How to Become a Medical Marijuana Patient

Diseases: Cancer, Glaucoma, HIV

Conditions: Cachexia, severe pain, severe nausea, seizures, including those that are characteristic of epilepsy, persistent muscle spasms, including those that are characteristic of multiple sclerosis

Some diseases that can cause qualifying conditions include: Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, PTSD, Insomnia and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

How do I get my Colorado Medical Marijuana card?

NaturaLeaf can help you complete the steps in necessary to complete the Medical Marijuana Application process. These steps include:

• • Consulting with your doctor determine if your ailment is treatable with medical cannabis and fits within the State of Colorado guidelines. Although it is the least expensive option, many family and pain management doctors do not wish to approve their patients for Medical Cannabis. If you find this is the case with your regular doctor, NaturaLeaf can refer you to a professional Pain Management Doctor. Please give us a call or fill out the form on the right for more information.
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  • After your doctor recommends you for Medical Cannabis, you will need to complete the medical marijuana registry  application  to receive your identification card.
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  • Before you complete the application, you have to decide between these five options:(1) choose to produce medicine for themselves;(2) choose a caregiver;(3) choose a center (NaturaLeaf is an option);(4) choose caregiver and self (which means the patient can grow 6 plants and caregiver can grow 6 plants) please note: A CAREGIVER CAN ONLY CARE FOR 5 PEOPLE WITHOUT SPECIAL PERMISSION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE;(5) choose center and self (which means the patient can grow 6 plants and  the center they choose  can grow 6 plants) this option allows the patient to shop at any center in the state of Colorado but only the chosen center has the right to grow six plants in that patients name.Whichever option you choose, NaturaLeaf can assist you, from growing classes to strain selection to edibles.
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  • If you choose NaturaLeaf as your Center, we will notarize their state application and help you obtain the required certified mail for proof of submittal.

After the doctor referral, every aspect of the process can be handled by NaturaLeaf.

How do I know which strain is the best?

You and your caregiver will review your ailments and discuss your needs. For more information about how medical marijuana can help with specific conditions and diseases, please see our Ailment Guide . For a generalinformation about marijuana, please see History of Medical Marijuana . To determine the best medical marijuana strain for you, it is important to understand the differences between the two main strains:  Sativa  and  Indica . NaturaLeaf has extensive knowledgeable about which strain is best for your condition.

Should I smoke or eat the medicinal cannabis?

Several of the active ingredients in cannabis are extractable in fat and alcohol. These extracts can be used in edibles, such as baked goods, and topicals, such as tinctures, and lotions and can be made into other forms for those that have respiratory issues preventing them from smoking cannabis.

Are there any side effects?

• • Medical cannabis may cause dizziness due to lowered blood pressure.
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  • Medical cannabis may cause a decrease in coordination or thinking skills while medicated
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  • Medical cannabis may increase heart rate and/or blood pressure initially which may be problematic for patients with heart conditions or severe anxiety
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  • Effects vary from person to person and should be monitored and discussed with your caregiver

What should I not do after using medical cannabis?

It is advisable that you follow these suggested guidelines:

• • Medical cannabis mixed with alcohol may cause vomiting or nausea
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  • When ingesting medical cannabis, begin with small bites and wait for your reaction
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  • Heavy smoking may lead to respiratory infection or potential harm
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  • Do not drive a vehicle or operate machinery

What is the difference between ingesting and smoking?

• • Smoking-effects are generally felt within the first 10 minutes and may last from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Smoking methods included rolled cigarettes, pipes, water-pipes, ice-pipes and vaporizers. NaturaLeaf can help you with your choices.
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  • Ingesting/Edibles-effects may be felt within 30 minutes and last up to 8 hours. Effects may take longer if the stomach is full and may vary depending on your metabolism.
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  • Topicals-effects may vary depending on the strain used for preparation

How can Medical Marijuana help treatable illnesses and ailments?

• • In Alzheimer’s patients it may prevent the formation of Alzheimer’s plaques
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  • In Arthritis sufferers it may work as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory
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  • For Asthma suffers it may open airways to the lungs
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  • In brain cancer patients it may reduce tumors and kills cancer cells
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  • In breast and lung cancer it may stop the cancer from spreading
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  • May brighten the mood in those with depression
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  • May reduce eye pressure for those with Glaucoma
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  • Head injury sufferers may have experience the benefit of neuro-protective properties and speedier recovery time
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  • In HIV patients it may reduce neuropathic pain, improve appetite and aide in sleep
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  • Hypertension sufferers may find it lowers blood pressure
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  • A non-addictive pain killer for chronic pain patients
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  • It may regulate the effects of some diagnosed with A.D. D.
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  • In Fibromyalgia patients, it may increase appetite, act as a pain reducer, fight nausea, and act as a sleep aide
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  • For those with spinal cord injured it may reduce muscle spasms, improve appetite and relieve