensaries located all over the state. Finding one could be easy but if you’re not sure how to do so, we have a handy list of dispensaries straight from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

What can I get from an Illinois Dispensary?

The law allows patients to obtain up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis every two weeks from one of the 60 dispensing organizations that will be supplied by the 22 cultivation centers.  Dispensing organization and cultivation centers will be able to produce flowers, edibles, tinctures, and topicals.

Where can I Smoke?

The future of Illinois’ Medical Marijuana Program:

The post How to Qualify for Medical Marijuana in Illinois appeared first on Pot My.

The Washing Department of Health Medical Marijuana Program

Patients in Washing State that wish to join the medical marijuana program must be registered in the medical marijuana authorization database. This database is run by the Washington Department of Health. To register, patients must receive a medical marijuana authorization form from their licensed healthcare practitioner.

Medical marijuana patients with a valid authorization form may join the database and receive their medical marijuana recognition card.

if you believe your medical conditions qualify for a medical cannabis authorization form, discuss your symptoms with your licensed healthcare practitioner.

What conditions qualify for the Medical Marijuana Program in WA?

Patients in Washington diagnosed with one or more of the following medical conditions are allowed legal protection for the use of medical cannabis:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Cachexia
• HIV/AIDS
• Hepatitis C
• Anorexia
• Severe muscle spams including multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and other seizure and spasticity disorders
• Acute or chronic glaucoma
• Crohn’s disease
• Some forms of intractable pain

Will additional conditions be added to the list?

Before July 24, 2015, the Medical Quality Assurance Commission considered petitions requesting to add conditions to the list of qualifying medical conditions. However, in 2015 the law changes, and petitions are no longer allowed.

Where can you find a Medical marijuana Doctor in WA?

All licensed medical marijuana retail stores in Washington are are required to have a certified medical marijuana consultant. These consultant aren’t a medical providers. They cannot provide medical services, diagnose medical conditions or recommend treatment. The consultants are responsible for entering patient information from the authorization form into the database, and answering questions about medical cannabis law and products.

If you are interested in becoming a certified consultant, you can find the information here.
Only a licensed healthcare practitioner can legally recommend a patient to receive medical marijuana and fill out the authorization form.

Before a practitioner recommends medical marijuana, a bona fide (patient-doctor) relationship must be established.

The following healthcare professionals are legally allowed to authorize medical cannabis and fill out an authorization form:

• Medical Doctors (MDs)
• Physician Assistant (PAs)
• Osteopathic Physicians (DOs)
• Naturopathic Physicians (NDs)
• Osteopathic Physician Assistants (OAs)
• Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs)

With so many healthcare professionals able to fill out medical marijuana authorization forms, you’ll likely find one close to where you’re located.

Where are the legal cannabis dispensaries in Washington?

A marijuana dispensary must be legally and medically endorsed to create recognition cards. There are qualifying establishments located all over the state. These stores will have at least one certified medical marijuana consultant on staff to help process your authorization form and answer your questions.

What does my medical card get me at a Washington dispensary?

Qualified patients in WA may possess up to 24 ounces of usable marijuana or 15 marijuana plants, or participate in a collective garden. Patients and designated caregivers of 21 years or older may buy any combination of the following from a licensed dispensary:

• 1 ounce of usable marijuana.
• 16 ounces of marijuana-infused product in solid form.
• 72 ounces of marijuana-infused product in liquid form.
• 7 grams of marijuana concentrate

Where can I smoke?

In Washington State, you are legally allowed to smoke on private property and outside the view of the general public.Patients with medical marijuana recognition cards cannot smoke marijuana in the following places:

• In public
• At the retail shop, where you purchased the product
• While operating any motorized vehicle
• Federal property, such as national parks, airports, courthouses, and military bases.
• School grounds or property
• Reservations

Are patients and caregivers protected from discrimination?

Yes. Primary caregivers cannot apply for a medical marijuana recognition card; the patient must apply for the caregiver. Primary caregivers must provide proof of identification and be photographed by the country administration department they reside.

The future of the Medical Cannabis Program in WA?

Washington is an active state when it comes to medical cannabis. Rules and regulations are constantly being revised and updated. The Washington Department of Health offers an email list which allows the public to stay up-to-date on medical marijuana rules and regulation changes in Washington State.

