Since Florida has allowed access to using medical cannabis to treat eligible conditions, the use of medical cannabis continues to increase dramatically across the state. For individuals and families of children with autism who have qualifying conditions, medical cannabis has proven to be an effective treatment plan for healthcare professionals and families to consider.
Now that Richie was approved for being treated with medical cannabis and I was approved as his caregiver, our next step is going through the actual treatment process. In this blog segment, we’re going to share what we learned from Dr. David Berger of Wholistic Releaf about how to develop a personalized treatment plan for our son Richie. I’ll begin by sharing what we learned from Dr. David about the different medical cannabis strains available.
Now that Richie was approved for being treated with medical cannabis and I was approved as his caregiver, our next step is going through the actual treatment process. In this blog segment, we’re going to share what we learned from Dr. David Berger of Wholistic Releaf about how to develop a personalized treatment plan for our son Richie. I’ll begin by sharing what we learned from Dr. David about the different medical cannabis strains available.
So far, in our blog series, we reviewed:
Why We chose Medical cannabis to treat our Son with Autism
Finding the Right Doctor with the Right Approach
The Florida Medical Marijuana Registry Process
Why We chose Medical cannabis to treat our Son with Autism
Finding the Right Doctor with the Right Approach
The Florida Medical Marijuana Registry Process
Let’s Talk Medical Cannabis
It’s important for families to know that although the use of medical cannabis is becoming a popular and viable option for treating children and adults with autism, the solution is not a “one size fits all” prescription and treatment process. Dr. David has over twenty years’ experience as a physician treating special needs children and their families. We moved forward feeling at ease knowing that we have his expert guidance in treating Richie with medical cannabis. There are many different types of Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) containing products of CBD. Any one strain or route of administration can produce different effects and results for different patients, depending on the patient’s medical history, genetics, and if they’re taking any other medications.
Strains with a significant amount of THC are typically broken up into three groups, called Indica, Sativa and Hybrid. There are significant differences even within these groups and from person to person.
Indicas - The physical features of this cannabis plant include short, full, widespread leaves. It has been described as providing a calming and relaxing sensations. Indica strains are more often suited for health conditions that include chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, muscle spasms and tension.
Sativas – This plant’s physical features include long and thin leaves. This strain is described as having a more stimulating and uplifting effect on patients. It’s best suited for conditions that include symptoms such as chronic fatigue, focus, concentration and daytime relief.
Hybrids - This strain is actually divided into two subcategories: Indica Dominant and Sativa Dominant hybrids. It’s also known to be a little stronger than the Indica and Sativa strains.
Sativas – This plant’s physical features include long and thin leaves. This strain is described as having a more stimulating and uplifting effect on patients. It’s best suited for conditions that include symptoms such as chronic fatigue, focus, concentration and daytime relief.
Hybrids - This strain is actually divided into two subcategories: Indica Dominant and Sativa Dominant hybrids. It’s also known to be a little stronger than the Indica and Sativa strains.
Various strains can either be high in CBD with minimal THC – known as low-THC Medical Cannabis, or High in THC with minimal CBD – clinically known as medical marijuana. THC is known to produce the “euphoric” effect commonly associated with marijuana. CBD alone does not have this effect. However, when CBD and THC are taken simultaneously, CBD decreases the psychoactive effects of THC, making it possible to safely introduce low doses of THC and increasing over time when needed.
I wouldn’t know where to begin with regards to choosing the right strain for Richie without Dr. David’s guidance. I’m not sure I would have considered this path of treatment without him. The process alone to obtain medical cannabis is a tedious one, starting the treatment process is a whole different story. I felt comfortable with Dr. David’s recommendation of starting with the lowest dose of medical cannabis at first, as the goal is to use as little cannabis as possible for establishing a baseline for Richie’s tolerance, relief and comfort levels. If we’re not seeing any positive changes in Richie after increasing CBD doses, then eventually, if needed, we can begin to introduce the lowest dose of THC. It’s advised to try any prescribed dose for a minimum of three days while monitoring and assessing its effects (changes in behavior, mood, appetite, level of comfort, digestive issues, etc.). While some patients find relief in just using CBD alone, others may find combining the two properties to be more effective. Since we don’t know how Richie will respond to either properties yet, we will proceed carefully and slowly for monitoring and documenting positive or negative reactions as we move forward with treatment.
Administering Products Best Recommended for Richie
Richie has never been prescribed medication before, but he has taken supplements, herbs, and other over the counter products. Richie doesn’t really give me a hard time with taking these things, so long as they came in liquid or chewable form. Richie cannot swallow capsules or pills and he wouldn’t allow a sublingual tablet to dissolve naturally under his tongue. Choosing a product would either have to be in liquid form so it can be swallowed right away or something he can chew. Dr. David mentioned that at this time the best products for Richie would either be oral liquid form, he explained this method can take about an hour to work after it gets absorbed, and the effects may last four to six hours. The other recommended product is a metered dose inhaler. This is similar to inhalers used for asthma. A spacer and a mask can be added to the device for insuring the medication is properly inhaled. The effects may take place within five to fifteen minutes of inhaling the product.
I know what you’re thinking. What is Richie’s recommended strain? What dose will work? How often will you give it to him? The answer: truthfully, we won’t know the exact strain combination, dose or the administering time frame that will prove to be successful for Richie until we try the prescribed medicine. Results vary for each person. Therefore, it’s crucial to have an expert like Dr. David for continuous consultation through this trial process.
Based on Dr. David’s recommendations, we’re going to start with 5 mg of CBD (alone) three times a day (this is the lowest dose). We can increase the dose by 5mg every 3-5 days (with careful monitoring) until the desired therapeutic benefits are noted. If we continue to see no improvement in Richie’s symptoms, then we can begin adding 1mg of THC by first trying it once in the morning to test how well Richie responds. If he responds well, then we can give it to him three times a day with the CBD.
We don’t know what to expect yet. Our hope is to relieve our son’s pain, anxiety and the storming sensory input he has difficulty processing daily. Based on our research on medical cannabis and its benefits, the hundreds of testimonials from special needs parents with successful outcomes, and working with Dr. David who has an extraordinary combination of compassion for patients and expertise in medical cannabis, we feel we’re on the road that leads to Richie having an improved quality of life.
Related Posts
Stay tuned for our next series segment Part V: "Visiting a Medical Cannabis Dispensary: Things to Know Before You Go."
Read our previous segment Part III, "The Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry Process"
Although we received services as part of our collaboration with Wholistic Releaf for raising awareness on treating autism with medical cannabis, all opinions expressed are my own.
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