Medical cannabis has been legal in Florida since 2016. However, residents still have a lot of questions about how to use the plant to support their health and well-being — and which conditions it helps.

Liberate Physician Centers first opened in Palm Beach County in 2015 but is now headquartered in Jacksonville, where they opened just after medical cannabis was legalized. Liberate was one of the first medical cannabis physician centers in the state of Florida. They give individuals access to qualified physicians to receive their medical use card, which “allows qualified patients to have access to state-approved dispensaries to help manage their condition naturally,” said Mark Turgeon, CEO and one of the founders of Liberate Physician Centers of Florida.

“It shows that they have gone through the legal process with a physician to show that they have debilitating health conditions and could benefit from the use of cannabis as an alternative healthier medication,” Turgeon said.
Have questions about the conditions cannabis can treat and whether this plant could be an option for you? Read on for expert answers from the team at Liberate Physician Centers.

“Patients can contact our office, and we will provide free education to anyone,” said Melissa Blake, managing director for Liberate. “The best way to know how it can help is to become educated and leave the gossip and rumors behind. There are so many studies out now to show that it is a true medicine — and needs to be taken properly.”

medical-cannabis-center — Medical cannabis can help with numerous medical conditions — all covered by the Florida medicinal use card.
Credit: Courtesy Liberate Physician Centers

Medical Cannabis And The Endocannabinoid System

Much of the research into the effects of cannabis involves a little-known but crucially important system known as the endocannabinoid system. This system is a natural, important part of the nervous system. Its cell-signaling receptors are located all over the body, helping to modulate responses to pain, inflammation and more.

“Cannabis turns on receptors in our brain and our immune system,” said Dr. Kia Mitchell, of the Orange Park Liberate office. “The CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in cannabis work synergistically with each other to provide what is called the entourage effect. Together they work to alleviate inflammation, pain, anxiety and help people get a more quality rest or sleep.” That’s why medical use “is not to be confused with taking it recreationally,” added Dr Mitchell. “This will create two different effects in a person.”