Patients new to medical cannabis are often advised to utilize what is known as the ‘slow and low’ approach. Slow and low dictates starting with the smallest possible dose and going from there. Given the limited knowledge we have about cannabis and its long-term side effects, the approach is a sound one.
As for patients, they may not understand why their doctors and pharmacists recommend slow and low. That is not surprising given how traditional prescriptions work. Under normal circumstances, a doctor writes a prescription complete with dosage and consumption instructions. It is all pretty straightforward. But when it comes to medical cannabis, that’s not how things work.
Slow and Low In Simple Terms
The slow and low approach to medical cannabis begins with determining a delivery method and then consuming the lowest possible dose. Most states with legal medical cannabis programs do not allow smoking marijuana. So that leaves vaping, dry heating, oral medications, edibles, and topical products.
Products in all these categories are available at the Beehive Farmacy medical cannabis dispensary in Brigham City, Utah. Beehive operators say that dosage can vary from one product to the next. They also follow the low and slow approach, recommending that new patience start with the lowest possible dose.
The idea is to give the low dose a chance to work. The patient sticks with the low dose for a specified amount of time, tracking each intake and how it made him feel afterwards. If the low dose seems inadequate, it is raised slightly and then given the same amount of time to work.
Regular Consultations Are Important
One of the keys to the low and slow approach is to have regular consultations with both the doctor and medical cannabis pharmacist. Doctors and pharmacists are well equipped to guide patients through the medical cannabis journey. On the other hand, attempting to go it alone is one of the worst things a patient can do.
Because medical cannabis is not dispensed the same way prescription medications are, patients are ultimately left in a situation of self-medicating. They can, and should, heed the advice of their doctors and pharmacists, yet they ultimately need to decide how much cannabis they use and how frequently they use it.
The Logic Behind Slow and Low
Recommending the slow and low approach is not merely a fad. There is actually sound reasoning behind it. The approach is rooted in the understanding that every drug – including medical cannabis – has at least some negative impacts on the body. Every drug also has side effects.
In terms of traditional prescription drugs, doctors utilize a similar approach. They prefer that patients take the smallest possible dose in order to limit site effects and potential complications. If 50 mg of a particular drug will do the trick, there is no point in taking a risk by prescribing 100 mg. The same holds true with medical cannabis.
Achieving Maximum Therapeutic Effect
It should be noted that low and slow is not designed to intentionally limit the amount of medical cannabis a person uses. The primary goal is still to achieve maximum therapeutic effect. But instead of immediately recommending the maximum dose, it is better to start with a low dose and gradually work up until the desired therapeutic benefit is achieved.
Slow and low is a reasonable approach to using medical cannabis. If you are a new patient just getting started on your cannabis journey, ask your doctor and pharmacist about the slow and low concept. It is the best and safest way to figure out how cannabis can meet your needs.
