How Do I Obtain a Medical Cannabis Card from Graham Plastic Surgery?
The process is easy! An in-person visit is not necessary. Just do the following:
- Call Graham Plastic Surgery at 585-300-4575 and give us your contact information.
- We will then send you a screening form to review your medical history and establish your therapeutic goals.
- Dr. Graham will then review your medical history and then prescribe your Medical Cannabis Card. This card will be sent to you in pdf format via email. This will all be completed within 24 hours.
What is Medical Cannabis or Medical Marijuana?
Medical cannabis, or medical marijuana (MMJ), is cannabis and cannabinoids that are prescribed by physicians for their patients. The National Institute of Drug Abuse defines medical cannabis as “using the whole, unprocessed marijuana plant or its basic extracts to treat symptoms of illness and other conditions”. Many cultures have used cannabis for therapeutic purposes for thousands of years. Medical cannabis can be administered through various methods, including capsules, lozenges, tinctures dermal patches, oral or dermal sprays, edibles, and vaporizing or smoking dried buds. Countries that allow the medical use of whole bud cannabis include Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Uruguay. In the United States, 38 states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for medical purposes.
Why Medical Cannabis at Graham Plastic Surgery?
Dr. Graham has personal reasons for prescribing medical cannabis. Dr. Graham was born and raised in Southern West Virginia. This area of the country was flooded with prescription opioids in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, and as a result, was hit hardest by the US opioid epidemic. In fact, he has had several personal friends who have passed away as a result of opioid addiction. Now that medical marijuana is a viable alternative to harmful pharmaceutical medications, Dr. Graham feels a duty to become a medical marajuana prescriber in NY in order to make these therapies available.
Secondly, both of Dr. Graham’s parents suffer from essential tremor/Parkinson’s syndrome. He has seen first-hand the beneficial effects of cannabis on their tremor symptoms. They can function both at home and in public without embarrassment and with a highly improved quality of life. Watch the video below to see how effective medical cannabis can be.
What are Some of the Uses of Medical Cannabis?
The list is too exhaustive to fit onto a single web page, but the most common uses are for:
- Pain Relief
- Muscle Spasms
- Nausea and Vomitting
- Tourette Syndrome
- Tremors
- Parkinsons Disease
- Anorexia
- PTSD/Anxiety
- Tourette’s/Autism
- Seizure Disorders
- ADHD
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Insomnia
How Does Medical Cannabis Work?
The genus Cannabis contains two species which produce useful amounts of psychoactive cannabinoids: Cannabis Indica and Cannabis Sativa, which are listed as Schedule I medicinal plants in the US. Cannabis contains more than 460 compounds; at least 80 of these are cannabinoids that interact with cannabinoid receptors in the brain.
The most psychoactive cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant is tetrahydracannabinol (or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC). Other cannabinoids include delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol(CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabicyclil(CBL), cannabichromene(CBC) and cannabigerol(CBG); they have less psychotropic effects than THC, but may play a role in the overall effect of cannabis. The most studied are THC, CBD and CBN.
CB1 and CB2 are the primary cannabinoid receptors responsible for several of the effects of cannabinoids, although other receptors may play a role as well. Both belong to a group of receptors called G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). CB1 receptors are found in very high levels in the brain and are thought to be responsible for psychoactive effects. CB2 receptors are found peripherally throughout the body and are thought to modulate pain and inflammation.
Why would I want Medical Cannabis from a NY Dispensary?
- Safety-Medical dispensaries have to adhere to the strictest standards for their products. The products you obtain will be pure and free from possible dangerous additives(fentanyl,etc.).
- Consistent Effects– Medical Cannabis is more highly regulated in regards to dosing and quality. You wil get consistent and reliable dosing. When you buy off the street or from a recreational dispensary you may get a pack of edibles with each edible having a different dose. This variability precludes you being able to plan and function in your daily life.
- Pharmacist Guided Therapy-Each dispensary has a pharmacist on site who can recommend the exact THC/CBD type and mix for your specific needs.
Is Medical Marijuana Safe? Are There Precautions I Should Take When I Use Medical Cannabis?
Further study is needed to answer this question, but possible side effects of medical marijuana may include:
- Increased heart rate
- Dizziness
- Impaired concentration and memory
- Slower reaction times
- Negative drug-to-drug interactions
- Increased risk of heart attack and stroke
- Increased appetite
- Potential for addiction
- Hallucinations or mental illness
- Withdrawal symptoms
Cannabis can impair your cognitive abilities. You should not take when driving, operating machinery, or undertaking complex tasks. Cannabis may interfere with certain drugs you are taking. Discuss this with the dispensary pharmacist when you obtain your cannabis.
Can I Obtain Medical Cannabis for my Child in NY for their Spasm/ADHD/Autism?
Yes you can. If a patient is under the age of 18 or cannot consent to their medical treatment, they are required to have a designated caregiver to obtain medical marijuana. This caregiver must be 21 or older and one of the following: a parent caregiver or guardian; a representative approved by the OCM; or an employee of a designated caregiver facility.
What is the Cost for a Medical Cannabis Card?
Graham Plastic Surgery charges $250 for this service. The card is good for one year, at which time another $250 will be due if one wants to renew their prescription.
