It's a whole new world when it comes to cannabis! It's not "that POT" anymore

For many people, especially those new medical cannabis patients, some have "tried" cannabis many moons ago, back in the day, and then haven't used it since. While I do see other people who never wanted to "touch the stuff" but now see it and value it as a medicine and an option to help them feel better.
So what does a new patient need to know? It is going to take many blogs to get through all the "how to's" there are. But I want to start with the basics and have advanced information in future blogs.
Getting A DOCTOR RECOMMENDATIONS is your first step in  being a legal Marijuana patient. Many states now offers legal medical cannabis use. You will have to check to requirements and regulations for your state. Google it! To find out how your state issues recommendations for use.
Here in California, patients can asked their primary care doctor, or find a doctor locally that focuses on  helping marijuana patients get recommendations. These doctors do require doctor's notes to verify your need to use marijuana as a medicine. Once you have your valid recommendation, the next step is  to decide how you want to use your cannabis (see 1st blog) for this blog we are going to focus on SMOKING cannabis for medicine and what you need to know to get started.

INDICA ~vs~ SATIVA  and don't forget the Hybrids!
Some of You are already saying, "what?" "I have to know a kind?"  Don't worry!!!  This site will help you.
There are various kinds of cannabis, and unfortunately because of its legal status in our country we cannot study it, to say this specific kind of cannabis will be exactly what you need. The cannabis community themselves though is working on gathering  specific information on each strain, but how cannabis will work for you personally and which type will work is going to be trial and error process. Be patient, and keep trying new strains! Keeping a little note book/ journal to keep track of the medicines you try and what works and what didn't work help many patient learn and keep track of their medicine and affects.
Let's start with there are several KINDS of cannabis that a patient can use.

Sativa:
Typically sativa's are known for it's euphoric and uplifting properties. Many patients find sativa's elevate their moods, it can bring on creativity and helps some patients with depression as well. I also would like to note, that many patients who are in chronic pain also find sativa's to be helpful during the daytime to relieve pain, and not make them sleepy like Indica's tend to do. Another point that many patient have noted is that some sativa's can be a little strong for first time users causing an elevated pulse feeling, expressed as "makes me feel like my heart is racing" for those patients we are going to talk later about Hybrid strains (crossed strains between indica and sativa) below.

Indica:
Most Inidca's give patients the deep feeling of relaxation, pain relief and can definitely help those with insomnia as well.  Indica plants have dark wide shade leaves and grow more short and stalky than sativas. Patent's with severe medical issues have noted that the pure Indica strains help relief their chronic symptoms. If you are a patient in pain, suffer from muscle spasms or cannot sleep please give Indica cannabis a try. Often known as " couch lock" in cannabis slang, Indica strains can with very small amounts give you that "knocked out" feeling. So use a little to begin with before over medicating.

Hybrids:
Yes, we have come along was in producing numerous strains of cannabis to help patients with their wide array of aliments. So over the years Hybrid strains have been developed (crossing Indica's with sativa strains) give patients the benefits of both Indica and Sativa properties. There are growing reason that cannabis genetics has been developed, but also hybrids give patients the "best of both worlds" kinds of medicines to help relieve their symptoms. If as a new patient you find, you have tried a sativa for anxiety, but it makes you feel a little to "speedy" try a hybrid the next time and see if having alittle of both will help balance you better.
I know this is a lot of information. But as a new cannabis patient I am sure you have already discovered that many doctor can recommend the cannabis to you, but cannot tell you or won't tell you how to use it, or even where to get it.  So new cannabis patient often feel alone, and without much information to get started with. So finding a  dispensary (hopefully) you are in California or a legal medical state that has store front dispensaries that can not only provide but teach you about the various strains of cannabis but how to use them.
For those who do not have dispensaries and still are trying to use cannabis for medicinal use, if possible try and find out what kind of cannabis you are getting. Not just "its pot" but the name. If the place you are getting you medicine from can even tell you what it is called the Internet is a great resource for information on cannabis strains and you may be able to find out what it is just by googling it!
SO WHAT EXACTLY DO I NEED TO GET STARTED?
For this entry we are just discussing to SMOKING IT.
So you need some cannabis, a device to smoke it and a way to light it.
Not so hard, right? Yes, I know its not quiet that simple. But my best advice is to keep it simple.
Don't go out and spend lots of money on pipes, water pipes, vaporizers until you know this is the method that will work for you. Unfortunately, like everything shops that carry pipe mark up items a lot so always ask for a medicinal marijuana discount and don't spend very much to get started. Another side note if not in California, often in so called head shops, smoke shops etc... it is still illegal to call paraphernalia by its name. Bong for example, you have to ask for a "water pipe" Most people in these shops especially in California, are becoming more comfortable answering questions. Don't be afraid to ask, just know some place you may need to speak in code!
If you want to smoke it rolled up in paper like the good old days, but cannot roll a joint. Ask the local head shop about a rolling machine that basically does it all for you.
If you want a good pipe of bong those kind of stores can be found at local head shops. In California, some dispensaries (not where I work) but in other cities and counties dispensaries can sell to patients the devices they need to get started.
 a new patient. 
 This is just the start of information that I will be blogging about. And please ask any questions you may have. Thank You for trying cannabis as an alternative medicine than all the pharmaceuticals we are prescribed.
I am so glad to see people giving this gift a chance!