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New to cannabis? Let Missouri Marijuana Card help you decide which products to try first!
Missouri patients who are curious about how to get a marijuana card don’t have to search for long to find out how simple it is. Once you find a trusted and competent cannabis recommendation provider, you are well on your way to the kind of wellness you’ve been waiting for!
Things start to get a little more complicated, however, after you get your card. Patients are often surprised by the selection of medical marijuana products found at Missouri cannabis dispensaries, which is both exciting and overwhelming.
For many, this is not just their first time being able to purchase marijuana legally, but it is also the first time they have seen products like edibles, vapes and concentrates.
Even if you’ve been exposed to these products before, everyone’s level of experience is a little different. So in this post, we are going to get back to basics, to help you understand the differences between formats, how to start with something new, and what to look for when you’re new to medical marijuana.
Important Note: You Need a Missouri Marijuana Card in Order to Legally Purchase Medical Cannabis in the State
In order to legally purchase medical cannabis in Missouri, you first need to get an evaluation by an approved recommendation provider, then register with the Department of Health and Senior Services. Once your registration is approved, you will get a Missouri marijuana card that allows you to shop for legal marijuana at any dispensary in the Show Me State.
Give us a call at (877) 303-3117 to talk to our patient support experts, or visit us online to schedule an appointment for a Missouri marijuana evaluation today! Once you have your card, you can shop at any dispensary in the state, and many patients can even get cannabis products delivered right to their home.
Things to Keep in Mind When Getting Started With Medical Marijuana
No matter which strains or products you decide to start with, there are some (mostly) universal facts to keep in mind on your new path to wellness.
1.Start Low, Go Slow - Even if You Have a High Tolerance
Even if you have a high tolerance to THC, different strains and products may lead to different results. Keep in mind that medical products might be more potent than products that you are used to from the illicit market.
If you take too much marijuana at once, you can’t undo it. The only thing you can do is wait for the effects to wear off. However, you can always take more if a smaller dose doesn’t do it for you. Remember that you have plenty of time to get your dosing just right.
2. It’s Probably Impossible to Overdose on Marijuana
Despite sensational headlines, no one has ever had “cannabis overdose” as a cause of death. The substances in cannabis do not work on the brainstem in the same way alcohol and opioids do, so it is unlikely that anyone can actually die (or even come close) from an “overdose” of marijuana.
With that in mind, try to relax if you do end up taking too much. To prepare for such an occasion, check out our guide on what to do if you get too high, and how to sober up if you do.
3. Products Higher in CBD Might Counteract the Effects of THC
Products that have a high CBD concentration are generally milder than products with a higher THC concentration. Most people do not feel impaired when they take CBD alone, with the most common side effect being drowsiness. CBD may also counteract the effects of THC, so finding a product with a good balance may be beneficial for beginners.
Smokable Flower, Edibles, Vapes, Tinctures, RSO and FECO: What’s Right for You?
Most of the decision of which medical marijuana product to try first will depend on your personal preferences and your treatment goals. If you have never had any cannabis products before, or if you are only familiar with smokable flower, it may be difficult to know what your preferences are, so we are going to try to help you understand some of the differences between each format.
The Format Everyone Knows (And Some Love): Smokable Marijuana Flower
Missouri dispensaries sell more smokable marijuana flower than any other product on the shelves—and with good reason. It’s cheaper than all the other products, some people love the pungent odor and flavor, and it’s the most familiar way of consuming cannabis.
Smoking gives patients a greater sense of control because it is something most people have tried, and the fast results make it easy to gauge how much to use at one time. There are also more varieties with flower than with any other format, so you can get terpene profiles for almost any preference.
Want something that tastes lemony and wakes you up? Try GMO Cookies from KC Cannabis Company. Need a product that will help you relax and provide pain relief? Try Dark Purple Haze.
Despite the fact that flower is a favorite among plenty of people, there are a few drawbacks. Flower can be inconvenient to prepare for consumption, many are not fans of the way flower smells, and smoking still comes with some hazards, even when it’s marijuana and not cigarettes.
Vape Pens and Cartridges: For Mellow Flavor and Powerful Results
Vaping medical marijuana is a little milder than smoking when it comes to flavor, odor, and how it feels to inhale. But don’t let the fact that it doesn’t burn when you inhale fool you. Vaping cannabis activates the terpenes and cannabinoids in a different way that can really pack a surprising punch. This is because vaping makes more efficient use of the cannabinoids and terpenes in your products.
In other words, you might get more of a buzz if you vape, but there will be other differences as well. The balance of CBD, THC, and other terpenes in your buds or concentrate will change the effects, and you should be prepared for the possibility of a more intense experience.
Edibles: Long Lasting Relief, But Be Careful!
Edibles are a favorite among people who have taken the time to familiarize themselves with them, partially because they are long-lasting, they are one of the more discreet options, and they come in a variety of products, including gummies, baked goods, and even beverages.
You do need to be careful, though, because they have a tendency to take people by surprise. Edibles get processed through your liver, so their effects take longer to feel, and they are usually felt more in the body than in the head.
One of the biggest mistakes new users make when they try edibles for the first time is taking more when they don’t feel anything after an hour. Edibles may take two to three hours in order for their full effects to be felt. This means that if you take more when you don’t feel anything after an hour, you may be doubling the effects that you will feel in a couple of hours.
It’s especially important to start low and go slow with edibles!
Tinctures: Difficult to Find, But Worth the Effort
Tinctures are one of the best products for patients who are just getting started with medical marijuana. Because of the standard method of dosing, they are generally felt more in the body, so they are a favored format for pain relief.
Taking tinctures sublingually gets the active substances right into your bloodstream, and you will most likely start feeling the effects within 20 minutes to an hour.
Products that are lower in THC and higher in CBD are popular among people who just need something to help take the edge off their pain, anxiety, or insomnia. You can also find tinctures that are vegan and free of sugars, making them a great choice for people with restricted diets as well.
One of the challenges with tinctures at Missouri dispensaries, is that they are kind of a challenge to find. Amend is one of the more popular tinctures in Missouri, and it comes in a 1:1 or 1:10 (THC:CBD) formula.
Extracts - Probably (Definitely) Not For Beginners
Extracts show up in Missouri dispensaries as a number of different products, including shatter, crumble, badder and budder, and the selection keeps growing as medical marijuana production ramps up. These products can be challenging to use, messy, and they are typically very high in THC (usually 60 percent or more).
Get a Missouri Marijuana Card to Start Enjoying the Natural Relief You Deserve!
You need a Missouri marijuana card in order to actually purchase anything at a Missouri dispensary. Once you get your card, you can visit any dispensary in the state!
Give Missouri Marijuana Card a call today at (877) 303-3117, or schedule an appointment to see one of our marijuana referral providers today, and you could be getting natural relief before you know it!
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!
Check out Missouri Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in Missouri.