Medical Marijuana Evaluation - Louisiana

What is a medical marijuana evaluation?

A medical marijuana evaluation is an appointment to assess whether medical marijuana could help with your chronic condition. 

At Coastal Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Dr. Candelora performs a thorough medical assessment of your orthopaedic condition to verify that you meet the qualifications for medical marijuana. 

What conditions qualify for a medical marijuana evaluation?

As an experienced orthopaedic specialist, Dr. Candelora primarily evaluates chronic pain related to musculoskeletal disorders, conditions, and diseases. 

Under Louisiana state law, Dr. Candelora prescribes medical marijuana for intractable pain — chronic or intense pain that would otherwise require oral pain medicine. 

Other conditions that legally qualify for medical marijuana in Louisiana include: 

• Autism spectrum disorders
• Cachexia/wasting syndrome
• Cancer
• Crohn’s disease
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Seizure disorders/spasticity
• Severe muscle spasms

In addition to these conditions, Dr. Candelora can prescribe medical marijuana for any condition that he classifies as debilitating. 

If you have chronic pain that doesn’t respond to conservative treatments, a medical marijuana evaluation can help you decide whether this treatment route could help you. Dr. Candelora may prescribe medical marijuana as either a short-term or long-term treatment. 

How do I fill my prescription after my medical marijuana evaluation?

Other states may issue you a marijuana card, but it works differently in Louisiana. Instead of a card, Dr. Candelora sends a prescription to one of the nine marijuana dispensaries in the state, and you'll go to that location to pick it up. Some pharmacies offer delivery for qualifying patients, as well. 

What forms of medical marijuana are available in Louisiana?

Only non-smokable, non-raw marijuana is legal in Louisiana at this time. Options include:

• Oils
• Extracts
• Tinctures
• Sprays
• Capsules
• Pills
• Solutions
• Suspension
• Chewables (gelatin-based edibles)
• Lotions
• Skin patches 
• Suppositories
• Metered-dose inhalers 

Dr. Candelora can discuss which of these would suit your needs best. He gives you specific dosing instructions based on the product type, and it’s important to follow these guidelines closely for maximum efficacy.

Dr. Candelora closely monitors your health while you’re taking medical marijuana to help you get the optimal benefit in the safest way.

Is it legal to use medical marijuana in Louisiana?

That's a complicated question. In the state of Louisiana, it's completely legal to use medical marijuana if you have a prescription from a physician like Dr. Candelora. Many other states have joined Louisiana in making marijuana legal for medical purposes. 

However, marijuana is still illegal according to federal law. That means that you could technically face drug possession charges from federal authorities. This federal law may change in the future. 

If you have persistent pain and nothing seems to help, consider medical marijuana for pain relief. Schedule a medical marijuana evaluation at Coastal Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine by phone or through online booking.