medical MARIJUANA Is just more…FAKENEWS?

Bynow, you’ve likely heard the almost miracle-like anecdotes from “patients” on the news about medical marijuana as it becomes more mainstream. When I hear these stories, I have to wonder: are they legitimate? I had to know the TRUTH, so I arranged to sit down with Dr. Anne Lynn Morgan, the Chief Medical Of cer at MMJ Health, Florida’s top-rated medical marijuana doctor’s of ce.

Many people don’t know that medical marijuana is legal in Florida, let alone readily available at over 250 in-state dispensaries (imagine a pharmacy speci cally for medical marijuana). For years, pop culture has depicted marijuana primarily as a recreational drug, but there’s more to the plant than what’s shown on the silver screen. Since its legalization, medical marijuana’s profound effects have changed the lives of countless Floridians. Dr. Morgan, as Florida’s top rated Medical Marijuana Specialist, is responsible for much of this positive impact. Indeed, she and the staff at MMJ Health were honored to be named by The Palm Beach Post as the “Best Medical Marijuana Card Provider” for their level of service and ef cacy in 2020!

Additionally, Dr. Morgan is an expert in the eld of medical marijuana, and is among one of the most respected clinicians in the industry. She sits on the board of directors for the American Academy of Cannabis Medicine, is a member of the International Cannabinoid Research Society, and is considered to be one of the industry’s highest-rated cannabis clinicians (no pun intended). Dr. Morgan has been in practice for 33 years and was the former Medical Director for United Health, Metropolitan Health, and Humana.

Dr. Morgan has been practicing marijuana medicine speci cally for the last 9 years, with licenses in Florida, Washington, and Pennsylvania. After years of education, research, and hands-on experience, Dr. Morgan attests to the relief medical marijuana brings to people, saying, “We have found that we have over a 90% success rate with medical cannabis.”

Dr. Morgan explains that medical marijuana patients at MMJ Health, rather than experiencing psychoactive effects or feeling high, nd relief from various medical conditions, including anxiety, depression, insomnia, arthritis, cancer, IBS, epilepsy, PTSD, autoimmune disorders, migraines, Parkinson’s, ADHD, Fibromyalgia, dementia, Alzheimer’s, and more. Medical marijuana is not for getting high, it’s for feeling better! How does it work? It’s simple –THC and CBD.

THC and CBD are two chemical compounds that come from the marijuana plant and affect the endocannabinoid system, the human body’s natural system for processing cannabis. “The endocannabinoid system’s reason for existing is to keep our bodies in homeostasis, i.e. healthy and balanced. Cannabis can positively affect so many systems in the body that are not being managed properly by pharmaceuticals,” says Dr. Morgan. Many of MMJ’s patients, since using medical cannabis, have been able to drastically reduce their prescription medication regimen, or have stopped taking prescriptions altogether!

Marijuana is still classi ed as a Schedule 1 substance federally, but Dr. Morgan explains, “It’s not what you think… Medical marijuana is not a narcotic. In fact, after using medical marijuana, many of our patients have reduced taking narcotics and/or opiates without even being asked!”

Medical marijuana is not like anything sold on the street... it’s completely safe! When you get your marijuana from a dispensary, you don’t have to worry about whether it was adulterated. Dr. Morgan clari es, “Florida has very stringent rules about how medical marijuana is grown and prepared, so you know it’s clean, pesticide-free, and has no bacteria or viruses.”

Medical marijuana has become a go-to for doctors across the nation to give their patients relief from a myriad of conditions without having to worry about the severe side effects associated with many pharmaceuticals. For the patients at MMJ Health, medical marijuana is 100% making a difference in their everyday lives. The stories are real. Dr. Morgan says that it is not uncommon for patients to cry, hug, and thank her because they are feeling better than ever since using medical cannabis. Dr. Morgan has seen the results, and she urges anyone and everyone to consider trying medical marijuana.

