Save some green
Experts share pricing, dosing tips with medical marijuana shoppers
“Memorial Day Savings! 10% off all products!”
“Summer Steals … $15 off on purchases over $150.”
These aren’t flyers for an electronics store or a hobby depot. These are specials texted to patients treated with medicinal marijuana.
Everyone appreciates a bargain, but for doctors such as Mark Moore, something about these deals feels a little off. “This is medicine,” said Moore. “You shouldn’t need to bargain shop for doctors.”
Moore is the founder of Tallahassee’s Medcan Florida, which claims to be the first doctor’s office in the state dedicated to certifying patients with medical cannabis treatment. While he believes costs should not be the first thought on a patient’s mind, he has advice for saving money.
Becoming a patient
All patients will pay $75 to get their card from the state’s Medical Marijuana Use Registry. This allows patients to operate in the gray zone of buying a drug that is illegal for most people and states in this country. “It’s still illegal under federal law,” said Moore. “We can’t forget that.”
That $75 will be paid yearly when the card is renewed.
Before applying for the card, patients must see a doctor that can diagnose them with one of Florida’s qualifying conditions, which can be found at state-run website knowthefactmmj.com. In the wake of Florida’s legalization of medicinal marijuana in 2016, many offices have popped up specifically to write these prescriptions.
Moore says this is one of the most important in terms of saving money. “A good doctor who cares for their patients will save you tons of money in the long run,” he said.
A consultation with a marijuana-prescribing doctor can cost $200-$400. While you could shop for the lowest visit price, Moore says there are more important factors. “You really have to avoid snake oil salesmen,” he said. The key to saving money is proper dosing, and for that, you need someone you can trust.
Moore recommends first asking your family doctor if they have a reliable source. If they don’t, look into nearby offices and how long the physicians have cared for patients. “You want to look for someone with experience,” he said.
Prescriptions are different with medical marijuana. In
“You really have to avoid snake oil salesmen.”
—Mark Moore, founder of Tallahassee’s Medcan Florida
stead of giving patients a set amount, prescriptions are written for a period of time. The maximum period in Florida is seven months, after which patients must return to their prescribing doctor for a new prescription.
Each doctor has their own procedure. “I usually like to see my patients every six months,” said Moore. Each consultation with the prescribing physician carries a fee, so patients may want to ask how long the prescription will last.
Products
For people whose only image of marijuana has been joints and bongs, the wide array of available products can be a little overwhelming.
Jordan Dunne, manager at Müv’s dispensary in downtown Orlando, broke down products and terminology that can be useful for new patients.
■ Strain — the type of plant from which the product was harvested or extracted.
■ Indica — strains that usually produce a mellow, relaxing effect in the patient, common for use on anxiety conditions. “It’s also known as ‘in da couch,’ ” said Dunne.
■ Sativa — strains that induce a more “heady high,” according to Dunne. “A lot of times they have a more euphoric, talkative effect. … When you hear of about people getting paranoid on marijuana, it was typically sativa.”
■ Hybrid — strains that combine the DNA of indica and sativa plants. Usually, hybrids lean more one way or the other.
■ CBD — cannabidiol, usually extracted from a hemp plant, produces no high on its own. It’s often used to treat inflammation as well as low-grade anxiety. CBD without any THC can be sold without a prescription.
■ THC — tetrahydrocannabinol is the chemical compound responsible for the psychoactive experience most people have when using marijuana.
■ 1:1 —any product that combines CBD and THC in equal parts. “You want to use THC and CBD together,” said Dunne. “They grow together so they work together.”
■ Flower — the bud of the plant that is typically smoked in a joint or pipe, or heated in a vaporizer.
■ Pre-rolled joints — flower in a ready-made cigarette.
■ Concentrates — extracted THC in an oil, usually very potent. It can be used orally, topically and in edibles.
■ Capsules — pills for taking concentrates. They may be liquid or powdered, usually in a gel capsule.
■ Shatter — a concentrate or distillate that’s been hardened into crystals.
■ Crumble — similar to shatter, a solid concentrate, usually waxy or soft in texture.
■ Dab rig — a special pipe for smoking concentrate forms at very high temperatures. “These are definitely for high THC users,” said Dunne.
■ Metered dose inhaler — a spray inhaler that delivers a puff of marijuana. While it looks like an asthma inhaler, Dunne cautions, “This is not for asthma.” He also says the dosing from these is usually very low.
■ Tinctures — less concentrated than concentrates, administered orally, usually from a graduated dropper. Tinctures tend to have the longest time before onset, which can sometimes be an hour or more. “Tinctures are more for if you need something before you go to bed,” said Dunne.
■ Vape pen — an electronic cigarette that burns a distillate or concentrate oil. Vape pens can be disposable or rechargeable with disposable cartridges. The industry-standard size cartridge, typically called a 510, will fit most vape pens, so a patient can often buy cartridges from different dispensaries.
■ Transdermal gel/patch — topical delivery methods where the THC is absorbed through the skin, similar to a nicotine patch. While the psychoactive effects of transdermal THC are usually low, they can also target specific spots for pain.
■ Topical lotion/cream —lotions are not made to be absorbed into the bloodstream but just at the site where they are administered, typically for inflammation.
■ Edibles — food that is made with THC or CBD oil. Dispensaries must meet food safety standards in order to sell edibles, but patients can use concentrates or other products to bake their own.
Dosing
Moore said an important place to save money is in the dosing. “Use less,” he said. “Don’t develop a tolerance where you’ll need more of the medicine.”
In the beginning, Moore said patients should start with tinctures and avoid patches, creams and pills. He also discourages using concentrated oils because even a slight change in the amount can result in a wildly larger dose. “Tinctures give you the clearest picture of your dose,” he said.
According to the Physician Certification Pattern Review Panel annual report found on the Florida Board of Medicine website, the average doctor in Florida will prescribe up to 600 milligrams of THC for daily use. While conditions require different amounts and patients should listen to their doctors, Moore said he likes to keep his patients typically between 15-45 milligrams per day.
For conditions such as anxiety and pain management, Moore recommends making cannabis part of a routine that can also include diet and exercise changes. “Meditate, find other activities,” he said. “Try to reduce your condition naturally as much as you can.”
Dunne agrees that dosing information should come from the prescribing physician. “Sometimes people come in and say that their doctor told them we would tell them what to get,” he said. “We aren’t doctors. I would tell those people to press their doctor for more information.”
Shopping around
There are 16 open dispensaries in Orange County, though several belong to chains, such as Trulieve and Fluent. Most have deals to get you in the door and to retain customers. Below are some examples of first-time deals patients can find.
■ Fluent — 25 percent off first visit, 50 percent off second visit on purchases up to $200, buy one get one on third visit; getfluent.com
■ Müv — 25 percent off first visit; muvfl.com
■ Suterra Wellness —15 percent off first visit, 20 percent off second visit when patient registers; suterra.com
■ Trulieve — 15 percent off first order; trulieve.com
■ VidaCann — $55 off first purchase over $100; vidacann.com
Dispensaries also offer discounts for veterans, seniors, patients on financial assistance and more. Check a dispensary’s website for specials and promotions as well as to signup for sale notifications.
Moore just wants ensure that in seeking the best deal, patients don’t lose focus of what’s important. “It’s good medicine for the right patient,” he said. “This isn’t to help people get high. This is to help them get better.”