Medical Marijuana Specialist
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Pain Management Strategies
Board Certified Anesthesiologist & Board Certified in Pain Management and Addiction Medicine located in Boca Raton, FL
Medical marijuana is thought to be effective at relieving pain, so many oncologists recommend it for their cancer patients. Melanie Rosenblatt, MD, at Pain Management Strategies in Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach, Florida, is a qualified ordering physician who can evaluate your health and recommend medical marijuana if you have a qualifying medical condition. To learn more about the benefits of medical marijuana, call Pain Management Strategies or schedule an appointment online today.
Medical Marijuana Q & A
What is the active ingredient in medical marijuana?
The marijuana plant, Cannabis sativa, contains more than 480 natural components. About 66 of them, called cannabinoids, are the active ingredients responsible for marijuana’s many effects on your mind and body.
Cannabinoids interact with your central nervous system. The results they produce depend on which nerve receptors are affected by the specific cannabinoid.
Some cannabinoids bind with receptors to cause psychoactive effects, resulting in the “high” associated with recreational marijuana. Other cannabinoids only influence receptors that produce beneficial physical effects.
How does medical marijuana relieve pain?
With 66 different cannabinoids, medical marijuana has the potential to treat numerous symptoms and health conditions. However, it’s most often used to relieve pain.
Several cannabinoids interact with nerves in ways that stop pain signals from reaching your brain. For example, they can moderate the release of neurotransmitters that relay pain signals. Cannabinoids can also reduce inflammation. Both activities contribute to significant pain relief.
It’s interesting to know that when you’re injured, some cells in your body naturally produce endocannabinoids. These substances bind to cannabinoid receptors in your central and peripheral nervous system, where they regulate pain sensation and inflammation.
What health conditions qualify for medical marijuana?
Under Florida law, patients with the following conditions can apply to use medical marijuana:
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Crohn’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Chronic nonmalignant pain
You may also use marijuana for a terminal condition diagnosed by a physician other than Dr. Rosenblatt.
How do I obtain medical marijuana?
Before you can receive medical marijuana, you’ll need to meet with Dr. Rosenblatt for an evaluation and to apply for your medical marijuana card.
If you have a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, Dr. Rosenblatt enters an order into the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry, specifying the dose and route for your medical marijuana.
The next step is to apply for a Medical Marijuana Use Registry identification card through the Florida Department of Health. You can do this online or by completing the Medical Marijuana Use Registry Identification Application and mailing it back to the health department. After the state approves your application, you can go to any approved Medical Marijuana Treatment Center.
To schedule an appointment for medical marijuana, use the online booking feature or call Pain Management Strategies today.
