Anxiety affects millions of Americans every day. It’s an insidious affliction. It causes fear, panic, dread, and uncertainty. Daily life comes to a screeching halt. Days are interrupted, and fun is replaced with a familiar anxious feeling. No one wants that! That’s especially true if you live in Florida. Instead of dealing with anxiety, you’d probably prefer to enjoy the pleasures of the state. Luckily, medical marijuana has shown some promise in helping ease anxiety. But you’ll need to follow the state’s strict rules and get approval and a medical card first. Here’s what you need to know about doing just that.
The State of Medical Marijuana in Florida Now
In Florida, folks can’t simply stroll into their nearest dispensary and snag their favorite strains. Instead, the state has a strict medical-only policy. With a list of qualifying conditions and a rigorous process for obtaining medical marijuana, it can seem daunting to seek medicinal cannabis in the state. Fortunately, it looks more complicated than it is, and anyone with a qualifying condition can apply if they follow all the proper steps.
Is Anxiety a Qualifying Condition?
Anxiety does so much more than make someone feel anxious. It can readily become a dense feeling of dread, render normal activities difficult, and paralyze someone with fear. If you feel excessively nervous, break out in a cold sweat at the thought of something that makes you anxious, or find yourself consumed with panic, you might want to consult your doctor about anxiety. Anxiety is, thankfully, covered under Florida’s qualifying conditions for medical marijuana. Cannabis can provide some relief and significantly reduces anxiety when used appropriately.
Get Diagnosed By A Licensed Doctor
When seeking treatment for anxiety, don’t forget a licensed doctor needs to diagnose and recommend medical marijuana for it to be prescribed. To get licensed in the first place, Floridian doctors have to undergo extensive training, courses, and licensing procedures/testing. Moreover, they have to have no interest whatsoever in the marijuana industry. They need to be untethered to it and completely independent from any financial interest in the industry. Finding a licensed doctor is easy with a little online research and is the first step to getting medical marijuana to treat anxiety. It’s also been proven to treat other mental health issues and provides some comfort from inflammation, making it a practical solution for some people suffering from anxiety or depression.
Apply For A Medical Marijuana Card
Once a doctor recommends cannabis to treat anxiety, you must get a medical marijuana card. The first step to applying for the card is to find a certified position. Florida has a few online locators to help you find a certified doctor. The doctor will check you out, and if you’re suffering from a chronic illness/condition that qualifies under Florida’s laws, they might recommend medicinal cannabis. Your name goes into Florida’s medical marijuana registry system if they do. After that, you can get an ID number and apply for your ID card. It costs $75 to get the card, and you can do it from home online. And don’t forget you must have your doctor check in with you and make an appointment every 210 days per state requirements. It’s essential to follow all of Florida’s procedures to ensure you abide by the law, get access to the care you need, and do everything the right way.
Find A Dispensary and Learn More
Once you’ve obtained a card, you can buy medicinal cannabis at a dispensary. Finding FL dispensaries is only part of the process. It’s pragmatic to learn about the different kinds of strains and what the dispensaries offer and know as much as possible about the product’s effects. A reputable dispensary should be staffed with experts who can answer these questions or have an online database with the pertinent information you need. Spend time getting to know the people at the dispensary, learn about the product, and establish a relationship with them. Whether it’s CBD, edibles, or learning about the different strains used to treat medical conditions, Florida has plenty of information available through various resources across the state.