Soon to be patient with questions

Hey all, I am actually looking for some assurance. I have an appt at MediCann in Sacramento on October 1st to be evaluated for a card. I have major depression and anxiety. I have a folder, fat with medical records from hospital stays for weeks at a time due to both these conditions. I am aware MediCann is not known for backing people in court, but that doesn't concern me. I won't be growing. I was just looking for some assurance that Depression and Anxiety will be satisfactory to get a card. I have been on medications, from Ativan, to Seroquel, to Effexor, to Celexia and more that I can't even think of at the moment. All my records say this. One of the concerns I have is my last hospital stay was in 2006, will the time be a problem at all? Not sure if that is too far away to qualify. I also have drug tests from the hospital, saying I was clean of any cannibus, and harder drugs. I didn't even smoke for the first time until late 2006 when I was having a bad bout of anxiety. All the medications I have been on are almost crippleing. I cannot function whatsoever on them. And the anti depressents tended to have a suicidal feeling effect on me, even after I had adjusted. Again, my records show all this. I called my primary doctor and informed her I have an appt at MediCann and she said they can call her with ANY questions or concerns. She won't write me a rec, only because of the risk. Understandable. Anyway, so will the fact my last record was in 2006 botch my chances at getting a card? I still suffer from both anxiety and depression, and marijuana really does take the edge off. I feel like I can handle my life after I have smoked. Anyway, any feedback would be GREATLY appreciated!

-Blaize

Just to recap questions are:

Will 2005/2006 medical records still be considered? (I have about 100 pages worth...)

What is the process like? (specifically through MediCann)

Do Depression and Anxiety fall under conditions cannibus is useful in the EYE OF THE DOCTOR?

I am sorry Blaize, I do not know the answer to your question. From what I have heard though, you shouldn't have a problem. However I, too, would be interested in MediCann's response. Simply because I live in Iowa where Sen Tom Harkin (D-IA) once told me. "If you smoke marijuana, you will find yorself huddled in a corner willing to sell your children for just one more puff of marijuana.":( Yesteday I recieved an email from Sen Tom Harkin where he has done a 180, in his words, "I generally support the vigorous enforcement of Federal Drug laws. But it is my understanding that there is evidence to suggest that Marijuana may be effective at delivering medicinal benefits in some circumstances:thumbsup:-benefits which may outweigh the risk of prescribed use in such cases :jumphappy:(you can tell a politician wrote this, for even though he is against the use of Marijuana he is forced by science and fact to give in) Certainly we should explore reasonable ways to relieve pain suffered by people with chronic or terminal illnesses, and I support the idea of conducting research into whether medicinal marijuana can serve this or other medical purposes. The FDA has already approved a drug called Marinol, a synthetic form of the active ingredient in marijuana." (no shit I already told him I had been on Marinol for years and that I find it to be ineffective and inefficient when compared to inhaled cannabis vapors) This letter I recieved when I asked him why I am being denied the only known safe drug for the control of chronic nausea and vomiting from Diabetic Neuropathic Gastroparesis. Marijuana in any form is illegal in Iowa and cultivating it carries a stiffer penalty than simple possession. Will Iowa become a legal Medical Marijuana State? Not until Pigs Fly In Space and Sen Tom Harkin inhales. For I truely believe this is nothing but a political letter to garner support yet Harkin has no intention of letting what he calls the "Killer Weed" into the life of his chilfren and grandchildren (even though they are probably user's themselves.) But one can dream, ah yes one can dream...:420thought::weedpoke::bigsmoke::greenthum b:

As a general rule, if you have a legit problem and medical records, you're in! My hubby's rec is for chronic depression (on SSI for it) and pain (fibro?). He also has trouble with the big pharma meds- a pipe or brownie work much better! I haven't been to Medi-cann, but the visits with my "cannabis specialist" are pretty standard, except for the MMJ lecture at the end. Don't worry, you'll be approved as soon as they see the thickness of your records! :D

And incidentally, although your doc (like my regular doc- who admits he toked in med school!) is scared of the feds, they are protected by the law - Health & Safety code 11362.5 "No physician shall be punished, or denied any right or privilege, for having recommended marijuana to a patient". (google and do a print up for your doc) So doctors NOTHING to worry about! Without that bit of law, no doctor would dare give recs!

Give us a report on how that first "Legal" joint is! You never know how much of a bring-down paranoia is........until it's gone! :rasta:


Granny :hippy:

Thank you both for your feedback! I know MMJ and psychyatric issues are somewhat untreaded ground. But I have also been researching different strains and in the MMJ world, it seems there are quite a few that help as anti depressents and anti anxiety. I was tentatively diagnosed with Bi-Polar, along with Borderline Personality Disorder. I am glad my primary doctor is supportive too, that always helps. Thank you for the responses though! If anybody has been to MediCann specifically, what was your experience like? Hope you all have a wonderful day and happy smoking!
-Blaize

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Blaize

I was tentatively diagnosed with Bi-Polar, along with Borderline Personality Disorder. I am glad my primary doctor is supportive too, that always helps. Thank you for the responses though! If anybody has been to MediCann specifically, what was your experience like?
-Blaize

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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?
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.

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.)?

As far as I know, the only psychiatrist doing legitimate recommendations is Dr. Gene Schoenfeld 415-331-6832