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Medical Marijuana

Pain, Spine, & Rehab Associates Our Services Medical Marijuana

Pain, Spine, & Rehab Associates

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine Specialists located in Gaithersburg, MD

Chronic pain affects millions of Americans, significantly impacting their quality of life. Finding a treatment that helps improve your pain can be as frustrating as the pain itself, but medical marijuana is a treatment option increasingly being used for many chronic health conditions. The team at Pain, Spine & Rehab Associates in Gaithersburg, Maryland, can determine if you would benefit from medical marijuana and provide you with the documentation you need to legally obtain it from an approved dispensary. For more information, schedule a consultation online or by phone today.

Medical Marijuana Q & A

What is medical marijuana?

Medical marijuana refers to the medicinal use of marijuana to treat chronic health conditions. The medicinal plant contains chemical compounds called cannabinoids. These chemical compounds are similar to the chemicals that your body makes to control appetite, memory, movement, and pain. 

The two primary chemicals include delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is responsible for the “high” people experience when using marijuana. While research is limited due to government regulation, it’s believed that these are the two compounds responsible for the health benefits of medical marijuana.

What conditions benefit from medical marijuana?

Medical marijuana may benefit from many conditions. In Maryland, the qualifying conditions for the use of medical marijuana include:

  • Anorexia
  • Cachexia
  • Wasting syndrome
  • Severe or chronic pain
  • Severe nausea
  • Seizures
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Severe or persistent muscle spasms
  • Glaucoma

The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission also allows the use of medical marijuana for the treatment of chronic health conditions that haven’t improved with traditional medical treatments. 

Am I a good candidate for medical marijuana?

The team at Pain, Spine & Rehab Associates determines if you’re a good candidate for medical marijuana during a consultation. The team has received specialized training from MMCC so they know when it’s appropriate to prescribe medical marijuana.

During your evaluation, the team reviews your medical history, as well as the types of treatments you’ve tried. The team may not prescribe medical marijuana until after you’ve failed to get relief from your symptoms with traditional medical treatments, such as medications, physical therapy or injections

Medical marijuana may help reduce the need for some of your pain medications, including opioids. 

How do I get my medical marijuana?

First, you must register with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission. Once you’re registered and have your patient identification number, you must come in for an evaluation. Then, you can visit a licensed marijuana dispensary to obtain your medical marijuana.

You must be a resident of Maryland to get your medical marijuana card from MMCC. 

Medical marijuana can reduce your pain and improve your quality of life. To see if it’s a treatment that would benefit you, call Pain, Spine & Rehab Associates or book a consultation online today.

 
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