How Do I Talk to My Doctor About Cannabis?

Sadly, so many people have been influenced by the tall tales of the failed “War On Drugs” propaganda and carry shame with them about their interest and intrigue about cannabis medicine. That’s just silly. The very fact that Israel boasts a medical cannabis program (along with so many other states and countries the world over) should be evidence enough that this is a legitimate treatment option for so many ailments.

Tip #1 – Own your right to ASK and learn about all the treatment options available to you.

Another thing to keep in mind, is that your doctor might not actually know all that much about cannabis medicine. Most doctors practice “evidence based medicine,” which means that their approach to the practice of medicine is based on evidence from well designed and conducted research. Because cannabis is still listed as a Schedule 1 narcotic, clinical research has been severely limited, which makes many conventional doctors weary of its benefits. However, it is important to note that there is a growing body of evidence supporting the use of medical cannabis. It is important for patients or better yet, for “healthcare consumers” to feel comfortable asking any and all relevant health-related questions.

It would be wise to consider using whatever resources you have (links to research, both clinical and anecdotal) and share your findings with your doctor.

Tip #2  – Do your homework and share your findings with your doc.

It’s important to remember that a doctor’s function is to help you stay healthy and well. Your doctor is there to serve you, to guide and inform you about the best choices out there to help you achieve and maintain optimal health. Honesty should be a central part of that relationship.

If you have used cannabis and noticed any specific effects, share that information so that you can both be on the same page.

Tip #3 Communicate honestly with your doctor.

The Latin origin of the word doctor is: docÄ“re [dɔˈkeːrÉ›] – it’s root is a verb and it means “to teach.” If your doctor is doing her or his job, then they should be teaching you about what you need to know to stay healthy and well – there is no reason why cannabis medicine shouldn’t be a part of that learning.

Remember that depending on what part of the world you’re in, your country, state or county has very specific laws governing the use of medical cannabis. So even if your doctor is totally open to cannabis medicine, remember that your state’s legislature is the first determining factor for who is and is not eligible for medical cannabis.

Keep all that in mind and you should have all the makings for a great cannabis chat.

Let us know how it goes!