The post How to Qualify for Medical Marijuana in Washington appeared first on Pot My.

Here we’ll go into detail about the Medical Marijuana laws in Rhode Island, how and if you qualify for a medical card.

How do you apply to the Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Program?

To apply for a medical marijuana card, you must have proof of Rhode Island residency and one of the qualifying medical conditions. Your doctor must then sign a practitioner form which is part of the application for a medical marijuana card. The application must be printed out from the Department of Health’s website and before signing it, your doctor must complete a physical examination, check your past year’s medical records to determine whether or not you qualify.There is a $100 application fee which is reduced to $25 for patient with Medicaid, SSi, SSDI, or a disabled veteran. There is a separate form for anyone under the age of 18, so technically anyone can apply.

Which conditions qualify for Medical Marijuana in Rhode Island?

Any of the following conditions would qualify someone for medical marijuana in RI:

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Hepatitis C
• Cachexia
• Severe, debilitating, chronic pain
• Severe nausea
• Seizures
• Severe muscle spasms
• Agitation related to Alzheimer’s disease
• PTSD

Can the list of qualifying conditions be added to?

The RI list of qualifying conditions can be added to. In fact, in July the Governor of Rhode Island signed a PTSD bill which added PTSD to the list of qualifying conditions for the RI medical marijuana program.

Where can you find a medical marijuana doctor in RI?

Any RI physician in good standing can register with the Department of Health’s medical marijuana program. This does not mean that every doctor will recommend medical cannabis to you even if you have a debilitating condition. Doctors are accustomed to prescribing medications that are approved by the FDA and some won’t recommend smoking of any kind to their patients for liability reasons.

Where are the medical cannabis dispensaries in Rhode Island?

There are three dispensaries in RI because that is all the States law allows at this point in time. They can be found in Warwick, Providence and Portsmouth, Rhode Island. With the small size of the state and home cultivation being allowed, three dispensaries should be enough for Rhode Island residents.

What does my medical card get me at an RI dispensary?

Walking into a Rhode Island dispensary, you’ll notice that most marijuana products are available to patients. There flower, extracts, edibles and even topicals. Butane Hash Oils is no longer available. Any solvents that contain flammable gas are illegal for use during the extraction process. So all extracts in Rhode Island are made with no harmful solvents like butane. Instead, they’re made mainly with the rosin technique which just applies heat and pressure to marijuana flowers to extract oils. This is safer for both users and producers of extracts.

Are Rhode Island medical marijuana patients protected from discrimination?

According to RI’s medical marijuana law, “no school, employers, or landlord may refuse to enroll, employ or lease to or otherwise penalize a person solely for his or her status as a card holder.” Employers have no obligation to accommodate the medical use of marijuana at the work place.

The future of the Medical Marijuana Program in RI:

The rules and relations have been updated several times since the medical marijuana law was put in place and will likely continue to change. There are still changes going into effect at the start next year in RI like added qualifying conditions. The state has reached its limit for dispensaries until the laws change to allow more.

The post How to Qualify for Medical Marijuana in Rhode Island appeared first on Pot My.

We go into detail about the Medical Marijuana laws in Oregon and show you if and how to qualify for medical marijuana in Oregon.

The Oregon Medical Marijuana Program

The Oregon Medical Marijuana Program is only available to Oregon residents with certain medical conditions. Medical cannabis products are distributed by State approved dispensaries only. If you believe your medical conditions qualifies for a Medical Marijuana card, discuss your symptoms and condition with your doctor.

Once the doctor has approved you to receive medical cannabis, you must register with the OMMP Patient Registry. This registration is mandatory to ensure protection under Oregon’s medical cannabis law. There is also an annual $200.00 fee that must be paid to the state of Oregon to participate in the OMMP.

What conditions quality for the Medical Marijuana Program in Oregon?

Patients in Oregon diagnosed with one or more of the following medical conditions are allowed legal protection under the Oregon’s medical marijuana law:

• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Agitation due to Alzheimer’s
• PTSD
• Severe pain
• Severe Nausea
• Seizure disorders, including epilepsy
• Persistent muscle spams, including multiple sclerosis
• Cachexia

Will additional conditions be added to the list of qualifying conditions?

Yes, other conditions are subject to approval by the Health Division of the Oregon Department of Human Resources.

