My Journey into the World of Marijuana
The side effects of Lyme disease became unbearable and scary.
In today’s culture, marijuana has become so mainstream that mentioning the name hardly gets you a head-turn anymore. While its ability to remedy numerous health conditions has been something of knowledge for a long time, having the ability to obtain and use it legally has been slow going.
So how did I get a medical marijuana card? I’ve suffered from chronic migraines for quite some time now — after having been diagnosed with
Lymes — and recently they’re much worse.
I’ve tried preventative medications with different abortive medications for active migraines. Still, I’ve found no relief.
Not only was the migraine pain getting worse, but the neurological side effects I was having with them was becoming unbearable and scary. After seeing multiple doctors and discussing the treatments, they decided that I’d be a good candidate for medical marijuana.
I was referred by a pain management doctor to another neurologist with a script recommending me for the medical marijuana program. With his evaluation and my medical records from my other neurologists, he agreed that I’d greatly benefit from this method of treatment.
The doctor submitted his portion of the application with his recommendation for the treatment of chronic migraine and anxiety. I went online and completed the rest. After a background check and my registration fee, I was approved and received my license in the mail the next week.
While medical marijuana has been legalized in the state of NJ (with a prescription), it’s not covered by insurance and it’s currently a cash-only transaction.
However, you can only get the amount prescribed to you by your medical provider. I’m allowed 3 oz. a month, but I don’t need to purchase the whole amount at once. And I’m not restricted in the form of cannabis I choose to buy.
For instance, I can buy a vape cartridge, flower, topical oil, lozenges, lollipops, or any of the other form. Each one is different and has different effects.
Sativa blends are more uplifting and better to use during the day, while Indica blends have a more sedative effect and are better to use in the evening. In addition to CBD, there’s CBG, which is used for relieving inflammation and fluid/pressure behind the eyes.
The vape cartridges — with high THC levels — have their own benefits. Vaping is discrete as you can smoke on a little pen battery, and it doesn’t produce a devil’s-lettuce smell that alerts everyone around.
In the end, it comes down to your individual needs and what blend complements your daily responsibilities.
