Why should I choose Evergreen Cannabis Clinic over other medical cannabis providers?
Let me be upfront: if you meet the legal criteria for medical cannabis in Florida, most certified physicians can register your information in the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) registry. However, many practices treat this process as a transaction, prioritizing volume over personalized care.
At Evergreen Cannabis Clinic, I take a different approach. Instead of focusing on high volume or cost-cutting, I’m committed to providing compassionate, personalized care for each patient. Your needs, your concerns, and your safety are my top priorities. I believe in empowering you with education, listening attentively to your questions, and ensuring you’re fully informed at every step.
While some clinics may treat you as just another number, I see you as a human being deserving of respect and individualized attention.
These are not empty words or marketing platitudes. They come from a place of genuine empathy, shaped by my own experience as both a physician and, more personally, as a patient who has faced the healthcare system from the other side.
At Evergreen Cannabis Clinic, I take a different approach. Instead of focusing on high volume or cost-cutting, I’m committed to providing compassionate, personalized care for each patient. Your needs, your concerns, and your safety are my top priorities. I believe in empowering you with education, listening attentively to your questions, and ensuring you’re fully informed at every step.
While some clinics may treat you as just another number, I see you as a human being deserving of respect and individualized attention.
These are not empty words or marketing platitudes. They come from a place of genuine empathy, shaped by my own experience as both a physician and, more personally, as a patient who has faced the healthcare system from the other side.
Can you overdose on cannabis?
The common answer given to this question is that you would need to smoke roughly your entire body weight in cannabis to approach a fatal dose. And even then, you would have to consume it in a relatively short period of time — in a matter of a few hours. While theoretically possible, it is practically impossible to ingest enough cannabis to cause a fatal overdose due to the very high lethal dose of THC required compared to the amount that most people would realistically consume. Therefore, it is practically impossible to accidentally overdose on medical cannabis in the way one might accidentally overdose on other medications or recreational substances such as opioids, alcohol, or cocaine.
That said, it is indeed quite possible to experience uncomfortable side effects from taking too high of a dose, particularly in inexperienced people. Consuming too much can lead to uncomfortable symptoms such as anxiety, paranoia, dizziness, and nausea/vomiting, etc.
This is why we always recommend: START LOW, GO SLOW. You can always take more cannabis, but you can’t take it away from your body once you’ve taken too much.
That said, if you took too much, remember you did not take a lethal dose. You’re just in for an uncomfortable hour or two until the effects peak. As the unpleasant side effects subside, you will likely start to feel more comfortable and even settle into the intended therapeutic effects.
That said, it is indeed quite possible to experience uncomfortable side effects from taking too high of a dose, particularly in inexperienced people. Consuming too much can lead to uncomfortable symptoms such as anxiety, paranoia, dizziness, and nausea/vomiting, etc.
This is why we always recommend: START LOW, GO SLOW. You can always take more cannabis, but you can’t take it away from your body once you’ve taken too much.
That said, if you took too much, remember you did not take a lethal dose. You’re just in for an uncomfortable hour or two until the effects peak. As the unpleasant side effects subside, you will likely start to feel more comfortable and even settle into the intended therapeutic effects.
What side effects does cannabis have?
A side effect is a potentially negative or unintended reaction to a drug that is usually considered undesirable. Any medication that works on the human body will have potential side effects if given at a high enough dose. There is no free lunch when it comes to useful medications. However, there are steps that can be taken to minimize the risk of side effects: Using lower doses, taking the medication with food or through a particular route (i.e. oral vs IV), and taking medications prescribed by your doctors to counter side effects.
In some cases, doctors will prescribe a medication specifically because of its side effect profile. For example, diphenhydramine (brand name Benadryl) is used to treat allergies, acute allergic reactions, and itching, but this medication can often cause drowsiness. This is an unwanted side effect if the patient needs to work or drive. However, doctors will sometimes advise patients to take Benadryl at night if patients are having difficulty falling asleep because of their allergy symptoms.
Cannabis can cause drowsiness or sedation, red eyes, dry mouth, euphoria, anxiety, or paranoia. This is dependent on both the dose and the strain. This is not an exhaustive list of all the side effects cannabis may cause.
In some cases, doctors will prescribe a medication specifically because of its side effect profile. For example, diphenhydramine (brand name Benadryl) is used to treat allergies, acute allergic reactions, and itching, but this medication can often cause drowsiness. This is an unwanted side effect if the patient needs to work or drive. However, doctors will sometimes advise patients to take Benadryl at night if patients are having difficulty falling asleep because of their allergy symptoms.
Cannabis can cause drowsiness or sedation, red eyes, dry mouth, euphoria, anxiety, or paranoia. This is dependent on both the dose and the strain. This is not an exhaustive list of all the side effects cannabis may cause.
