How to Talk to Your Doctor About Illinois Medical Marijuana

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 or medical marijuana.” 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

The physician-patient relationship

Physicians are not “prescribing” medical marijuana. Instead, a physician is asked to certify that his or her patient has one of the qualifying medical conditions or symptoms of a qualifying condition and that a bona fide relationship has been established.

_{This information is not a referral by a physician to a specific dispensary. This information is being provided by the dispensary for the education and support of the qualifying patient or designated caregiver. The choice of dispensary is the patient's alone. A dispensary may not accept referral of patients from a physician. Neither may a physician refer a qualifying patient to a dispensary.}

Talking to Your Doctor About Illinois Medical Marijuana

What you need to know before talking to your physician.

What conditions qualify for medical marijuana use?

Ask your doctor if your use of the following medications should be adjusted with the use of medical marijuana:

The physician-patient relationship