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Author: Canna Doctors

FL Medical Marijuana Concentrates 101

Florida has really diversified its medical cannabis program to include a wide range of treatment options since it was first approved. At first as a medical card holder in Florida you could only obtain vaporized products, oils, and THC capsules. When the state opened up several other routes of consumption, including smokable marijuana, the landscape dramatically changed.

Learning More About Medical Marijuana Concentrates

Cannabis concentrate products, also known as marijuana concentrate, is the extract of the cannabis plant in concentrated form to deliver more powerful effects than ordinary vaporizers or cannabis oil products. The finished material looks like the consistency of butter or honey, but the appearance varies quite a bit depending on the type of marijuana concentrate product.

Using Medical Marijuana Concentrate For Your Condition

If you need a more powerful delivery of medical marijuana for your conditions, marijuana concentrate is the way to go. You can use medical marijuana concentrate by heating it in a dab rig, a waterpipe specific to heating concentrates. Many medical card patients leverage more discrete concentrate pens you can easily conceal or travel with.

Almost all Florida medical marijuana card holders will be given recommendations for concentrates, which can be dispensed at a maximum of 350 mg of THC on a daily basis, or 24, 500 mg of THC per 70-day period. This dispensation rate is because medical marijuana concentrate does not fall under the smokable marijuana recommendations. Talk to your medical marijuana physician about marijuana cannabis products and dosages.

Types Of Marijuana Concentrate Products In Florida

Since the Sunshine State’s medical program started, the types of medical marijuana concentrates available on shelves have evolved quite a bit. There are a variety of cannabis concentrate options for you to choose from, depending on what works best for your symptoms.

  • Wax
  • Crumble
  • Shatter
  • Butter
  • Batter
  • Rosin

If you have any questions about recommendations for these types of medical cannabis products, and forms of consumption, contact your physician at Canna Doctors of America. We are here to help you figure out the best medical cannabis consumption methods for your individual needs. If you have chronic pain, anxiety, or any of the listed qualified conditions, schedule your initial medical card certification with us today.

Top 3 Reasons To Get Your Florida Medical Card

Since Florida’s medical marijuana program was established back in 2016, it has gained quite a bit of attention. Many Sunshine Staters have found a new way of life because of the medical marijuana registry. Florida medical cards can be a game changer for quality of life. Some patients say they do not know how they lived without the benefits before the advent of statewide alternative medicine.

There are a wide variety of reasons to get your medical marijuana certification in one of our Tampa, St. Petersburg or Clearwater offices. If you’re unsure of whether or not your conditions qualify, call one of our trusted offices. Today’s blog entry will touch down on the top 3 reasons to get your medical marijuana card in Florida.

Regain Your Ability To Perform Day-To-Day Tasks

Does your chronic pain or debilitating condition keep you from doing normal routine tasks? Do symptoms prevent you from performing daily chores or leisure activities you always took for granted? Medical marijuana can be the best solution to getting you back to your routine.

Whether you have Crohn’s Disease, arthritis, or any other qualifying condition, medical cannabis can help you regain the ability to perform normal tasks around the house or your property that you didn’t feel confident in before. If it hurts too much to get out to do something as simple as gardening or hedge trimming before, medical marijuana products can help. There are a wide range of cannabis products to choose from to get yourself back to the old routines, both inside and out of your home.

Get Yourself Back To Work With Cannabis Products

Unfortunately, the pain and discomfort from a long list of qualifying conditions keep many people from being able to work comfortably. Many Florida medical card holders find they can return to their work simply because of their THC or CBD cannabis products and the relief they provide.

Obviously for safety reasons you cannot use medical marijuana products before operating any vehicles or heavy machinery, but if your job does not put you in these situations cannabis may really help get you back to work. Even if it’s just part-time, medical marijuana can help you return to the workforce to keep your life moving.

