Many clinicians have never actually been inside a dispensary nor have a good working knowledge of the products that are available there. This tour aims to facilitate understanding of what your patients will encounter when they go to get their medicine.
Dr. Jordan Tishler from the Association of Cannabis Specialists gives a virtual tour of a cannabis dispensary.
He highlights the lack of privacy, HIPAA compliance, and proper training of dispensary staff. Dr. Tishler stresses the importance of precise medical prescriptions for cannabis, noting that the sales-focused dispensary environment often fails to adhere to them.
He reviews various cannabis products, advocating for vaporized cannabis flower for inhalation due to its controllable temperature and safety. He warns against vape pens and high concentration products, citing the risks of carcinogens and cannabis use disorder. In terms of oral products, he suggests low-dose edibles like gummies due to their bioavailability and minimal caloric content, while criticizing brownies and cookies for their high doses and poor dietary fit. He finds capsules have poor bioavailability and tinctures difficult for patients to dose accurately. He also questions the effectiveness of topical cannabis products.