Michigan’s voters voted to approve the use of medical marijuana back in November 2008. Since then, patients with debilitating ailments have had an easy time and mild end-stage illnesses. However, there are a few Michigan medical marijuana patient instructions that they all need to follow. All patients require to register with the Michigan medical marijuana program (MMMP). There are a few details they should fill. Also, they need to have a few qualifications, as we will see in the subsequent sections. This guide will tell you all you require to know about Michigan medical marijuana patient instructions.
Qualifying Conditions
The first of the Michigan medical marijuana patient’s instructions are the qualifying conditions. A patient should have at least one of the following conditions to register with MMMP.
Autism,Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’ disease, Cancer , Cachexia, ALS, Rheumatoid arthritis, Colitis, Nausea, Seizure, Arthritis, Glaucoma, Ulcerative colitis, Nail patella, Chronic pain, Crohn’s disease, OCD, PTSD, Severe and persistent muscle spasm, Cerebral palsy, HIV and AIDS, Inflammatory Bowel disease,Hepatitis C, Spinal cord injury, and Tourette’s syndrome.
Details and Documents you Need to Register with MMMP
When you are sure you have any of the qualifying conditions, you should go ahead and register with MMMP. First, you need to have permanent residency in Michigan. Have all the proof papers ready, and you can use the state identification document or driver’s license. Then, it’d help if you backed it up with a utility bill to point out the exact residence.
Other documents to prove your identity includes a colored passport photo, phone number, and email address. You should also have a recommendation letter from your doctor.
The process to get a recommendation letter starts with the first appointment. It would help if you mentioned to your doctor that you’d prefer to have medical marijuana as part of your treatment plan.
Some doctors are reserved and would advise you against cannabis. If their reasons are not convincing, you can seek a second opinion from another doctor. You can use the help of a referral for a second opinion doctor. Also, you can check the list of MMJ doctors on various websites. Select the doctor with the highest ratings within your vicinity.
Your doctor will see your medical history and treatment plans. They’ll assess how your body responds to the medication. From there, they’ll determine whether you need medical cannabis. They should also alert you of any possible side effects. It comes as a part of Michigan medical Marijuana patient instructions.
When the assessment is not satisfactory, the doctor opts to run a few tests. The tests help determine the severity of the ailment. After the test, the doctor will write a letter. You should use that letter during the application process.
Applying for an MMJ Card
Once you have all the docs ready, you should register with the Michigan medical marijuana program (MMMP). The easiest way is to apply online. Visit the MMMP website and create a patient’s account; A patient should apply for the patient-only registry card. The process is straightforward.
If you’re a known patient, you can use the same account to renew your patient’s card. If you didn’t have an online account before, you can create one and link your details to your existing records. While on the website, you will click on the renewal button.
An online account also allows you to amend some details. It’s necessary when you change your residence, and it helps you when you order your cannabis online. Failure to amend can make your package delivery go to your old address.
Other reasons for an amendment may be requesting a replacement card, changing a caretaker, or withdrawal from the program. Several reasons may lead to these decisions. First, it may be your caretaker died or suddenly became irresponsible. You may also feel you no longer need cannabis, and you wish to withdraw.
Experts Opinion
Scientists have ongoing research on marijuana running for several decades, and they have convincing evidence that it helps manage some debilitating ailments. However, some experts think the drug is not safe enough for consumption, so the laws are stricter on allowing minors access to medicines.
The FDA is yet to approve marijuana, and that’s one reason why some doctors don’t agree with its use.
Some marijuana side effects may impair your judgment, coordination, and memory. Thus, you can quickly get into a car crash. They always advise you to stay away from the wheel when you take marijuana.
Smoking is the primary way people take marijuana. As much as it has medicinal values, the smoke can harm your lungs, and you may end up getting more problems than you initially had. Thus, it would help if you used alternative ways of consuming medical marijuana other than smoking.
If some legal drugs can ease your pain or other symptoms, you should use them. They are safer than medical marijuana in several ways. Also, the FDA approves the other drugs, giving you the confidence that they will not harm you.
Some reasons why doctors approve medical marijuana is that they can ease the pain when other drugs fail. Also, marijuana comes in handy when you get undesirable side effects from other pain relievers.
Cannabis helps cancer and AIDS patients get an incredible appetite. Thus, the other drugs work better when a patient is well-fed. If you have multiple sclerosis, cannabis will soften the muscle stiffness and ease the pain. However, you should not use marijuana while pregnant, and you should also inform any new doctor you are on the cannabis program.
How To Use Medical Marijuana
Another Michigan medical marijuana patient instructions is to use cannabis only when other drugs have failed. Also, you should use it with the doctor’s advice. You should never take several rugs alongside medical marijuana, and it reacts negatively with drugs that cause sleepiness and mood swings. You should also avoid marijuana when you are taking antidepressants, sedatives, and anxiety drugs.
Marijuana is excellent when your blood sugar and blood pressure are high, and it helps to lower blood pressure and reduce blood sugar. However, you should take it with care, especially when you don’t have the conditions above. If you are on blood thinners, marijuana may cause excessive bleeding in case of an injury.
Smoking is one way you can take marijuana. However, some patients prefer vaping. You can also brew marijuana tea as an alternative to vaping and smoking. You can also get a spray that you spray under the tongue. Not only that, but you can cook it with food or apply it to the skin.
You will feel the effects of marijuana a few hours after you take it. The duration will depend on how much you took, your method of intake, and how your body responds.
Undesirable side effects include dry mouth, bloodshot eyes, faster heart rate, anxiety, and paranoia.
Patient’s Possession Limits
A patient should only have two and a half ounces of marijuana. However, they can have at most 12 plants in their backyard. Also, the pants should be in an enclosed place away from minors.
A caregiver can possess drugs or pants that can cater to the patients they are taking care of. However, they should not have more than 72 marijuana plants in their compounds.
Caregivers
The Michigan medical marijuana patient instructions cover the caregivers. They should be 21 years and above, and they should be free from any drug-related conviction for the past ten years. Also, they can assist up to five qualifying patients.
Reciprocity
You can use medical marijuana in Michigan if your state offers reciprocity. However, non-residents should not use or handle marijuana products within Michigan borders according to Michigan Medical Marijuana Patient Instructions.
Conclusion
The Michigan medical marijuana patient instructions are straightforward. Also, they are different from fun-use cannabis laws. You can access high potency marijuana as a patient. Also, you will leave a pain-free life when other drugs fail.