Welcome to
Doctor-THC

At  Doctor-THC | Orthopedic Medical Center, Dr. Tiedrich treats his patients holistically, providing each person individualized care intended to treat the whole person, not only the injury or the presenting symptoms. Dr. T uses a combination of attentive discussion, medical diagnostic tests, and his 35 years of experience in the musculoskeletal and neurological field to find and treat the root cause of each patient’s pain.

Dr. T is a board-certified Medical Marijuana Physician who always puts his patient's needs first. The team at Doctor-THC | Orthopedic Medical Center follows a precise and well-documented course of physician-prescribed treatment when considering medical cannabis for his patients. These treatment plans start with a private comprehensive consultation with Dr. T and can conclude with a personalized prescription for local dispensary needs and dosing instructions.

A Medical Marijuana Doctor Treating the Whole Patient

Many people unknowingly experience chronic pain as a result of issues with the musculoskeletal, and neurological systems. Dr. T. cares about seeing his patients find relief from chronic and debilitating conditions and he knows that treatment plans are going to be different for each patient.

Oftentimes, these unique and specific medical conditions present in ways that are not easy to diagnose. You might say it’s innate, or maybe it’s his decades of medical experience, either way, Dr. T has a way of getting to the root cause of these seemingly mysterious conditions.

Dr. Tiedrich may prescribe medical cannabis to treat conditions affecting the spinal cord, brain, nerves, bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Being a certified MMP Doctor in New Jersey has allowed Dr. T. to properly prescribe medical cannabis alongside his use of innovative physical therapies. Dr. T. uses both traditional and alternative medical methods in each patient’s custom plan of care.

Dr. T's main goal as a medical cannabis doctor is to provide comprehensive and multi-faceted care to dramatically reduce pain and suffering caused by a variety of musculoskeletal, orthopedic, and neurological conditions. The New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana Program has outlined specific conditions that are approved for treatment with medical cannabis.

Some conditions approved by the New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana Program may include:

1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
2. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease or ALS)
3. Multiple sclerosis
4. Muscular dystrophy
5. Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease
6. Terminal illness, including terminal cancer
7. Chronic pain related to musculoskeletal disorders
8. Migraines
9. Anxiety
10. Chronic pain of visceral origin
11. Tourette’s syndrome
12. Opioid use disorder
13. Seizure disorder, including epilepsy
14. Intractable skeletal muscular spasticity
15. Glaucoma
16. Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
17. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
18. Cancer

Medical Marijuana for the Treatment of Chronic Pain

What is Chronic Pain?

Many of us have experienced a wide range of pain symptoms in our lives, from the mild pain of bloating and gas to the acute pain of a sprained ankle, broken arm, or serious cut. This pain could last only a short time or up to several weeks as you recover, but it passes eventually.

Chronic pain is different. It is broadly characterized as pain that lasts 12 weeks or longer and ranges in severity from relatively mild to severe and even debilitating. There are many types of chronic pain, often associated with chronic conditions such as arthritis, ALS, chronic migraines, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and more.

In some cases, these chronic conditions can be difficult to treat. Often, there is no cure, which leaves patients trying to manage symptoms, and pharmaceutical treatments can come with a host of undesirable side effects. This is where the medical marijuana program in NJ could help.

How Can the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program Help?

Thanks to growing legalization, as well as increased research and testing, medical marijuana is now being used to treat all kinds of symptoms associated with a wide range of conditions and diseases. For those suffering from certain chronic conditions, the alternative treatment offered by the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program, or NJMMP, can be a blessing, especially when other pharmaceutical and therapeutic interventions have failed.

With THC, CBD, full-spectrum, and broad-spectrum products to choose from, as well as dozens of strains of medical marijuana known to work best with different conditions, your trusted medical cannabis doctor, Dr. Tiedrich, at Doctor-THC.com, can help you to find the best possible solutions for your particular condition. Once you’ve been approved for inclusion in the medical marijuana program in NJ, you’ll have access to dispensaries where you can purchase approved amounts of medical marijuana.

The dozens of cannabinoids found in cannabis plants interact with our endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in a variety of bodily functions, including the management of sleep, stress, appetite, and pain, just to name a few. While research is still underway to discover the many ways in which cannabis can help to deal with pain, inflammation, and other symptoms, it is known that cannabis has analgesic properties that can be used to manage a variety of pain conditions.

Getting Approved for the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program

Preparing for Your Appointment

When you meet with a cannabis doctor in New Jersey, you need to be prepared, as you will have to provide certain information and documentation to prove you are legally eligible to be approved for the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program. For starters, you must be over the age of 18, or your designated legal guardian must have written confirmation from a pediatric physician regarding approved health conditions that would justify the use of medical marijuana.

