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SAFE USE

MEDICAL CANNABIS PRODUCT STUDIES:

 

This is a general safety overview, without established medical studies the use of cannabis in any form is not intended to diagnose treat or cure any disease.

 

SPECIFIC DOSAGE DIRECTIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR ADMINISTRATION:

 

First determine the product’s MG of THC, CBD etc. so you can establish the dose for your safe use measurement. A general DOSE is considered 10 MG, with specific dosing instructions for administration described with a product’s labeling. Use as directed by your medical practitioner and do not exceed your prescribed dose without further consultation.

 

Once approved, include specific directions by product. Example: “Shake well before dispensing. Hold dispenser up right and press firmly down on the atomizer to fully dispense a measured 2.5 mg dose under tongue.

 

ALLERGENS WARNING:

 

This product is produced in a dedicated gluten free, wheat free, dairy free, peanut free, and tree nut free facility.  This product contains lecithin and fractionated coconut oil. This product contains marijuana. A recent study written by a team of allergy researchers at the University of Antwerp in Belgium entitled “Emerging Allergens: Cannabis” finds that Cannabis sativa has the ability to trigger allergic rhinitis (hay fever), conjunctivitis (pink eye), as well as skin irritation and asthmatic symptoms when it is inhaled or ingested. Those interested in determining whether they have a marijuana allergy can do so by submitting to a skin allergy test.  Any adverse reactions should be reported to

your practitioner.

 

 

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

 

Major Interaction Do not take in combination with:

Sedative medications (Barbiturates and CNS depressants) interact with marijuana.  Marijuana might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking marijuana along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.  Some sedative medications include but are not limited to clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others. Theophylline interacts with marijuana. Taking marijuana might decrease the effects of theophylline. Information is limited on this contraindication.

 

Alcohol is also a depressant. Do not consume marijuana with alcohol.

 

Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination

Disulfiram (Antabuse) might interact with marijuana. Taking marijuana along with Disulfiram can cause agitation, trouble sleeping, and irritability.

Fluoxetine (Prozac) interacts with marijuana.  Taking marijuana with fluoxetine (Prozac) might cause you to feel irritated, nervous, jittery, and excited, ie: hypomania. Minor Interaction Be watchful with this combination

Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with marijuana.

Using marijuana might increase the effects of warfarin (Coumadin). Using marijuana while taking warfarin (Coumadin) might increase the chance of bruising and bleeding.

 

WARNING OF ADVERSE EFFECTS AND/OR POTENTIAL DANGERS STEMMING FROM THE USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA:

 

Marijuana contains chemicals that work by binding to specific sites in the brain and on the nerves.   Use of marijuana can cause dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, dry or red eyes, heart and blood pressure problems, lung problems, impaired mental functioning, headache, dizziness, numbness, panic reactions, hallucinations, flashbacks, depression, and sexual problems.

 

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy: Marijuana is unsafe when taken by mouth or inhalation

during pregnancy.

 

 

Breast-feeding: Using marijuana, either by mouth or by inhalation is likely unsafe during breast-feeding. The THC in marijuana passes into breast milk. 

 

Heart disease: For those with an existing heart condition, marijuana might cause rapid heartbeat, short-term high blood pressure and may increase the risk of a having heart attack.

 

Seizure disorders: For those with an existing seizure disorder, marijuana might increase the severity of seizure disorders in some people; in other people it might help to control seizures.

 

Surgery: Marijuana affects the central nervous system. It might slow the central nervous system too much when combined with anesthesia and other medications during and after surgery. Stop using marijuana at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR REPORTING ADVERSE EFFECTS: 

 

Any adverse effects should be reported to your practitioner. A practitioner shall report patient adverse events to the department of health, in a manner determined by the department, not more than five business days after the practitioner becomes aware of such adverse event, except that serious adverse events shall be reported not more than one business day after the practitioner becomes aware of such adverse event.

 

WARNING ABOUT DRIVING, OPERATION OF MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT, CHILD CARE, OR MAKING IMPORTANT DECISIONS WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA:

 

The following are effects of marijuana that may impair driving and

piloting skills:

 

Slowed complex reaction time

Poor detection of peripheral light stimuli

Poor oculomotor tracking

Space and time distortion

Impaired coordination

Brake and accelerator errors, poor speed control

Poor judgment, increased risks in over medicating

Impaired attention especially for divided attention tasks

Impaired short-term memory

Additive effects with alcohol and other drugs

 

Do not drive or operate mechanical equipment, perform child-care, or make important decisions while under the influence of medical marijuana.

 

INFORMATION ON TOLERANCE, DEPENDENCE AND WITHDRAWAL, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE:

 

Tolerance:  The specified dosage on this package allows an individual to consistently measure consumption. A  maximum dose of 10 mg of THC is considered a DOSE. However, levels of tolerance to marijuana vary greatly and it is difficult to predict the degree of tolerance in an individual or the extent to which a particular task is impaired by a given dose of marijuana or THC. It is important for each individual to establish a safe and preferable amount of marijuana that can be consumed in each form. Once a true level of tolerance is determined then the level and frequency can safely be adjusted by your practitioner to meet your needs.

 

Since Delta 9 THC (activated) is the commonly accepted active ingredient creating the euphoria experienced when consuming marijuana this is used as the testing point. For purposes of safely determining the level of tolerance, it is recommended that the patient start with low levels of THC until tolerance is established. Patients are encouraged to discuss this with their practitioner during the process of determining a prescribed dose. For example, the practitioner may prescribe limiting usage to no more than 2-5 MG of THC within a 24 hour period when introducing marijuana to a new user.

