Hello All!

[Warponee]

Hello Friends/Neighbors,

I just got signed on to the forum last night and thought I'd introduce myself. I'm in the Mora area...kind of in the sticks but love it. My wife and I fled Austin about 8 years ago when it became clear too many people had "discovered" it and much of what we loved about the area was being lost.

I got here through a confluence of events. My wife, who doesn't partake, actually found the forum and directed me to it so I could hopefully find info. I had an unfortunate episode with my pain management doc a few weeks back. I was in for followup/scrip refills and she asked for a UA. I told her it was possible it would be positive for THC since I had smoked a little the previous few weeks. It was an unusual situation for me since until recently, I hadn't had any for quite a number of years. No particular reason...just had kind of moved on with life and hadn't felt compelled to pursue it. A very simpatico couple we've gotten to know hooked me up and I rediscovered the enjoyment of a little buzz at the end of the day!:D

Anyway...my doc reacted very negatively. Asked me some pretty judgmental questions that made it clear she thought I was associating with criminals/druggies, etc. In addition to chronic, intractable pain, I also have PTSD that has reared it's ugly head recently. Most likely due to insane stress levels that are job related. Those of you who deal with this know it's always there waiting for you to let down your guard or some unexpected trigger. At least that's been my experience.

My wife has commented that I'm easier to live with and handle things much better when I've had a little to smoke. So after the experience with my doc and my wife's support, I've decided the best thing to do for myself is to pursue getting "the card". I've read most of the threads here and have a pretty good idea of what I need to do...thanks to all of you who have pioneered and shared your knowledge and experiences. It seems the easiest route would be addressing treating my PTSD but I'm wondering if anyone reading can assist me?

Being out here in the sticks, I don't have access to phone book so I can make cold calls to docs like Bob did. If anyone knows of a psychiatrist that could give me a referral, I'd sure be grateful. Also, based on the negative response from my pain doc, I might need to find another if she's hostile to the card...if anyone in a similar situation could put me in contact with a more compassionate physician, I would really appreciate it.

I know it's bad form to ask favors in a first/intro post...apologies for that but I'm not sure what else to do. If need be, personal addie is jmichaelnewmex at hughes dot net.

Thanks so much...looking forward to meeting friends and brothers in arms.

-Mike

[firestartersydd]

Welcome! Unfortunately, it's gonna be hard to get a name out of anybody...kinda just the way it is....but if you do a google search for New Mexico medical marijuana evaluations and include Alb, Santa Fe and T or C, you should come up with a few places that should really be able to help you. Honestly thats exactly what I did.

There....I dont think I broke any rules. lol

[greenworks]

Welcome on board! (yes... obvious pun intended)

Congratulations for finding this forum. I have found it and the people to be very kind and helpful. I think you will find it useful to read through the rules and restrictions of this sight.

A couple things I would suggest doing (if you haven't already) is to arm yourself with as much information as you can before contacting a doctor. PTSD do to "high work related stress" might not fly with a doctor. You really need to pinpoint the cause of your PTSD since a 2nd opinion from psychiatrist is required by the DOH to qualify for that condition.

Check out the DOH med cannabis program website:
Medical Cannabis Program - Infectious Disease Bureau (http://www.health.state.nm.us/idb/medical_cannabis.shtml)

Read through the Lynn & Erin compassionate use act
http://www.iowamedicalmarijuana.org/States/nm_sb0523.pdf

Good luck!

[Warponee]

Welcome! Unfortunately, it's gonna be hard to get a name out of anybody...kinda just the way it is....but if you do a google search for New Mexico medical marijuana evaluations and include Alb, Santa Fe and T or C, you should come up with a few places that should really be able to help you. Honestly thats exactly what I did.

There....I dont think I broke any rules. lol

Thanks for the search tip and thank to CS as well.

I noticed in some of the threads that they got a little contentious when folks were asking questions or looking for info...in some cases, there were near outright accusations of law enforcement activity. I was born in '62 and I started early and often!:D I suspect from reading threads that many of you are close in age and we share common experiences. I remember well the free wheeling days when most anything was available and very little concern about getting busted...even in Texas where it was possible to get really long sentences for a couple of doobs. L.E. was just so many steps behind the cultural changes, their efforts were like putting a finger in the dike. (Don't go there! ;)) And I also remember how everything changed with Reagan's War on Drugs and Nancy's "Just Say No" nonsense. L.E. got a lot more money, training, etc.

Those of us who were of an age and place in life where partying was still a viable lifestyle were forced to take it underground, tighten up our social circles and we learned to become extremely suspicious of anyone who didn't partake or we didn't know personally. We all learned to live with a lot of suspicion, fear and distrust. We saw friends who made mistakes in that regard pay heavy prices...or some of us paid ourselves when we let down our guard with the wrong person. I get it...been there done that...and old habits die hard.

Things are different now and here's what we should (IMHO) be thinking about: We're one of the 14 states that permits MMJ and we should be aware that nothing's written in stone and state or federal elections could easily change that. We have a chance here to legitimize MMJ and if we help people get on board, grow the numbers, etc. instead of acting as self-appointed gatekeepers, we can insure this program will have real roots. I believe the political and social tide is with us but we don't know for how long. I read an article on Salon.com the other day that had a good reminder: The Obama Administration has instructed the Attorney General's Office not to spend federal money pursuing prosecution of people who are in compliance with their state's laws regarding marijuana.

We now have the protection of the law and I believe we should use it. The docs who are providing evals and referrals wouldn't be doing it if they didn't want the business and understand the ramifications. If someone asked you for dentist or a doc who was compassionate regarding any other medical issue, would you honestly keep it a secret or feel like there was something wrong about sharing what or who you know? Of course not...it's a doctor referral for crying out loud.

So come on people...let's look at the big picture, bearing in mind the window to establish our program and community may be short. Let's show each other some compassion and respect. ;):hippy: Hanging on to old habits of suspicion and distrust will only prolong and maintain the perception that this is somehow a fringe, illegitimate medication.

Ok...I'm off the soap box for now. ;)

[Warponee]

Green,

Thanks for the links and tips. I didn't mean to say or imply that my PTSD was due to high job stress. I probably wasn't clear about how I expressed it. Without going into a lot of detail, let's just say that both of my parents should have been sterilized before they had a chance to breed. I had a mentor in college who later became a good friend. She was familiar with my situation and once described my father as "the essence of evil."

I mean't to say that I thought the job stress was aggravating PTSD related issues/symptoms that I can normally keep under control.

[coolslayer]

I can well understand where you are coming from.

[JohnMonad]

A 2nd recommendation is not needed for PTSD.
PTSD only requires a single recommendation but only from a Psychiatrist.
The only double signature needed is for chronic pain. You need your primary Doctor and a Pain Specialist.

Good Luck,
JM
MedicalMarijuanaRadio.com

[coolslayer]

That's what I was thinking......right before I lost my train of thought.

[chance942]

They are the real "criminals,druggies,etc." you are referring too.

[coolslayer]

That is my thought also,chance.

[chance942]

Your reply means a lot to me man. I really am sorry for being a horse's arse,I was really out of line. Huh to the tune of the Sheriff's department w/ AR-15's letting me know. One shot is all it would have taken,according to my neighbor they had at least 6 pointed at me when I came out plus .357's,9mm's,etc. I really have to commend them on how they handled me,I got what I gave,no fight. I was amazed at how they handled the whole deal considering they knew I had a rifle and a pistol,8mm Mauser and a .357. Damn I'm lucky they weren't trigger happy.If I lived in the city I think I'd have been shot w/ an AR-15.

[coolslayer]

You're not still in jail?