Choosing your medical marijuana provider can seem like a monumental task. There are so many choices out there but not all are the same. To make the best choice, be sure to make a list of what’s important to you before you choose your medical marijuana provider. To help you make your list, we’ll explore some of the most important characteristics to look for in a medical marijuana doctor. We’ll also present questions the patient can consider that can help direct their search.
Answering these few simple questions can be a huge time saver as you begin your search for a medical marijuana doctor.
What is my medical condition? Even though your MMJ physician will help you decide if medical marijuana might help relieve the symptoms of your condition, it’s wise to do a little research beforehand. Marijuana is not a cure-all for all conditions but anecdotal evidence and some clinical evidence show that it has been helpful for an impressive number of conditions where more traditional treatments have failed. Click here for more information.
What are my current prescriptions and are they working? Most who seek treatment with medical marijuana have exhausted all other efforts at finding relief. Others are dissatisfied with current prescriptions that produce unbearable side effects and are looking for more natural alternatives. List what conditions you’d like to address by adding medical marijuana to your treatment plan.
What do I hope to gain by adding medical marijuana to my treatment plan? The answer to this is most often “to alleviate my symptoms” or “to avoid side effects of my prescriptions”. Whatever your motivation is for seeking treatment with medical marijuana, have a good understanding of what your expectations are.
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential providers, ask these questions before you commit.
Do you offer in-person and telemedicine? For those residing in or near metropolitan areas like Shreveport, New Orleans, or other cities in Louisiana, you could consider booking an appointment at a clinic in your city. Physical clinics can often offer in-depth consultations and hands-on evaluations. However, this option might not be convenient for everyone, especially if you are on a tight schedule or live in an area where clinics are not readily accessible. For those, telemedicine is a great option. Be sure the provider you choose offers both.
Do you provide transparency in your fees? Different providers offer different price structures. Make sure your provider is transparent in their pricing and that there are no hidden or latent fees. Reputable and reliable clinics and physicians will offer complete transparency so there are no surprises.
Do you offer support after the recommendation has been written? Questions will undoubtedly come up, especially for patients new to medical marijuana. While any questions regarding products or product pricing should be answered by your medical marijuana pharmacy, reliable physicians and support staff should be ready to help with other issues that may arise.
Accessibility: The Healing Clinics has 24/7 live operators to take your calls. Choosing The Healing Clinics means you can get in touch when you need assistance regarding your evaluation and recommendations.
Advocacy: The Healing Clinics has worked with district attorneys, judges, defense attorneys, Child Protective Services, employers, and others to advocate for our patients when they need us. Upon your request, The Healing Clinics will confirm your legal participation in Louisiana’s medical marijuana program. For example, patients who need confirmation for their employers or other authorities that they are a legal participant in the medical marijuana program.
Communication: By phone, you can reach The Healing Clinics at (318) 227-4088, the website, thehealingclinics.com, send a message through your patient portal, or start a chat with a healing specialist on the website. Patients can also send an email to info@thehealingclinics.com or you can text via one of the convenient HIPAA-protected texting platforms. The Healing Clinics also sends weekly emails that provide information on medical marijuana including legislation, products, research, and other relevant topics so Louisianans have access to the latest news and information. Healing Specialists from The Healing Clinics also routinely provide educational videos on social media that answer questions people have about medical marijuana and the program in Louisiana.
Convenience: The Healing Clinics is available to transfer your recommendation to any of the designated medical marijuana pharmacies throughout Louisiana for your convenience. They provide both in-person and telemedicine appointments for patients to receive their medical marijuana evaluation.
Loyal to Louisiana: The Healing Clinics is a Louisiana-based company with physicians and employees who live in the state. The physicians at The Healing Clinics work with all Louisiana marijuana pharmacies to provide patients with the best possible experience.
Expertise: The Healing Clinics has been in Louisiana since the inception of the therapeutic cannabis program and is available to guide you with knowledge and expertise through the process of becoming legal in Louisiana. You won’t be left to navigate the Louisiana medical marijuana program unassisted.
Proven track record: The Healing Clinics was one of the first medical marijuana clinics for evaluations in Louisiana, having opened its doors in 2018. The accumulated experience, satisfied patients, and excellent patient reviews make them a proven provider of the highest level of care for medical marijuana patients.
Healing Specialists: The Healing Clinics has assembled an expert team of Healing Specialists who can guide you through the process with their knowledge and experience.
Trust: The Healing Clinics receive referrals from primary care physicians and specialists throughout Louisiana who hope that MMJ will be a help to their patients. They trust the marijuana doctors and staff to provide the highest level of compassionate care to their patients. In addition, the majority of current patients of The Healing Clinics renew each year because they know they can count on The Healing Clinics to provide care and support when they need it.
Research: The Healing Clinics has conducted survey-type studies based on the experiences of medical marijuana patients and is now in partnership with ULM to conduct a more extensive research study. The company is investing funds to be part of providing exemplary patient care based on collected data and helping to improve the medical marijuana program in Louisiana.
Connection: The Healing Clinics sponsors the Cajun Cannabis Conference each year to bring the industry together. Physicians, patients, researchers, growers, state legislators, entrepreneurs, and other key players in the industry gather to discuss medicinal cannabis, provide information and education, present current trends in the industry, and answer questions from attendees.
“The Healing Clinics has been in Louisiana since the inception of Louisiana’s MMJ program and, therefore, we have served thousands of patients since 2018. We have long been patient advocates in Louisiana and have sponsored legislation to promote the MMJ program in Louisiana for our patients. We know we have more work to do and are excited to be a part of the growth of the medical marijuana program in Louisiana,” said Kathryn Thomas, owner and founder of The Healing Clinics.
When you’re ready to choose your medical marijuana provider, choose the #1 provider in Louisiana — The Healing Clinics, LLC. There is a reason so many medical marijuana patients have already done just that. Click the button below to start your healing journey.