 

The following are suggested amounts of THC over a 24-hour period that might be discussed with your practitioner.  Initial use:

First time user:

THC over a 24 hour period: 2-5 MG

Occasional user:

Frequency of use: once a month

THC over a 24 hour period: 6-10 MG

Experienced user:

Frequency of use: once a week

THC over a 24 hour period:11-20 MG

Advanced  user:

Frequency of use: once a day

THC over a 24 hour period: 21+ MG

Dependence

A physically dependent person demonstrates a specific set of withdrawal symptoms when levels of THC are drastically reduced or stopped completely. On the other hand, a psychologically addicted person will oftentimes lose self-control if s/he risks drug deficit.

 

The following may indicate a person has developed a physical dependence on marijuana: 

Disorientation

Dizziness

Drowsiness

Forgetfulness

Impaired learning

Mood changes

Red, bloodshot eyes

 

The following may indicate a person is psychologically addicted to marijuana:

Continuous use even when knowing the negative consequences

Cravings and urges when off the drug

Feeling in danger when the supplies are low

Feeling indifferent about work, home, school etc

Obsessive thinking about how to get marijuana

Compulsive behavior

Inability to quit

 

If you recognize these symptoms in yourself talk about it. If you are having a hard time and suspect a physical and/or psychological dependence which would indicate problematic usage of medical marihuana discuss this with your medical practitioner and obtain appropriate services or treatment.

 

WITHDRAWL SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS:

 

That a degree of physical and psychological dependence to marijuana develops is suggested by the advent of a withdrawal syndrome on cessation of use after chronic use. A physically dependent person will manifest withdrawal symptoms when they stop smoking marijuana completely, or drastically reduce intake. Withdrawal symptoms associated with acute marijuana detox include:

Anxiety

Depression

Drug craving

Headache

Increased aggression

Irritability

Sleeping difficulties

 

HOW TO KEEP MEDICAL MARIJANA SECURE:

 

If you have marijuana in your home, take the below precautions to ensure the safety of your children, including young visitors to your home and your pets. 

 

Keep marijuana up and away, and out of sight from curious children and pets.

Pick a place your children cannot reach. Any kind of medicine or vitamin can cause harm if taken in the wrong way, even medicine you can buy without a prescription. Walk around your house and find a storage place too high for a child to reach or see. This is also important to remember when families are away from home and staying in hotels, or as guests in others’ homes.

Put marijuana away every time. Never leave it out on a kitchen counter or at a bedside, even if you anticipate using it again in a few hours. Always put every marijuana product and other medicine away every time you use it, including those you use every day.

 

Consider purchasing a medication lock box or safe. A lock box or safe provides a safe, convenient and affordable method for securing marijuana products in the home or while traveling. Everyone has a responsibility to safeguard their medicines and marijuana products, and protect children from gaining access to potentially harmful substances.

 

Talk to your children about marijuana. As with all medicines and marijuana products, teach your children about medicine safety. Tell your children what medicine is and why you must be the one to handle it. Tell guests about marijuana safety. Ask houseguests and visitors to keep purses, bags, or coats that have marijuana products in them up and away and out of sight when they are in your home. If you use a babysitter, choose those who are mature, trained and responsible, and are recommended by someone you trust.

 

 

Ask other parents if they have marijuana products in their home before sending your child to play a neighbor or classmate’s house. If the answer is yes, make sure that all products are stored up and away and out of children’s sight. Because it can be difficult to ask people about this, try including the question along with other things you might normally discuss before sending your child to someone’s home, such as seat belts, animals, or allergies.

 

Be prepared in case of an emergency. Call the Poison Help Center at (800) 222-1222 right away if you think your child might have consumed marijuana products. Program the number into your home and cell phones so you will have it when you need it.

 

UNLAWFUL DISTRIBUTION:

 

No person, except for a certified patient or designated caregiver, or an approved physician shall open or break the seal placed on an approved medical marijuana product packaged by a registered organization and provided to the certified patient. The certified patient may not distribute any medical marijuana product to anyone else.

 

No certified patient or designated caregiver shall be in possession of approved medical marijuana products without having in his or her possession his or her registry identification card. The certified patient or designated caregiver, upon request by the department or law enforcement, shall present such card to verify that the certified patient or designated caregiver is authorized to possess approved medical marijuana products.

 

DISPOSAL OF UNWANTED, EXCESS OR CONTAMINATED MARIJUANA:

 

A certified patient or designated caregiver shall dispose of all approved medical marijuana product in the certified patient’s or designated caregiver’s possession no later than ten calendar days after the expiration of the patient’s certification, if such certification is not renewed, or sooner should the patient no longer wish to possess medical marijuana or if it is determined that the marijuana has been contaminated.

 

A certified patient or designated caregiver shall complete disposal of approved medical marijuana product by one of the following methods:

1. Rendering the approved medical marijuana product non-recoverable in accordance with the department’s proper disposal instructions.

2. Disposing of the approved medical marijuana product at a department-recognized drug take-back program.

 

FDA DISCLAIMER:

 

Currently, medical and retail cannabis products have not been analyzed by the FDA.  There is limited information on the side effects of using this product and there may be associated health risks.

 

This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider if any adverse effects are noticed. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL ADVICE:

For safe use of cannabis it is advised that you seek the advice and recommendation of a medical professional familiar with cannabis.

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