The medical marijuana sector is gaining traction, thanks to telemedicine platforms and other attempts to digitize health care. Here are some recent changes that have impacted medicinal marijuana use and access.

Online Marijuana Platforms Increase Ease Of Access

Patients living in legal states must first get the approval of a licensed medical marijuana doctor before beginning treatment. After completing that phase, the client will receive a medical marijuana card, which will allow them to use the drug.

People can communicate with doctors via the internet (an online or virtual doctor visit) and receive approval to use marijuana in minutes. Additionally, patients stand to benefit from telemedicine platforms if their local provider fails to approve a cannabis regimen.

These telemedicine consultations vary in length and cost, but they often involve a patient detailing their symptoms and a physician proposing cannabis strains that can help. Afterward, doctors frequently communicate treatment plans to their patients.

QuickMedCards is one example of a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform for medical marijuana users. It serves patients in many states where medical marijuana is legal such as New York, Texas, Ohio, and Louisiana. Most importantly, QuickMedCards employs secure video chat technology using the telehealth platform Doxy. And all one needs to access the service is a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Speaking of ease of access, through the internet, a new facet of the marijuana industry has emerged – online dispensaries. Yes, you read that right; people can shop for marijuana on their screens. For instance, online dispensaries in Canada are particularly sought-after due to the wide selection of products they offer, their fast deliveries, and their discretion. In this way, it has never been easier for Canadians to acquire their favorite cannabis strain.

The Blockchain Enables Better Tracking And Transparency

When it comes to blockchain, most people think of cryptocurrencies. But, there are multiple uses for blockchain technology, especially in the medical marijuana industry. One such company utilizing blockchain technology is Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada.

Shoppers Drug Mart joined forces with TruTrace Technologies to develop and deploy a blockchain-secured pilot program. Its intended use? To improve transparency, interoperability, and product identification within the medicinal marijuana industry.

Besides improved transparency, blockchain technology in the medical cannabis industry also aims to match patients’ anticipation that their medicine is standardized. And they can expect steady clinical outcomes and results.

Digital Technologies Can Help Predict Demand

It does not take long for states to legalize marijuana for medical purposes, and the market quickly expands. Pennsylvania, for example, authorized medical cannabis in 2016. According to some observers, the state might become the country’s sixth-largest market. This anticipated popularity attracts many people who want to work in the sector and help patients anxiously awaiting treatment.

New and established marijuana businesses, on the other hand, frequently face challenges. According to local news reports, more than 202,500 Pennsylvanians have registered to use medical marijuana as part of a state-run program. Furthermore, there are currently 63 dispensaries in Pennsylvania, and several have claimed that their supplies are insufficient to meet the demands of their patients.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this problem, but Big Data systems may be able to deliver predictive insights that reduce the likelihood of stock sellouts. Businesses use these analytics to stay on top of projected demand variations. Then they contact growers or retailers directly to inform them of the probable trends.

Online Courses Facilitate Specialized Education

Physicians in most states must complete a certain amount of continuing medical education (CME) each year to maintain their license. Doctors in some states have to complete online courses to prescribe medical marijuana to patients who meet specific criteria. There are approximately 760 physicians that have received the accreditation to recommend medical cannabis in Florida, which has a fast-growing medical cannabis market.

To become certified, you must complete a two-hour course offered by the state’s health department. Students at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, can pursue a master’s degree in medical cannabis outside of Florida. That educational institution offers a two-year degree in that area, the first of its kind at the graduate level. Students can complete a majority of the curriculum online.

At first, only 50 students could enroll in the pilot class. But due to high demand, the number ballooned to 150. More than 30 states, as well as Australia and Hong Kong, are represented among the students. Most importantly, because the internet has no geographical boundaries, people from all over the world can acquire sophisticated medical marijuana instruction without having to worry about visas or trip costs.

An Industry In Transition

Because the medicinal marijuana sector is still relatively new but rapidly evolving, building a Zocdoc clone app for healthcare services makes sense. The technologies mentioned here demonstrate their ability to assist patients, clinicians, and retailers in navigating the future and meeting their requirements as quickly and seamlessly as feasible.

Schedule your medical marijuana telemedicine appointment

Thanks to the advantages of telemedicine, patients now have easier access to medical marijuana.

So, benefit from improved access and convenience by scheduling an online doctor visit with one of our medical marijuana doctors near you.

QuickMedCards serves patients in 21 states countrywide:

First, find out if you qualify for medical marijuana in your state. Then, if you do, schedule your telemedicine appointment with us and get your medical marijuana card, recommendation, certification, or prescription.

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The Role Of Telemedicine And Digitization In The Medical Marijuana Industry