Page 1 - CANNABIS NEWS FLORIDA MAY 2021

Brief Review of the Effects CANNABIS
of Recreational Marijuana
Legislation on Academic BUSINESS
Student Performance,
Crime and Driving DIRECTORY

Accidents page 50
page 53

May 2021

2019 Cannabis Business Award’s Publication of the Year

DocMJ:

Medical Marijuana Recommendations Made Easy

BY DANIEL CASCIATO “At DocMJ, we are proud to offer patients
world-class care at an affordable price,” says
Founded in 2016, DocMJ has more than 45 Rothman. “We allow our patients to select from
doctors in 29 locations throughout Florida. one of two payments options: paid in full or in
DocMJ is Florida’s largest and most experi- easy monthly payments.”
enced medical cannabis physician’s practice. Both payment plans include renewals every 70
“We have proudly performed well over days, up to the State maximum of 7 months, and
175,000 patient visits,” says Jackie Rothman, are all-inclusive and have no hidden fees.
Chief Operating Officer for the Florida-based “We offer a money-back guarantee if the Dr. Michelle Weiner
practice. “At DocMJ, we strive to provide patient does not receive a recommendation, as
patients with compassionate care, direct well as discounts for veterans, first responders,
access to medical cannabis recommendations industry workers and pediatric patients,” she Prescription
and an all around complete health and well- says. “In addition, we have more locations and
ness experience.” more doctors than any practice in the state, so for Exercise
DocMJ started as a small group of physi- Jackie Rothman we are able to offer convenient appointments,
cians who saw the need for patients to have including same day, early morning, late night and
compassionate, affordable, direct patient access to medical weekend appointments at many locations. Our physicians are BY MICHELLE WEINER, DO, MPH
cannabis. backed by a large and knowledgeable staff, available 6 days a
While there are other similar practices that offer patient eval- week, to answer questions and provide support as our patients Have you ever wondered why you feel
uations for medical marijuana, DocMJ distinguishes itself by seek the medicinal benefits of medical cannabis.” so alive after exercising? Researchers
being the largest group of cannabis doctors, with a diverse vari- “Medical cannabis can help many patients with a variety of have been trying to account for the anal-
ety of specialties. This allows them to address each individual health conditions and associated symptoms,” says Rothman. gesic and euphoric mental states pro-
patient’s conditions and needs. duced during exercise. Initially, it was
Continued on page 55 thought that alterations in the cate-
cholamines adrenaline (epinephrine) and
noradrenaline (norepinephrine) and
Cannabis Spotlight endogenous opioid released during exer-
cise induces physiological and psycho-
logical changes. The endorphin hypothe-
sis alone may not be the only mechanism.
David Berger, M.D., FAAP with western medicine, I was confident med- Exercise induces changes in mental
ical cannabis would be a valuable treatment
Wholistic ReLeaf resource for many patients. status, including analgesia, sedation,
anxiolysis, and a sense of wellbeing.
In 2016, after Florida voters overwhelmingly Recent findings show that exercise
What benefits do you see for approved adding access to medical cannabis increases serum concentrations of endo-
patients throughout Florida within into the state constitution, I launched cannabinoids, suggesting a possible
this space? Wholistic ReLeaf, a division of my primary explanation for a number of these
As a wholistic pediatrician who has worked medical practice, Wholistic Pediatrics & changes. We all have an endocannabi-
with herbs as medicinal remedies for more than Family Care, which has been serving the noid system; it is our master regulator.
twenty-five years, I can unequivocally say med- greater Tampa Bay area and beyond since 2005. We make endogenous cannabinoids on
ical cannabis is the most beneficial and versa- The sole focus of Wholistic ReLeaf is to evalu- demand (Anandamide and 2 AG); we
tile natural treatment I have utilized in treating ate, certify, educate, and treat patients who have cannabinoid receptors located
patients. It is amazing one category of therapy meet the State of Florida’s legal requirements throughout our central and peripheral
can treat such a broad range of health condi- for receiving medical cannabis. nervous system and enzymes that break
tions. For example, medical cannabis can help Dr. David Berger My main motivation for working in the med- our naturally occurring cannabinoids
eliminate seizures, treat anxiety and depres- ical cannabis field is the ability it gives me to down.
sion, relieve chronic pain, and significantly reduce the core help such a wide array of patients find successful treatments. Research is underway to examine the
symptoms of autism, such as violence, irritability, hyperactivity Medical cannabis has very few side effects, especially compared effect of exercise on both serum and cere-
and insomnia … plus so much more. The medicinal applica- to other medications, and any side effects that occur can usu- brospinal fluid concentrations of endo-
tions of cannabis are truly amazing. ally be minimized with proper education. cannabinoids in exercising rats, while
At Wholistic ReLeaf, we have a dedicated, full-time patient also examining several associated alter-
What motivates you to be a part educator on staff who meets with the patient/caregiver at the ations of behaviors. Using trained male
of the cannabis Industry? end of each appointment and is available at no charge through- college students running on a treadmill
I have dedicated my career to serving as a primary care physi- out the 7-month certification. We have received incredible or cycling on a stationary bike for 50
cian for both children and adults, with expertise in treating feedback and gratitude from our patients for including educa- minutes at 70–80% of maximum heart
patients with chronic conditions and special needs. Based on tion in our certification procedures. It is critical to provide rate, researchers found that exercise of
my experience utilizing herbal medicines, often in conjunction such comprehensive services to people in need. It is also grati-
Continued on page 52 Continued on page 54