What Exactly is Medical Marijuana, and how does it Stack up?

The History of Cannabis
Marijuana was first used for medical purposes. Over 4000 years ago, Asian Emperors utilized cannabis for its healing properties, noting exceptional improvements in edema issues. They also knew that it decreased anxiety and apprehension while boosting health in many individuals. In ancient Greece and Egypt, cannabis was reported in many manuscripts, describing its use for medical conditions such as eye disease, joint inflammation and as an anesthetic. Over 300 years ago, it was touted as a means to reduce depression. Cannabis has even been reported to reduce the menstrual complications of Queen Victoria. In the early 1900’s, the United States began growing cannabis for pharmaceutical companies to formulate it into medications.

Recreational Cannabis vs. Medical
Recreational Marijuana is legal in a few states, but for the most part, it is very different than the medical version. Firstly, recreational use cannabis is grown with very high levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the mind-altering, “high” component of marijuana. The other element of marijuana is CBD (cannabinoids), which has many health benefits and doesn’t have the psychoactive effect of THC. And secondly, recreational marijuana is not regulated; therefore, users are rarely certain of the actual amounts of THC or CBD they ingest or inhale.

Our brain and nerve cells have cannabinoid receptors, so our bodies naturally react to CBD and THC by merging directly with our cells. Our natural endocannabinoid system works synergistically with both CBD and THC, creating a multitude of beneficial reactions in the body, including unique healing abilities.

Florida’s Medical Cannabis
There is no actual “whole green flower” in the state of Florida. Here, the highly regulated products are “green flower” that has been heated through convection (no burning) and usually put into topical creams, sublingual tablets, oils, tinctures, and vaporizers. There are different levels of medical marijuana, some with higher THC, some with very low THC depending on the disease being treated. In Florida, medical marijuana is highly controlled and operates very efficiently under vigorous guidelines.

Florida Marijuana Law’s Qualifying Conditions Include:
• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• HIV
• AIDS
• Seizures
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Crohn’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Chronic nonmalignant pain caused by a qualifying medical condition or that originates from a qualifying medical condition and persists beyond the usual course of that qualifying medical condition
• Patients can be considered for alternative disorders

Having the right doctor will make the difference as to whether or not your condition gets approved if it’s not already on the list. It’s crucial for patients to seek out a highly qualified physician. Dr. Gregory Sonn has spent a considerable amount of time learning, educating, and researching appropriate treatment of a multitude of disease states above and beyond those listed.

Outcomes:
“The plan you put together for me is really working. My ADHD is under control. My weight is going up, and I just feel 100% better. I can never thank you enough for taking the time to help me, and others like me. You’re a great doctor. Thank you again.”
– Karla

“Tell Dr. Sonn my neuropathy is gone; I can drive a car for the first time in years”
– Martha

Dr. Gregory Sonn
You must visit a Physician that is licensed to recommend medical marijuana. To legally purchase and consume medical marijuana in Florida, a patient must have one of the specific qualifying medical conditions regulated by the government, or have a medical condition that is deemed as appropriate. Dr. Sonn is exceptionally adept and knowledgeable in this practice, drawing from his vast experience as a Palliative Care physician and a Family Practitioner. At Iona Cannabis Clinic there is no charge for your initial visit if you don’t qualify. For the other 95% of their patient population, the physician issues a certification and enters the patient into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry or MMUR. Only patients who are registered in the Medical Marijuana Use Registry database can purchase and consume medical marijuana in Florida.

Iona Cannabis Clinic
Gregory Sonn, D.O., has been practicing Medicine since 2002; he believes that each patient is unique, requiring his or her own treatment that is different from anyone else’s medical care.

Dr. Sonn added medical marijuana therapy to his practice after seeing result-driven outcomes for patients dealing with anxiety, cancer, and other life-altering diagnoses.

If you or someone you know is suffering from pain, anxiety, or other disorders, please contact Iona Cannabis Clinic at (239) 689-6819, or visit https://www.ionacannabisclinic.com.

IONA Cannabis Clinic
Gregory R. Sonn D.O.
(239) 689-6819
15620 McGregor Blvd, Suite 100
Fort Myers FL 33908
FAX: 866.476.5645
Email: info@ionacannabisclinic.com
Website: www.ionacannabisclinic.com