Where can you find a Medical Marijuana Doctor in Oregon?

Oregon law requires that the physician is licensed in Oregon. There are currently over 1,600 Oregon-licensed physicians with current Oregon Medical Marijuana Program patients. With such a high volume of licensed physicians in Oregon, it’ll likely be easy to find a doctor close to where you are located. The Oregon Medical Marijuana Program requires all patients to have an established doctor/patient relationship, and in some cases, this may take several appointments as a pattern of doctor visits need to be apparent.

Where are the legal cannabis dispensaries in Oregon located?

There are legal cannabis dispensaries located all over Oregon. The majority are located in Portland. Dispensaries may not be in an area zoned as residential. Dispensaries may also not be located within 1,000 feet of a school and another registered dispensary.

There is a lis of dispensaries open in the state.

What does my medical card get me at an Oregon dispensary?

In a one day period, a legal dispensary in Oregon may not sell to a patient or caregiver more than:

• 24 ounces of usable marijuana
• 16 ounces of a medical cannabinoid is solid form
• 16 ounces of cannabinoid concentrate
• 72 ounces of a medical cannabinoid in liquid form
• 5 grams of cannabinoid extract
• 4 immature marijuana plants
• 50 seeds

Registered medical marijuana dispensaries are allowed to sell limited amounts of recreational marijuana to adults age 21 and older.

Where can I smoke?

Onsite consumption of marijuana is prohibited. The only exception to the rule is for an employee who is a current and valid Oregon Medical Marijuana Program patient who must medicate during work hours.

Are patients and caregivers shielded from discrimination?

Yes. It is important to update your file if you change your caregive or grower site information so they will be protected should law enforcement request verification. To ensure caregivers and the grow site are protected, you must submit a change form for the caregiver, grower or grow site changes immediately.

The future of the Medical Marijuana Program in Oregon:

Oregon is an active state when it come to the legalization of marijuana. The rules and regulations are constantly being revised and updated. You can subscribe to receive email updates related to medical cannabis rulemaking, rule changes and other updates regarding the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program.

The post How to Qualify for Medical Marijuana in Oregon appeared first on Pot My.

The New York Medical Marijuana Program

The New York Medical Marijuana Program is only available to New York Residents with severe medical conditions. Medical marijuana products are distributed by State approved Dispensaries only. If you are interested in using medical marijuana to treat a medical condition, discuss it with your doctor to see if medical marijuana will be right for you.

After getting your physician’s approval to receive marijuana for medical use, it’s worth noting that your doctor will also need to be registered with the Department of Health and that doctor will need to have been the one treating you for your medical condition.

New York patients must still register online at the Department of Health’s online Patient Registration System to obtain a registry identification card for access to medical marijuana products at a local dispensary.

What conditions qualify for the Medical Marijuana Program in New York?

If you are not sure whether or not you qualify for New York’s Medical Marijuana program, we have a list from the NY Compassionate Care Acts website of the medical conditions that qualify:

• Cancer
• HIV
• Amyotrpic Lateral Sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Damage to nervous tissue and spinal cord
• Epilepsy
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Neuropathies
• Huntington’s disease

Will additional conditions be added to the list?

Yes, the Commissioner of Health may add new conditions to the list. In fact, the Department of Health has been analyzing many studies on Alzheimer’s, muscular dystrophy, dystonia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and rheumatoid arthritis. If the Commissioner sees merit in prescribing medical marijuana to patients with these conditions, he will quickly add it to the list of currently covered conditions.

Where can I find a Medical Marijuana Doctor in NY?

You will need to find a doctor that’s already completed the 4 and a half hour course educating practitioners on medical marijuana use. New York has over 600 registered physicians now, so you can find a doctor relatively anywhere in New York. If your doctor does not approve your reason for needing medical marijuana, you won’t be able to get a registry identification card.

Where are the legal cannabis dispensaries in New York?

There is a list of dispensaries open now within the boroughs and even several upstate.

What does my medical card get me at a New York dispensary?

The medical marijuana laws in NY are relatively strict. The flower form of marijuana is not available for smoking because of the danger associated with smoking. Patients will have to use extracts, tinctures, oils, and edibles if they want to get medicated, even though smoking as a method of consumption has found to have more immediate relief, added benefits, and less harmful side effects than alternatives like edibles.

