What you need to know before talking to your physician.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has expressed its commitment to the effective implementation of the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program.
When talking to your physician, consider the following points:
- Bring any available medical records you may have
- Explain what you hope to gain from the use of medical cannabis
- For example, do you want to restore appetite?
- Are you seeking to relieve pain, nausea, vomiting or other symptoms caused by your medical condition or the medications used to treat your medical condition?
- Let your doctor know that you are aware of some of the side effects that may occur, such as dry mouth, dry or red eyes, headache, dizziness, drowsiness or anxiety
- Be prepared to discuss with your doctor the benefits of medical cannabis versus the risks
- Use professional language, such as “medical cannabis.” Refrain from using slang terms such as “pot” or “weed”
- Remind your doctor that he/she is not writing a prescription, but instead giving a written certification
- This is a document dated and signed by a physician stating that there is a bona fide physician-patient relationship