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Florida Medical Marijuana Doctors

Physician Education

DocMJ is one of the largest networks
of Medical Cannabis physicians.

Our mission is to deliver compassionate care to patients searching for relief. Our goal is to support patients in accessing the tools they need to live happy and healthy lives. Since medical marijuana was legalized in Florida, Ohio and Texas, there have been questions, fears, and misinformation surrounding the benefits, risks and legal implications. At DocMJ, we have over 40 physicians in more than 30 locations throughout Florida alone and have excellent Telemedicine physicians in both Ohio and Texas. All our physicians are dedicated to alleviating these fears, providing clarity, and helping qualify patients in need of medical marijuana.

 

Medical marijuana is a resource that physicians can offer patients suffering from chronic illnesses. If you are a physician in Florida, Ohio or Texas and have a patient that may benefit from medical marijuana use, they can schedule a no risk appointment online.

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Medical Marijuana

The medical benefits of marijuana have been documented for thousands of years. However, it is only in the past few decades that science and medicine have started to understand more clearly how this medicine works and the incredible benefits.

Marijuana contains hundreds of cannabinoids, but the two primary active compounds with medicinal properties are THC and CBD.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the more well-known cannabinoid as it gives a psychotropic “high” feeling, but it also has numerous medicinal effects when taken with the other cannabinoids in the plant. These effects include: pain relief, reduced inflammation, drowsiness, sense of well-being, and appetite stimulation. Many patients report significant improvements with chronic pain, nausea, mental health concerns including anxiety and increased appetite as well as anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, and other therapeutic effects.

Cannabidiol (CBD)

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the other primary cannabinoid, known for delivering therapeutic benefits without producing psychotropic effects. Over the past few years of research, our knowledge of CBD and its medicinal benefits has grown and expanded to include more therapeutic uses than before. CBD has been associated with reducing inflammation, seizure frequency, muscle spasms, anxiety, and pain. More recently, the FDA approved a synthetically produced CBD for the treatment of seizures.

Endocannabinoid system: CB1 and CB2

The endocannabinoid system is made up of 2 endogenous (primary) cannabinoids: 2ag and anandamide. These bind to CB1 and CB2 receptors located in the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, immune system, and gastrointestinal lymphatic system. Activation of the CB1 and CB2 receptors by our endogenous cannabinoids can modulate mood, memory, appetite, and pain-sensation in the body, revealing the importance of this system in human physiology. Surprisingly, this has only been recently discovered over the last 20 years.

CB1 receptors

CB1 receptors have been isolated predominantly in the central nervous system, specifically within the basal ganglia and the limbic system, including the hippocampus. They are also found in the cerebellum and in both male and female reproductive systems. CB1 receptors are absent in the medulla oblongata, which is the part of the brain stem responsible for respiratory and cardiovascular functions. Thus, there is not a risk of respiratory or cardiovascular failure as there are with many other drugs. CB1 receptor activation is responsible for the euphoric and anticonvulsive effects of cannabis. They have been identified on the presynaptic neurons, and receptor activation via allosteric binding, resulting in modulation of neurotransmitters. Examples of this process include inhibition of the release of glutamate and GABA. Activation of receptors modulates neurotransmitter release in a manner that prevents excessive neuronal activity, reducing pain and inflammation.

CB2 receptors

CB2 receptors have been isolated on monocytes, macrophages, B Cells, and T Cells of the immune system as well as the peripheral nervous system. CB2 receptor activation appears to be responsible for anti-inflammatory effects by binding with the TRVP-1, a protein receptor couple responsible for regulating body temperature, pain, and inflammation.

Activation of CB2 receptors appears to modulate the intestinal inflammatory response, gut motility, and analgesic effects in the peripheral nervous system.

Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) activation of CB1 and CB2 receptors influences biochemical pathways resulting in the following physiologic effects:

  • Serotonin – activating 5-HT1A serotonin release
  • Vanilloid receptors
    • impacting pain perception, inflammation, body temp GPR55
    • orphan receptor antagonist
    • Cerebellum – modulating blood pressure and bone density
    • Inhibiting osteoclast function and bone reabsorption, inhibiting cancer proliferation
  • PPARs – anti proliferative effect and tumor regression, degrades amyloid plaques, insulin sensitivity, and lipid uptake
  • Anandamide reuptake and breakdown inhibitor
  • Negative allosteric modulator of CB1 – changing CB1 conformation that weakens THC’s binding affinity

Potential
Side Effects

Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is unlikely but possible. Although the majority of patients experience an antiemetic effect with cannabis, there are a small percentage of patients where cannabis causes nausea and vomiting. These symptoms resolve with cessation.

Medical cannabis does not influence the respiratory centers of the brain. Despite its widespread use over the last 3,000 years, there have been no known reported deaths from cannabis use. Medical cannabis has been shown to have a low dependency potential when compared to alcohol, nicotine, and opioids.

Contraindications:

  • Active psychosis
  • Pregnancy and/or Lactation