States across the country are enacting new laws regarding the prescribing of narcotics. Patients throughout Arizona, and the country, are being informed by their physicians that getting their regular monthly prescription for long-term pain relief has changed. There won’t be any more ongoing monthly prescription disbursement, meaning that there won’t be any long-term usage of narcotics moving forward. Certainly there are exceptions to this law, terminal illness being one of them.

Arizona’s new regulations took effect in October 2017. In the year since then, countless people have felt lost and confused about where to go and which way to turn for continued treatment for their specific medical condition. Thank goodness that nature is medicine.

Although turning to natural medicine may sound easy, the reality of it can be quite overwhelming. Patients must first be certified and obtain their Medical Marijuana Card from the Arizona Department of Health Services. A certification card is needed before going to the dispensary or working with any of the budtenders.

There are a number of certifying clinics here in Tucson to help with the process, Tumbleweeds and Natural Healing Care Center to name a couple. Most of the clinics will file all of the applicable paperwork to the state, which is very helpful in keeping the certification process as easy as possible. Once the patient has their card, the budtenders at a dispensary will help guide and inform patients regarding the best process and steps to take in order to obtain the ideal product for their specific needs.

One of the first thoughts after becoming certified to use medicinal marijuana is, “Where do I begin?” There are so many different types and strains of marijuana, and knowing which one is best for a specific ailment or set of symptoms can be difficult. The transition from prescription drugs to a more holistic approach, including the possible use of plant medicines is a process. 

Medical cannabis comes in two basic types: Sativa and Indica. Each type has its own distinct set of characteristics. The efficacy of cannabis is directly related to strain selection, therefore it is recommended that care be taken in selecting appropriate strains to meet individual needs. Scientists are beginning to identify particular varieties that are effective for sleep, pain, appetite and energy, as well as other specific conditions and symptoms.

The medicating effect of Indica is predominantly physical, although the relief of physical symptoms can have positive emotional results as well. Indica blends are characterized as relaxing, sedating and pain-reducing. They are excellent at relieving stress. Indica produces an overall sense of calm and serenity and is very effective for overall body pain relief, allowing the patient to simply be still without the debilitating pain that they’ve been suffering. Indicas are generally best for later in the day and before bed. Simply put, Indica reduces pain, reduces inflammation, relaxes muscle spasms, stimulates appetite, aids sleep, reduces headaches and migraines, reduces intraocular pressure and is used for an anticonvulsant.

Sativa is often characterized as cerebral, uplifting and energetic. It provides excellent pain relief and reduces nausea, reduces depression, relieves headaches and migraines, stimulates appetite, energizes and stimulates, increases focus and creativity and supports the immune system.

Learning the advantages of using plant medicine can seem daunting, but information and help navigating the process is always available at great dispensaries. The experts are there to help patients become the healthiest person they can become by using research-based natural medicine and employing knowledgeable budtenders as consultants.

Because plant medicine is new to most people, it’s the mission of Earth’s Healing to help make the transition as manageable as possible. The staff is fully trained to help new patients find the best course of action regarding the delivery, type and strain of marijuana. Earth’s Healing Dispensary is located at 78 W. River Rd. (520-395-1432) and 2075 E. Benson Hwy. (520-373-5779), in Tucson. Connect at EarthsHealing.org. See ad, page 31.