getting MM for mental illness

[backwoodsindo]

I have many questions about MM but what I'm going to do is just briefly describe my situation and see what feedback I can get.

I live in a U.S. state where marijuana is highly illegal. I don't have a terminal illness or any serious physical pain, which, from what I gather from reading posts in this forum, is what you need in order to get a prescription. But I have heard that you can get MM to treat mental illness. I don't even know where I heard this, and I don't know how realistic it is. I'm assuming it's near impossible or else everybody who loves weed would just move to Cali and do everything they can to convince a Dr. they have a mental illness, right?

I don't have an official diagnosis or anything -- I don't even really believe in diagnosing mental illnesses -- there's too much gray area. But the fact is, certain types of marijuana (most definitely of the sativa variety) mean the world to my mental health. I have a stuttering disorder, social anxiety, and I'm probably manic depressive, but like I said I hate giving myself those labels because my "problems" are unique to my own self and don't fall nicely into those categories. Mental illness can be just as debilitating as any physical illness. I would trade the use of one of my arms for serenity and the power to speak fluently. I know that MM would change my life for the better. It is simply too expensive to smoke quality marijuana on a regular basis where I live and before I put my freedom at stake and start growing it I want to make sure that it's out of the question for me to pack up, move to Cali, and get a prescription.

[Hollywierdtoker]

I medicate with cannabis for my mental health problems (very bad and long list), I have never felt better in my life since I started, including childhood. I live in SoCal.

[Blaize]

I just got my rec today at MediCann in Northern Ca, for anxiety and depression. I showed him a list of medications I was on from a bill and that was all he seemed to need. It's been a wonderful day :rasta: :rastasmoke:

FYI I have heard some not so good things about MediCann, but there are plenty of other MMJ doctors out there too.

[backwoodsindo]

so if you prove that you have been prescribed medication for mental illness in the past it wouldn't be that difficult to get a MM script? Certainly it can't be that easy. How much MM do you get from a script? and is it "refillable"? Is it expensive? what is "rec"? Do you have to be a resident of California? If so, for how long?

[painretreat]

Because you know it helps you and you entertain growing! Not that one would suggest you move to a state like Calif. and 11 other states to get a rec. You seem to know what your answer is and there is nothing we can do to make it legal in your State (even though the Feds won't allow growing in any state) You seem to have answered your own question of what you have to do if that is what helps you!

There is a thread somewhere about it being legal in all states Federally, but it is a minor unused law and I didn't mark it, should have. Perhaps, you can jog around the forum of 'legal' and find it!

No one here is going to suggest you break the law and grow in a closet, but don't leave the door open and let the light out! PR :rastasmoke:

[Storm Crow]

As long as you have a real medical condition, you can get a rec. My hubby is on SSI for depression and has a rec for depression and pain. If you can walk in with your prescription pill bottles (virtually anything except antibiotics) or a copy of your medical records, you WILL get a recommendation (it's NOT a prescription). If you have no proof and go to a place like Medicann, you still have about a 90% chance of getting it.

Hon, to "clinch the deal", go to some sort of medical place and get that "label"- I know you don't like them, but it makes it so much easier. If they prescribe you Paxil or other drug, so much the better. Get a copy of the records and head to Cali!

But your stuttering disorder should be enough on it's own, even without anything else- just don't medicate before your appointment with the doc. lol Get a drivers license, take any med records and pills, and "get thee to a clinic"! :thumbsup: You need a picture ID and proof of residence (rental agreement, perhaps?) and the cash.

Once you walk out of the clinic "legal", a weight will lifted from you. It is still wise to conduct yourself with discretion- but growing your own is wonderful! You will be permitted to grow 6 mature plants and have 8 ounces of bud (semi) legally.

You can buy cannabis at dispensaries and can find out about them here- Cannabis.com Forums Message Boards - Medical Marijuana, Cannabis Club, Dispensary, News (http://boards.cannabis.com/) Just scroll down til the little bar on the right is a bit over halfway down the page -there you will find some dispensaries listed- some with their menus, delivery service, etc.

I just grow my own- WAY cheaper and excellent quality control. ;)

If you go online, you can find real estate brokers who rent homes, local news papers and more- just figure out where you want to live and do a search! I prefer rural northern California. :D

Granny :hippy:

[couchsurfer]

Yea if you just say it helps you to sleep, many places will offer you your papers. However you should consider getting the specific treatment you need. Maybe you need salt, like lithum carbonate, or maybe you have a thyroid problem. I'm convinced that a lot of things can be simple or overlooked or be dietary or whatever. So many things could be happening... I'm all for your smoking at time, but I'm just sayin, keep on keeping on to figure this thing out - it's your life we're talking about.

