Working at a very responsible position, interacting with the “C” suite at a big company she found herself unable to ask for help when she felt anxious and overwhelmed. She suffered pain from fibromyalgia and migraines. The pain was chronic, constant and intolerable. Her symptoms were variant and many, and she had trouble with several mental health issues.

With nowhere to turn, she used alcohol to medicate her symptoms which as suspected did not work. At some point during this time she was able to change jobs and work as a freelance employee and that improved the situation a good deal. But the pain and problems remained and she decided to try medical cannabis. She had never abused opioids and for that she was grateful but the roller coaster of anti-depressants not working was terrible. Once she applied and received her card she came to the dispensary. We had a long talk and she was pointed toward the products that were most likely to help her. Just like everyone she had to do a fair amount of experimentation in order to land on just the right combination of products. But she is there and is living a life without alcohol, antidepressants and the other “traditional” medications that she was on. This is a great success story, she feels she does a better job with her family and her work.

Medical cannabis does not work for every single patient that comes in, but it does work for the vast majority. I have seen people who have not slept well in years secondary to a traumatic event, come back in with tears in their eyes because they actually slept all night, no traumatic nightmares! I have patients that have horrible gastrointestinal diseases…that actually have an appetite are able to eat and get some nutrition. I have patients who have lost a few pounds because they can finally move easier without pain and have been more active. We have a number of folks who have reduced their opioid intake by 50% and a few that have discontinued altogether. When I have patients come in feeling like a new people or themselves again, it really does my heart good. To quote one of our Patient Care Representatives….”that is why we do what we do”.

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Be sure to sign up for our class, March 20 at 5pm, Understanding CBD.  Bring your questions as we dive into and explain this wonderful cannabinoid.  Go to Salveramd.com/Events to learn more about our March classes & click here to sign up today!

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I’m so grateful for the clinical consultations we offer our patients.   How low and slow you go with cannabis will be ultimately up to you but 0 – 90 isn’t it unless you want to have a very bad day.  Did anyone asked this gentleman’s level of cannabis experience?  Did anyone greet him with a smile? Did anyone ask if he’s ever had an edible?  I have spoken with patients who have zero history with cannabis and patients with more experience than Barbara and I together.  Either way, we’re here to have a conversation with you.  We’d love to know if you you’re only experience was a brownie at a party or if you’ve been making your own edibles for some time. Edibles are a great way for some patients to use cannabis, but understand them, understand what makes them different and how to find “your dose”. 

This is not cannabis the way it used to be, where you got whatever your friend happened to have, crossed your fingers and hoped for the best. We have cannbinoid levels, terpene profiles, a half dozen ways or so to take in cannabis.  Without any guidance, it’s almost predictable that sooner or later a cannabis naive patient will choose a 90mg lollipop.  A lollipop that can’t be broken into smaller dosing pieces, for one of his first purchases and have a very bad experience.  If he had been a Maryland patient and come to see us, I guarantee we’d have helped him find something more suited to his life, and lifestyle.  If you’re an MMCC patient, come in for a chat or schedule a visit today.

Cannabis is and always has been a medicine.  Some States have made it over the counter, I hear there is talk in Annapolis and State Capitals to the north about doing the same.  Compared to other medicines cannabis is very safe but it is not without risks and concerns.  Those risks and concerns are different for different patients.  That’s why we have the model we have, that’s why Salvera has Barbara and I.  If you’ve been to Salvera you’ve met one or both of us.  We have a deep passion for making sure Salvera’s patients, our patients, you are the most important thing in the medical cannabis industry.  We care that our patients are educated. We care that you as the patient are comfortable and have time to ask questions.  We care if it’s your first time with cannabis and if you’ve been using cannabis for decades teach us something new, so we can learn.  There are a couple of dozen types of flower in the average dispensary, a dozen types of vape cartridges, maybe a dozen or so concentrates, and that’s before you get to tinctures, elixers, patches and ingestables and more on the way.  

Stop by Salvera with your questions and concerns. Share and Like us on Social Media.  Tell your friends and family about us, we’ll take their questions too.  Let us help you on your journey toward better health. 

-Jerry

The post Do Not Start With 90mg! appeared first on Salvera.

