Can You Get Cannabis Certifications for Anxiety In Texas
- Anxiety is one of the most common conditions for which patients shop at medical marijuana dispensaries nationwide.
- Anxiety is not specifically listed among the qualifying medical conditions for a Lower THC High CBD prescription.
- However, PTSD is a form of anxiety that is now considered a qualifying condition.
- Anxiety patients also have other legal options for cannabis-based treatment in Texas.
Can you get a medical marijuana for anxiety in Texas? The answer is, “that depends.” Another question, however, is whether or not a medical cannabis certification from a state licensed doctor online is really needed to treat anxiety with cannabis in Texas. Let us explain.
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues facing modern society. Sadly, many people suffering from anxiety don’t seek treatment. We think of anxiety as a complex emotional problem. However, reducing anxiety levels might be as simple as taking a daily dietary supplement. Of course, we’re referring to medicine made from medical marijuana for treating anxiety.
Next to chronic pain, anxiety is one of the top reasons patients give for shopping at marijuana dispensaries. Although only one anxiety disorder is listed among the qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana in Texas. That is PTSD.
A diagnosis of PTSD isn’t as simple as being diagnosed with generalized anxiety. With generalized anxiety, a patient need only complain to their medical marijuana doctor that they are experiencing feelings of anxiety. But the underlying cause of PTSD is much more apparent. PTSD is common among veterans and victims of abuse. Without a history of traumatic experiences, a diagnosis of PTSD is unlikely.
Anxiety patients in Texas do, however, have other options.
For starters, there are other medical conditions for which an anxiety patient might qualify for a cannabis prescription such as cancer, seizure disorders, MS, ALS, Alzheimer’s, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and Parkinson’s disease. Of course, these are not common medical conditions. They all produce highly specific symptoms. And if a patient is suffering from one of these conditions, anxiety is probably not their chief concern.
Treating anxiety with medical cannabis in Texas
So which products are best for treating anxiety?
For the sudden onset of anxiety, a product with a fast onset time is ideal. Smoking, vaping, dabbing, and inhalers offer almost instantaneous effects. Inhalation produces a sudden surge in the cannabinoid levels in the blood as the cannabinoids are absorbed directly into the bloodstream from the lungs.
For ongoing feelings of anxiety, patients look for more consistent cannabinoid blood levels. MMJ products such as oils, tinctures, capsules, and edibles offer a slower onset time and lower potency but produce more consistent cannabinoid levels, especially when taken with a meal. Transdermal patches also offer consistent delivery as the cannabinoids are absorbed over time through the skin.
Some experimentation is generally required to determine the ideal delivery method and cannabinoid formula for each patient. However, it’s important that patients start with the lowest possible dosage — preferably under 5 milligrams. This allows the patient to determine if there are any unwanted side effects before increasing dosage.
If the patient feels no adverse effects, then the dosage can be increased slowly until the desired results are achieved. Surpassing the ideal dosage can actually reduce the effectiveness of cannabinoids as the body will try to overcompensate. Thus using more than necessary is not only a waste of money but can also be less effective.
Low-THC cannabis oil in Texas
Under Texas medical marijuana laws, cannabis products are limited to THC levels of one percent. Moreover, they must contain at least 10 percent CBD. THC is the intoxicating compound produced in marijuana. CBD is non-intoxicating. Each of these cannabinoids produces a different set of effects on the human body.
Surprisingly, CBD is actually more effective than THC at treating anxiety in most patients. Moreover, THC can actually worsen anxiety and cause feelings of paranoia when the dosage is not kept low. This fact makes low-THC marijuana a better choice for treating anxiety.
As we mentioned, anxiety is not a qualifying medical condition in Texas. Fortunately, CBD products can also be produced from hemp rather than marijuana.
Any cannabis strain that produces less than 0.3 percent THC is considered to be hemp. And hemp products are fully legal in Texas. At 0.3 percent THC, there is less than one percent difference between hemp-derived CBD oil and the low-THC cannabis oil that’s available at Texas dispensaries. Moreover, there is no limit on the amount of CBD in hemp products.
All Texans can buy CBD online or at local stores without a medical marijuana card. This includes CBD-rich hemp flower for smoking, vaping, and cooking, CBD-infused vape pens, CBD tinctures, CBD capsules and lozenges, CBD edibles, CBD topicals, and even CBD inhalers and transdermal patches.
In addition to CBD other cannabinoids are also available that can be produced in hemp. CBG is another excellent choice for anxiety patients. Many anxiety patients claim that for them CBG produces better results than CBD.
CBD laws in Texas
CBD produced from hemp plants (as opposed to marijuana) was made legal in Texas in June 2019. House Bill 1325 authorized the production, manufacture, and retail sale of hemp and hemp-derived products including CBD oil. Texas passed another CBD law in the summer of 2020 further solidifying the legality of hemp-derived CBD products are legal in the state.
While medical marijuana patients can also purchase cannabis based CBD products at Texas dispensaries, or via delivery, all Texans can buy CBD online without a prescription and without having one of the qualifying conditions for medical marijuana.
There is no limit to the amount of hemp CBD an individual can possess. However, it is still illegal to smoke hemp flower in public.
Final word
Although anyone can buy CBD products in Texas, patients with serious medical conditions such as anxiety should not be self-medicating. Patients are strongly advised to consult with one of our certified Texas medical marijuana doctors.
Anxiety is not a specific qualifying medical condition in Texas yet. The medical marijuana products that are available are low THC levels and higher CBD. CBD is a better choice for fighting anxiety for most patients. See if you qualify today!