MMJ Health is at the forefront of technology, so nding out if you qualify for a medical marijuana card is super simple! The MMJ Patient Quali cation System, accessible at www.mmjhealth.com, allows you to nd out in minutes whether you qualify. If you do, then the MMJ Health of ce will contact you. MMJ Health has all of the resources necessary to get your health back on track!

So the real question now is: why wait? MMJ Health is the only all-inclusive medical marijuana of ce in Florida, so you can get quali ed for your medical marijuana card in one visit. The friendly and knowledgeable staff will ll out the tricky government application for you, take your ID photo in their of ce, and submit all of your paperwork to the Florida Health Department. The only thing you have to do once you leave their of ce is wait for your card!

“You shouldn’t have to suffer… medical cannabis can help you! We are real doctors who provide real results,” says Dr. Morgan. The expert staff at MMJ Health encourages you to “Please come and see the MMJ Health difference. We care, we make a difference as a team, and we know our cannabis medicine. Isn’t it time to live your life the way you want, symptom and side-effect free?” en, a er free time was sucked into the atmosphere, I realized the beauty of texting. A sentence is typed and received within moments, and the receive answers immediately. ere is no interruption in time management. In fact, you can be speaking to someone on the phone, and texting someone else at the same time. Magic! I don’t know how we ever lived without texting.

MMJ Health is located at 600 Sandtree Drive in Suite 108 in Palm Beach Gardens. MMJ Health also has locations in West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie, Stuart, Melbourne, Wellington, Boynton Beach, and Boca Raton. Their of ces are open Mondays-Fridays from 9AM-7PM and Saturdays-Sundays from 10AM-7PM. For more information, please call 561-631-7994 or 772-212-4032, or visit www.mmjhealth.com.

So, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately, about why most of our lives have become so hectic, and lamenting over the good old days. Of course, I know that in hindsight, it was probably hectic back then as well, but I miss the idle time I used to have, even though my husband and I raised four children. Still, it seemed as though there was plenty of time to sit at dinner and go over each other’s day, talk about upcoming plans, and maybe sit down for a quiet evening while the children went to their rooms to do homework. What the heck happened?!

I’m going to go out on a limb here, and blame the internet, and possibly technology in general, but as I write these words, I feel the entire population ganging up on me. Yes, I use the internet everyday. Yes, I ask google for answers to questions that I’m too lazy to research, and yes, I’m on my computer as a writer, non-stop, so who am I to make unkind remarks about the internet? I don’t disagree. All I’m saying is that I feel like families are losing valuable teaching moments, emotional moments, and yes, even punitive moments because everyone has a device in their hands and are spending an inordinate amount of time that could be spent interacting with others. I remember when texting rst became a thing. I thought it was ridiculous. I didn’t see the point of it. If I had something to say, I could just call the person.

But, I digress. Now, when my grandchildren come over, they are glued to their iPads. In restaurants, I see perfectly well-behaved children with their parents, who are free to dine with the other adults free of the inconvenience of their children’s whining or back-talking, because their children are otherwise involved in FaceTime, Tik-Tok, video games and the like. It seems like a winwin, but sometimes I wonder if it isn’t a lose-lose. When I was a child eating at a grownup dinner table, I had to sit politely, and endure an hour or more of adults reminiscing about generational stories that were handed down from one to another. ose stories may be dying at the dinner table as we speak, because children have no interest in hearing them, and are not subjected to sitting there listening. It feels like our ancestors are begging for a chance to be remembered, but the younger generation has little interest in hearing about anything that doesn’t pertain to them or o er immediate grati cation. Please understand,

I’m speaking in generalities, not about your children or grandchildren speci cally. I am simply stating that I feel a great loss of free time, storytelling, family time, and just lazy fun in general.

But how do we go back? e sad news is that we don’t. Without technology, we would have to live o the grid, or on another planet to communicate the way we used to. Everything is done with the internet, and even that is changing so quickly I can barely keep up. For those of us who are of a certain age, it seems like we are falling behind quickly, with no chance of catching our breath.

