The legalization of medical marijuana in many American States has naturally seen a rise in applications and consultations throughout the country. The widespread growth in acceptance and increased tolerance to what once was (and still is to some) a taboo subject is now more mainstream than ever before.
Despite this, the process remains the same, and you cannot avoid the necessary checks and medical evaluation if you want to be approved.
Now to many, this may be a routine procedure, and they won’t even give it a second thought. However, as with anything new, the thought of the unknown can be daunting and even intimidating for some. With that in mind, we have put together a basic format of what you can expect from a complete medical marijuana evaluation to give you peace of mind before you begin your MMJ journey.
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How To Successfully Negotiate A Medical Marijuana Evaluation (Helpful Tips)
Without adding too much pressure, the meeting with the doctor is pivotal for your progress. If it goes wrong, then it’s over before it has begun. Due to the importance of convincing the medical marijuana doctors that you are eligible, we have gathered together some handy pointers to remember before your consultation. So before we break down the main body of the ins and outs of the application process, we suggest you digest the below tips and keep them in mind throughout;
- Bring all relevant documents. Medical records are fundamental to getting a medical card, so do not forget anything and bring all relevant documents. If you aren’t sure if it’s necessary, bring it anyway. Better to have something and not use it than to be asked for something you neglected to bring.
- It will drastically lower your chances of approval if you voluntarily discuss recreational marijuana as it makes you look illegitimate and pours doubt on your medical requirement. Only talk about it unless you are directly asked, and even then, play it down and lower its significance where possible.
- Be clear and concise, showing no hesitation about why you need the MMJ card. Leave the physician with no alternative but to pass your accreditation by showing no mixed statistics or tales. Deliver confidently and describe your symptoms and suffering in enough detail to make up the medics’ mind for them.
- Stay polite and respectful throughout, even if you get the impression that the doctor is leaning away from approval. Resentment will not get you anywhere, so maintain eye contact and be aware of your body language in order to convince the physician that you are genuine and just want to be pain-free.
- Before you approach any physician about medical cannabis, do your research on how medicinal marijuana could help your condition. This will portray you care enough to do your homework and are somewhat educated on the changes this could make in your life.
*All medical marijuana evaluations involve a consultation with a licensed physician and usually last between 20-30 minutes regardless of whether they are online or in-person appointments.
How To Book A Medical Marijuana Evaluation
Medical marijuana consultations and evaluations can be conducted using online platforms for remote appointments and in clinics for traditional in-person bookings. The luxury of remote medical cannabis evaluations from home is State-specific, and some forbid it. For appointments in the clinic, you need to find the appropriate medical facility and request a booking.
You will be informed of and then instructed to bring the mandatory documentation to your appointment. This will include government ID, medical records, and any medication you are currently taking, plus others depending on State and facility protocols. Further details are provided below.
In-Clinic Evaluation Requirements
As touched on above, there are certain items you must bring to the clinic with you when you attend your appointment for medical cannabis analysis. Your government ID is self-explanatory, but in terms of your medical records, these should be factual and current and not exaggerating or hiding anything to gain favor.
Any treatment plan afforded to a patient will be based on the exact symptoms described to the medical professional. If these are inaccurate, it could result in insufficient dosage recommendations, which will have severe physical consequences for the patient concerned. You must also take any prescription of the medication you are using for your disorder or any other health condition.
Medical Marijuana Evaluations Online
Online medical cannabis consultation appointments require the same documents as an in-person physical evaluation. Before the doctor can give you any certification, you will need proof and accreditation of your disorder. To ensure you can get your medical marijuana card in a single consultation, you are strongly advised to have all medical records relevant to your condition in order and present to avoid disappointment or delay.
Obviously, due to the requirements of an online evaluation, you will remotely connect with the physician. On the video call, you will inform them of your symptoms and describe in detail how you are suffering. Should you be deemed a suitable candidate and the doctor approves your eligibility for an MMJ card.
You will receive a soft-copy of the certification in the post or via email promptly after the appointment. Any information discussed is confidential, and the conversation is protected by federal law, as are all patients’ personal data.
What Will Be Asked Of Me Before/During/After My Consultation?
Each facility will differ, and every State may have set questions, but there will be an overall theme that they all have to follow. Regulatory measures mean that certain standards must be met, and therefore there are aspects of the process that are down to facility or practice choice and others that are compulsory.
The mandatory features are, as expected, the correct documentation and the critical data retrieved regarding your symptoms. The differences will come in the delivery of service, and the way the questions are worded as interpretations will vary even though they all cover similar topics.
To put your mind at rest, if you are apprehensive about the evaluation, we have mocked up how a random evaluation may go to give you an idea of what to expect on the day;
Basic Breakdown Example:
- Typically on arrival, you will complete a patient intake packet (if you haven’t already). An online consultation will involve completing some forms before you begin with the doctor.
- During the evaluation itself, the physician will conduct any appropriate tests (physical and mental) and discuss your current medication with you and how you find it.
- Follow-up questions usually involve aspects of your daily routine, your general health, and how you currently combat the pain you are experiencing.
- The likelihood is that if this is a first-time evaluation and you have not previously attempted any other method of pain relief, then you are probably going to be unsuccessful. In similar circumstances, the doctor will often revert to a course of opioid painkillers to test your body’s response before arranging to see you again in a month or so.
- The physician will explain in detail the side effects of cannabis use and the consequences of marijuana abuse before outlying any suitable potential treatment plans if you are eventually approved.
- You will then be allowed to ask any questions and to state your case one last time before the doctor delivers their verdict on your eligibility.
