A patient refers to an individual who uses cannabis for medical purposes under the recommendation or prescription of a healthcare provider. This use is often regulated by medical cannabis laws and programs that vary by country or state.
Medical Cannabis Use
Medical cannabis is used to treat a variety of conditions and symptoms. Some of the most common include chronic pain, nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, multiple sclerosis spasticity symptoms, and sleep disturbances in people with obstructive sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, and multiple sclerosis.
Patients using medical cannabis are typically required to have a qualifying condition, which is a specific medical condition listed in their state or country’s medical cannabis program. The list of qualifying conditions varies but often includes conditions like cancer, HIV/AIDS, epilepsy, glaucoma, and multiple sclerosis.
Accessing Medical Cannabis
To access medical cannabis, a patient usually needs to obtain a recommendation or prescription from a healthcare provider. In some places, this healthcare provider must be specifically certified to recommend cannabis. The patient may then need to apply for a medical cannabis card or register with a state or national program.
Once approved, patients can typically purchase cannabis from licensed dispensaries. The types and amounts of cannabis a patient can purchase are often regulated, and patients may be required to follow specific rules about where they can use their medical cannabis.
A patient in the context of cannabis is an individual who uses cannabis for medical purposes under the guidance of a healthcare provider. These patients must often navigate a variety of laws and regulations to access and use medical cannabis.