You must provide a valid identification card (such as a driver’s license) issued by the state of New Jersey, as well as proof of residency in the state, such as a utility bill (dated within the last 90 days) or correspondence from the IRS or New Jersey State Tax Office (dated within the last year). You must meet, in person, with a certified medical marijuana doctor, to be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition.

The Process of Getting your NJMMP Card

Getting all your ducks in a row to qualify for inclusion in the medical marijuana program in NJ is just the first step. In truth, the process has only a few steps, but they’re crucial to ensuring your ability to gain a recommendation from your medical cannabis doctor.

Once you’ve provided all necessary documentation to prove that you’re a legal resident of the state of New Jersey and that you’re of legal age (or you have necessary approval from a legal guardian and pediatrician), the next step is to make an appointment with Doctor-THC.com. The evaluation process will determine if you have any of several qualifying conditions that would warrant approving you for medical marijuana use.

If you do have a qualifying condition, you’ll be recommended for the NJMMP. From there, you’ll have to submit an application to register with the state and pay applicable fees. If all goes well, you’ll be approved and receive a medical marijuana license (card) in the mail.

This allows you to visit any of the current state medical marijuana dispensaries to purchase approved amounts of cannabis products. There are no purchasing limits for terminally ill patients. The state of New Jersey requires annual recertification of medical marijuana licenses, and you will have to visit a certified physician, such as Dr. Tiedrich, to complete this process each year.

While you are legally obligated to undergo an in-person evaluation with a certified doctor, this isn’t the only reason to consult with Doctor-THC.com. Dr. Allan Tiedrich has 35 years of experience as a board-certified physiatrist, specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. This includes the diagnosis and treatment of conditions linked to the musculoskeletal, orthopedic, and neurological systems.

In short, he has a vast repository of knowledge and experience that allows him to work with patients to identify the causes of pain, including chronic pain conditions, helping him to make the accurate diagnoses needed to recommend patients for the NJMMP. If you are suffering from a chronic condition and other medications aren’t helping, or you’re worried about the unwanted side effects associated with pharmaceuticals, visiting Dr. Tiedrich at Doctor-THC.com for evaluation and advice is a great first step toward getting approved to use medical marijuana.

What to Expect During and After Your Visit

In the state of New Jersey, you must be evaluated by a certified physician in order to be recommended for the NJMMP, after which you can register with the state and receive your license. When you meet with a medical cannabis doctor, you’ll discuss your medical history, as well as your current condition and symptoms so your doctor can make a diagnosis and determine if you’re qualified to receive medical marijuana.

If you are found to have a qualifying condition, including specific instances where you’re resistant to other therapies or your condition or its treatments cause certain secondary conditions, your doctor will approve you for medical marijuana use and fill out a recommendation form. From there, your cannabis doctor in New Jersey will help you to find the nearest dispensary and advise you on the best products to treat your chronic condition and suit your preferences.

Finding the right medical marijuana doctor is a crucial part of enjoying the relief this alternative treatment offers, so don’t hesitate to book an appointment with a trusted professional, Dr. Allan Tiedrich at Doctor-THC. While there are currently only a handful of medical marijuana dispensaries in the state of New Jersey serving tens of thousands of patients, recent changes to the law have paved the way for up to 24 providers or dispensaries in the state, so there may soon be more.

Your Upcoming Visit with Dr. Tiedrich

Researching information about medical cannabis online and finding a cannabis doctor who truly cares about treating your ailments can be overwhelming and confusing. The dedicated team at Doctor-THC | Orthopedic Medical Center is ready to answer every question you have about your upcoming appointment. They will guide you through your first visit and will answer any questions you may have about how the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program works.

You will arrive at Doctor-THC | Orthopedic Medical Center and be checked-in discreetly by one of our compassionate staff members per the current CDC COVID-19 guidelines. Dr. T is committed to providing a safe and comfortable experience for every patient.

Once you meet with Dr. Tiedrich, he will spend as much time as needed to address every concern you have. You will work together to create a customized treatment plan for your rehabilitation that may include medical cannabis, physical therapy, and more traditional medications and treatments.

Once Dr. T has made a medical diagnosis and determined that a cannabis prescription recommendation is for you, he will also suggest the best local cannabis dispensary location for you to visit. Your prescription may include; best consumption methods, best product types, and information about how and when to consume.

Dr. Tiedrich is the cannabis doctor in NJ who makes every patient feel comfortable and safe during their private consultation. His team has worked hard to create an environment free from judgment, providing only compassionate, reliable care, and rehabilitation. Dr. Tiedrich is available to his patients 24/7 via text and cell.

Some may think that the only real difference between medical marijuana and recreational marijuana is how New Jersey residents can access the two and the suggested purpose of them, but there’s a bit more to it than that.

