new and in need of guidance

i have only just recently learned that my state of new mexico has adopted a medical marijuana program. i have self medicated for years, at great risk to my freedom, and now my heart soars that there is a possibility of getting the medicine i need without being criminal about it. however since i have not ever considered that this was a possibility, i really don't know where to start. i have been doing a tremendous amount of research and it all boils down to one thing, finding the right doctor! i do not currently have a family doctor so i am pretty much starting from scratch. Q. is there any way to tell if/or find out if a particular doctor is sympathetic and understanding of medical cannabis? Q. are there any medical cannabis specialists in southern new mexico?
i read alot about people getting the "laugh-off". if this happens do you just keep finding new doctors until you find one that is sympathetic? wouldn't this become exorbitantly expensive?
i truly am lost can anyone help me?
can anyone give guidance and start me down the right path?
any and all help is greatly appreciated

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by skydivr

i have only just recently learned that my state of new mexico has adopted a medical marijuana program. i have self medicated for years, at great risk to my freedom, and now my heart soars that there is a possibility of getting the medicine i need without being criminal about it. however since i have not ever considered that this was a possibility, i really don't know where to start. i have been doing a tremendous amount of research and it all boils down to one thing, finding the right doctor! i do not currently have a family doctor so i am pretty much starting from scratch. Q. is there any way to tell if/or find out if a particular doctor is sympathetic and understanding of medical cannabis? Q. are there any medical cannabis specialists in southern new mexico?
i read alot about people getting the "laugh-off". if this happens do you just keep finding new doctors until you find one that is sympathetic? wouldn't this become exorbitantly expensive?
i truly am lost can anyone help me?
can anyone give guidance and start me down the right path?
any and all help is greatly appreciated

---

My doctor (like me) is Mormon. He refused to recommend MM. I went to Dr. Stoller in Santa Fe. He said I was a prime candidate after in depth questioning and a very careful review of my medical records. He even typed up a cover letter for me. He doesn't mess around. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by skydivr

i have only just recently learned that my state of new mexico has adopted a medical marijuana program. i have self medicated for years, at great risk to my freedom, and now my heart soars that there is a possibility of getting the medicine i need without being criminal about it. however since i have not ever considered that this was a possibility, i really don't know where to start. i have been doing a tremendous amount of research and it all boils down to one thing, finding the right doctor! i do not currently have a family doctor so i am pretty much starting from scratch. Q. is there any way to tell if/or find out if a particular doctor is sympathetic and understanding of medical cannabis? Q. are there any medical cannabis specialists in southern new mexico?
i read alot about people getting the "laugh-off". if this happens do you just keep finding new doctors until you find one that is sympathetic? wouldn't this become exorbitantly expensive?
i truly am lost can anyone help me?
can anyone give guidance and start me down the right path?
any and all help is greatly appreciated

---

I called about twelve numbers.They were the doctors that my insurance company would pay for. Most of these doctors had an answering machine, and some were part of a group practice and had a receptionist. I told them right up front what my condition was, that I wanted to be evaluated for medical marijuana, and if the doctor was willing to do that then he could call me back.

I got three calls back and I saw a doctor the next day. These were all psychiatrist MD's. This was in Santa Fe. Still, if I could locate three doctors in one day it is possible.

Dr. Stoller has been mentioned. He is in Santa Fe and is a great fellow. I know that there are three nurse practitioners, three doctors, and three psychiatrists in the Santa Fe area that are willing to consider it as well. I am sure that Albuquerque has many more than Sante Fe, and I have heard of one doctor in T or C. I know that my old doctor in Las Cruces would recommend it for me, and I would suspect she would not hesitate if she knew that a person had a legal qualifying condition. Silver City is just stuffed full of young, liberal doctors and nurse practitioners. I have no specific info, but I will bet there are doctors there as well. I know there are doctors that serve Las Vegas and Santa Rosa one day a week (from Santa Fe) that will recommend.

But if you live in east of the mountains you are probably a screwed goose. And then there is Farmington and it probably no fun finding a doc there either.

