Medical Cannabis Certification in Lakewood Ranch: A Practical 2025 Guide with Dr. Shaan Kunwar, DO

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Living in Lakewood Ranch means an active lifestyle — golf, pickleball, long walks on the trails, and busy workdays. But chronic pain, poor sleep, anxiety, and other daily struggles don’t take a day off. That’s why thousands of our neighbors have turned to medical cannabis as a natural, plant-based option that often works when traditional medications fall short or cause too many side effects.

If you’ve been curious about whether medical cannabis could help you, this guide is for you. Dr. Shaan Kunwar, DO — a board-certified internal medicine physician who has practiced right here in East County since 2017 — explains the medical side of the process, what actually happens during a certification visit, and how patients in Lakewood Ranch are finding real relief in 2025.

Why More Lakewood Ranch Residents Are Choosing Medical Cannabis

In my practice I see the same themes over and over:

• Long-term back, neck, or joint pain from years of sports or desk work
• Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep (especially common in our 50+ community)
• Anxiety that makes it hard to unwind after a busy day
• Neuropathy, arthritis, migraines, IBS, and Crohn’s symptoms that flare despite other treatments

Medical cannabis isn’t a miracle cure, but for the right patient it can be life-changing — often with fewer side effects than opioids, sleeping pills, or high-dose anti-inflammatories.

What to Expect at Your Medical Cannabis Evaluation with Dr. Kunwar

The visit is just like any other doctor appointment — private, relaxed, and focused on your health history.

Here’s the simple flow:

1. We review your symptoms and past treatments
   We talk about what you’ve already tried and why it may not be working well enough.
2. Brief physical exam (required for first-time patients)
   This is quick and painless — blood pressure, heart/lung check, and a look at the area that hurts if needed.
3. Personalized recommendation
   If medical cannabis makes sense for you, I enter your information into the state registry the same day (most patients are approved within minutes). You’ll leave knowing exactly what forms and dosages tend to work best for people with symptoms like yours.
4. Follow-up care every 7 months
   The maximum interval between follow-up visits is 7 months. We have always kept our follow-ups affordable.

Cost

• New patient evaluation: $200
• 7-month follow-up: $85
  (Cash, check, or card — we keep pricing transparent and lower than many clinics in Sarasota or Tampa.)

Delivery Methods That Fit Lakewood Ranch Lifestyles (No Smoking Required)

One of the biggest misconceptions is that you have to smoke. In 2025, some patients don’t consume flower. Popular options include:

• Sublingual tinctures & oils – fast-acting, precise dosing
• Capsules – consistent dose, just like taking a vitamin
• Transdermal patches – steady all-day or all-night relief
• Low-dose edibles or gummies – great for sleep without morning grogginess
• Topical creams & balms – perfect for arthritis in hands, knees, or shoulders

We offer guidance on the above.

Common Conditions I Treat Successfully with Medical Cannabis

• Chronic pain (back, neck, knee, fibromyalgia)
• Insomnia and sleep-maintenance issues
• Anxiety and stress-related disorders
• Migraines and tension headaches
• Neuropathy (diabetic and chemotherapy-induced)
• Inflammatory bowel conditions (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis)
• PTSD and mood issues related to military service or life trauma

If it’s on Florida’s qualifying list and it’s affecting your quality of life, we can almost always help.Real Patient Results (Lakewood Ranch & East Manatee County)

• A 68-year-old golfer who cut his pain meds in half and sleeps through the night with a tincture + patch combo
• A 52-year-old remote worker whose daily anxiety dropped dramatically with micro-dosed capsules
• A breast-cancer survivor who finally controls neuropathy in her feet with topical cream and occasional vape for breakthrough pain

(Names and details changed for privacy — but these are real outcomes I see every week.)

Your Next Step – It’s Easier Than You Think

No long questionnaires, no pressure.

Simply call our office at 941-727-7771 and let the staff know you’re interested in a medical cannabis evaluation. We’ll find a time that works for you — same-week appointments are common.

Dr. Shaan Kunwar, DO
East County Internal Medicine
11009 Gatewood Drive, Suite 101
Bradenton, FL 34211

(5–10 minutes from anywhere in Lakewood Ranch)I look forward to helping you feel better — naturally and safely.

This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace personalized medical advice.