Patients will not be allowed to purchase or possess more than a 30 day supply of medical marijuana. After receiving medical marijuana, it must be kept in its original packaging otherwise it may be confused for illegal marijuana.

Where can you smoke?

Public smoking of even medical marijuana remains illegal in the State of New York. You may consume marijuana or on private property if you have permission to do so.

Are patients and caregivers protected from discrimination?

Within the provisions it was declared that patients, caregivers, practitioners, or employees “shall be denied any right or privilege, including but not limited to, they shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege.” So in New York you can rest easy and know you can’t be arrested or fired for using your medicine.

The future of the Medical Marijuana Program in New york:

While some believe the way the program is currently being run is very careful and potentially valuable to patient treatment, others think the program is not doing enough for patients. There are medical conditions that patients are waiting for the DOH to add to he list of qualifying conditions.

Even patients with qualifying conditions may not be getting the best available medicine to them because smoking marijuana provided added benefits that aren’t present in any of the forms currently available to New York patients. More research needs to be done on the benefits of inhaling marijuana before the DOH will add raw marijuana to the list of marijuana products available in NY.

The post How to Qualify for Medical Marijuana in New York appeared first on Pot My.

The New Mexico Department of Health Cannabis Program

The New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program is only available to New Mexico residents with certain medical conditions. Medical marijuana products are distributed by State approved dispensaries only. If you believe your medical condition(s) qualify for a Medical Cannabis card, discuss your symptoms with a licensed physician. Once the doctor has approved you to receive medical cannabis, you must submit an application to the New Mexico Department of Health’s Medical Cannabis Program administrator’s office along with all required forms.

Which conditions qualify for the Medical Marijuana Program in NM?

Patients in New Mexico diagnosed with one or more of the following medical conditions are allowed legal protection under the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act:

• ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
• Cancer
• Crohn’s Disease
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• HIV/AIDS
• Huntington’s Disease
• Hospice Care
• Inclusion Body Myositis
• Inflammatory Autoimmune-mediated Arthritis
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord
• Painful peripheral neuropathy
• Parkinson’s disease
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Severe Chronic Pain
• Severe Anorexia/Cachexia
• Spasmodic Torticollis (Cervical Dystonia
• Ulcerative Coltis

Will additional conditions be added to the list of qualifying conditions?

The Medical Advisory Board can be petitioned with a request to add a new condition to the list of qualifying conditions. The Medical Advisory Board will hold a public forum where the public is allowed to present evidence about the benefits of cannabis relating to the medical condition. The board members will then decide whether or not they agree that medical marijuana is a viable treatment for the medical condition.

Where can I find a Medical Marijuana Doctor in NM?

Medical practitioners in New Mexico cannot prescribe cannabis; they can only make recommendations.

The New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program has both mental health specialists and physicians who are licensed to diagnose any of the qualified medical conditions. A PTSD specialist is also available. You can schedule an appointment online.

Where are the legal cannabis dispensaries in New Mexico?

Legal marijuana dispensaries are located across the entire state of New Mexico. The majority of them are based in Albuquerque and the northern half of the state.

Once your medical marijuana application is approved, you will receive a list of licensed dispensaries. When new producers are licensed, you will receive the contact information for each new dispensary registered.

Where can I smoke?

Patients with a medical cannabis card cannot use or possess medical marijuana in the following places:

• In a public vehicle
• In the workplace of the patient or primary caregiver
• Public parks
• School grounds or property
• In a recreation center, youth center, or other public places
• On federal property such as airports, national parks, and reservations

Additionally, patients cannot operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of cannabis.

Are patients and caregivers protected from discrimination?

Yes. Primary caregivers must be a resident of New Mexico, and be 18 years of age, or older. Primary caregivers must also be designated by the physician as necessary to take responsibility for managing the well-being of a qualified patient.

The future of the Medical Cannabis Program in NM

Today, more then 11,000 New Mexicans are registered in the Medical Cannabis Program. However, many New Mexico residents believe certain regulations make it difficult to participate in the program.

For example: the New Mexico Department of Health requires to physicians to certify patients with chronic pain. This is a problem for patients who do not have insurance coverage for doctor visits. As a result, many patients bypass the legal medical cannabis program.

Many New Mexico residents are hopeful regulation will change in the future, making participation easier.

