I have spent all the last four years using legal cannabis products to help ameliorate my lengthy history of documented psychiatric disturbances. I have come to appreciate my green friend as an invaluable catalyst in the treatment of schizoaffective disorder with comorbid anxiety and panic. I have noticed tangible, measurable improvement in my baseline symptom load as compared to psychotropic medication alone.
I back the lawful, medicinal consumption of cannabis by informed adult patients afflicted with symptoms of any illness or disease that responds favorably to cannabinoids, even if the benefits of doing so remain purely subjective to the patient.
As with any substance introduced to the body, it is vital to know and understand the benefits and risks of using cannabis products, especially in the realm of mental health and addiction. Self-awareness and moderation are crucial to the success of the patient in dealing with long-term treatment goals. There are also certain legal complications inherent to the fact that marijuana is still a scheduled substance, so as with anything you see online: caveat emptor.
I started with delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) threaded vape cartridges and an Ooze pen battery from the around-the-corner head shop. When those became unlawful to sell in stores in Virginia, I obtained my cannabis patient certification and started going to the dispensary and reaping the benefits of full-spectrum cannabis oils and, naturally, the flower itself.
To begin receiving treatment in Virginia, I first had to obtain a certification from a licensed physician’s assistant specifically trained and authorized to certify cannabis patients. This web-based back and forth culminated in a telehealth visit and an electronically signed order authorizing me to purchase cannabis products. Once I obtained this PDF, I had to present it and file it with the local dispensary company along with my government identification before I could purchase products containing THC.
The employees have extensive knowledge and training and are certified pharmacy technicians and they have a pharmacist, as one would expect at any legitimate dispensary operation.
I would expect anyone interested in exploring the benefits of cannabis to familiarize themselves with the laws and regulations in their area, as ignorance of the law is not a valid defense for most crimes. There are legal consequences for running afoul of these statutes and a mistake could cost you your liberty.
You should always treat your supply of cannabis as you would any other prescription medication and keep it out of reach of children.
If you would not trust someone to manage your prescription medications for you and dispense them to you correctly, then you should be skeptical of trusting someone to supply you with safe substances. It is important to note that even vape stores can sell you defective merchandise, so be aware of the risks associated with rancid cartridges or contaminated flower when buying legal cannabis derivatives.
The advantage of buying from a dispensary is access to trusted, unadulterated products that have undergone laboratory testing to verify quality and purity. This is especially important because of the proliferation of fentanyl and other additives and contaminants that could pose grave and profound consequences, potentially legally and perhaps even life-threateningly.
Regular use of medical marijuana necessitates an understanding of tolerance and its effects on the body. Individuals should be mindful of their usage triggers and take necessary precautions to prevent unnecessary or irresponsible dosing.
Do not fall into the trap of self-deceit and convince yourself that you are somehow above the dopamine reward pathway. If you consume cannabis, you can absolutely develop cannabis use disorder if you do not exercise caution and discernment when choosing whether and when to medicate.
It is imperative that you establish rules and discipline yourself to get the biggest return on investment from every nanogram per milliliter (ng/mL) of THC, as that is an index for potency.
It is essential to maintain a mindset that is receptive to self-criticism and capable of internal error correction.
Cited:
Chase Zehlchen, "Medical Marijuana," Zehl Files, Release: 01/11/2025. Edit: 01/12/2025. Available: https://zehlchen.com/talk/medical-marijuana
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