Medical Marijuana Q&A

Peter Candelora, MD, prescribes medical marijuana for those suffering from chronic pain due to conditions like arthritis or cancer. At Medical Marijuana Doctors of Louisiana, Dr. Candelora offers complete medical evaluations that meet Louisiana’s medical marijuana program requirements. He can recommend marijuana therapy to help you find relief from pain and other symptoms of arthritis, cancer, and other chronic conditions. Call the office in Metairie, Louisiana, or book an appointment online today.

What is medical marijuana?

Medical marijuana is an alternative therapy for many acute and chronic health conditions. The marijuana Dr. Candelora uses in treatment comes from the Cannabis sativa plant, which breaks down into the chemical components cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

THC

THC works to relieve pain by binding to the reward centers of your brain. THC also produces a high sensation when you smoke it or consume it. 

CBD

CBD doesn’t produce the high that THC does, but it offers anti-inflammatory benefits to relieve pain and address other symptoms of various health conditions.

When should I consider medical marijuana?

You might consider using medical marijuana if your current treatment for chronic pain or an underlying medical condition isn’t working well. You may also benefit from medical marijuana if you want to reduce your reliance on potentially addictive pain medications, including opioids.

Dr. Candelora recognizes the value of medical marijuana for those suffering from chronic pain due to arthritis or lingering injuries. He may recommend the use of medical marijuana to treat:

• Glaucoma
• Seizures
• Severe muscle spasms
• Parkinson’s disease
• Musculoskeletal injuries
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

He may also prescribe medical marijuana as part of your chronic pain management plan to treat arthritis, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and other chronic pain conditions.

How do I qualify for medical marijuana?

Medical Marijuana Doctors of Louisiana follows the guidelines set by the state of Louisiana to qualify you for medical marijuana.

Dr. Candelora determines your candidacy for treatment during a comprehensive medical exam, a review of your medical history, and an evaluation of your pain. He also assesses your current treatment plan to see how well it’s working to manage your condition.

If you qualify for the medical marijuana program, Dr. Candelora sends a prescription to one of the dispensaries throughout Louisiana. Some people might additionally be eligible for home delivery through certain pharmacies.

Under Louisiana law, only non-smokable, non-raw marijuana is available for use in medical treatments. Dr. Candelora can prescribe:

• Pills
• Oils
• Extracts
• Tinctures
• Sprays
• Chewables
• Lotions
• Solutions
• Suspensions
• Skin patches
• Suppositories
• Metered-dose inhalers

He also determines what dosage you need to treat your specific health condition or pain levels.

To find out if medical marijuana is right for you, call Medical Marijuana Doctors of Louisiana to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online today.