THC-Foundation or American Heritage?

[Telurmomisaidhi]

Hi all, I am new here. I have been diagnosed with a qualifying condition for the use of MMJ. My Primary care physician knows that i medicate with mariuana. She understands how it helps with my condition, and also realizes it helps another condition that i have. She is unable to authourize me because Multicare is not very Cannabis friendly.I will be forced to get authorized by a third party.

I just wanted to know if anyone had any personal reccomendations on which clinic i should go to. My conditions have been pre-approved by both THC-Foundation, and American Heritage Medical (OPRC-Olympia). Is there any big difference between the two? Is one safer than the other? I am new to all of this, please guide me in the right direction.

Thanks

[Telurmomisaidhi]

Can anyone go out on a limb and give a guy some advise?

I dont want to get caught up in any situation where my medical info is shared with any law enforcement.

Do all of these so called "Doc in the Box's" have the same underlying privacy compromise? And does anyone know if any of the other organizations such as: American Heritage, THC, or CBR, have any affiliation with Sentry Medical, as that is whom i know to avoid. Please leave any insight.

Thanks

[gypski]

Take your choice. Its all about personal choice. I used THCF. :thumbsup:

[killerweed420]

The only difference is THCF puts an expiration date on there authorization form and CBR doesn't

[Telurmomisaidhi]

I see, so i get to pick my poison.

[gypski]

The only difference is THCF puts an expiration date on there authorization form and CBR doesn't

Mine has no expiration on it from THCF. Just a ploy to keep the cash coming in. :D

[killerweed420]

Asshole Mine does.lol

[mugenbao]

Sentry Medical, as that is whom i know to avoid
Why should you avoid Sentry? I am/was actually considering going through Sentry myself.

[killerweed420]

No real reason. Some people don't like the owner for personal reasons. He seems to be about the same as everyone else thats handing out authorizations.

[Telurmomisaidhi]

Personally, i know noone from sentry. All i know is what i have read, and that the head of sentry has done some questionable things before. Im not trying to knife anyone in the business. But if all you heard about McDonalds is that it caused Cancer, you would probably tend to stay away from it. Just my opinion.

[mugenbao]

I've been reading up on Sentry since I posted my question earlier. So far all I've really accomplished is spending nearly that entire time reading the paranoid incoherent anti-Sentry rants of someone I'd rather not name (don't wanna draw the wrath of the insane).

I thought I remembered reading not long ago an older article about a WA operation that was busted a while back, and now I can't seem to find it but I'm wondering if that was referring Sentry or the guy that runs it. I think it did refer to them, and now I'm very interested in reading more about what had happened.

Thanks for the responses guys. I guess I'll keeping on slogging away at teh Google to see what my options are :)

[mugenbao]

I did find one article about the person who runs Sentry and CannaCare, but it doesn't seem to be the one I remember. In any case, it's from the Seattle Times (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003538714_potraid24n.html).

Please understand that I'm not disparaging anyone here, I'm simply seeking information about the available options and what things might be a factor in making that choice.

[mugenbao]

Some pretty interesting reading there. I've read several different accounts, and it does seem to me as if the raid was politically motivated and at least partly an attempt to obtain patient records. While that is a deplorable thing for law enforcement to do, and is clearly against the (current?) law, it is still a very real concern for many.

[Telurmomisaidhi]

I totally agree with you, as that is why i am so sceptical myself. I think i shall go with OPRC, they have been extremely nice on the phone and have followed through on everything they said they would do at this point.

[killerweed420]

Yeah there's some history with Steve but no charges were ever filed. In RHCF's case a defendent had to subpeona Dr Orvald to get him to come to court to help defend one of his patients. Here in Washington there are issues with some of the doc in a box clinics. But no one has ever been arrested or charged for getting authorizations from any of them.

[Telurmomisaidhi]

Well, im just trying to avoid any reason for any one showing up to my house when i start my garden. And only because they knew i was a mm patient and had a garden. You know what i mean? And if the only way for law enforcement to know about what i was doing was from my med records that these clinics have of me, i would hate to be stabbed in the back.

Maybe im just feeling sketchy, as i have had to for years without any authorization. LOL

[jamessr]

THCF is a bust. Just look at all the bunk caselaw they have come under their belt. Sentry is not a bust yet, some of us have issues with our confidential info. not being recovered from the feds. AH is so far not on the radar. CBR had one of it's Dr.'s busted for over prescribing something from what I heard.

Doc in the boxes are not secure as far as your confindential medical info. is concerned. So yes pick ur posion....Dr. Jason Ling from sentry is a Federal Dr. from the navy. Thats a tall order to beat if ya need a Dr. too testify in your case in court. Which is what your really after with an authorization here in Wa. State.

Good luck in your search.

