Do Doctors Prescribe Cannabis?

Doctors don’t “prescribe” cannabis (AKA weed). Rather, they’re able to recommend medical marijuana (MMJ) to patients with qualifying conditions in states where it’s legal. That said, FDA-approved cannabinoid-based medications like Epidiolex, Marinol, and Syndros can be prescribed.

Many patients turn to medical cannabis when seeking an alternative to mainstream prescription medications. However, patients require an MMJ card to purchase medical marijuana from specialized medical-only dispensaries. Both adult-use and recreational cannabis are legal in the state of Arizona, but the rules surrounding purchase and possession are different.

Can My Doctor Prescribe Medical Marijuana in Arizona?

Arizona doctors can't prescribe cannabis in the way they would prescribe an FDA-approved drug. This is because its classification under federal law limits traditional prescribing norms. 

That is also the reason why doctors who work for Veterans Affairs (as a federal agency) are not able to prescribe medical marijuana to veterans who reside in Arizona, even though marijuana has been legalized at the state level.

Proposition 200, passed in Arizona in 1996, states that: 

“Any medical doctor licensed to practice in Arizona may prescribe a controlled substance included in Schedule I of §36-2512 to treat a disease, or to relieve the pain and suffering of a seriously ill patient or terminally ill patient” (ADS 1996) (page 5 of the PDF)

What this means in practice is that state-licensed medical professionals in Arizona can recommend cannabis to patients with specific qualifying conditions. However, if the physician works for the federal government, certifying a patient may carry employment risks.

Certification for medical cannabis is based on a clinical evaluation carried out by a medical professional. He or she will take into account factors like your medical history, symptoms, and qualifying condition criteria before granting or denying MMJ certification. Certification allows the patient to apply for or renew their medical marijuana card through the Arizona Medical Marijuana Program.

FDA-Approved Cannabinoid Medications vs Medical Marijuana

A few FDA-approved cannabinoid-based medications can be legally prescribed. This is because they're standardized pharmaceutical drugs that have undergone clinical trials for safety, dosing, and effectiveness. Examples include:

• Epidiolex: A CBD-based medication for certain seizure disorders

• Marionol and Syndros: Medications containing synthetic THC (dronabinol) for nausea and appetite loss

MMJ products sold in dispensaries, like flower, edibles, and concentrates, aren't FDA-approved. These products vary in potency and formulation. Doctors therefore recommend them under state programs rather than “prescribing” them.

How Do Doctors Evaluate Patients for a MMJ Card in Arizona?

Doctors like ours evaluate patients by reviewing medical records or performing a physical exam to confirm a qualifying condition. The process is completed in three simple steps:

1. Patients book an appointment with one of the clinic's licensed physicians. This can be done in-office or online.

2. The physician will review medical records from the past 12 months that show diagnosis or treatment for a qualifying condition. Patients without medical records may undergo a physical examination to diagnose pain-related conditions. A physical evaluation must be performed every two years.

3. If the doctor confirms a qualifying condition, they complete the official Medical Marijuana Certification form. The patient must then submit it to the Arizona Department of Health within 90 days. The best clinics help their patients submit this application.

What Happens After Receiving an MMJ Card?

Once approved for an MMJ card, patients enjoy medical purchase and possession limits and are exempt from paying the 16 percent excise tax on recreational marijuana sales. Patients are advised to work with their doctor to create a personalized treatment plan for their qualifying condition. 

Doctors will take into account any medications you’re already taking to avoid drug interactions. They will also recommend the best ways to consume cannabis based on your personal circumstances. Patients in Arizona must renew their MMJ cards every two years.

Qualifying Conditions for an MMJ Card in Arizona

There are currently 14 qualifying conditions in Arizona:

• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

• Alzheimer's Disease

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

• Cachexia or wasting syndrome

• Cancer

• Crohn's Disease

• Glaucoma

• Hepatitis C

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

• Severe and Chronic Pain

• Severe Nausea

• Persistent Muscle Spasms

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Seizures

Please note that qualifying conditions vary by state.

What Are the Therapeutic Benefits of Medical Cannabis?

Medical marijuana’s therapeutic potential is widely recognized. Patients consume it to manage pain, relieve symptoms of chronic diseases like cancer and HIV/AIDS, and ease life-altering conditions like seizures or muscle spasms. Common uses among MMJ patients include:

• Pain relief: Research has shown cannabis to possess anti-inflammatory effects. This makes it a potentially effective treatment for pain caused by inflammatory conditions like arthritis. A review of the efficacy of cannabinoids in chronic pain management also reported cannabis as an effective treatment of neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, cancer-related pain, and multiple sclerosis-related spasticity.

• Managing symptoms of mood or trauma-related disorders: Cannabis is well known anecdotally as a great way to relax. Research has also shown MMJ's potential to alleviate anxiety and improve sleep. 

• Reducing nausea and vomiting: Sickness and vomiting are common side effects of treatments like chemotherapy. Research has shown that some strains are useful in both reducing nausea and improving appetite and weight gain.

• Seizure control: An FDA-approved purified CBD extract called Epidiolex is prescribed for severe epilepsy syndromes like Dravet syndrome. Many of the best strains for seizures are high in CBD.

Advantages of Purchasing MMJ With a Medical Marijuana Card

Purchasing cannabis with an MMJ card offers several advantages over self-medicating with adult-use marijuana. These include:

• Legal access to medical-only dispensaries: An MMJ card is the only legal way to access cannabis products at licensed MMJ dispensaries. These products are tested and labeled for accurate dosing.

• Higher possession limits: MMJ patients can purchase up to 2.5 ounces every two weeks. The legal possession limit for recreational weed is one ounce in Arizona.

• Reduced taxes: MMJ cardholders in Arizona are exempt from Arizona's 16 percent excise tax.

Improved quality control and greater possession limits are two of the main differences between medical and recreational weed in Arizona and many other states. Remember, you can only take advantage of the full range of benefits if you have an up-to-date MMJ card.

FAQs

Is Medical Marijuana Legal?

Medical marijuana is currently legal in 38 states. However, medical marijuana laws vary by state. Cannabis remains illegal at the federal level and is regulated as a Schedule I substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. This means you can’t transport MMJ across state lines, even between states where it’s legal.

Does MMJ Impact the Efficacy of Other Prescription Drugs?

Medical cannabis may affect how some prescription medications work. Compounds in the cannabis sativa plant, like THC and CBD, could interact with other drugs and impact how they're processed or the side effects they have. 

Navigate MMJ Access in Arizona With Confidence

Medical cannabis is a valuable treatment option for patients with qualifying conditions when used under medical guidance. Doctors' evaluations and recommendations ensure patients access medical cannabis safely and legally.

An MMJ card is the first step toward obtaining an effective alternative treatment for your condition, helping you manage your symptoms and improving your quality of life.