Return To Your Social Scenes With Medical Cannabis

Some folks find their health issues to be a barrier to their social life. Yes it can be very frustrating to have to be the only one in the group who can’t stand up very long, or to be the only one who gets fatigued from chronic pain and needing a break from an activity. Medical marijuana is here to help you get back to normalcy.

If you get your medical card in Tampa, you can get back to socializing in no time! Canna Doctors of America can help you get your medical card to find the comfort you need to stay in certain social situations. There is a huge inventory of options to choose from at Florida dispensaries to help you get the comfort you need to get back out there.

To summarize, although there are many reasons to get your medical card in Florida, we touched down on the top 3 reasons today. One being the ability to get back to work despite your health conditions. Medical marijuana can dramatically help with this so you can return to your role. Another top reason to get your medical card is to get your life back on track with your day-to-day tasks or home leisure activities. Reorganizing your garage or rotating plants in the garden can seem like daunting tasks until you get some medical marijuana to help with your symptoms. Contact Canna Doctors of America today to get your medical marijuana certification and get back to living your life to its fullest!

What Types Of Edibles Can You Buy In Florida?

If anyone asks about medical cannabis, the most common thought is about smokable whole flower marijuana, because of its popularity in modern culture. The fact of the matter is, smoking marijuana flower or using inhalation vaporizers simply aren’t for everyone. Some medical marijuana users in Tampa exclusively use oral capsules or edibles for treatment because of how their body reacts to the inhalation methods.

The edibles medical marijuana consumption route was not even available to Florida medical card holders when the legislation first passed. As touched down on in our medical marijuana history article, the edibles recommendation was not added for a couple years after Florida’s medical marijuana program passed.

What Kinds Of Edibles Can I Get At Florida Dispensaries?

Florida’s medical cannabis dispensaries offer a wide range of marijuana edibles. Depending on your palette, preferences, and qualifying condition, there are many medical marijuana edibles to choose from. Once you have your medical marijuana card in St. Petersburg, visit a local cannabis store for one of these effective treatment options.

  • Brownies
  • Cookies
  • THC Capsules
  • Gummies
  • Chocolates
  • Tinctures
  • CBD Edibles
  • RSO Syringes

Getting The Medical Marijuana Treatments You Need

If you require medical marijuana treatment, but are not into the smoking aspect of medical cannabis, alternatives are out there. During your medical marijuana consultation at Canna Doctors of America you can ask all the questions you have about edibles and various consumption routes.

If you have a qualifying condition, our medical marijana doctors are here to help with compassionate care! Florida’s dispensaries have a wide range of edibles and oral consumption products to choose from. Book your appointment to get started today.

Benefits to Using THC to CBD Ratio and CBN Products

Once you get your medical card in Clearwater, you can explore a wide range of medical marijuana products. The Gulf Coast hosts a huge inventory of medical cannabis retailers. With so many options, it can get overwhelming where to start, what brands to try, and determining which products to use for treatment. First thing, always ask your medical marijuana doctor what they recommend for your qualifying condition. Beyond that, this article will expand on the benefits to using THC to CBD ratio products. Additionally we will touch down on the benefits of CBN, the often forgotten cannabinoid.

THC to CBD Ratio Medical Cannabis Products

To begin with, THC to CBD ratio products are often referred to as ‘1:1 ratio’ because the most common ratio of THC cannabinoids to CBD is equal, 1:1. However, that is not the only combination. There are many medical marijuana products that actually only come in higher CBD to THC ratio for different reasons, and vice versa. Some vaporizer products may be higher CBD to THC ratio to make them more of a daytime medical marijuana treatment, since CBD cannabis products does not provide the euphoric “high” THC products are known for. There is a vast selection of ratio products for this purpose of not delivering such powerful psychoactive results, but still reaping the benefits of symptom relief.