For What it’s Worth, I’d like just one more day of being in a family where it was exciting to nish dinner and look forward to putting a puzzle together or playing a good old fashioned game of monopoly, but that’s just me. A hopeless romantic, and wide-eyed optimist.

$1,499,000

VENTURE HARBOUR

HUTCHINSON ISLAND

RIVERFRONT! Panoramic views from this Custom CBS, 3BR, 2 bath on 2 lots, impact glass, 2C garage, beautiful appts and all the amenities of this 55+ Island Community!

Actualview

$415,000

FAIRWINDS COVE

HUTCHINSON ISLAND

RIVERFRONT! Wide river views from this spacious nicely updated 2BR, 2 bath, 2nd oor. Gated with clubhouse, 2 pools, tness, tennis, pickleball and more!

Actualview

Actualview

$919,000

OCEANSIDE I

HUTCHINSON ISLAND

BEACHFRONT! Ocean to river panoramic views from this 8th oor, beautifully updated 3BR, 2 bath NORTHEAST CORNER! Lovely furnishings plus also incls. Island Dunes Golf & Tennis Country Club membership!

Actualview

ISLANDIA II

$699,900

HUTCHINSON ISLAND

BEACHFRONT! Stunning PH views from this totally renovated 2BR, 2 bath with custom appointments throughout. 24hr security, 2 pools, tness, pickleball and more.

Actualview

DUNE WALK

$489,000

HUTCHINSON ISLAND

BEACHFRONT! Direct oceanfront views from this updated 5th oor, 2BR, 2 bath. Gated with pool, tness, clubhouse and more.

$1,275,000

REGENCY I

HUTCHINSON ISLAND

BEACHFRONT! Spacious 3BR, 2.5 bath SOUTHEAST CORNER, over 2300sf of living with 5th oor views of the ocean, river and golf course. Includes Island Dunes Golf and Tennis Country Club membership.

Actualview Actualview

$750,000

ADMIRAL HUTCHINSON ISLAND

BEACHFRONT! Stunning ocean, river and golf course views from the beautifully updated 2BR, 2 bath with gorgeous furnishings incl. Includes Island Dunes Golf and Tennis Country Club membership.

$587,000

ISLANDIA I HUTCHINSON ISLAND

BEACHFRONT! Breathtaking ocean views from this 4th oor 2BR, 2 baths with open oor plan. 24hr security, 2 pools, tness, pickleball and more.

$469,000 $1,500,000

DUNE WALK HUTCHINSON ISLAND

REGENCY II

HUTCHINSON ISLAND

BEACHFRONT! Gorgeous 8th oor views from this 3BR, 2 bath NORTHEAST CORNER, nicely updated and lovely furnishings. Includes Island Dunes Golf and Tennis Country Club membership!

ISLANDIA II HUTCHINSON ISLAND

BEACHFRONT! Clean and ready to enjoy 2BR, 2 bath on the perfect 9th oor looking South down the Island. Great amenities include 24 hour security, 2 pools, tness, tennis, pickle ball and more!

BEACHFRONT! Beautifully updated and furnished 7th oor 2BR, 2 bath with views of both ocean and Intracoastal. Gated with clubhouse, tness, pool and more!

ITS YOUR LUCKY DAY!

$550,000 $720,000

MIRAMAR ROYALE HUTCHINSON ISLAND www.HealthySmilesPSL.com

BEACHFRONT! Perfect 7th oor views from this desirable 2BR, 2bath, with both bedrooms on the ocean. Some updated plus gated with pool, lobby, tennis, tness and more!

Meet the doctor

Jacques Benchimol DDS. A er receiving his undergraduate degree from Boston University, he earned his dental degree from Tu s University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, where he graduated magna cum laude. University School of Dental Medicine in Boston.