MS is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that results in severe disabling symptoms such as muscle stiffness, pain, and tiredness.
However, for many patients, medical marijuana offers the most relief from the symptoms traditional medications cannot offer. Currently, in Connecticut, MS is among the list of conditions that give patients access to cannabis for the management of their symptoms.
MS patients are allowed to use medical marijuana, and in this article, we will look at the procedures for getting a medical marijuana card in Connecticut. In this paper, we will explain when people can be approved for telemedicine, how the process of getting approval for telemedicine works, and how telemedicine can make this process easier.
We will also look at the role that medical marijuana plays in fighting MS and how this affects the patients who are in need of a natural way of handling the symptoms they experience.
Why Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Use Marijuana
Multiple sclerosis affects patients in different ways and has the potential to greatly limit their quality of life. Some of these symptoms can be managed by medical marijuana, giving the MS patient a better overall treatment plan.
Common Symptoms of MS That Medical Marijuana Can Help Ease
- Muscle Spasms: Amongst the signs of multiple sclerosis, spasticity – the involuntary muscle contractions – is probably the most staggering; it causes pain and discomfort. These spasms can be minimized and/or eased by using medical marijuana.
- Chronic Pain: MS has symptoms of nerve pain, and patients may feel uncomfortable with the nerve pain they feel. Cannabis is also effective in reducing pain; this is good news because it eliminates the use of opioids for pain relief.
- Fatigue: Fatigue is one of the more disabling symptoms of MS that influences the activities of a patient. Although the subject of research is still emerging, some patients say that the use of medical marijuana has beneficial effects on fatigue.
- Sleep Issues: MS patients have sleeping disorders caused by pain or tight muscles during the night. Cannabis helps in case of stress and insomnia.
MS patients should take medical marijuana to manage these symptoms in a bid to live a better quality of life.
Qualifications That You Need to Fulfil to Qualify for Medical Marijuana Card in Connecticut For MS
People with MS are legally allowed to apply for medical marijuana in Connecticut. The state has approved the use of medical marijuana for MS, among other conditions, to enable the patient to access cannabis for symptom management’s.
In addition to MS, Connecticut’s medical marijuana program includes conditions such as:
People with MS have the right to acquire a medical marijuana card as soon as they get a recommendation from the certified healthcare provider online.
The Step-by-Step Process to Obtain a Marijuana Card for MS
Obtaining a medical marijuana card in Connecticut is very easy for patients suffering from MS in Connecticut. Here is the next guide that provides detailed information about the process of application.
Step 1: Book A Telemedicine Consultation
The first thing that one has to do in order to get a medical marijuana card is to have a consultation with a certified medical marijuana doctor. Telemedicine has really favored this process because clients can book appointments with doctors without needing to physically get to the hospital. This is especially advantageous for MS patients who potentially have motor difficulties, as highlighted in the earlier study.
For a proper telemedicine consultation, the provider would look into your health and previous and current medications. If they agree to the use of medical marijuana as a means of controlling your MS symptoms, then they shall afford you a recommendation.
Step 2: Get Your Marijuana Recommendation
Depending on the outcome of the examination, which determines whether you can use marijuana for medical purposes, the healthcare provider will provide a recommendation. This recommendation is important to continue with your application of medical marijuana card.
Telemedicine consultations are available in Connecticut for $179 for the first time and for $149 per year.
Step 3: If you would like to apply online and submit an application of your own, then the link for this is;
Once you’ve got a marijuana recommendation, you can submit your own application using the DCP online application in Connecticut. You will need to provide:
- Driver’s license or state ID as a way to prove the identity.
- Affidavit of Residency of Connecticut
- Healthcare Providers recommendation of marijuana
Applying online for your own benefit is convenient while eliminating the paper chase and taking it in person.
Step 4: Follow the mentioned steps: Wait for Approval and Receive Your Card
After you submit your application, the DCP will consider the information you provided. If your application is approved, you will be issued your medical marijuana card. This card enables you to buy medical cannabis from legal stores in Connecticut to treat your MS signs.
How Medical Marijuana Beneficial to MS Patients
Marijuana is helpful in the management of most of the complications encountered in patients with MS and could be used as a natural therapeutic remedy to chemicals.
Muscle Spasms and Pain Relief
Muscle torsion and neuropathic pain are common symptoms exhibited by MS individuals and also caused by nerve damage. Medical marijuana has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, potentially relieving muscle rigidity and pain instead of using opioids to do so.
Improving Sleep Quality
In MS, a significant proportion of patients experience sleep disturbances mostly attributed to pain or discomfort. Cannabis helps in reducing anxiety, and patients complaining of sleep disorders can easily have a great night’s sleep and their quality of life enhanced.
Mood and Anxiety Management
Dealing with everyday life and having MS often results in anxiety and depression in the person suffering. Since anxiety and mood are perfected when using medical marijuana, it will enable the patients to cope with the nature of emotions that accompanies the disease.
Medical Marijuana for MS – Connecticut Outlook
looking at the future of Medical Marijuana in Connecticut, MS patients are getting more and more benefits from cannabis for symptom relief.
The growth of telemedicine and more studies regarding medical marijuana and neurological diseases, including the ones mentioned, make patients expand the opportunities for alternative treatments.
As research on medical marijuana becomes more compelling for MS, the future is bright for patients who wish to take cannabis for symptom control.
Conclusion:
To some MS patients in Connecticut, medical marijuana is an effective means of combating or mitigating the effects of muscle spasms, chronic pain, and other sleep disorders.
Thanks to telemedicine, it has become totally easy to get a medical marijuana card. Patients can consult with marijuana-specialized healthcare professionals online, get a recommendation for marijuana use, and apply for a medical marijuana card without leaving their house.
If you think using medical cannabis for the treatment of your MS could be of benefit, book a telemedicine appointment to speak with a licensed healthcare provider right now.
Telemedicine has made consultation possible and relatively cheap for patients due to the $179 pricing of the new consultations and $149 for annual consultations. You don’t have to endure such symptoms any longer and take the first step towards a much better quality of life today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What conditions qualify for a medical marijuana card in Connecticut?
Conditions like MS, chronic pain, cancer, epilepsy, PTSD, and Crohn’s disease qualify for a medical marijuana card.
How much does a telemedicine consultation for a marijuana recommendation cost?
A telemedicine consultation in Connecticut costs $179 for new patients and $149 for yearly renewals.
How do I apply for a medical marijuana card after receiving a recommendation?
After receiving a recommendation from a certified healthcare provider, you can submit your application through the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) website.
How long does it take to receive a medical marijuana card after applying?
Once your application is approved, you should receive your medical marijuana card within a few weeks.
Can medical marijuana help manage MS symptoms?
Yes, medical marijuana can help alleviate symptoms such as muscle spasms, chronic pain, and sleep disturbances, improving the quality of life for MS patients.