[Club420]

All you really need is a note in your charts from your regular doctor.

From RCW 69.51A.010


d) Has been advised by that physician about the risks and benefits of the medical use of marijuana; and

e) Has been advised by that physician that they may benefit from the medical use of marijuana.

That's ALL your doctor has to do: advise you in writing in your medical charts.

Save yourself $200.

[Club420]

I should have mentioned that, if your doctor won't even do that much for you, maybe you need a new doctor.

Remember, all your asking for is a notation about what you have already discussed - not a recommendation, just a note about a conversation.

[killerweed420]

A lot of the doctors belong to doctor clinics and whoever owns the clinic sets the policy. Am aware of one doctor in Bremerton that was fired because he was giving out authorizations. He was a cancer survivor that too MMJ during his chemo.

[mugenbao]

All you really need is a note in your charts from your regular doctor.

From RCW 69.51A.010



That's ALL your doctor has to do: advise you in writing in your medical charts.

Save yourself $200.
That may be true from a legal standpoint, when using the medical marijuana law as an affirmative defense in court, but many (most?) people feel more comfortable having a standardized form on hand at all times that is familiar to law enforcement and which clearly displays the intent and signature of the physician.

All of which may be moot now that the WA Supreme Court ruled yesterday that a doctor's recommendation, in whatever form, does not prohibit LEO from searching and arresting a medical marijuana patient. They apparently have decided that the law as written only provides an affirmative defense for the patient once they reach a court, but provides no legal defense until that point.

[phatsesh101]

i go to thcf in cali

[Club420]

All of which may be moot now that the WA Supreme Court ruled yesterday that a doctor's recommendation, in whatever form, does not prohibit LEO from searching and arresting a medical marijuana patient. They apparently have decided that the law as written only provides an affirmative defense for the patient once they reach a court, but provides no legal defense until that point.
Ya gotta love how they can twist black into white and day into night... freaking lawyers and politicians... GRRRRRRR....

[Telurmomisaidhi]

These lawmakers are really making it difficult for us patients. I seen my primary care doctor again today. Like i said earlier, she could not write me a reccomendation as she is a Multi-Care Doctor, and Multicare wil not allow those to be written by thier physicians, but she noted in my charts that:

Inderol La does not help with pain,

Relpak triggers patients anxiety and did not help with pain,

Tried Topomax w/o relief

"Patient uses Marijuana with relief of pain, patient will be recieving his marijuana authorization from another doctor, and would like to continue this route for relief of his chronic condition. Marijuana may also help with his anxiety"

I thought this was very proffessional of her. She supports my MMJ use and is happy that i found a place who will authorize me.

[jamessr]

These lawmakers are really making it difficult for us patients. I seen my primary care doctor again today. Like i said earlier, she could not write me a reccomendation as she is a Multi-Care Doctor, and Multicare wil not allow those to be written by thier physicians, but she noted in my charts that:

Inderol La does not help with pain,

Relpak triggers patients anxiety and did not help with pain,

Tried Topomax w/o relief

"Patient uses Marijuana with relief of pain, patient will be recieving his marijuana authorization from another doctor, and would like to continue this route for relief of his chronic condition. Marijuana may also help with his anxiety"

I thought this was very proffessional of her. She supports my MMJ use and is happy that i found a place who will authorize me.

These last words in your medical file will come to harm you just as it did jason fry case that was just heard by our supreme ct......mj MAY also help with his anxiety !! NOTE: this condition is not covered and needs to not be in your medical records....also note: the court just ruled pain must be shown to have been not alleviated by standard treatments. So the words need to be specific or we as patients are burnt.

Now div. 2 in state v. otis ruled that the words in one's medical file i.e. CHART NOTES that doesn't have a PAPER documented authorization must just have simple words and not hyper technical words. OTIS's case got remanded for a new trial.

Just something to think about for your safety.

[doctortree]

I respectfully disagree with Mr. Northend club420.

It is my understanding that you need to have a written authorization to show LEO if you are traveling with mmj.

If LEO visits your grow you should have your authorization posted.

The written authorization is not a "get out of jail free card". It will prove to a

"sensible" law enforcement officer that you are complying with state law.

[jamessr]

I respectfully disagree with Mr. Northend club420.

It is my understanding that you need to have a written authorization to show LEO if you are traveling with mmj.

If LEO visits your grow you should have your authorization posted.

The written authorization is not a "get out of jail free card". It will prove to a

"sensible" law enforcement officer that you are complying with state law.

Read state v. OTIS. The appeals ct. div 2 clearly stated exactly what Mr. northendclub420 states. Also read the statute, it says clearly either authorization or medical records. It is LEO whom is not reading the laws nor listening to our courts. GO FIGURE.