The other day,  Barbara, Trey and I were talking and a plan started forming around different ways we can show our patients how much we appreciate them.  We’ve already started implementing some of them and if you haven’t been in to see us lately you might be surprised at some of our prices.  You might REALLY be surprised at the specials we send out daily too.

I know I shouldn’t tell you too much, we are still working on some details but here’s a sneak peek of what’s in store as we look forward to warmer weather.

• Look for periodic specials on online orders.  Click Menu up above, register fully, order and come see us.  It couldn’t be simpler.  If you know what you want, don’t wait in line.
• Vendor Pop Ups:  Don’t miss your favorite growers and processors as they come visit, here at Salvera.  Ask your questions, tell them what you like about their products  and see what swag they bring.  We’ve got several coming up so follow us on social media stay informed.
• Salvera Pop Ups:  We’re taking the show on the road so to speak.  We’ll be out and about in the community several times this month answering your questions and helping people get signed up with the MMCC.  From  pop ups at local businesses talking to their patrons to educating rooms of more than 100, our goal is to spread the word.
• Classes:  We’ve added more classes!  We’ve added a couple of new classes during the day and added a second Cooking with Cannabis class!  Follow the link to our Events page to register or click Events in the menu bar above.
• “May the 4th be with you”  That’s all the hint I can give you right now, just save the date.  Follow us on Social Media to be the first to know more about this awesome event we have planned. It’s the big one, it’s going to kick off our summer and you won’t want to miss it!
• Keep up with us on Social Media, we are @salveramd just about everywhere.  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram that’s where we post announcements to our classes, videos of me doing crazy stuff and let the world how medical cannabis is changing lives.

That’s about it for now guys.  Stop by, say Hi and don’t forget to follow us on Social Media to stay up to date!

The post Patient Appreciation 2019 appeared first on Salvera.

Cannabis IS an option for folks now and we have had some amazing results. Probably the most impactful are the ~ 15 patients we have been able to assist in reducing and/or replacing their opioids with cannabis products with high CBD in them. It is so important to people that they remain focused, productive, and able to do their jobs. This ability to focus without being distracted by pain is beneficial to folks. Often I will get patients that are afraid to have any THC in their medication but in fact we know that a bit (small %) of THC will potentiate the work of the CBD and relieve pain very well.  Figure out how much CBD you need and add THC to taste.

Perhaps most memorable is a patient who really hadn’t had a good nights sleep in over two years. She was traumatized by an event in her past. Each time she would close her eyes she would see a replay of this difficult event. We were able to find an Indica that worked well for her and the next day she returned in tears…..She had slept all night! She was so grateful!!

Another who quickly comes to mind is a woman who has become a friend and now a spokeswoman for the benefits of cannabis.  After years of struggling with gastrointestinal problems and surgeries no one wants , she has a little bit of an appetite and that keeps her from more invasive treatments.

When a patient, like these, come in to the dispensary, I often look at our Patient Care staff and exchange a knowing glance.  After the patient has finished and left one of us would say: “That’s why we do what we do” and every time, they are right.

That is why I am at Salvera. Our philosophy and the way we run our dispensary is a little bit different than most. Each new patient visits with a clinician. I have been a nurse for over 45 years and am at Salvera because it is a medical model.  This isn’t cannabis the way it used to be where you got whatever your “friend” happened to have, crossed your fingers and hoped for the best.  We have cannabinoid percentages and terpene profiles now.  If someone seeks pain relief we can point them this direction, a good nights sleep that, seizure relief, this way.  For the less experienced I like to help them understand which cannabinoids and terpenes are most likely to relieve what is ailing them and which types of products are most likely to fit their lifestyle and needs.  Our most experienced patients are some of our favorites, they can help us learn something like what they like and why. We don’t “prescribe” anything, we point people in the right direct. Don’t forget, I always recommend, when trying something new, start with a small amount, see how that works before you buy a bunch of anything. After all, we’d love to see you back and here how it worked.