Using THC to CBD ratio edible cannabis products seems to also yield great results for folks who seem to get anxious from high THC edibles. The CBD component of the THC to CBD ratio products promotes relaxation, helping an anxious user stay mellow from the effects. A lot of medical cannabis users like to consume THC to CBD 1:1 ratio products for their nighttime routine, especially if they have trouble sleeping from their qualifying condition.

CBN Products For Longer, Restful Sleep

Do you have insomnia? Or issues getting to sleep from your chronic pain or nausea? Florida medical marijuana dispensaries now sell a less known cannabinoid product, CBN, for qualifying conditions that prevent patients from getting restful sleep. Let’s face it, no matter what your health concerns are, a full night’s rest is absolutely paramount to getting better long or short term.

CBN cannabis products contain an element from the cannabis plan that promotes long, restful sleep. So in other words, you don’t wake up and have any issues getting back to bed. CBN cannabis products have a much more sedative effect than their CBD and THC cousins. If you need more of an impact on sleep regulation, CBN products will help you with your condition. Below is a list of potential CBN or CBD to THC ratio products:

  • Vaporizers
  • Edibles
  • Tinctures
  • Smokable flower
  • Capsules

Broadening Your Medical Marijuana Horizons

To summarize on the topic of THC to CBD ratio products, there are a lot of combinations of a ratio between the two cannabinoids. Some folks with qualifying conditions who have to work outside the house prefer a 1:1 CBD to THC ratio vaporizer because of the mellow effects vs full THC cannabis. Also, 1:1 products seem to be a great introduction to edibles for those who do not have a high tolerance or experience. Last, if you need to get some incredibly restful sleep for your qualifying condition, consider trying a CBN marijuana product.

Ask your local budtender what options they have. Broaden your medical cannabis palette by tasting some of the other offerings retailers provide. If you have any questions about using CBD to THC ratio or CBN products, feel free to contact your doctor at Canna Doctors of America. We’re only a phone call away and always here to help, call us at 855-949-2266.

Florida Medical Marijuana Dosages and Methods

Since the arrival of medical marijuana in Florida, there have been many updates and installments to the literature surrounding it. When a Tampa medical marijuana doctor makes prescriptions for medical card holders, they are referred to as “recommendations”. The recommendations are the medical card holder’s allotted amount of that marijuana product type within a certain period. The total amount dispensed in a time period is based on average consumption or dosages of different marijuana types. This blog entry will discuss Florida medical marijuana dosages and delivery methods.

Medical Marijuana Recommendations Based on Route of Consumption

Since medical marijuana can result in very potent medication, Florida medical marijuana doctors make certain recommendations for 35 and 70 day periods depending on the consumption method. The recommendation rules in place for non-smokeable products strictly follow limits of THC levels, the primary psychoactive component of the cannabis plant.

The non-smokeable products fall under the 70 day recommendation periods, whereas whole flower is in a 35 day period. For example, under Florida Medical Marijuna Registry rules for edibles, the limit is no more than 60 mg of THC daily / 4,200 mg of THC per 70-day supply. Another example in the 70 day period is vaporized medical marijuana products.

These can only be dispensed at a max of 350 mg of THC daily / 24, 500 mg of THC per 70-day period. The amount you can legally have dispensed in Florida over the set time period varies by product type. Below are some examples of non-smokable medical marijuana products:

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  • THC Edibles
  • CBD/THC 1:1 Ratio Products
  • Marijuana Concentrates
  • THC Topical Creams

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  • Oral THC Capsules
  • Marijuana Tinctures
  • THC Suppositories
  • Vaporized Products

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As mentioned above, the limits on whole flower medical marijuana dispensation are based on a 35 day period. The true distinction is that smokable flower limitations are based on weight of the medical marijuana, vs the daily milligram dosage of THC in non-smokable products. The Florida Medical Marijuana Registry allows 2.5 ounces of medical marijuana to be dispensed in a rolling 35-day period.