[jamessr]

Doctortree,

Here is the OTIS case located in the legal section and what the court case established about the authorization issue.


WA(6)[6] Controlled Substances â?? Marijuana â?? Medical Use Act â?? Affirmative Defense â?? â??Valid Documentationâ?� â?? Averment of Benefits Outweighing Risks â?? Sufficiency â?? Test. The valid documentation required by former RCW 69.51A.040(4)(c) (1999) and defined by former RCW 69.51A.010(5)(a) (1999) to establish the medical marijuana primary caregiver defense to a marijuana-related charge may be satisfied by a physician's statement that, by a fair reading, generally conveys the physician's professional opinion that the benefits of a qualifying patient's medical use of marijuana outweigh the risks to the patient. The statutory scheme does not necessarily require â??valid documentationâ?� to contain the exact language set forth in former RCW 69.51A.010(5)(a).

Also the court explains in detail about the medical records info. must contain, verses having an authorization handy for LEO. I do realize this is a caregiver case but, the lingo is established in this case.

[Telurmomisaidhi]

Despite the fact that i have anxiety, i have a qualifying condition other than migraine which is documented within those notes.

Anyways, i finaly got authorized by American Heritage today. It was just a bunch of paper work, then i seen the doc. He was very old and kinda esentric, but he got the job done.

Only down side is that i have to go back to get another card. Its not required, but i figure the more official you look, the better the chances of not being arrested for anything that a mmj patient can do.

[killerweed420]

The cards are nice but just kind of a waste. Inever did get mine from THCF. Just keep a copy of your signed authorization form in your wallet and your good.
The impostant thing to remember is you can have all the documentation in the world and you still may be hassled by LEO. Just understand your rights.

[Telurmomisaidhi]

I recommend NorthEndClub420 to any patient in the pierce county are. These guys are very trustworthy. If you need meds, they guys can help!!!

Thanks, NorthEndClub420

[BigDfromWA]

I've had my recommendation (w/card) from American Heritage (OPRC) for a year now. My renewal is about due. I was planning to go in today.

I called recently, and they said to just come in before 5 on mon-thurs.

I was just getting ready to leave a bit ago (they're an hours drive), so I called. Got a message stating they are not taking any new patients, and for a renewal I needed to leave a message and wait for someone to call me back.

Since I was ready to leave, I decided to contact OPRC and find out what's the deal. There I got a recording saying the 'mailbox was full'.

So, unable to contact them. Don't know why. Are they belly up? I needed to get into Costco today (5 minutes from OPRC), so figured I'd kill 2 birds with one stone. Now one of the birds is unavailable. What to do?

Maybe they know MJ will be made legal this year, and they'll be out of business???? Hope that's it.

[ZionsLion]

As someone who's looked into the histories and personalities of each of the "doc-in-a-box"s.. I am of the following OPINION... This shouldn't be misinterpreted for fact.

THC-F is a good foundation that will defend you in court, if necessary. They keep good records, and are well respected. I choose not to use them because they are a little too big, and if the Feds want to go after someone, they might go for a big, multi-state operation.

CBR is another good choice. Although the idea that they don't include experation dates is not a consistent one. I originally found them because they were splitting off from CannaCare/Sentry/Steve Sarich, an entity of which I am personally not a fan. I've gone with them before but have chosen a different path for reasons I will soon explain.

I will not bad mouth anyone, anywhere, at any time. I will say that I have never used CannaCare/Sentry and never will. I will not go to any dispensary owned or affiliated with Steve Sarich. Access4 or whatever it's called. This is my personal opinion and I am entitled to it.

Lastly, I chose American Heritage above all else. I respect what is done with the money generated by the people behind that organization. I have confirmed that these people genuinely want to help ease the suffering and addiction to opiates of medical patients. AND They just opened a pretty awesome small events venue in Tacoma!

I have been a medical patient in Washington since 2006. That means I've renewed my note 5 times, with 3 different doctors. I hope my experience helps you.:rasta:

[jamessr]

It is my belief from the most recent Wa. Supreme ct. ruling in regards to who must own a physical therapy business... the court ruled it must be someone whom is licensed under any rcw chapter 18.. which is the medical profession licensing statute...

State v. Tracy, State v. Soper, and State v. Fry confirm this is Wa. St. public policy...

The doc-in-the-box business plan violates public policy 100%. If the healthcare professional(s) didn't start the business, the will be shut down or force to comply.

The only case in the hopper in wa. right now to establish this in the mmj community, is my case on appeal...

We actually have healthcare practitioner owned businesses in wa. that do sign for legit patients..but, won't go overboard like the doc-in-the-boxes have...

I have yet to find a conviction or bust of someone with a legit healthcare practitioners business authorization.. maybe I am looking in the wrong area but, doubtful.