Sincerely,

–Barbara

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Ingredients for Cannabis-Infused, Cinnamon-Vanilla Hot Chocolate

Serves 1

• 1 drop of cannabis concentrate from something like a CO2/Distillate dropper OR small dab of concentrate
• 1 tbsp dark cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 tbsp of maple syrup (or a sweetener of your choice; adjust according to your taste)
• 1/2 cup of water
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp of vanilla
• Whipped cream (optional)

The easiest way to infuse this recipe is using cannabis concentrate from a dropper, because it’s an easy and mess-free way to medicate the hot chocolate precisely. If you don’t have a dablicator, you can use a dab of any full-melt cannabis concentrate in the recipe.

Either way, it’s best to start with one drop or just a small dab of cannabis concentrate. Once you see how that dose affects you, if desired you may opt to increase the dose to better fit your needs.

If you don’t have cannabis concentrates or aren’t interested in consuming marijuana that way, you can substitute with 1 mL of the cannabis tincture of your choice.

How to Make Cannabis-Infused, Cinnamon-Vanilla Hot Chocolate

1. If you’re using a cannabis concentrate, place it in a small saucepan and heat on low for a few seconds. Remove from heat if there are any signs of vaporization (such as simmering) or if you can smell a more fragrant odor coming from the concentrate. Don’t let it go too long on the heat or you’ll lose medicinal components of the plant to the air. This step decarboxylates your cannabis concentrate, so that the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is active. Skip this step if you’re using a cannabis tincture.

1. Add your cream to the saucepan and return to heat. Stir the mixture continually with a spatula as you heat the cream to a simmer.
2. Once your cream is simmering, add the cocoa powder and the chocolate chips. Stir continuously until the chocolate is completely melted and mixed with the cream. During this process, make sure to scrape any chocolate mixture from the bottom of the saucepan to avoid it burning.
3. Add the water, vanilla, cinnamon, salt and maple syrup. Stir thoroughly until it’s well incorporated and the entire mixture is homogeneous with a consistent color and texture. If you’re infusing the hot chocolate with a cannabis tincture, here’s where you stir it in.
4. Pour the hot chocolate into a mug and top with whipped cream.

If you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, including cooking classes, stay plugged into Salvera.  You can stay in the know by following us on social media, stopping by or clicking the Events Tab at the top of the screen.

Thanks for reading, stay warm and let me know the next time you’re in, how you liked the Hot Chocolate!

–Barbara

The post Cold Day Hot Cannabis Cocoa appeared first on Salvera.

We know there is a thirst for good information about Medical Cannabis.  We know you have friends and family with questions … you’ve told us.  Some of you have brought those friends to us at Salvera, we’ve had the pleasure of answering questions and making a few new friends that way.  This is the perfect opportunity to bring those questions and meet some other cool people, all at the same time.

If you know someone who might be helped by Medical Cannabis but has questions, fears or doubts about what it is, what it isn’t, how it’s taken and if it might help, please tell them know about this event!  Below is a link to the Eventbrite page for registration.  Share this blog post and copy and text a copy of the link to a friend.  We already have more people registered than our education room could hold, which is awesome!  Space is limited though so please, sign up and share this class today.  Thanks and see you at the event on Feb 6!

Date/Time: Wednesday, Feb 6, 7p-10p

Address: 9109 Piscataway Road Clinton, MD 20735

Link to register:  Medical Cannabis 101 Info Sessions

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1.  Cook at 340 Degrees Fahrenheit

Many edibles recipes tell you to cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  The problem is that most ovens are not very precise.  If you set your oven at 350, it could end up 10-25 degrees hotter.  Since THC begins to degrade at 365 degrees, that is a problem.  So, to make sure you don’t degrade your cannabis set your oven at 340 degrees and even if the temperature fluctuates you won’t ruin your cannabis.

2. Understand the Math

You really need to understand how much cannabis or THC you’re adding to your edibles.  Just substituting cannabutter for regular butter isn’t going to do it.  Knowing how much THC is going into your edibles is vitally important, otherwise you’ll either end up with a product that’s way too strong or way too weak.  There is a formula and there are calculators online like the one I found at How To Edibles that tell you how many mg/serving of THC is in your treats.  P.S. they also have some really cool recipes there.

