Hi
I was just wondering if a mmj card goes on your insurance, or is it just a card? If someone where to look at my medical record, would they know i had a card? Do you have to show insurance when you go to the doc?
Thanks
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Hi
I was just wondering if a mmj card goes on your insurance, or is it just a card? If someone where to look at my medical record, would they know i had a card? Do you have to show insurance when you go to the doc?
Thanks
This is a really important and good thing to ask, and let me tell you the interesting things I know...
Getting a state card is likely a very bad idea. It will show up on any background test, and it is hard to know when you will need to pass a background test. Specifically, it means you can not hold any government job, due to the drug-free workplace laws. This includes simple hourly jobs or even contracting jobs where you are not technically an employee. This latter example is something I have encountered - and I would have never predicted this. Government jobs account for a HUGE percentage of the economy, and i think any young or middle aged or even older person would be silly to risk it.
As for cards issued by clinics, each case seems to have different and unpredictable results. There have been battles over whether busted clinics have to turn over patient records to the state, and also over what to do with information that has already been turned over. This is not a small matter. Consider getting a recommendation from a private doctor who does not do this for a living exclusively, and keeping it handy, but avoiding being associated with the clinics that sell. Also know that you can get a card retroactively if you really do qualify in your state.
I hope this helps. It is an interesting issue and many people do not think about it enough. As for your insurance, your doctor would not know you have it unless you tell them. Yes I know this all sucks, I feel your pain, etc etc....
What does this mean exactly? I'm a little slow today:hippy:Quote:
Also know that you can get a card retroactively if you really do qualify in your state.
no one will be able to find out if you get the card.. the card is optional people. its for convinience and a price.. 10 to 15 bucks. It's the paper recommendation you will get and need. Also that will not be pulled up with your name in any database. Other then the pot shop you go to :) guten nacht.:rasta:
JDM -
This is only kind of true. If a shop gets busted (i.e. a clinic) you or may not have a flag on your background checks for government work. Generally speaking these checks are much more through than standard background checks. If you get a state card (such as is offered here in California) you will certainly go on a 'list' to keep you off the payrolls of any state or federal agency. A work-around is to get a recommendation from a low-key physician and avoid the club cards.
Using a recommendation retroactively is about vacating a charge. This has been accomplished by some people successfully, but may not be convenient, such as trying to get a recommendation from jail. It is also likely to be expensive and difficult.
Specifically I am speaking about government background checks, such as those that teachers or contractors go through. For example I have a friend who shoplifted when they were 17, the charge came off her record, but when she became a credentialed teacher at age 30 she was asked about it. Typical background checks would not show this, but a school district did. It did not prevent her from getting the job - but they had the discretion to do what they wanted to do with the information. I am merely saying... make a note of it! You may wish now that you had a card, but these things tend to be taken very seriously by the authorities, and can alter the course of your life. I, for one, would not like to see a potential excellent teacher, for example, be unable to take this career course because of this issue.
Anyone to tell you differently, in my opinion, is woefully ignorant or in denial of serious issues and should be ignored.
Portfolionation, you seem to be confusing "the card", or at least I'm not sure which card you are talking about.
To be legal in California you don't need any card, that is just a popular myth. The reality is that to be a legal medical marijuana patient, all you need is a written recommendation from a licensed doctor. If you are arrested, all you have to do is show your recommendation to the judge, they call and confirm his license is still active, and if so, they drop any charges against you.
However, to protect patients California also wrote in a mandate that requires all counties to provide official cards for medical marijuana users. In theory, these are intended to bring protection to medical marijuana patients, but this is a theory I personally do not believe. Either way, the card seems to be popular among patients because it has helped some people by avoiding arrests, but because no time was set for how quickly a county must begin distributing these optional cards to patients, many counties have drug their feet with producing them.
But the card is completely optional, and is not legally required, I am legal but do not have one, (or want one). Some doctors who specialize in writing medical marijuana recommendations offer cards, mostly as a gimmick for advertising, but in theory some argue they could offer security, but make no mistake, the cards offered by doctors are worthless plastic, they have no real legal value. That card, too is optional.
But official card or not, I am not aware how having either of these optional cards could possibly be found in a background check. I'm not saying I think it's a good idea to have the government keep you on a list as a medical marijuana patient, but I'm just saying I'm unaware of any news that so far this has been an issue for people working in government jobs. As far as I know, currently this privacy within the state has not been compromised. And because it is a state list, no federal official even has access to that list as of now so I'm not sure how federal employees could possibly be affected.
Nailhead, thank you for trying to clarify my post. You, uh, hit the nail on the head?
Suffice it to say, this has been a problem among my group of friends. Specifically, I am talking about county cards and likely not for every job. However there certainly have been court cases about whether or not patient records for clinics are subject to perusal by feds. Conspiracy laws offer significant leverage for feds to pursue this avenue.
There have been efforts to protect the anonymity of patients, for example by not keeping any data. The bay area county system is leaning in this direction - in fact I believe an anon system has been implemented, but I'm not sure.
There is an interesting web site called ontherecord.org that has some posts about this issue.
You are totally correct and on the point that all a person really needs is a doctor's note. There are many doctors that will do this low-key. Correcting this myth (that to be legal you need a county card) is a worthwhile project, especially because of the issues stated above. In my mind, the more you can keep yourself away from a self-identified list the better :)
I think, however, this does not help the person who wants to be able to go to a clinic for meds. It's all really a mess, in my opinion.
In Oregon and Washington, the answers are...Quote:
Originally Posted by WesMan6868
No, No and NO.