Good luck and all the best!

[medpotcrisis]

I'd really suggest that you consider getting your recommendation from a psychiatrist who does MMJ recommendations and not just a regular M.D. who would be wading into territory that they're not trained, experienced, or licensed to work in.

Here's some information from WebMD on Which Healthcare Providers Treat Mental Illness? (http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-tests-you-take)
Healthcare providers in many different environments and specialties are trained to identify the presence of a mental disorder, including:


Physician: Doctors are primarily skilled in medical healthcare but do have some training in treating mental or psychiatric problems. Physicians will recommend specialized care for patients with more than mild symptoms of a mental illness.
Physician Assistant: These medical healthcare givers are trained to identify symptoms of mental illness in patients and have some training in treating mental or psychiatric disorders under the supervision of a physician.
Nurse Practitioner: These healthcare givers are registered nurses (RNs) with added nursing training and some training in treating mental or psychiatric problems.
Psychiatrist: These are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental or psychiatric illnesses. Psychiatrists are licensed to prescribe drugs as part of their treatment regimen and are also trained in psychotherapy, a form of "talking" therapy.
Psychologist: These are doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) experts in psychology and are trained in counseling, psychotherapy, and psychological testing. Psychologists are not licensed to prescribe medicines to treat mental illnesses.


Note that a psychiatrist is the only medical professional licensed to prescribe drugs as part of a treatment regimen. Now granted, a Medical Marijuana recommendation is not a prescription, but it basically functions as such.

Please check out the CA Medical Board's Guidelines for Medical Marijuana Doctors... especially the points highlighted below:

Welcome to the Medical Board of California - Medical Marijuana (http://www.mbc.ca.gov/medical_marijuana.html)

These accepted standards are the same as any reasonable and prudent physician would follow when recommending or approving any other medication, and include the following:


History and good faith examination of the patient.
Development of a treatment plan with objectives.
Provision of informed consent including discussion of side effects.
Periodic review of the treatment's efficacy.
Consultation, as necessary.
Proper record keeping that supports the decision to recommend the use of medical marijuana.


Here are some important points to consider when recommending medical marijuana:


The physician should determine that medical marijuana use is not masking an acute or treatable progressive condition, or that such use will lead to a worsening of the patient's condition.
The Act names certain medical conditions for which medical marijuana may be useful, although physicians are not limited in their recommendations to those specific conditions. In all cases, the physician should base his/her determination on the results of clinical trials, if available, medical literature and reports, or on experience of that physician or other physicians, or on credible patient reports. In all cases, the physician must determine that the risk/benefit ratio of medical marijuana is as good, or better, than other medications that could be used for that individual patient.
A physician who is not the primary treating physician may still recommend medical marijuana for a patient's symptoms. However, it is incumbent upon that physician to consult with the patient's primary treating physician or obtain the appropriate patient records to confirm the patient's underlying diagnosis and prior treatment history.
The initial examination for the condition for which medical marijuana is being recommended must be in-person.
Recommendations should be limited to the time necessary to appropriately monitor the patient. Periodic reviews should occur and be documented at least annually or more frequently as warranted.


Given that it's medical marijuana, and not a prescription for Wellbutrin or Prozac, wouldn't it make sense to do this properly so you minimize any risk of getting caught with a worthless recommendation (with little or no medical documentation, a doc not qualified to even write it, let alone back it up in court, etc.)? Medical Marijuana recommendations are only as good as the documentation (patient record/file) and the doctor to back them up!

And as far as cost... what does 1 hour of shitty legal service cost? 2 hours? how much do you want to spend to try to save your ass when the cop sees your Medicann rec, rolls his eyes, and now you've got to defend yourself against criminal charges. Even if dismissed, it's your life, your time, your money that's taken away as you work your way through the process. Spending $150-200 (as a new patient) to do this right WILL pay off in the long run; this $100/$95/$80/$60/(how low will they go?) isn't worth the paper it's printed on... and what happens when one of these low-ball docs shuts down (due to violating CA Med Board guidelines, some sort of relationship with dispensaries, etc) or just disappears? Where will your attorney request your medical record from? Will your doctor even be a licensed doctor (lots of Medicann docs have lost their licenses over their shady practices) when they're subpoenaed to testify in your defense? Buyer bewareâ??you'll always get what you pay for.