Understanding The Dosing Process For Medical Marijuana
If you have recently been prescribed medical marijuana, it's time to figure out the dosing that's going to work well for your condition. Unfortunately, that dosing can be a bit unpredictable. If you've never used marijuana before, it can be even more challenging. Before you visit a medical cannabis patient center, here are a few things that you need to consider to get your dosing right.
Initial Dosing Is an Estimate
When you get your medical marijuana card, your doctor may give you a recommended dosing range. This is an estimate based upon your condition, your body structure, and an average strain of marijuana. You can use this as a starting point, or you can talk with someone at the dispensary about the specific recommendations for the strain that you've purchased.
Dosing Varies by Strain
The effective dosage for your medical marijuana product is going to vary from one strain to another. That's because the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration in each strain is slightly different. Strains with a higher THC concentration will require less of the product for the same effect. The lower the THC concentration, the more you'll need to get relief.
Dosing Varies by Your Sensitivity
Another thing that can affect your marijuana dosing is your body's natural sensitivity. Some people are more sensitive to the effects of marijuana, so it won't take nearly as much of it to achieve the same effects as it would for someone who isn't as sensitive.
The Right Dose Takes Experimentation
When you first start your medical marijuana, you will have to experiment a bit to get the dose that's right for you. Start with a small amount and see how you feel afterward. If you are smoking, you'll feel the effects within a couple of minutes, but if you use edibles, it can take an hour or so before you feel it. If you don't get the benefit you're hoping for, try using a little bit more the next time. Keep doing this until you figure out how much is the right amount for your needs.
Keep in mind that any time you change strains of marijuana, you'll have to do this again. Make sure you keep track of the THC concentration of each strain so that you know how to adjust your dosing. The representatives at your medical marijuana dispensary can help you with the THC concentration information each time you pick up your prescription, so take the time to talk with them.