The post How to Qualify for Medical Marijuana in New Mexico appeared first on Pot My.

Which medical conditions qualify for the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program?

According to the NJ Department of Health, these are the conditions you need to qualify:

• PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
• Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS)
• Terminal cancer
• Crohn’s disease
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Any terminal illness that leads to death within the next 12 months
• Glaucoma, if the patient is resistant or intolerant to conventional therapy
• Seizure disorders if the patient is resistant or intolerant to conventional therapy

Can the list of qualifying conditions be added to?

Yes. In fact, in June the NJ Assembly passed legislation that added PTSD as a qualifying medical condition.

How do you get a medical marijuana card?

If you want to acquire a medical marijuana card in New Jersey, you need to confirm that you are a New Jersey resident.

You will also need to maintain a bona fide relationship with a doctor in the program. This mean you will need to have had a relationship with that doctor for a minimum of one year.

The doctor must also determine that you have a qualifying medical condition on four separate visits before you can acquire a medical marijuana card.

After you confirm all of the above, you need to pay the NJ Department of Health $200 for a two-year card which can be reduced to $20 for patients qualifying for state or federal assistance programs.

Where can you find a medical marijuana doctor in New Jersey?

NJ requires any doctor who is prescribing marijuana to be registered with the NJ Medical Marijuana Program. There are doctors registered with the Program scattered across NJ, find the one closes to you or ask the community which would be the best.

Where are the dispensaries in new Jersey?

Despite becoming medically legal in 2010, there is no abundance of medical dispensaries in NJ. There are currently five open, while a sixth is still pending.

You can find information on the Department of Health’s website.

What can I get from a dispensary in New Jersey?

Unlike the New York program, NJ allows the smoking and selling of marijuana in its raw plant form. In a legal New Jersey dispensary, you’ll find flowers, extracts, and vaporizers. Las year, New Jersey issued guidelines for dispensaries to follow if they wanted to be permitted to sell edibles so the dispensaries will soon have a regulated edible selection.

Are patients and distributors of Medical Marijuana protected from prosecution in New Jersey?

The Senate Bill 119 that was passed in 2010 protects patients who use marijuana to alleviate suffering from debilitating medical conditions, as well as their physicians, primary carivers, and those who are authorized to produce marijuana for medical purposes. Patients must keep their medical marijuana products in original packaging and must be under two ounces for patients to be safe from arrest.

The future of New Jersey’s Medical Marijuana Program:

The NJ Assembly may continue to add more serious ailments to the list of qualifying conditions. Edibles are cautiously being brought into NJ dispensaries, and more dispensaries will open shortly.

The post How to qualify for medical marijuana in New Jersey appeared first on Pot My.

What conditions qualify for medical marijuana treatment in New Hampshire?

The medical conditions that qualify for medical marijuana in New Hampshire include:

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Hepatitis C currently receiving antiviral treatment
• Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS)
• Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Spinal cord injury or disease
• Traumatic brain injury
• Or one or more injuries that significantly interferes with daily activities as documented by the patient’s physician.

Any severe debilitating or terminal medical conditions or their treatment that cause one of the following:

• Elevated intraocular pressure
• Cachexia
• Chemotherapy-induced anorexia
• Severe pain that has not responded to any medication or surgical procedures or for which other treatment options produces serious side effects
• Constant or severe nausea
• Moderate or severe vomiting
• Seizures
• Severe persistent muscle spasms

Additionally, the department may include, on a case by case basis, any condition determined to be severely debilitating or terminal, based upon the written request of a patient’s recommending physician.

How do I obtain a medical marijuana card in New Hampshire?

According to the NH Department of Health’s website, “to be eligible for the Therapeutic Cannabis Program, your licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) will be required to issue you a written certification that certifies that you have a ‘qualifying medical condition as listen above.’ You must also pay the New Hampshire Marijuana patient registry fee of $50.

Patients must be 18 years or older and a resident of the state of New Hampshire with proof of residency.

Patients must also see a physician for three months prior to receiving a marijuana recommendation.

Where can I find a medical marijuana doctor in NH

Any certified New Hampshire physician can register a patient with the state’s medical marijuana program if they believe it can help treat a debilitating condition.

Where are the medical marijuana dispensaries in NH?