Finding Out Which Consumption Methods to Use

In conclusion, as a medical marijuana patient in Clearwater, Tampa, or St. Petersburg, you can only get specific increments of medical cannabis dispensed on 35-70 day periods based on route of consumption. This depends on if it’s smokable whole flower marijuana or nonsmokable products. Your recommendations may vary based on your qualifying condition as well. If you want to find out what medical marijuana consumption method is best for you, schedule an appointment with a certified medical marijuana doctor at one of our office locations. The staff here at Canna Doctors of America is here to help you get your medical card evaluation in one of our Tampa area offices.

Meet Our Medical Marijuana Doctors: Peter Gerley M.D.

Canna Doctors of America is proud to present Dr. Peter Gerley M.D., a certified medical marijuana doctor in Tampa. Dr. Gerley specializes in medical marijuana card evaluations in our Tampa office, to help Tampa residents with compassionate care. Dr. Gerley evaluates a plethora of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana use, spanning from insomnia to severe back and neck pain, and a wide range of other ailments. We pride ourselves in our stellar doctors at Canna Doctors of America, and are very happy to have Dr. Gerley as a part of the team.

Florida Medical Marijuana For Many Qualifying Conditions

Dr. Peter Gerley specializes in evaluating all qualifying conditions that can grant patients in need access to medical marijuana treatment. If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms or health conditions, you should schedule your initial medical evaluation appointment today. If you don’t see your current health condition listed, any debilitating condition of similar nature will most likely qualify as well. Once your physician determines that your condition meets the qualifications for Florida medical marijuana, they can provide the next steps to get your card.

  • Anxiety
  • PTSD
  • Parkinson’s
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Glaucoma
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Sleep Disorder
  • Muscle Spasms (Pain)
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Migraines
  • Hepatitis
  • Cancer
  • Epilepsy

Getting Your Medical Marijuana Card in Tampa, FL

Dr. Peter Gerley is certified to provide all forms of medical marijuana card evaluations in Tampa, FL. He has a great record of helping Tampa residents find medical cannabis treatments for a wide range of health conditions. To get your medical card in Tampa, Clearwater, or St. Petersburg, you’ll need to visit a Canna Doctors of America office. Once approved, your medical card recertifications can be done remotely after your initial consultation.

If you are in the Tampa and Carrollwood areas, Dr. Peter Gerley can help you get your initial evaluation and even get you into a dispensary the very same day! If you’d like to request him specifically, call 855-949-2266. If you have any of our listed qualifying conditions, compassionate care is just a phone call away. Contact us to set up your initial medical marijuana evaluation today!

What is the difference between Indica and Sativa?

Florida medical card holders have a lot of options when it comes to choosing the right medical marijuana products. When you use your medical card in Tampa dispensaries, don’t let the variety overwhelm you. While there are so many different forms of consumption, there are also some key differences in types of marijuana depending on your needs and how you use your medical cannabis throughout the day.

Whether or not you smoke, eat, or vaporize your medical cannabis, everyone has their own bio-individuality that may determine if sativa or indica work for them. This may pertain to what time of day you consume your medical cannabis. In today’s post we will discuss the difference between sativa and indica marijuana types, and how these variations can help medical marijuana patients in their own unique ways.

Biggest Differences Between Sativa and Indica

Sativa marijuana is generally considered your daytime medical cannabis solution. Sativa strains are generally more uplifting and energizing. Because of sativa’s greater THC to CBD ratio, most people only consume sativas during the day. In general, most people gravitate to sativas if they need to medicate during the day while still needing to get tasks done.

Indica marijuana strains are typically categorized as nighttime medical cannabis options. These cannabis types are more oriented to pain relief and body highs. This marijuana type has a higher CBD to THC ratio, well known for more sedative qualities. Because indica strains promote relaxation and are a strong sleep aid, most patients only use this cannabis type in the evening.

