Medical Marijuana is increasingly becoming legal in several numbers of states. With the unleashing health benefits of the plant and its crucial role in improving ample health conditions, states have passed a list of qualifying health conditions.
Several other criteria need to be followed with qualifying conditions like it is allowed for adult use. But does the same rule apply to minor patients? Can a minor patient apply for a medical marijuana card? Is it safe for minors?
Are you also looking for the answer to these queries? If yes, then here is all you need to know about it.
About Medical Marijuana
A medical marijuana plant comprises more than 100 Cannabinoid chemicals (marijuana’s main mind-altering constituent). Each one has a diverse effect on the body.
Presently, two primary forms of Cannabinoids that are a point of interest in the medical world are THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol).
Tetrahydrocannabinol can make you High by escalating your Heart Rate. THC triggers the mind cells to release an immense quantity of dopamine, a commonly produced feel-good chemical. THC may help lessen pain, swelling, and muscle control difficulties, which may also help you reduce nausea.
CBD is not a popular drug among recreational ones as it does not cause exhilaration like THC. A CBD product may be beneficial to Alleviate Cancer-Related Symptoms, Could Reduce Anxiety and Depression, etc. According to studies, CBD could be used to treat neurological disorders like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.
Marijuana is a combination of desiccated leaves, stems, flowers, and seeds of the hemp plant when sold. Usually, green, brown, or grey colored.
There are a lot of perceptions concerning medicinal plants. Several states have indeed legalized its use after realizing its contribution in improving several health conditions. Still, one essential thing that needs to be focused on here is that a person considering medical marijuana consumption must qualify the criteria.
Another confusion concerning medical marijuana is that people only consider smoking as its consumption method. Smoking is the most famous form of consumption of medical marijuana, but it is not necessarily the only consumption method for everyone. There are a lot many methods of consumption that can help you treat the health condition devoid of smoking only.
However, while talking about the therapeutic benefits of medical marijuana, there is enough research to suggest that marijuana offers the health benefits to improve a patient’s health condition and facilitates easing the symptoms of a health condition. With its unleashing health benefits, the plant is being approved for children as well.
While considering marijuana consumption for children, there is a lot more to consider including its safer use, dosage, and other essential information. Are you considering it for relieving your children’s health condition? Here’s all you need to know.
Is Medical Marijuana Consumption Safer For Children?
There is a lot of research on medical marijuana consumption, including its potential addiction and concerns regarding brain development. However, several studies suggest that high usage of THC constituents can affect brain development and lead to some other difficulties. But this is all due to the inappropriate dosage of medical marijuana.
Undoubtedly, the possible side effects of medical marijuana consumption on the respiratory system, brain, and circulatory system are indeed worth considering. With this, a medical doctor can help you to consider the effect of marijuana based on your condition and other medications.
But do you know that even marijuana’s health benefits outweigh its drawbacks? Yes, that is why it makes sense to consider its consumption for several health conditions. This is the reason why medical marijuana consumption is getting legalized by the states. Along with adult use, marijuana consumption is also allowed for minors.
Talking about its safety for minors, if the marijuana consumption is done with a doctor’s recommendation and in an appropriate amount, then there is no point in considering it an unsafe drug. The doctors recommend small amounts of dosage that are beneficial for the health.
However, under such circumstances, when the medical marijuana consumption is done with the doctor’s recommendations and if a minor is allowed to consume medical marijuana, then a caregiver must be appointed.
Who is a Caregiver?
A caregiver is an individual that is designated to oversee the minor patient’s wellbeing using medical marijuana. For this, a person need not be in relation with the individual but must be in close contact to oversee the treatment.
From purchasing the cannabis from a state-licensed dispensary to storing the cannabis and helping the patient use it appropriately, a caregiver takes care of it all. In the states where cannabis cultivation is valid for medical use, the growing responsibility also falls to the caregiver.
When it comes to the minors applying for the treatment, filling up the forms, everything is taken care of by the caregiver. However, the caregiver needs to obtain a caregiver card and fill out a separate caregiver form.
Process For Applying For a Minor’s Medical Marijuana Card
The application process for obtaining a medical recommendation and card differs from state to state. Every state involves some separate rules to be followed while acquiring a medical marijuana card.
Since the rules of consuming medical marijuana are changing and the states have varying medical qualification and treatment considerations, the application process to get a medical marijuana card may differ. Some states have a different list of qualifying conditions, while others have an entirely different scenario.
While acquiring a medical marijuana card in your state, you need to fill up an online evaluation form with accurate personal and medical details. With the application submission, choose the feasible timings for the evaluation purposes. At this step, don’t forget to mention the caregiver information that you are going to designate.
The medical doctor will connect back to assess the health condition. But don’t forget, not all the states have the same rules concerning this. Some require two medical recommendations obtained from state-licensed medical doctors in the case of minors. So ensure to make a note of that.
Once the recommendation is obtained and doctors approve the health condition, you will get the medical marijuana card only if you have a designated caregiver for the minor patient. For minors, it’s essential to have a designated caregiver.
However, there are a few essentials to note while obtaining a medical marijuana card. So make sure you go through them.
Essential to note!
- Check the state rules and regulations concerning obtaining a medical marijuana card for minors.
- Check if the minor’s medical condition qualifies the qualifying conditions criteria.
- Communicate with the medical providers to fulfill the state’s requirements for documentation.
- Complete the applications for both minor and caregivers.
Final Thoughts!
States with the medical cannabis legalized status allow minors to access the medical marijuana program. However, it is crucial to consider the pros and cons of the medicine for minors. Medical Cannabis is just like medications, and like other potent medications, medical cannabis consumption also requires medical recommendation and dosage information for safer use.