Before including plant medicine into your wellness routine, it is a good idea to check in with your physician, especially if you have any prescriptions or health conditions. Even though acceptance is growing socially, there are still many medical experts who don’t acknowledge the plant’s benefits. Because of this, it can be intimidating to approach a doctor about using cannabis.
Enter Dr. Felecia Dawson, MD, who offers some excellent advice for newcomers in the following Q & A. Dawson is a dual board-certified physician in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as integrative medicine, with over 30 years of experience in women’s healthcare. She currently works as a cannabis educator and advocate, holistic gynecologist, and wellness consultant.
1. What is the best way for a newcomer to begin incorporating cannabis into their routine?
Educate yourself about the cannabis plant and whether or not it will benefit your condition. Historically, your ancestors have used cannabis and other plants for thousands of years to regain and maintain their health. Even if you have used cannabis before, it’s important to start low and go slow.
Additionally, each person is unique, and cannabinoids like CBD and THC can behave in a biphasic manner (having two phases). Put simply; this means you may get one reaction at a low dose and the opposite one at a higher amount. It also means you may miss the dose that’s optimal for you if you start at a high dose or increase it too rapidly. There’s often a sweet spot in terms of dosing, and you’ll miss it if you’re not patient. A starting dose for THC could be 2.5 mg and for CBD 10 mg, for example.
Some people may need lower or higher doses. Experiment with different delivery systems. Perhaps, taking a tincture or oil may be more convenient and longer-lasting (5 to 8 hours). If you prefer to bring it into your lungs, there will be a faster onset but shorter duration (2 to 4 hours).
A word of caution for inhalation delivery methods: the occasional smoking of a joint is not harmful but burning, or combusting plant material causes the loss of half of your product and creates hundreds of toxins. While smoking cannabis does not cause cancer, it can cause chronic bronchitis and periodontal disease.
Due to federal prohibition and the lack of regulation, vape pens can also be dangerous due to heavy metals leaking from poor-quality hardware. Substances, like vitamin E, weren’t meant to be inhaled and are used to dilute cannabis oils, which can cause pneumonitis and death. An electronic vaporizer made for dry herbs is the safest way to bring cannabis into the lungs as medicine regularly.
It all depends on what you’re treating and the duration of action you want. For example, if you’re treating heavy, painful periods, a vaginal suppository may make more sense. That would be putting the medicine close to the organ that needs treatment. Lastly, keep track of the product name, dose, composition, and results obtained. There are even apps for that!
2. How would you advise a novice approach talking to their doctor about cannabis?
Unfortunately, most physicians are taught in medical school that cannabis is a drug like heroin and cocaine. Some medical experts believe our government’s propaganda about the evil of cannabis. In addition, physicians come into medicine with their baggage. Someone in their family may have been addicted to drugs, been in and out of rehab, or died. Some may have family members whose lives were destroyed by the war on drugs or may have been incarcerated.
In addition, most mainstream medical organizations discourage the use of cannabis; therefore, physicians may be concerned about any liability that may arise from a patient’s use. If you think that your condition can be helped by using cannabis or CBD, simply ask your healthcare provider how they feel about the subject. It’s better to ask at the beginning of the visit versus when your provider has their hand on the doorknob exiting the exam room. Consider a consultation for your condition separate from your wellness exam, so you both have time to give the subject the consideration it needs.
3. What is one of the most important elements of purchasing cannabis products for the first time from a medical standpoint?
Cannabis is a bioaccumulator, which means it draws toxins out of the air, soil, and water into itself. Therefore, your product should be Clean Green Certified for the highest level of safety, which is analogous to the USDA’s National Organic Program. The Clean Green Certified label means your product was not raised with synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, genetically modified organisms and has not been irradiated.
In addition, your product should be tested by an independent third-party lab, and this information will be in the certificate of analysis (COA). This lab may test for mold, pesticides, solvents, heavy metals, microorganisms, terpene, and cannabinoid content. Often there is a QR code on the product you can scan to take you to the COA.
Unfortunately, due to cannabis’ federal prohibition, there are no uniform requirements for testing. It varies from state to state. Lastly, wait until you know how your body responds to cannabis before operating a vehicle, heavy machinery, or engaging in any activity that may put you or someone else at risk.
