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Now that medical marijuana is legal in Missouri, it’s a great time to talk to the senior citizen in your life about whether or not they could benefit from a Missouri medical marijuana card. Cannabis hasn’t been an option for most of their lifetime, and you’ll want to be prepared to give them a full picture of the benefits of medical marijuana.
Since the invention of color television, the American public has been fed a steady rhetoric that paints marijuana in a negative light. Many senior citizens still harbor a bias due to decades of misinformation.
Here are some tips on how to prepare to discuss medical marijuana with the senior citizen in your life:
Be Prepared.
The more knowledgeable you are going into this conversation, the more likely you are to make the case that medical marijuana could be a viable option. Know about the symptoms they are dealing with and the side effects of any medications they are currently using. Be ready to compare those to the benefits of cannabis use.
Listen.
Be prepared to listen to their concerns and validate their feelings. The best way to explain the benefits of cannabis is to hear where resistance is coming from, and respond from a place of empathy. They will be more likely to hear what you have to say if they know it’s coming from a desire to make their life easier.
DON’T wait to talk about medical marijuana.
Don’t put off having a conversation. especially if the senior citizen in your life is in pain. The sooner you have this conversation, the sooner they can get relief.
DON’T assume their resistance.
Just because someone is older doesn’t necessarily mean they are going to be resistant to medical marijuana. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Although many seniors are hesitant to enjoy the benefits of cannabis, there is also an increasing percentage of the elderly population who are making marijuana part of their daily routine. Chances are, even if they aren’t using cannabis, they have a friend who is.
DO admit that you use marijuana.
This conversation is the perfect time to fess up if you’ve been using medical marijuana and they don’t know about it. This admission may seem awkward, but your first-hand experience with cannabis makes you someone they know who can directly speak to its benefits. Discuss how medical marijuana has improved your life. If it has alleviated depression, anxiety, and/or pain, tell them about this. Explain to them how it has improved your quality of life.
DO NOT let them tell you pain is just part of aging.
Many senior citizens grew up as part of a generation that simply accepted pain as a standard part of getting old. Explain to them that chronic pain is something that marijuana can help alleviate.
DO talk about things they miss.
One of the best ways to convince a senior citizen to give medical marijuana a chance is to talk about the things they miss. Maybe they miss taking walks or visiting with friends or going to church. Find out what’s holding them back and discuss how cannabis may allow them to do those things again.
DO take “NO” for an answer.
Sometimes, no matter how prepared you are, the wall of resistance is too strong. It’s important that you respect their decision. Even though they’re not ready, you may be planting a seed (no pun intended) that causes them to reconsider down the line. You may find that they just need a little time to get used to the idea.
Go marijuana shopping together.
If they decide to try medical marijuana, go with them to a dispensary. Your presence will help the experience to be less overwhelming. While you are there, you can make sure they ask the right questions and understand how to use the cannabis products they take home.
MAKE a PLAN to be there when they try marijuana for the first time.
If they have never experienced marijuana, they may feel uneasy about their first experience. It can be comforting to have someone they trust nearby when they try cannabis for the first time. Plan to be there to walk them through the process.
Help them apply for their medical marijuana card.
In order to enjoy the relief produced by medical marijuana, they’ll need their Missouri medical card. We can help with that! Our doctors can help take them through a quick and easy evaluation process to see if they qualify. Just give us a call at (877) 303-3117 CLICK HERE to schedule an evaluation.
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
At Missouri Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (877) 303-3117, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
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