I’m Approved For Medical Marijuana, Now What?

Three easy steps allow individuals to obtain Medical Marijuana cards from LifeCannMD and Dr. Fernando Fandino-Sende in the State of Florida. Once a patient has contacted us, our team will listen to the patients circumstances during an initial no-risk, no-commitment Medical Marijuana consultation. If the individual is deemed to have one of the qualifying conditions, the next step would be getting a medical recommendation from Dr. Sende, himself. This can be done in person at LifeCannMD’s conveniently located Miami office, during a house call or even curbside.

As a certified Medical Marijuana doctor and board-certified MD, Dr. Fandino-Sende is uniquely qualified to make professional recommendations enabling the receipt of a Medical Marijuana card from the State of Florida. The final step is completing an application, registering with the Florida Department of Health and the payment of the $75 application fee to the State of FL.

Once the simple process of obtaining the card is completed, the next step is exploring the different Medical Marijuana products that each dispensary has to offer. Dr. Sende can help patients to drill down and determine what strain of MMJ may be right for them and at what strength for their particular condition. However, there are a number of options on offer. 

Before going to the dispensary you should have your ID and/or MMJ card. Once approved, you can visit a dispensary immediately.  It is not necessary to bring your MMJ card to a dispensary as long as you have a valid FL ID. The card itself sometimes takes 8-10 weeks to arrive but the approval is done after 10 business days by the state. They inform the patient by email. This is enough proof to get Medical Marijuana in any form at a dispensary. 

All Medical Marijuana dispensaries offer online buying options, as well. Visit LifeCannMD’s Medical Marijuana Dispensary List or speak with our helpful staff to find a dispensary near you.

When you first arrive at a dispensary, alert them to the fact that you are a first-time patient. The staff, known as “caregivers” or “budtenders”,  will be able to guide you through the initial process and make sure that you’re comfortable every step of the way. 

There are a myriad of different types of Medical Marijuana products available and every strain produces its own unique effects that are also unique to each individual. These strains are normally indicated as Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid. THC percentages are not the only indicator of strength, as without the correct storage capabilities, stronger flowers harvested over six months ago will be weaker than freshly cured, albeit weaker, flowers. It’s up to each individual to determine whether they prefer to smoke, consume, vape or use topical methods. 

Flower

The actual marijuana plant harvested for smoking. These consist of a variety of strains utilizing Indica, Sativa, and Hybrids – offered in both bud form or pre-rolled. There are over 70 products and types available for smoking. 

CBD vs. THC Ratio Products

THC is associated with the “high” from Marijuana, causing some patients to feel euphoric. CBD is not psychoactive and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, These products come in different forms – topical, edible, capsules, flower etc. utilize a ration between both CBD and THC.

Topicals

Topicals work mostly for those who want a localized experience of their medical marijuana – such as an aching knee or back. In these cases, topical products like a lotion work well to provide relief.

Vapes and Inhalation Products

Medical Marijuana Vape oil contains high concentrations of cannabinoids, creating a cannabinoid-rich vapor which is then inhaled, whereas smoking ignites the cannabis by burning the flower. Vaping Medical Marijuana provides a more subtle taste and is more discreet than smoking. Vape products are available in both disposable pens and refillable cartridges. Additionally, vaporizers and disposable units heat, without burning the medicine. Vaping cannabis is also popular because it is convenient. 

Tinctures

Tinctures and oils are used in a number of ways – some patients hold cannabis oil under the tongue before swallowing (aka sublingually). Others mix the oil in their food or even their drink while some use them directly on their skin.

Syringe Products

Cannabis oil syringes contain full spectrum cannabis oil made to concentrate cannabis and take sublingually (under your tongue). 

Edibles

Medical Marijuana Edibles are popular as they come in a variety flavors, shapes and textures and they don’t require any type of inhalation – smoking or vaping. As edibles are processed by the whole body, patients should start with small amounts before gradually building up dosage.

On September 2nd, The Florida Department of Health approved emergency rules establishing a regulatory framework for the manufacturing and distribution of medical cannabis-infused edibles. Products allowed include lozenges, gelatins, baked goods like cakes and cookies, chocolates and drink powders. Though at least half of Florida Medical Marijuana sales come from flower products, edibles are expected to take up about 20% of the market. They provide an alternative for patients who can’t smoke such as lung cancer patients.

Patients of Dr. Fernando Fandiño-Sende at LifeCannMD may visit dispensaries, but need to be re-certified every 210 days or about every seven months so their Medical Marijuana orders don’t expire. 

At this time, almost 400,000 Floridians are registered to access medical cannabis and Florida’s top-rated Medical Marijuana referral clinic has served over 5,000 satisfied patients and their recommendations have helped a number of patients out of pain, anxiety and illness.