Themes and Tips for First-Time Medical Cannabis Users

While it’s been around for decades in some states, medical marijuana is a growing industry that’s still new to many people, including new patients. For those who have not been to a dispensary or even examined these kinds of products online in the past, the experience is a unique one that may present a few very minor challenges.

At Whole Leaf Medical Dispensary and CBD, we’re proud to offer detailed information and caring services when it comes to any of our medical marijuana products or derivatives, from flower-form medical cannabis to marijuana edibles, tinctures and many other choices. If you’re a first-timer in this realm and aren’t quite sure what you should be looking for, here are a few general areas we recommend asking about on your first visit.

Symptoms and Expectations

For starters, what are the kinds of symptoms or conditions you’re looking to treat with medical cannabis? For some people the answer is chronic pain, such as migraines, injury or painful treatment for another condition. For others, the answer is for anxiety reduction, sleep quality or several other potential areas.

Medical marijuana is not a one-size-fits-all product – rather, it has many strains and intake formats that all offer a variety of benefits. Depending on your needs, your budtender can point you in the direction of the optimal medication for you.

Smoking Vs. Other Options

Another big question to ask yourself right up front: How do you feel about smoking? Where a few decades ago your only option for medical cannabis treatment was smoking, today there are several alternatives.

If you don’t enjoy the sensation or any other part of smoking, you can consider marijuana edibles, bath and body products, or even vape cartridges that, while still smoke, are not as harsh on the lungs as dried flower. In other cases, many patients find the most immediate and lasting relief from smoking directly, which is also an option. Modern technology has led us to a place where you can approach this in whatever way is most comfortable for you without worrying about getting the proper dosage of medication.

Length of Desired High

Another important question, and one that may relate to the last section above, is how long you want your therapeutic effects and high to last. Edible products, for instance, can come with extended highs that last for longer than other types. Your answer to this question will go a long way toward your budtender assisting you with finding the right intake format.

Sleepy or No?

For some, the entire purpose of medical marijuana is to assist with sleep-related anxiety – feelings of sleepiness are welcome for these patients. In other cases, though, patients want to be able to carry out normal tasks and remain alert while medicated, and this is easily attainable as well using sativa-dominant strains that aren’t known for sleepiness.

For more on the kinds of questions to ask yourself and your budtender if it’s your first time with medical marijuana, or to learn about any of our alternative medicine offerings, speak to the staff at Whole Leaf Medical Dispensary and CBD today.