Events Calendar

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2014 OSEHRA Open Source Summit: Global Collaboration in Health IT
2014-09-03 - 2014-09-05    
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
OSEHRA is an alliance of corporations, agencies, and individuals dedicated to advancing the state of the art in open source electronic health record (EHR) systems [...]
Connected Health Summit
2014-09-04    
All Day
The inaugural Connected Health Summit: Engaging Consumers is the only event focused exclusively on the consumer-focused perspective of the fast-growing digital health/connected health market. The [...]
Health Impact MidWest
2014-09-08    
All Day
The HealthIMPACT Forum is where health system C-Suite Executives meet.  Designed by and for health system leaders like you, it provides an unmatched faculty of [...]
Simulation Summit 2014
2014-09-11    
All Day
Hilton Toronto Downtown | September 11 - 12, 2014 Meeting Location Hilton Toronto Downtown 145 Richmond Street West Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2L2, CANADA Tel: 416-869-3456 [...]
Webinar : EHR: Demand Results!
2014-09-11    
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm
09/11/14 | 2:00 - 2:45 PM ET If you are using an EHR, you deserve the best solution for your money. You need to demand [...]
Healthcare Electronic Point of Service: Automating Your Front Office
2014-09-11    
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
09/11/14 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM ET Start capitalizing on customer convenience trends today! Today’s healthcare reimbursement models put a greater financial risk on healthcare [...]
e-Patient Connections 2014
2014-09-15    
All Day
e-Patient Connections 2014 Follow Us! @ePatCon2014 Join in the Conversation at #ePatCon The Internet, social media platforms and mobile health applications are enabling patients to take an [...]
Free Webinar - Don’t Be Denied: Avoiding Billing and Coding Errors
2014-09-16    
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Tuesday, September 16, 2014 1:00 PM Eastern / 10:00 AM Pacific   Stopping the denial on an individual claim is just the first step. Smart [...]
Health 2.0 Fall Conference 2014
2014-09-21    
12:00 am
We’re back in Santa Clara on September 21-24, 2014 and once again bringing together the best and brightest speakers, newest product demos, and top networking opportunities for [...]
Healthcare Analytics Summit 14
2014-09-24    
All Day
Transforming Healthcare Through Analytics Join top executives and professionals from around the U.S. for a memorable educational summit on the incredibly pressing topic of Healthcare [...]
AHIMA 2014 Convention
2014-09-27    
All Day
As the most extensive exposition in the industry, the AHIMA Convention and Exhibit attracts decision makers and influencers in HIM and HIT. Last year in [...]
2014 Annual Clinical Coding Meeting
2014-09-27    
12:00 am
Event Type: Meeting HIM Domain: Coding Classification and Reimbursement Continuing Education Units Available: 10 Location: San Diego, CA Venue: San Diego Convention Center Faculty: TBD [...]
AHIP National Conferences on Medicare & Medicaid
2014-09-28    
All Day
Balancing your organization’s short- and long-term needs as you navigate the changes in the Medicare and Medicaid programs can be challenging. AHIP’s National Conferences on Medicare [...]
A Behavioral Health Collision At The EHR Intersection
2014-09-30    
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Date/Time Date(s) - 09/30/2014 2:00 pm Hear Why Many Organizations Are Changing EHRs In Order To Remain Competitive In The New Value-Based Health Care Environment [...]
Meaningful Use and The Rise of the Portals
2014-10-02    
12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Meaningful Use and The Rise of the Portals: Best Practices in Patient Engagement Thu, Oct 2, 2014 10:30 PM - 11:15 PM IST Join Meaningful [...]
Events on 2014-09-04
Connected Health Summit
4 Sep 14
San Diego
Events on 2014-09-08
Health Impact MidWest
8 Sep 14
Chicago
Events on 2014-09-15
e-Patient Connections 2014
15 Sep 14
New York
Events on 2014-09-21
Health 2.0 Fall Conference 2014
21 Sep 14
Santa Clara
Events on 2014-09-24
Healthcare Analytics Summit 14
24 Sep 14
Salt Lake City
Events on 2014-09-27
AHIMA 2014 Convention
27 Sep 14
San Diego
Events on 2014-09-28
Events on 2014-09-30
Events on 2014-10-02
Articles

5 Things To Consider Before Switching To Medical Cannabis

medical cannabis

5 Things To Consider Before Switching To Medical Cannabis

Living with a chronic health condition is challenging, and the woes go beyond pain and discomfort. The cost of treatment and long-term side effects of medication are equally daunting. Fortunately, alternative therapies like medical cannabis can come to your rescue and change your life for the better. But everything boils down to using it the right way so that you can maximize the benefits. It is natural to be apprehensive about switching to medicinal cannabis because it was initially a recreational aid. But the legal status and medical research have changed the reputation over the years. Here are some things you must consider before switching to this alternative therapy.

Ensure the legal status of your state

Before you consider the idea of embracing this therapy, you need to ensure legality. Medical cannabis is now legal across many states in the US, so check your status before going ahead. Just ensuring legal status is not enough. Check other regulations as your legitimate age, qualifying medical conditions, and quantities you can buy and possess. It is easy to access the right products and be on the right side of the law if you cover all these fronts.

Find a medical marijuana specialist

Even if you live in a legal state, you cannot walk into a dispensary straightaway and start shopping. You will need a medical marijuana card which comes only after you get a recommendation from a specialist. The card registers you as a medical user, although it is optional in some states. But it still makes sense to get a doctor’s recommendation for products and dosing.

Choose the right product and method

Once you have a valid recommendation and medical marijuana card, you can switch to this therapy. At this stage, you will have to choose the right product and consumption method. Vaping is ideal if you want quick results for conditions like chronic pain, insomnia, and anxiety. You can explore an online smoke shop such as KING’s Pipe for understanding device options. Your doctor will suggest the right product and strain for treating your specific health issue. Conversely, you can opt for edibles if you want sustainable outcomes that last.

Not all cannabis is the same

As a beginner, you will probably believe that all cannabis products are the same. But the truth is different. Medical cannabis products are CBD-dominant because CBD is the healing compound that treats health issues. The recreational variants are THC-dominant, so they are more likely to get you high rather than heal. THC is the psychoactive component, making these products unfit for therapeutic use.

Know the apt dosage

Apart from skipping the THC-rich products, you also need to know the apt dosage. It becomes even more critical if you plan to use the therapy for the long haul. Your doctor will recommend the dosage depending on factors like your health condition, body weight, age, gender, and metabolism. But you must follow the rule of low and slow even with medicinal products. Listen to your body and understand your tolerance levels to find your sweet spot.
You will be more confident and comfortable while starting with medical cannabis once you sort out these factors. Keep them in mind, and you can get the best outcomes without any apprehensions.