Medical marijuana has been used for many years to help patients who may suffer from pain and other ailments. While still controversial in some states and countries, medical marijuana and over the counter products like mood gummies do have their benefits for those who use them.. Unfortunately according to the CDC, 52.5 million people used it illegally in the USA in 2021. According to Pew Research, nine out of 10 people said it should be legalized for medical and recreational use across all of America.
These days, accessing medical marijuana has become a lot easier than it was before. With new advancements in technology, patients are able to access medical marijuana and manage their dosage for safer long term use. In this article, we’ll talk about how technology is shaping the way people access medical marijuana.
Telemedicine
Healthcare industries right across the world have been revolutionized by telehealth medicine. The medical marijuana industry is no exception to this with telemedicine making it a lot easier for patients to connect with professionals remotely to gain their prescriptions. Some of the benefits of using telemedicine for medical marijuana includes but isn’t limited to:
- More accessibility: Patients who live in rural areas have the ability to connect with specialists in the medical marijuana field and are able to obtain prescriptions a lot easier without having to travel long distances.
- Convenience: Patients have the ability to schedule consultations at their earliest convenience which can help when they may require top up dosages or a new prescription.
- Reduced stigma: Telemedicine helps to reduce the stigma of discussing the use of marijuana in a face to face situation. Telemedicine helps to provide a more discreet option for those who may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable talking about the use of medical marijuana.
Telemedicine can help to bridge the gap between certain patient and doctor barriers. Virtual consultations generally involve the use of a secure messaging platform which enables healthcare providers to access patient files and report remotely along with discussing the treatment plan for medical marijuana use. Telemedicine has a higher rate of engaging patients easier when medical marijuana is involved.
Online Dispensaries and Medical Card Access
With the rise of e-commerce, patients have the ability to access medical marijuana easier. Some of the ways they can do this through technology includes:
- Ecommerce platforms: Online dispensaries give patients the ability to search a number of marijuana based products including topicals, edibles, and oils. Patients can easily compare prices, read reviews and access important product information so they can make an informed decision.
- Medical cards: Medical marijuana can’t be used without medical cards. These days online platforms have the ability to allow patients to get in touch with a specialist like Leafy Doc Minnesota in order to gain access to a medical marijuana card. This makes it simple and fast without the need for visiting a registered medical card provider.
Digital Health Platforms
Digital health platforms are becoming a more important role in the management of medical marijuana access. Digital platforms offer a number of services which can help benefit patients when it comes to the prescription and delivery process. Some digital health platform options include:
Patient Portals
Patient portals help to provide a central area where individuals can manage their healthcare needs. Some of the features of these portals are:
- Prescription management: Patients have the ability to view and track their prescriptions and refills.
- Educational resources: Many portals contain additional resources about medical marijuana which help patients make informed choices about their treatment options.
- Health records: Access to medical histories and test results help the treating specialist make more informed decisions.
- E-Prescribing: E-prescribing is the process of allowing healthcare providers to prescribe medical marijuana electronically to dispensaries via portals. E-prescribing offers lower risks for errors and can help to speed up the process of a patient gaining their prescription faster. This means patients are able to access their medication easier for faster relief.
Patient portals provide a great way for all important information to stay central so patients and treating doctors can maintain and view important information.
Mobile Application for Patient Engagement
Mobile health applications have become popular in recent years to help with the management of medical marijuana use. These apps enhance patient care by allowing them to stay on track and adhere to the treatment plan. Some mobile applications which help patients include:
- Dosage Tracking
Mobile apps have the ability to allow users to track their dosages and consumption times. This helps patients to understand what works best for their conditions and understand when the best time to take their medical marijuana is. These apps can generally:
- Track times and days to ensure you’re taking the marijuana at the right time.
- Allow for information to be sent to emails to ensure you can share your process with health care providers.
- May provide an alarm of when it’s time to take the next dose.
Dosage trackers are great for those who may need to keep a closer track on their dosage rates.
- Side Effects and Symptom Trackers
Some health technology apps allow you to track your symptoms and side effects after taking the medical marijuana. These mobile applications allow you to:
- Add what symptom you’re feeling and at what time after the dose was taken.
- Share information and email it to your respective doctor so they’re aware of your symptoms.
Sometimes side effects can be caused by the dosage being too strong. This is where these mobile applications will help to readdress whether a different dosage is needed.
Endnote
Medical marjuana has been helping people for many years, and with the new advancements in healthcare technology, many patients are finding access to it has become easier and less complicated. Before using medical maijuana, it’s important to remember to check the rules and regulations of use in your country and state to ensure you’re abiding by the law.