In order to help you get a clearer picture of the distinctions between the two, we’ve created this quick and easy guide. We think you’ll find that understanding the nuances between recreational and medical marijuana is actually crucial to reaping the benefits you’re seeking from this incredible plant.

What Really Separates Medical from Recreational Marijuana?

If you’ve ever used cannabis for medical purposes, then you likely understand all of the good that it can potentially do for patients experiencing a vast array of health issues. You probably also know that that’s not all that it can do.

Cannabis offers a number of different benefits that may not be classified as medical, such as an uplifted mood, feelings of euphoria, a spike in creative thinking, and an altering of one’s perception.

Sure, these effects may serve their own therapeutic purposes, but they can also be enjoyed for no purpose other than enjoyment itself. Cannabis cultivated and sold for these purposes is going to be labeled “recreational,” while cannabis cultivated and sold for its potential health benefits is going to be labeled “medical.”

But the intent is not the only difference between the two. In fact, there are a number of other circumstances that make medical and recreational marijuana distinct from one another. The most significant among them have been listed below.

Legality

Yes, recreational marijuana was recently legalized in the state of New Jersey, but that doesn’t mean that the laws surrounding it are 1:1 with the laws regarding medical marijuana in the state.

New Jersey residents must be over the age of 21 to purchase, possess, and use recreational marijuana, while the age minimum for residents to potentially qualify for a medical marijuana card is actually 18.

In certain instances, qualifying candidates under the age of 18 are even eligible to gain access to medical marijuana under the supervision of a parent or guardian.

The list of qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana card includes:

• Chronic pain
• Migraines
• Muscular dystrophy
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Tourette syndrome
• ALS
• Seizure disorders
• Anxiety
• Glaucoma
• Cancer
• PTSD
• Terminal illness
• And more

If you’re over 18 but not yet 21, and you believe that medical marijuana may be beneficial to you, then simply contact Dr. T for an appointment. Should you qualify for your card, you’ll find that the new recreational laws have actually made taking advantage of medical marijuana easier and simpler than ever before.

Purchase Amount

There are different laws regarding the amount of marijuana you can purchase at one time, depending on whether it’s for recreational purposes or medical.

With recreational marijuana, you’re legally allowed to purchase up to one ounce of dried flower, up to 1000mg of ingestible products, or up to 5 grams of concentrates, resins, or oils.

With medical marijuana, cardholders are allowed to purchase up to 3 ounces of dried flower over a 30-day period, unless the patient is terminally ill, in which case there is no purchase limit.

Taxes

The way in which recreational and medical marijuana are each taxed is also different. Recreational marijuana is subject to the standard New Jersey 6.625% sales tax, along with a social equity excise fee of 1/3 of 1%, while medical marijuana’s tax is currently in the process of being phased out entirely.

Medical marijuana was once taxed at 6.625%, but as of July 1, 2020, it has been gradually decreased every six months, which will ultimately end with a 0% tax beginning on July 1, 2022.

Access

Anyone who tries to buy recreational marijuana in New Jersey will immediately notice one very big difference between their new local dispensary and a medical facility: the lines.

Recreational marijuana is open to all, and that means the wait times at recreational dispensaries can be more than an hour long. Medical dispensaries have NO lines, and that makes medical cannabis far easier to access.

THC and CBD Content

While there are lots of practical differences between New Jersey’s recreational and medical systems, perhaps the most significant difference between these categories of marijuana is their chemical makeup.

The marijuana plant is full of chemical compounds known as cannabinoids. Cannabinoids interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system to produce the wide variety of effects that marijuana has to offer.

While there are well over 100 known cannabinoids in marijuana, there are two that are far more abundant than most others – THC and CBD.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the cannabinoid that provides a majority of the psychoactive effects of the marijuana plant. In other words, it’s what gets you “high,” and therefore, it’s the primary focus of any recreational marijuana plant.

You’ll find that marijuana cultivated for recreational purposes generally has a significantly higher THC content than marijuana cultivated for medical purposes, a fact that can be easily identified by simply checking the labeled THC content of the product. High THC strains are generally about 20% THC or more.

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid that does not have psychoactive properties but does offer a wide variety of effects that can be potentially useful for a number of different conditions.

High CBD content in marijuana has been scientifically proven to have anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and antipsychotic properties, to name a few. That’s why you’ll find that marijuana cultivated for medical purposes has a higher level of CBD than marijuana cultivated for recreational purposes.

Keep in mind that a medical marijuana patient would still be able to enjoy the more therapeutic effects of the plant with a higher THC content strain that’s deemed recreational.

Someone looking for pure enjoyment out of their marijuana would still potentially be able to get that from a higher CBD content medical strain, but for either of these users to get the best possible experience, they would want to aim for the strain designed for the purposes they’re seeking.