Qualifying conditions for medical marijuana treatment

Question: What are the qualifying conditions for medical marijuana treatment? What is the process to obtain the medication? What is Low THC cannabis?

Answer: The list of qualifying conditions in the state of Florida includes: cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, PTSD, ALS, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, medical conditions of the same class or kind, and terminal conditions.

Each patient must be diagnosed with a qualifying condition by a qualified ordering physician. An extensive review of the patient’s medical records is part of the process, along with a physical exam. The patient should have failed all conservative treatment measures prior to consideration. All risk and benefits of the treatment are discussed with the patient and a standard informed consent form is signed by the patient. The physician enters the patient into the medical marijuana use registry so that the patient may apply electronically for a medical marijuana use registry card.

Once patients receive the card, they may pick up the recommended order by their physician at a medical marijuana treatment center.

The physician makes the recommendation electronically. There are no handwritten prescriptions for treatment. The medication may be recommended for vaporization, sublingual, oral use, suppositories, or topical use.

Low THC cannabis contains less than 0.8 percent THC. THC is the psychoactive component of cannabis. The CBD (or cannabidiol) is the active component of the low

THC medication. CBD is best for treating anxiety, PTSD, Parkinson’s,

ALS, seizures, chronic inflammation, and epilepsy.