What field are you in within the cannabis space?

For the past six years, I’ve practiced as an integrative emergency medicine and medical cannabis physician in South Florida. By working with patients to approve them for medical marijuana use, they gain access to secure their medical marijuana license. Currently, I assist patients in Florida, Georgia, and California.

Product customization is a unique, yet critical part of the approval process. When working with patients, I create specific medical cannabis regiments that require minimal amount of product to achieve the greatest relief. We set reasonable intentions together as we build our patient-physician relationship with the goal of optimizing medical care. I utilize micro dosing to incorporate CBD and THC into daily health routines, thereby teaching patients how to simultaneously decrease opioid, benzodiazepines and narcotic use. Over time, I challenge each patient to decrease their cannabis use to find the optimal dosing that is effective for each individual.

What motivates you to be a part of the cannabis industry?

It is our responsibility to prioritize our health and wellness. This single act alone is radical in nature because it challenges what the world says we deserve. My role in the cannabis industry is to explore how medical marijuana can be a major part of this radical self-care and help patients understand the value of the cannabis plant. This motivation has propelled me to diversify my portfolio–I am now invested in building my patient-centered cannabis practice. I’m excited to announce that I am opening an office location in Aventura, FL (January 2023), accepting new and transfer patients. This location offers cutting edge technology services, HIPAA regulated electronic patient medical charting system, video streaming platform for virtual patient consultations, same day guaranteed medical cannabis card approvals, customized medical cannabis recommendations, fair competitive pricing, and in-person consultations with a licensed physician.

How did you get started within the cannabis industry?

When I launched my career in the cannabis industry in 2017, I was met with opposition from several traditional Emergency Medicine colleagues who lacked knowledge of the plant. Despite their skepticism, I continued forward in my path to acquire knowledge and education about cannabis and its cutting edge, multifaceted progressive approach to pain management. I engaged digital media to amplify my platform and brand myself as one of the leading voices for cannabis reform and patient education, focusing my efforts on historically underserved communities.

What benefits do you see for patients throughout Florida within this space?

The Florida medical marijuana industry provides legal protection, effective medication, access to dispensaries, and verifiable products. It’s important that Florida residents understand the benefits of the medical marijuana program. The CDC reports that cannabis can help cancer symptoms, reduce inflammation, minimize headaches, relieve chronic pain, stabilize mental health, and improve appetite. Florida designed a streamlined medical marijuana registry that allows qualified patients to gain instant access to a medical marijuana card, with the help of their physician. Once a patient is approved, they have same-day access to a dispensary to begin medicating with cannabis without delay. It is critical to choose third-party, laboratory verified medical grade cannabis over black market weed to minimize side effects of exposure to cross-contaminated cannabis that may be possibly laced or cut with deadly additives like fentanyl, heroine, ketamine or fungus.

How can people in Florida benefit from the company you represent?

Ask Doctor Lyn was founded in 2017 to educate patients about the benefits of medical marijuana and assist qualifying patients obtain their medical marijuana card. I operate a boutique agency with the ability to customize cannabis recommendations for each patient according to qualifying medical condition(s). Our goal is to work together to achieve maximal relief with a minimal amount of cannabis product. We accomplish this through diversifying cannabis delivery methods to maximize the effectiveness of flower, vape, oral, topical, and edibles with careful precision and execution. My goal is to empower patients to unapologetically select medical cannabis as a first choice for treatment for qualifying ailments. “Traditional” social norms have influenced public opinion to believe that cannabis should be an “alternate” or “final option” for medical management once western pharmaceutical treatment has failed. To gain more information about a cannabis-centered approach to medical management, schedule your appointment via www.askdoctorlyn.com or call my office at (305) 487-0902.

Are you personally a MMJ card holder?

Yes, I became a licensed FL MMJ card holder in 2020 when I was formally diagnosed with PTSD, caused by the tremendous uncertainty and loss I experienced as a front line Emergency Medicine Physician practicing during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I’ve utilized cannabis as a tool in my healing journey. My family has roots in Jamaica, where cannabis and plant-based medicine have been infused into the culture through salves, teas, tinctures, and inhaled herbs for centuries. My appreciation and respect for cannabis stems from my island upbringing. As a child, I recall my father smoking ganga as a healing method to cope with stress. Burning the herb was daily therapy for him. I couldn’t understand the real power of cannabis back then, but I knew it was normalized at home. Because of this, I never shunned marijuana use. Fast forward, I am so grateful I have a professional opportunity to expand the narrative of medical marijuana use.

Do you see Florida moving forward with recreational marijuana/cannabis and how will it affect your business?

New efforts are underway in Florida to get a recreational marijuana amendment on the 2024 ballot. Trulieve, the state’s largest medical marijuana operator, has been a bold supporter of this proposal. Currently, the state has over 770,000 registered medical marijuana patients and roughly 2,600 physicians approved to recommend medical cannabis. If Florida becomes a recreational state, I don’t foresee my medical practice being negatively impacted because patients will still require the guidance of a physician to help customize medical cannabis therapy and explain its benefits. Some patients are fearful about the potential negative side effects of cannabis as seen with incorrect dosing and federal implications due to lack of legalization. Therefore, there’s always an opportunity to educate and dispel myths for my patients. From the business aspect, purchase and possession limits are higher for medical marijuana patients. Therefore, it is beneficial to secure a MMJ card because you can purchase greater quantities of product at lower tax rates (10% or less).

 

Dr. Safiya K. Lyn can be reached at (305) 487-0902, info@askdoctorlyn.com or visit www.askdoctorlyn.com.