Empowering Patients: The Importance of Finding the Right Medical Cannabis Doctor for You

- Can I pay the visits using my FSA card?

Yes, FSA cards are authorized methods of payment, just like any regular debit or credit card.

- Will I experience side effects? While some patients have reported minimal side effects, each person is different. Common, mild side effects include gastrointestinal issues and mild sedation. Medical cannabis may interfere with other prescriptions, so it is best to speak with your doctor about your medical history to determine if medical cannabis is right for you.

As more states legalize medical cannabis, many patients are turning to this alternative treatment option to address a variety of conditions which sometimes prove to be treatment-resistant or cause undesirable side effects when treated with traditional medication.

Empirical evidence shows medical cannabis can provide relief for a variety of conditions including epilepsy, nausea, chronic pain, anxiety, spasticity and PTSD, as well as autism and neurodegenerative diseases like MS, ALS or dementia (to name just a few.)

However, in Texas, where medical cannabis is legal and highly regulated, some qualified patients are hesitant to try it. What are the reasons for their hesitancy? What do qualified patients need to overcome this indecision and improve their quality of life? How can the right healthcare provider make a difference and how to find the best medical cannabis doctor for you? We’ll address these and other questions below.

Why Do Qualified Patients Hesitate to Start Treatment?

Many qualified patients in Texas may be hesitant to try this treatment alternative due to misconceptions and lack of information. Some may worry about the legality of using cannabis as a treatment option, while others may be concerned about potential side effects or the stigma associated with cannabis use.

Here are some of the most frequent questions that our prospective qualified patients have:

- Does insurance cover medical marijuanas? Likely not. Although 38+ states have medical and recreational marijuana laws in place, cannabis is still considered a Schedule 1 substance and therefore it is still illegal at the Federal level. Because of this, most medical insurance companies are unable to include medical cannabis treatments into their plan coverage but check with your insurance company to verify the answer in your particular case.

- Will it show if I get tested for drugs at work? Yes, medical cannabis patients will have positive drug tests, but this is not an unsolvable hurdle. Patients can have an open conversation with their employer’s Human Resources Department about obtaining an exception due to their participation in the Texas’ Compassionate Use Program (TCUP) and show proof of registration under medical supervision in the Compassionate Use Registry of Texas (CURT) due to a qualifying medical condition.

- What if I encounter law enforcement while having this medication in my possession? Texas utilizes a virtual registry called CURT (Compassionate Use Registry of Texas) instead of a physical medical marijuana card. Access to this registry is granted to three parties: prescribing physicians, dispensaries and law enforcement. As such, law enforcement will be able to verify that you are qualified to have this medication. Additionally, your medication will have your name, prescription, etc on the packaging.

- Can I travel with my prescription? There are no restrictions for qualified patients to carry their prescribed medical