There are currently three dispensaries operating in New Hampshire. The first one opened a few months ago. The state allows only four non-profits “Alternative Treatment Centers” to be open at a time.

What can I buy from a New Hampshire dispensary?

Most marijuana products are available to qualifying New Hampshire Patients. Dispensaries offer cannabis in its flower, edible, and concentrated forms.

Are NH patients protected from discrimination?

Patients and caregivers registered with the NH Department of Health’s medical marijuana program are protected from arrest or prosecution. If they are in possession of more than two ounces of cannabis at one time, patients can still be prosecuted.

The New Hampshire medical marijuana laws explicitly prohibit employers from discriminating against employees or applicants based on their status as a medical cannabis user. However, an employer does not need to provide an employee with written permission to use medical marijuana in the workplace. An employee caught under the influence at work without written consent from the employer can be disciplined.

The Future of the New Hampshire Medical Marijuana Program

The state is expecting their fourth and final dispensary later this year. The list of qualifying conditions can be expanded by the 15-member Therapeutic Use if Cannabis Advisory Council that oversees the states medical marijuana program.

The post How to qualify for medical marijuana in New Hampshire appeared first on Pot My.

Here we will look at the medical marijuana laws in MA, how to get into the program and all the other bits and pieces you’d like to know.

Who qualifies for the Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Program?

To gain access to medical cannabis, patients must have one or two debilitating conditions as listed below.

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• AIDS
• Hepatitis C
• Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Any other debilitating conditions as determined in writing by a qualified patient’s certifying physician

Can the list of qualifying conditions be added to?

Yes, but it is up to the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services to add to the list of conditions that are eligible for medical marijuana.

How do you get a medical marijuana card?

First, you’ll need to make an appointment with one of the 155 MA physicians registered with the program. They will need to provide you with a certification diagnosing you with a debilitating medical condition. Then you will register with the Medical Use of Marijuana Program online or by paper registration. Before registering you will need a valid ID, current photo of yourself, and a form of payment for the $50 registration fee. Fees can be reduced or waived for patients with proof of financial hardship. You will also need to provide proof of Massachusetts residency.

Where can I find a dispensary in Massachusetts?

The state of MA allows 35 state-licensed non-profit dispensaries to be operational at a time Attorney General Martha M. Coakley ruled that cities and towns cannot ban dispensaries, they can only regulate them. Here we have some of the dispensaries in Massachusetts.

What can I get from a MA dispensary?

You are allowed to possess up to 10 ounces in Massachusetts. Medical marijuana is available in flower form, extracts and even topical solutions.

Where can I smoke?

You are only allowed to smoke medical cannabis on private property.

Are patients and caregivers protected from discrimination?

Qualifying patients cannot be prosecuted under MA law for using medical marijuana or possessing a 60 day (10 ounces) or less supply of medical marijuana.Employers may legally prohibit employees from working under he influence.So far the Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Law and regulations do not shield employees from pre-employment drug-testing and courts have upheld the employer’s right to terminate current employees who test positive for the use of medical marijuana.

The future of the Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Program:

Only about 5 of the allowed 35 dispensaries have opened, so more dispensaries will be coming to MA shortly. Patients who are a part of the program re currently not protected from job discrimination and termination. It’s possible that the Massachusetts anti-discrimination laws will require employers to tolerate their employees use of medical marijuana, this has yet to be the case, and MA medical marijuana patients await a change in the laws governing employer drug testing and drug use policies

The post How to Qualify for Medical Marijuana in Massachusetts appeared first on Pot My.

How to you apply for a medical cannabis card in Maine?

You just have to have a debilitating medical condition that qualifies for medical marijuana in Maine. All doctors and nurses in good standing in ME can recommend marijuana to patients who qualify. It’s up to the physician to register online with the Maine Medical use of Marijuana Program.

If they determine, a patient qualifies for medical marijuana, they must go on the programs website and print a certificate for the patient. After this the patient just needs to take the certificate to the dispensary they plan to receive their medicine from. From there, patients will just have to fill out a simple form at the dispensary before being able to make purchases.

What conditions qualify for Medical Marijuana in Maine?

