MEDICAL MARIJUANA TREATMENT
Do I qualify?
You are potentially eligible for medical marijuana if you have been diagnosed with one or more of the following severe debilitating or life threatening conditions:
- cancer,
- HIV infection or AIDS,
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),
- Parkinson’s disease,
- multiple sclerosis,
- spinal cord injury with spasticity,
- epilepsy,
- inflammatory bowel disease,
- neuropathy,
- Huntington’s disease or
- chronic pain.
- PTSD
The severe debilitating or life threatening condition must also be accompanied by one or more of the following associated or complicating conditions:
- cachexia or wasting syndrome,
- severe or chronic pain,
- severe nausea,
- seizures, or
- severe or persistent muscle spasms.
Can I take marijuana if I don’t smoke?
In NYS approved forms of medical marijuana include liquids and oil for vaporization or administration via inhaler as well as capsules to take orally. Under the law, smoking is not permitted and the regulations prohibit edibles.
How do I know what type of marijuana is best for me?
Most patients already know that marijuana plants contains multiple components, most important of which are THC and CBD. THC has potent neuropsychological effect and is responsible for the sensation of “high” in marijuana users. Its medicinal properties are most helpful for patients with anorexia, nausea, muscular disorders, vascular migraines and chronic pain. CBD also has many important properties making it ideal for treatment of anxiety, insomnia, pain, seizures and other conditions. Frequently the best effect results from combination of THC and CBD that suits a particular condition. Careful evaluation of each patients history and symptoms are required to select the proper combination that is likely to give the best result.
If I receive medical marijuana card, can I use marijuana at work?
After NYS has passed legislation making it legal to use medical marijuana, you have legal protection against state prosecution for possessing and using marijuana if you are in compliance with the program. Your employer on the other hand, does not have to allow you to use marijuana while at work and certainly is unlikely to tolerate if you are under influence of marijuana while at your work place. Fortunately the most medicinally active component of marijuana plant CBD is not psychologically active and while providing symptom relief will not impair your attention or productivity at work.
Can I drive while I am taking marijuana?
The same logic should apply to use of marijuana as to the use of alcohol. Under no circumstances you should drive or operate heavy machinery when you are under influence of THC. CBD does not cause psychological impairment and is ideal for long term use.
What is the cost of treatment with medical marijuana?
Typical monthly cost of marijuana at the dispensary is 150-500 dollars. It is of course highly individual.
I have heard that medical marijuana can cure cancer, is it true?
1. It is true that there are reports circulating on internet about people being cured from cancer using Cannabis oil, however we are not aware of any such cases first hand (only via internet reports)
2. There is no scientifically based regimen for treatment of cancer. The internet suggests that the dose required is about 60 g of CBD over 3 month period, which may be difficult to tolerate, not proven and in today’s dispensary prices may cost over 200 thousand dollars.
3. Currently in NYS medical marijuana is only approved for treatment of symptoms RELATED to cancer such as pain, wasting, nausea, lack of appetite BUT NOT CANCER ITSELF. As such no practitioner in NYS will likely undertake direct treatment of cancer with cannabis preparation. Patient himself however can self direct such treatment.
4. Dr. Yatskar on the other hand can certify patient’s eligibility for medical marijuana and direct the treatment of symptoms.
If you have additional general questions please submit them via the contact form and we will be happy to update this list.