3. Use Quality Cannabis

Food tastes so much better when you use fresh, high quality ingredients, right?  You wouldn’t throw old tomatoes in your grandmother’s sauce recipe, why use old cannabis, would you?  Of coarse not so why use old cannabis that you can’t verify is clean and free of pesticides, molds or dirt?  Using medical cannabis purchased at a medical cannabis dispensary in Maryland will ensure your cannabis is clean and free of impurities.

4. Use a Hand Grinder

Please don’t use a food processor or coffee grinder to pulverize your cannabis.  It’ll do the job but you’ll get too much chlorophyll coming out of the cannabis.  This will give your treats a plant like taste.  Use a regular hand grinder for your cannabis and your treats will turn out fine.

5. Mix Evenly

Have you ever had an infused cookie that gave you no effects but a friend had a cookie from the same batch and got over medicated?  They probably had an uneven distribution of THC.  Make sure you stir your mixture really well to distribute the THC evenly through the whole of your edibles.

Edibles aren’t difficult but they do take a bit of practice and patience.  Pay attention to the temperature of your oven, the quality of your cannabis and a few small details and you’ll be making top notch edibles in no time.

The post Here are 5 Tips for Making Better Edibles appeared first on Salvera.

The other benefit is that you know what you ARE getting.  Gone are the days of hoping whatever you are able to find will do what you want.  Today, thanks to lab testing we know much more about your cannabis.  We get to see not only what it doesn’t have, we get to see what it does have.  Cannabis has at least 111 different unique cannabinoids!  Not all are in every strain and for many of them science is still figuring out what they do.  However in Maryland the lab tests we get tell us the top measuring cannabinoids in each one, with their percentages.  We’ve all heard of THC and CBD but there are also CBN, CBG and more than 100 others, each one working differently in the body.

If that isn’t enough, we also get a report of the terpenes profile of each strain.  Terpenes are what give cannabis and other plants their  smell.  They are the essential oils found in plants and responsible for many of its effects.  With names like Pinene, Limonene, Linalool and others they might not be familiar yet but they will be.  Pinene isn’t only found in cannabis, it’s also found in pine needles and rosemary.  Limonene is also found in lemon peels and Linalool can be found in Lavender.  The terpene make up of your cannabis determines the taste, smell and in large part the affect your cannabis medicine will have.

If you want to know more about cannabinoids, terpenes or which terpenes you might be looking for come see us or schedule an appointment with Ms. Barbara today.

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There are patients who find taking medical cannabis so effective in controlling their symptoms they want to reduce or eliminate other medications.  Some have physicians on board, some don’t.  We’re making great headway but some still feel a stigma or unease about trying medical cannabis and many have not told one of more of their physicians they are using medical cannabis.  These patients often feel lost with no one to turn to for guidance.

Other patients can’t get past the strain names to see how a something with a certain cannabinoid and terpene profile, along with a variety of ingestion methods for ease, discretion & comfort, can help their specific back pain, shoulder pain or nerve issue.  The choices can fast become overwhelming.  If someone like my grandmother walked into a dispensary, looked around and saw the names “Pootie Tang” or “Cherrygasm” without someone to guide her through the process, she’d walk right back out.

Nurses fill those gaps, nurses have those conversations.  We know that once you get past the funny sounding strain names over here, there’s a cream over there that might help your arthritis.  We’ve had some patients speak highly of it, it won’t get you “high” and it helps to loosen up the joints.  There was a recent Gallup poll showing nursing as one of the most trusted professions, again.  The same poll shows those same results every year.  Nurses are patient advocates by nature and training.  Nurses understand what is important to an MS patient, a cancer patient, a PTSD patient, or an arthritis patient because we understand their disease and we’ve heard their story.  Nurses speak patient.  It’s a language, a skill and an art.

I’ve had the privilege of working with some great nurses over the years and one of the top is Ms. Barbara Ochester.  If you have questions about how medical cannabis can fit in your life, you couldn’t be in better hands than Ms Barbara.  She’s been a nurse for over 45 years and is currently on the Board of Directors of the American Cannabis Nurses Association.  If you’ve been to Salvera you’ve probably met Ms. Barbara and you know what I’m talking about.  If you haven’t stopped by what are you waiting for?  If you already know what works for you, that’s terrific, stop by see the shop and tell Ms Barbara something new.

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