Medical Marijuana eligibility

[Kush_Man]

I'm 18 years old living in southern California near LA. All my life I've gotten chronic migraines with bad nausea. Tests have shown that it is simply heredity and that I will grow out of it. I have been prescribed medicines before but none of them have worked. What are the chances of me getting recommended for medical marijuana? Or do you have any tips on increasing that chance? Thanks

[Nailhead]

As long as all that stuff is documented in your medical records that is all you need. Have you asked the doctor you are seeing about medical marijuana? I would do this first, but if he/she doesn't write you the recommendation you need to be legal, I'd go to a pot doctor, Alternative Care Consultants - Southern California (http://www.accsocal.com) has a few locations in socal, but there are others too if you want to check out more.

[Kush_Man]

Thanks for the information. Can you get both the recommendation and the card all at that clinic? And do they tend to discriminate against young people by assuming we are potheads and not recommending us? Thanks again

[Storm Crow]

Sweetie, as long as you have medical records documenting a real medical condition that cannabis helps, you will get your recommendation! My rec is mainly for migraines (head trauma as a child- kid tried to murder me with a hammer) plus the minor problems of being 60. With my doc, you get a piece of paper stating a doctor has recommended cannabis for your medical problem. The card is only needed to buy at dispensaries or as an "easy way out" if you are pulled over with it in your car. As long as you have the rec from the doctor, you are "legal". The card just makes it easier for the cop to check things out and let you be on your way.

I don't have a card because, (a) my backward little county doesn't offer them yet, (b) I do not trust my local government not to "accidentally" leak my name to the feds! I don't know how your local cops are, but around here just saying they are corrupt is an understatement! But getting "legal" is still a good thing-Go for it!- Granny:hippy:

[Nailhead]

The only card I have is an ID card provided by the pot doctor place I went to, however, this card has no legal purpose whatsoever. So far, every co-op I've been to doesn't care to see it either, they all want the written recommendation from my doctor, that is all you need to be legal. The card was optional and I pretty much just got it to show off to my friends hehe :P

I also live in a county that doesn't provide a government issued card such which what Storm Crow is talking about, I'm not sure which counties provide these but I know many do not. I think Orange county does, but I don't know about LA county, and personally I wouldn't want one for the same reasons Storm Crow mentioned. I honestly don't see why so many people want the card, so far it is optional and I'd rather not be registered on some government database! I really don't even like the idea of my name being in a computer at the office of a pot doctor facility, but because my primary doctor wouldn't write the recommendation, I have no other choice.

Besides, you don't have to register with the government when you take any other prescribed medicine, so why on earth should I need to register for medical marijuana? I believe the whole card idea is a waste of time and as long as you have your written recommendation with you, that should be enough to get a cop off your back.

[Kush_Man]

Well I emailed a consultant at the ACC and I got a response saying that I am qualified. I have a few problems though. How do I acquire copies of my medical records? Also, do employers still offer you employment if you fail a drug test but are legally using medical marijuana? I guess I'm just finding this too good to be true.

[Storm Crow]

To get your medical records, just ask your doctor. It took mine about a week to mail them to me. If s/he asks why you want them, just say you are going to see a specialist about your headaches- it's the truth!

About the drug test, if you can present a bottle of Marinol ( synthetic THC- perfectly legal to be prescribed!) they should not be able to bust you. It falls under the same laws that govern barbituates. As long as you have a legal prescription, they are not supposed to report it. Reality, however, may differ. I don't trust some folks very much.

Herbal cannabis is another story. The California case to decide whether or not they can fire you is being decided right now! There's an article about it (on a nice little medical cannabis site), you can read about it here-

US CA: Medical Marijuana Law Is Cited in Bid to Reverse Dismissal By An Employer - TreatingYourself.COM Online Community (http://www.treatingyourself.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=24870)

Granny:hippy:

[Kush_Man]

I just learned that medical marijuana is just as expensive as it is on the streets. Aren't drugs expensive due to being illegal?? Why does it have to be SO expensive?

[ishmael]

Kush_Man,that is the law of supply and demand. Simple economics. They will get as much as they can because there is always a majority willing to pay for the convenience.

I also was surprised. Im in So Cal and we have many medical marijuana clinics. Lower prices
were definately what I expected and not what I found. However, quality and accuracy are the reciprocating factor. What can you do?

[Nailhead]

Well I emailed a consultant at the ACC and I got a response saying that I am qualified. I have a few problems though. How do I acquire copies of my medical records? Also, do employers still offer you employment if you fail a drug test but are legally using medical marijuana? I guess I'm just finding this too good to be true.

Ask your doctor about how to get copies of your medical information, usually the building at his office will have a records room usually in the basement that keeps all patient files on hand. When I got my copies, they said to not loose them because only the first copies I get are free, the next time they will cost me per page, and my medical records file was like a flipping book, so don't loose them! When I went to ACC I overheard another patient having his medical records faxed over, if you don't mind the wait you could do that and maybe avoid any fees, but it is faster and easier to just bring them with you to your visit.

As for comparing co-ops with street dealers, you need to take a few things into consideration besides price. Quality of marijuana on the street is not guaranteed, marijuana can be laced or sprayed with sugar to look like it is higher quality. street dealers also rarely have a selection to choose from, let alone any knowledge in using marijuana for medical purposes. Some marijuana strains work better for certain ailments, going to a co-op with 10 or more different marijuana strains gives you a far better choice in how to battle your medical problems, street dealers just can't compare with this!

As for the price, medical marijuana prices is reflective of the Bush administration raids on the co-ops. In the eyes of the terrorist organization, DEA, a medical marijuana co-op is much easier to shut down than a street dealer that probably doesn't even do a quarter as much business as the medical marijuana co-ops do. You will see prices rise in areas where medical marijuana co-ops are not as welcome, such as the desert co-ops, meanwhile the prices closer to LA are a bit more competative, but still relatively high because of the constant threat of co-op raids.

Some of my friends don't understand why I would be willing to spend $75 for an 8th at a co-op when I could pay $30 or 40 for an 8th from one of their "friends", however, the marijuana I get from the co-ops are consistently higher in quality, and I also have the freedom to choose specific strains. This freedom and high quality is worth paying a little more, not to mention not having to worry about being set up in a drug sting for trying to get some medicine. Co-ops offer safe access, street dealers do not!

And trust me, the first time you walk into a co-op and smell that wonderful smell that envelopes the entire building, you will never want to deal with a street dealer ever again :thumbsup: Oh yea, don't forget about the co-ops that offer edibles, tomorrow I'm heading down to LA and thinking about picking up some cannabutter :D