Using Hybrids For the Best of Both Worlds

In the medical cannabis industry, not all strains are confined to an indica or sativa designation. Many Florida medical marijuana strains have been intentionally cross-bred to combine both sativa and indica varieties to create hybrids. A hybrid can be more dominant on one side, or very evenly balanced from each side.

Hybrid marijuana strains can be engineered to have the best qualities from each side of the sativa-indica fence to create a superior blend. This can yield strains that are a great combination of sativa and indica qualities for a more balanced delivery depending on your symptoms.

Benefits of Having a Variety of Medical Cannabis Types

In conclusion, as a Florida medical marijuana patient you can choose your marijuana based on various qualities. Yes, terpenes are important to note. Yes, delivery devices are an important decision. And yes indeed, the route of consumption really matters, especially depending on your signature health needs.

The big differences between indicas, hybrids, and sativas is arguably the time of day you’re medicating, and which symptoms you’re treating. If you need to work during the day, and don’t operate any machinery or drive for a living, a sativa strain may help you medicate throughout the workday.

If you can’t get to sleep because of chronic pain or medical condition, an indica may be the best type for you. Hybrids also offer Florida medical patients a nice compromise between the two if you need the best of both worlds. Stop by your dispensary with your medical card today to ask your budtender for more details on indicas and sativas. Canna Doctors of America is here to answer any questions you may have as well. When you have your next certification at one of our offices, ask about what types of marijuana would work best for you.

Cooking with Medical Marijuana: The Basics

Every medical marijuana patient has their favorite route for medical marijuana consumption based on their symptoms, but edibles are an excellent delivery method for many reasons. If you want to bake your own cannabis infused edibles, you’ll want to process this blog entry. There are many ways to prepare your cannabis treats, but it’s crucial to learn the basics for cooking with marijuana. This article will discuss the basics of mary jane in the kitchen, so you get the results you need.

Getting Started With Your Homemade Medical Marijuana Edibles

First start with your dosage of medical marijuana. Experts agree to start small with your dosage, so we recommend going with a quarter ounce to start. Most home edible bakers prefer the oven to heat their marijuana to the proper temperature. This process of heating the herb is called decarboxylation. This is how you get the TCHa activated in your cannabis.

You can use several other cooking methods, but if you’re going with the oven stick to these important steps. Break your medical marijuana into small pieces spread out on a cookie sheet. Set your oven to 225 degrees and bake for 45 minutes to properly decarb your cannabis. You’ll know that it’s ready as your home fills with a very comforting nutty and woody aroma. That smell means it’s time to take your medical cannabis out of the oven to make some edibles.

Add Your Medical Marijuana To Your Favorite Foods and Baked Goods

In general, medical cannabis is added to recipes by combining the decarbed herb to oil or butter. By rule of thumb use an equal parts ratio of the prepped cannabis to oil. When you add 1 cup of medical marijuana, use 1 cup of oil. This will make for proper proportions and not give you too much of that cannabis taste. The key here is to actually taste your magnificent baked goods, pasta, toast, or whatever you’re preparing. Don’t over-herb your meal or snack, because food is the spice of life!

Medical marijuana patients in Florida can benefit from cooking with cannabis for a number of reasons. Enjoy your home cooked medical cannabis however you please in whatever dish you can think up. You’ll find it to be incredibly effective for a wide range of symptoms, from chronic back pain to migraines and more. Simply visit your dispensary with your medical card, and get some flower to get started. Grind, bake, eat, and if you’re so inclined, wash, rinse, and repeat.

Big Story: Telehealth Restored for Marijuana Recertifications

Since the advent of modern internet and video technology, many folks have found themselves capable of doing nearly everything without human contact. The pandemic only amplified this, giving people new access to curbside pickup, contactless transactions, virtual business meetings, doctor visits, and much more. While that has kept some people in silos and encouraged isolation, doing certain things remotely has boosted productivity for the world. One of the most important to note is being able to get telehealth doctor visits without having to leave your home.