No one knows unless you tell them.
man...if i got a signed recommendation from my doctor, i would have it laminated and wear it around my neck...but thats just me :jointsmile:
I've heard about this too, and while I'm not sure, I hear that they shread your data after you are given the card. However, I'm not sure how your card can be confirmed legit by law enforcement if there is no one to call to confirm this...but it would be nice.Quote:
Originally Posted by Portfolionation
But the reality to medical marijuana privacy is that it does not exist. Every co-op you visit has your information, so if the DEA wants to start arresting patients they don't even need the state list, they can get a much larger list straight from the clubs they raid. I don't think they would do this, but after seeing "Waiting to Inhale" I believe those terrorist assholes will do anything to keep freedom at bay.
Sorry kinda went off topic from your question.Quote:
Originally Posted by WesMan6868
I'm sure being a medical patient can go on your records, when I got my records I was surprised to see how detailed my doctor visits were written down. If you go to a specialized medical marijuana doctor, you will have to pay cash, usually about $150 for a visit that does not guarantee going legal, but they usually do a good job of making sure before your visit that you should be good to go.
I'm really not sure if your insurance would find out, and if it would matter. That's an interesting question, after seeing Sicko I'd imagine they could use that to deny you, unless it's employee paid insurance, then you would be fine because your health records cannot go to your employer.
Damn it, NailHead. I have an appointment to get legal for my back pains next week and now you have me scared. I don't want to go on any kind of "list". Or become labeled just because I had a visit with a cannabis sympathetic doctor and got my laminated recommendation card. Now I'm wondering if I should just scrap the appointment and forget about getting the recommendation............ :(:(
Now I'm all confused.
Well, I believe the information with a doctor is protected under patient-doctor privacy laws, so I wouldn't worry about that. And yes, all co-ops require you to fill out some basic info for your first time visit and this information is kept so they don't have to verify your recommendation on every return visit.
If it makes a difference, I'm not the least bit concerned. The DEA wants you to be terrified, (so by definition they are a terrorist organization). If you turn away because you are afraid, they win. I say that your health is ALWAYS more important than silly laws. Live free or die baby!
I agree with you Nail, but what about protecting yourself so you're able to obtain jobs without anything coming up on a background check? I suppose you're right. Doctor's records are safe, but the co-ops records are subject to being confiscated by our Federal Government when they are looking for some more free money.
So the best way to move forward would probably be to to get a recommendation, but not use a co-op. What do you think?
If the DEA started arresting patients, I'm sure there would be such a political backlash that serious movements to take marijuana off the schedule 1 list would become real. Even if they did go after patients, they don't have the resources to charge every single one, and even if they did, any judge that wants to be voted in again would dismiss any case regarding a medical marijuana patient.
So you shouldn't be that paranoid, but I understand your concern. Besides, growing your own is WAY cheaper than going to a co-op, I'm not sure if you are familiar with the prices, but I've become accustom to spending $60 for an 8th. If you are a heavy user this can be extremely expensive. However, many co-ops do offer clones for growers if you are interested.
Oh, and for background checks, being a medical marijuana user DOES NOT show up. That's just to check your criminal record such as any records of being arrested, getting a DUI, etc.
Nail, thanks for all the advice and information. It's a real shame one has to be so careful in order to just live life. It took me some time to even post on this site for fear it was some kind of bait used by the DEA. :( What we have to deal with is such a bad joke. I've decided I'm gonna keep my appointment and get the damn card. Better to just be legal and do what I can to help myself. If someone has a problem with it and isn't open minded enough to sympathize with me and simply judge me as a good employee, then I don't want to work for them anyway. Thanks again. ;)
Well, look at it this way, if you don't get the card and use, you will be breaking both state and federal laws. Also, the California Highway Patrol has stated that as long as you have your original written recommendation on you during a traffic stop, they won't take your medicine or arrest you. It'll be nice if we can get the regular cops to do the same, but that one will take a bit more time...
I completely understand where you are coming from too, I used to work at a job that did random drug testing so I was terrified if they would ever find out as well. I wish more cops and DEA agents would learn what their actions are really doing to good upstanding citizens, we get stuck in the middle while the drug dealers and politicians get away with whatever they want.
Aren't they one in the same? Companies like Pfizer and large health care giants buy off politicians and push DANGEROUS drugs on the people and CHILDREN of the US. It's really a twisted, sick and a purely evil double standard.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nailhead
I still can't get over the overused acronym "ADD". Every kid on the planet has ADD! Why? Because they're kids and haven't developed adult levels of patience and attention!!! Those qualities are learned and developed, not chemically engineered into a pill.
For years I got my hair cut by a very nice lady just 10 years older than me. One day she came in and I heard a weird buzzing noise coming from her. She then went on to tell me that she took a weight loss drug (Fen Phen), a drug APPROVED by the FDA.......and now she has inoperable heart damage. The pump noize I heard was some kind of a device to get fluid out of her lungs or something. She was dieing. She was dead a week later and left a 13 year old son. She was the nicest lady, and took a drug that her country said was safe to use.
And a natural plant, that is not a carcinogen, with proven medicinal value for pain, anxiety and hundreds of other practical uses continues to be illegal.
^I think a good majority of mental illnesses are complete BS, and drugs as an easy fix seems to be the most popular method for doctors that don't want to actually work, (such as getting to know the person, or try to help them by talking to them). Doctors seem to be so quick to diagnose a person with an illness without a full thorough examination, it makes you wonder if this is because they are lazy, or are getting a lot of pressure by pharmaceutical companies.
My mom is a teacher, and it seems that every problem kid has some type of BS diagnoses. This ends up being an excuse the kid, (and parents), can have to be an annoying little brat. I'm certain that a majority of kids problems could be solved with one hard slap on their ass.