I took an edible an hour ago, I feel nothing. How long should I wait before taking more?
In the beginning stages of your treatment, it’s going to take some trial and error before you find the dose that’s right for you. Because edibles can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours or more to take full effect in your body, with peak effects occurring around 1-2 hours after consumption, I advise waiting at least 2 hours before taking more cannabis. If you take another dose prior to this time, you might experience stronger effects than you intended once your initial dose finally kicks in.
While smoking or vaping marijuana has potentially long-term health risks and cons, one of the benefits of taking medical cannabis through this route is that you’ll feel its effects almost immediately. Consuming “edibles,” on the other hand, entails first-pass metabolism through the liver, leading to notable differences in your subjective experience with cannabis. Consuming edibles will allow you to avoid the potential harms that may be associated with smoking or vaping cannabis. However, one of the cons of taking cannabis this way is its delayed onset of action and the difficulty of titrating the right dose of cannabis to meet your needs. With some patience, and observing the overarching law of cannabis consumption — “Start Low, Go Slow,” — you will eventually find the right dose of cannabis for yourself.
Most patients prefer to simply wait and try a slightly higher dose the next time rather than to subject their bodies to an uncomfortable experience that may turn them off from cannabis altogether.
While smoking or vaping marijuana has potentially long-term health risks and cons, one of the benefits of taking medical cannabis through this route is that you’ll feel its effects almost immediately. Consuming “edibles,” on the other hand, entails first-pass metabolism through the liver, leading to notable differences in your subjective experience with cannabis. Consuming edibles will allow you to avoid the potential harms that may be associated with smoking or vaping cannabis. However, one of the cons of taking cannabis this way is its delayed onset of action and the difficulty of titrating the right dose of cannabis to meet your needs. With some patience, and observing the overarching law of cannabis consumption — “Start Low, Go Slow,” — you will eventually find the right dose of cannabis for yourself.
Most patients prefer to simply wait and try a slightly higher dose the next time rather than to subject their bodies to an uncomfortable experience that may turn them off from cannabis altogether.
Does cannabis increase heart rate? Is this a side effect?
Cannabis can indeed temporarily increase your heart rate (and elevate your blood pressure). It is important to note that these are technically not side effects, but rather a normal physiological response. This is most pronounced in cannabis strains that are high in THC, such as sativa. THC binds to receptors in the endocannabinoid system in the brain, which can affect the nervous system and cause an increase in heart rate.
What if I don’t have any prior medical records?
Florida law does not require any medical records for your medical cannabis evaluation. However, they will help make your case to the certifying physician who in turn has to make your case to the state of Florida.
Where can I use medical cannabis in Florida?
According to Florida law, qualified patients may use medical cannabis at home or on private property where it is allowed. Public use is illegal with exceptions for low-THC cannabis.
Do I have to tell you about all the medications I’m taking?cannabis increase heart rate? Is this a side effect?
YES! And I cannot stress this enough. I need to know about each and every medication you are taking, including the dosage, frequency, and conditions they were prescribed for. I need to know about any herbal or nutritional supplements, and recreational drugs you are currently taking, whether they are legal or illegal. This is for your personal safety as any undisclosed medications or drugs may result in perfectly avoidable dangerous interactions. This is 100% confidential information that will NOT be shared with the OMMU, the state of Florida, your employer, or anyone else you’re worried about finding out. If you need further reassurance, just ask.
What about recreational/illegal drugs? Do I have to tell you about them, too?
Let me make it abundantly clear: The only thing I care about is your safety. Period. End of story. There is 0% judgment and there is 100% confidentiality. (Except in exceptional cases where the law says otherwise). Just common sense.
But I need to know about it. The only way I can check for harmful interactions between cannabis, the medications, supplements, and recreational/illegal drugs you’re taking is by me knowing about them.
Any information that you keep from me is at your own risk.
But I need to know about it. The only way I can check for harmful interactions between cannabis, the medications, supplements, and recreational/illegal drugs you’re taking is by me knowing about them.
Any information that you keep from me is at your own risk.
Do I need to be a current cannabis user to get a medical cannabis card?
Prior cannabis experience is not required. Your consultation will be based on your medical history and current medical needs.
I’m feeling nervous about using cannabis. Is that normal?
New cannabis patients may feel nervous about using medical cannabis for any of a variety of reasons. This is perfectly normal and your feelings are completely valid. If I recommend medical cannabis for you, it will be after a shared-decision making conversation between the two of us, and after we reasonably conclude that the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks to you.
We will start you on a low dose and titrate your dosage up slowly based on your response and comfort levels. Remember that you can adjust your dose or stop at any time.
There are also patients that benefit solely from topical products (ointments/oils/creams applied to the skin) and which do not involve taking cannabis by mouth or smoking/vaping it, avoiding the “high” associated with cannabis.