The idea of still being able to get to regular doctor’s appointments without leaving the comfort of your home is a huge deal. For some people with certain debilitating conditions, the concept of telehealth is the difference between being able to stay on track, or feeling very stuck. That’s why this article covers BIG news – Florida’s medical marijuana telehealth is back! That’s right, medical marijuana doctors can now do telehealth recertifications for existing patients!

Telehealth Revolution: Law Passes in Summer 2023, Paving the Way for Expanded Access and Convenience

On May 4th of this year, Florida State Legislature passed HB387, a new expansion of the use of telehealth remote certifications. This new law went into effect on July 1st throughout the state of Florida. Now, if you’re already a preexisting medical marijuana patient you can renew your certification with Canna Doctors of America completely remote! This is big news for a lot of patients with difficulty getting in and out of cars, leaving their homes, and those suffering from anxiety.

Benefits Of Telehealth Medical Marijuana Recertifications

There is a wide range of benefits to having this telehealth option for our Tampa medical card patients. Now if you already have had an initial certification, all you have to do to recertify is call Canna Doctors of America – simple as that! Here are some prime examples of how telehealth certifications benefit Florida Medical Marijuana patients, depending on their conditions:

  • Less social anxiety
  • Enhanced Patient Engagement
  • Saves you time
  • Higher productivity in your day
  • Reduced Costs
  • Convenience and Accessibility
  • No need to leave the comfort of your home
  • No potential issues with transportation
  • Able to recertify for any location
  • Improved Health Outcomes
  • Reduce movements for less physical pain
  • Continuity of Care

In conclusion, the arrival of telehealth certifications for Florida medical marijuana patients is a big win for the community. With the option to do recertifications remotely, Florida medical card holders can get their recertification done regardless of their situation. You can take advantage of this by calling Canna Doctors of America for your telehealth recertification today at 855-949-2266.

What Do You Need to Bring to a Florida Dispensary?

Once you’re approved for a medical marijuana card by the Florida Medical Use Registry, the next step is to go to a medical marijuana dispensary to purchase some cannabis products. Florida medical marijuana dispensaries are abundant throughout Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg. If you search ‘cannabis store near me’ you’ll find dozens of options throughout all three communities. In this article, we will discuss what to bring with you to a medical cannabis dispensary.

Florida Medical Marijuana Dispensary Checklist

To successfully get dispensed at a Florida medical marijuana dispensary, you need to be sure to have this checklist. The very top priority is having your medical marijuana card (in some capacity). After your medical marijuana evaluation, you can go straight to the dispensary for medical cannabis products!

The physical card will come in the mail within a couple of weeks, so an email confirmation will have to be presented at the dispensary. You’ll also need your state-issued photo ID if you don’t have the physical card. By rule of thumb, every time you visit the dispensary you should have all 4 of these with you:

  1. FL Medical Card
  2. Drivers License or state ID
  3. Cash (or an ATM card)
  4. Smartphone with CanPay

The checklist above references cash or an ATM card because every Florida dispensary accepts cash. Also itemized above is your smartphone with CanPay, the digital payment system for Florida cannabis stores. CanPay is a nice alternative because it’s contactless, secure, and debits from a checking account. You can be guaranteed service if you always have both options on you. Also, it’s great to have more payment methods than what you need in the event there’s a flash sale or incentive to buy more.

Long Term Plan for Florida Medical Cannabis Store Visits

For a long term checklist for your dispensary visits, it’s crucial to know your card is in good standing. The card has an expiration date on it, however that’s for the card itself, not your certification. Log into the Florida Medical Marijuana Registry site to confirm your certification is still valid if you suspect you’re close to expiration.

Even if you’re a seasoned medical card patient, with your physical card on you, you won’t get served any medical cannabis if your medical marijuana certification is out of date. Medical marijuana certifications only last 210 days, so it’s vital to stay on top of this! If the card is in active status, but you don’t physically have it, your driver’s license will suffice.