Here is the list of debilitating medical conditions that qualify for medical marijuana in ME:

• Chronic pain that has not responded to conventional therapy for more than six months
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
• Alzheimer’s
• Cachexia
• Cancer
• Crohn’s disease
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C (active form)
• HIV
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBS)
• Seizure disorders
• Severe muscle spasms (including multiple sclerosis and other diseases causing severe and persistent muscle spasms)
• Severe nausea

Can qualifying conditions be added to the list?

The ME Department of Health and Human Services can add to the list of qualifying conditions. In fact, they added to the list in 2009 when they updated their medical marijuana laws.

Where can you find a medical marijuana doctor in Maryland?

Sinve August of 2014, any M.D., D.O., or C.N.P in ME can recommend cannabis to qualifying patients.

Where are the dispensaries in Maine?

There are currently eight dispensaries operating in ME. The state’s current medical marijuana laws require at least 5 to be operational at a time. The list of dispensaries under the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program can be found on the state’s government website.

What can I get at a Maine dispensary?

In Maine you can purchase marijuana in its smokable flower form, edibles, tinctures, and concentrates.

Are medical patients in Maine protected from discrimination?

Employees who are qualifying patients and primary caregivers cannot be discriminated against by an employer “solely for that person’s status as a qualifying patient or primary caregiver.” However, employers are not required to allow qualifying patients to ingest marijuana or be under its influence while at the workplace.

The future of Maine’s Medical Marijuana Program.

Last year Maine’s medical cannabis sales totaled $16.2M, and that number is on the rise. There will be more dispensaries opened shortly, and the list of qualifying conditions may be added to as more research on the medical marijuana surfaces. ME residents will be voting for recreational marijuana on their November ballot.

The post How to qualify for medical marijuana in Maine appeared first on Pot My.

We’ll go through the Medical Marijuana laws in DE and give you a summary of how and if you can qualify for medical marijuana in Delaware.

The Delaware Medical Marijuana Program

Residents of Delaware above the age of 18 suffering from certain debilitating conditions are able to apply for medical marijuana cards. You will just need to have your medical records assesses and a doctor that you’ve been seeing must then write a certification of your debilitating medical condition.

After this you’ll just need to pay the application fee and provide personal information along with the doctor and dispensary that will be responsible for your medical marijuana treatment.

What conditions qualify for the Delaware Medical Marijuana Program?

The eligible conditions include:

• Cancer
• HIV
• Cirrhosis
• ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
• PTSD
• Cachexia
• Intractable nausea
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Seizures
• Severe and debilitating muscle spams
• Severe debilitating pain that has not responded to previous treatment.

Can qualifying conditions be added to the list?

The Department of Health and Social Services in Delaware can add further conditions to the list should they choose.

Where can you find a Medical Marijuana doctor in Delaware?

Any licensed doctor in Delaware that has the ability to prescribe controlled substances may recommend patients to the medical marijuana program. However, doctors are not required to recommend marijuana to a patient and they must evaluate and treat a patient’s medical condition with a professional standard of care.

Where are the legal cannabis dispensaries in Delaware

In Delaware dispensaries are referred to as “Compassion Centers” and there is currently only one open in the state. The first compassion center is located in the town of Wilmington and the state restricts the number of dispensaries that can be opened. Current state laws will only allow for up to 3 state-licensed dispensing centers to be open at a time.

What can my medical card get me at a Delaware dispensary?

A medical card will get you up to 3 ounces per visit at any state-licensed dispensary. Cannabis oils, tinctures, ointments, and more will be available to patients. The state allows for the possession of up to 6 ounces of “usable marijuana.” This excludes the weight of non-marijuana ingredients inside an edible for example.

Where can you smoke?

Patients are forbidden from smoking in public and possession of marijuana on a school bus, school grounds, any correctional facility, or in any health care or treatment facility.

Are patients and caregivers protected from discrimination?

No school, landlord, or employer may discriminate or deny any benefit to anyone enrolling, leasing to, or employing a medical marijuana card holder. Employers are allowed to prohibit or permit the ingesting of marijuana at the workplace and they may discipline workers for working under the influence.

The future of the Delaware Medical Marijuana Program

The entire state is currently relying on one dispensing facility. Two more dispensaries will be opened in the near future. The list of qualifying conditions can be added to. In fact, citizens may petition to add conditions or treatment to the list of debilitating medical conditions.

The post How to Qualify for Medical Marijuana in Delaware appeared first on Pot My.