You get to choose.
We will start you on a low dose and titrate your dosage up slowly based on your response and comfort levels. Remember that you can adjust your dose or stop at any time.
There are also patients that benefit solely from topical products (ointments/oils/creams applied to the skin) and which do not involve taking cannabis by mouth or smoking/vaping it, avoiding the “high” associated with cannabis.
You get to choose.
How do I know if the cannabis product I’m using is safe?
One of the benefits of medical grade cannabis is the extensive and rigorous lab testing done by state-licensed dispensaries to ensure the quality of the product you are purchasing. This may not be the case with “street marijuana,” which may contain additives, contaminants, and other potentially harmful adulterants. Furthermore, without lab testing, the dose of THC and THC/CBD ratios are often unknown.
What if I don’t know which cannabis product to choose?
In addition to my personal guidance, MMTC (medical marijuana treatment centers) or dispensaries have knowledgeable staff that can guide you during your visit to select the product(s) most suited to alleviate your symptoms and address your needs.
Do you offer telehealth consultations?
Yes. However, Florida law stipulates that all new patients must be evaluated in person and undergo a physical exam by a certified physician in order to qualify for medical cannabis. All subsequent re-certification visits can take place through a telehealth platform. Please note that if you have already seen another physician for an initial visit in the past, you must start off from scratch with me if you are switching over to my care.
How much does the medical cannabis consultation cost? What is the total cost? Are there any hidden fees?
$189 for the initial physician visit. Then you must pay $75 (as of Nov 24, 2024) plus tax to the OMMU for your medical card. If you are denied by me or the OMMU as a candidate for medical cannabis, I will refund 100% of the cost of your visit. If I make a recommendation for medical cannabis after a consultation and you change your mind in the interim, you will not eligible for a refund.
In 7 months, if you wish to continue using medical cannabis, you will be charged $149 to re-certify with me and then pay $75 (plus tax) to the OMMU for your card.
I personally detest hidden fees. So I can assure you there are no hidden fees. Period. End of story.
You can pay cash, credit, or debit.
Your charge will show up as Evergreen Clinics, LLC.
In 7 months, if you wish to continue using medical cannabis, you will be charged $149 to re-certify with me and then pay $75 (plus tax) to the OMMU for your card.
I personally detest hidden fees. So I can assure you there are no hidden fees. Period. End of story.
You can pay cash, credit, or debit.
Your charge will show up as Evergreen Clinics, LLC.
Is it safe to smoke medical cannabis?
The harmful effects of tobacco smoke on the human body have been extensively studied and we therefore have a plethora of evidence linking tobacco with emphysema, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), chronic cough, lung and other cancers.
In contrast, we do not have enough robust evidence at this point to link cannabis smoke to the same diseases mentioned above. However, whenever you smoke ANY substance, you are combusting plant material and inhaling it into your lungs where it can go on to produce damage to the delicate lung tissues. Is cannabis smoke safer than tobacco smoke? I don’t know.
However, there are differences in the way tobacco and cannabis are smoked. Cigarettes have filters, but cannabis joints typically do not. Cannabis is inhaled and held in the lungs longer than cigarettes. However, cigarette smokers will smoke several times a day if not throughout the day in a way that cannabis is not.
This is why I recommend that my patients favor cannabis tinctures and edibles over smoking cannabis flower. And if they smoke, I will often recommend that they vape instead of smoke.
It all comes down to weighing the benefits versus the risks in each case.
In contrast, we do not have enough robust evidence at this point to link cannabis smoke to the same diseases mentioned above. However, whenever you smoke ANY substance, you are combusting plant material and inhaling it into your lungs where it can go on to produce damage to the delicate lung tissues. Is cannabis smoke safer than tobacco smoke? I don’t know.
However, there are differences in the way tobacco and cannabis are smoked. Cigarettes have filters, but cannabis joints typically do not. Cannabis is inhaled and held in the lungs longer than cigarettes. However, cigarette smokers will smoke several times a day if not throughout the day in a way that cannabis is not.
This is why I recommend that my patients favor cannabis tinctures and edibles over smoking cannabis flower. And if they smoke, I will often recommend that they vape instead of smoke.
It all comes down to weighing the benefits versus the risks in each case.
Will my insurance cover any expenses associated with medical cannabis?
No. Unfortunately, medical insurance in the state of Florida does not currently cover any expenses associated with medical cannabis. That includes certification fees, medical marijuana card fees, or the cost of any cannabis products.
Does Evergreen Cannabis Clinic sell any medical cannabis products?
No. Evergreen Cannabis Clinic is a medical office owned, managed, and staffed by one physician (me) that provides medical marijuana evaluations, consultations, physical exams, and registry with the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry (OMMU), a mandatory step in order to ultimately obtain medical cannabis in the state of Florida.