Why Medical Guidance Matters When Using Cannabis

As cannabis becomes more widely available through medical and adult-use programs, many patients are choosing to use it on their own, without medical guidance. This behavior is often referred to as “self-medicating.” In many cases, people are not acting recklessly. They are seeking relief from symptoms such as pain, anxiety, sleep disruption, or are dealing with a chronic illness that, despite conventional treatments, have failed and/or caused unwanted side effects.

Cannabinoids are some of the safest compound known to humans, however, using cannabis without medical oversight can carry real risks, especially for children, seniors, those with complex medical conditions and patients taking other medications. 

What does self-medicating with cannabis mean?

Self-medicating with cannabis means choosing products, doses, and methods of use without guidance from a qualified healthcare provider. As a cannabis clinician who has treated more than 18,000 patients since 2008, I frequently see people rely on dispensary recommendations, advice from friends or social media, or the belief that something “natural” must be risk-free. Many patients also make dosing or product selections on their own without understanding the medical implications.

Recently, I spoke with a 75-year-old man who had never used cannabis and was given a 20 mg THC gummy by a family member. He became profoundly lethargic, fell out of bed, struck his head on a nightstand, and developed a black eye. He reported feeling unwell for more than 24 hours. This outcome was entirely preventable with proper education and medical guidance. Unfortunately, the experience left him fearful of all cannabis, despite living with multiple medical conditions where cannabis could be helpful and potentially safer than some pharmaceutical options.

Cannabis affects people differently

Each person’s endocannabinoid system is unique. Factors such as genetics, age, underlying medical conditions, and concurrent medications all influence how someone responds to cannabis. The same product that relieves symptoms for one person may cause unwanted effects for another, despite both having the same condition. Cannabis medicine is not one size fits all!  Without guidance, patients may misinterpret specific effects or discontinue use prematurely when adjustments in product, cannabinoid, dosing or timing could have improved outcomes.

Medication interactions are often overlooked

One of the most significant risks of self-prescribing cannabis is unrecognized drug interactions. Cannabinoids can affect how certain medications are metabolized in the liver. This may alter blood levels of commonly prescribed drugs, including:

• Blood thinners
• Antidepressants
• Anti-seizure medications
• Sedatives
• Certain cardiac medications
• Chemotherapy or immunotherapy used for cancer treatment 

Without medical oversight, patients may not realize that cannabis could amplify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of other treatments.

Inhalation, oral ingestion, and topical use all produce different onset times and durations of effect. Patients who self-medicate may unintentionally overuse or underdose, leading to frustration, side effects, or inconsistent symptom control. Medical guidance helps align product choice and dosing with your individual health needs.

Why provider education matters

Many healthcare providers were not trained about the use of medical cannabis during their formal education. This has left patients navigating use without the support of knowledgeable clinicians.

At Goldstein Wellness, we focus on closing this gap by providing evidence-based education for licensed healthcare practitioners. We encourage informed, patient-centered discussions about cannabis as part of comprehensive care and mentor clinicians to provide safe, thoughtful, and medically appropriate guidance to their patients.

Moving toward safer use

Cannabinoid compounds like CBD, THC, CBG and others can be helpful for many patients, but the use of medical cannabis, especially in vulnerable populations, should be approached with the same care and respect as any other therapeutic option. Medical guidance means improving safety, effectiveness, and patient outcomes.

At Goldstein Wellness, we focus on:
1) Educating licensed healthcare practitioners in evidence-based medical cannabis
2) Helping patients connect with knowledgeable providers
3) Supporting patients through medical discounts 

If you are curious about cannabis medicine or looking for medical guidance, click here to register for free.