Even though controversies surrounding the use of marijuana are still a matter of discussion, there has been some stellar progress in the legalization of this wonder plant in the USA. Medical marijuana is gradually getting legal status in major parts of the USA, including Alabama, and this is good news for many who look forward to experiencing its health benefits after obtaining a medical cannabis card.
Studies have already shown that marijuana is much more than just a recreational drug. It is a solution to many physical problems. Chronic pain, inflammation, anxiety, depression, and many more conditions have shown improvement when treated with medical marijuana. Consequently, the demand for an expert and authorized mmj doctor has leaped manifold, just like the mushrooming of medical marijuana dispensaries.
Now, getting marijuana from dispensaries is not exactly like shopping in a supermarket where one can spend time looking through the labels of the products, comparing them, and taking as much time as they please to make their decision.
Visiting a medical marijuana dispensary for the first time can be daunting for many people. And one particular question that bothers many patients, especially first-timers, is how to find a genuine and reliable dispensary.
Here we have a few tips and useful suggestions to help spot a reliable marijuana dispensary.
Identifying a genuine and licensed dispensary can actually be easy.
Before anything else, try to look up the websites of the dispensaries. The real and reliable ones generally have an extensive menu of items available for patients. Here one can also compare the prices they are paying for their product. Supposing someone is looking to buy CBD products.
One can compare the prices through the website of the dispensaries, and one can easily find out the price tag per milligram of the particular product. Some CBD products can charge high like a dollar and fifty cents per milligram, whereas some charge as low as ten cents per milligram, although both the products may have been extensively tested.
Procuring medical marijuana is more complicated than buying prescription drugs.
There are various factors that the patient must keep in mind that are the state regulations, the need for a medical marijuana card, a doctor’s prescription, etc. The number of dispensaries available also varies massively from state to state. For example, there are thousands of dispensaries in California whereas, some states may have just a handful of them. The problem with such a massive number of dispensaries is the statutory compliances and legality.
It is estimated that the greater Los Angeles itself has over a thousand dispensaries. Out of these, only a few hundred may be legal. The challenge comes with the enforcement of the laws.
The states which have a lesser number of dispensaries would have more compliant ones. The fundamental thing to look for is whether the dispensary is licensed or not. If one buys the products from a licensed dispensary, the patient can be sure that all the products are tested as per the state rules, making them reliable. The labels on the products from such dispensaries also are reliable, and the number of various cannabidiols mentioned on the labels is trustworthy.
Find out if the products sold are tested as per standardized protocols
It is also important to note if the testing has been done entirely for quality. The requirements vary from state to state. So, rigorous testing for the highest quality assurance should be a priority. The regulations vary from state to state. The ability of the state to enforce the regulations on the dispensaries is crucial. The integrity of the dispensary is also vital. The patient has the option to ask for certificates of the product from a reputed laboratory to show the ingredients used in the product.
Whether the product is tested for heavy metals, pesticides, fungus, or any other toxin is something that a patient should know. So, the patient should also refer to the government website for the regulations of medical marijuana in that state. Marijuana, still, is federally illegal. So there is no single standard. Some states even mandate the products to be tested for terpenes which are naturally occurring substances and are known to help with several problems like nausea, inflammation, insomnia, etc. The patient can also look for the certificate regarding the levels of terpenes in the product. Provided, testing the same is made mandatory by the concerned state.
A medical marijuana card is mandatory
The patient should always get a medical marijuana card for the state and consult a doctor before purchasing any medical marijuana product. The benefits of getting a medicinal marijuana card, along with a doctor’s recommendation, are important in many aspects. First of all, most states where medical marijuana is legal mandate individuals to get a medicinal marijuana card to buy marijuana. Secondly, even if the card is not mandatory, getting a doctor’s recommendation might be required.
For states where marijuana is legal for recreational purposes, there is still a marked cost difference in medical marijuana products. This is because the products are either not taxed entirely or taxed at a lower rate. Having an MMJ card or a doctor’s recommendation can help in saving a lot of money. The need for a card or a doctor’s recommendation is also important if the patient needs to prove their legal right to buy medical marijuana. This is true in case of any drug testing rules from employers or if the concerned person has had a record of drug abuse or drug addiction problems.
Lastly, seeing a doctor is recommended regardless of whether it is mandatory or not in a state because doctors can look into the problem and recommend the most appropriate products suitable for the person along with the recommended dosages. It will ensure that the treatment is both safe and effective. Doctors also have extensive knowledge of the dispensaries, and they can recommend the most reliable dispensaries in the state to the patient.