Please see my "Are you looking for a doctor to recommend MMJ?" thread.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bedrockbob

I called about twelve numbers.They were the doctors that my insurance company would pay for. Most of these doctors had an answering machine, and some were part of a group practice and had a receptionist. I told them right up front what my condition was, that I wanted to be evaluated for medical marijuana, and if the doctor was willing to do that then he could call me back.

I got three calls back and I saw a doctor the next day. These were all psychiatrist MD's. This was in Santa Fe. Still, if I could locate three doctors in one day it is possible.

Dr. Stoller has been mentioned. He is in Santa Fe and is a great fellow. I know that there are three nurse practitioners, three doctors, and three psychiatrists in the Santa Fe area that are willing to consider it as well. I am sure that Albuquerque has many more than Sante Fe, and I have heard of one doctor in T or C. I know that my old doctor in Las Cruces would recommend it for me, and I would suspect she would not hesitate if she knew that a person had a legal qualifying condition. Silver City is just stuffed full of young, liberal doctors and nurse practitioners. I have no specific info, but I will bet there are doctors there as well. I know there are doctors that serve Las Vegas and Santa Rosa one day a week (from Santa Fe) that will recommend.

But if you live in east of the mountains you are probably a screwed goose. And then there is Farmington and it probably no fun finding a doc there either.

---

i live in las cruces could you maybe point me toward your doctor here? you can send me a pm to skydivr1(at)hotmail(dot)com
much appreciated!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by skydivr

i live in las cruces could you maybe point me toward your doctor here? you can send me a pm to skydivr1(at)hotmail(dot)com
much appreciated!!

---

Already sent one,I do believe.

thanks to everyone. the information gotten so far has been a tremendous help. this could possibly be the most helpful and empathetic community there is and it is a testament to the goodness that still remains in people in this time when most would ignore a cry for help in any form.

thanx

That is true.When you get your card,you can join another helpful group.

i too live in Las Cruces and am a candidate for the medicinal marijuana program. but, i'm having a hard time finding a doc to prescribe it for me. to anyone who knows a doctor in the area; would you be willing to share your knowledge with me? i would greatly appreciate any help. thanks... kautry(at)nmsu(dot)edu

I also just moved to las cruces and i would love to find a doctor to give me MM, ive never been prescribed it before.. could someone help me out?

Yes,I know of a doctor in your area and you have a new Producer opening up in your area soon.

My contact details are in my profile here.

Hi i'm new to the group. first post.

I'm a little worried about the eagerness to share info on doctors, without regarding if someone has a real condition that can be treated with marijuana, as medicine. I myself don't have a card, i see my rhuematologist in two weeks and plan on bringing it up. I have three auto-immune diseases that are diagnosed(Ankylosing Spondalitis is one), probably two others that are really hard to diagnose, and my doc is reluctant to diagnose me without certain biopsies, but i appreciate his carefullness. I don't know if he'll consider mm, but i hope so, i have been illegally using so far,Its helped sooo much more than the opiate painkillers and dmards that make me sick before making me better, and i just want to be on the right side of the law.

i'm just worried that people are trying to abuse the MM law now, like i believe of california. "i have a headache, can i have some pot? i have anxiety can i have some pot?" i have friends who vacation in cali and come back with medical cards, i'm not going to be convinced its not abused there.

I'm all for complete legalization but we aren't there yet, Medical Marijuana called "medical" for a reason: ITS MEDICINE.

anyway i'm ranting, hello from las cruces, i hope this place can help me embrace and work with the MM community in the future

Hi!
I've been in the Medical field for over 30 years. I have a couple suggestions to help with the Dr. issue.
First of all, if you read your application form carefully, you may notice that the Dr. doesn't have to recommend MM or prescribe it. All he has to do is certify that you have the qualifying condition. Most Dr"s are as new to this process as many of the patients. Explain to your Dr. that YOU have made the decision to medicate yourself with MM. Explain that he/she isn't recommendig or prescribing. Just certifying your qualifying condition. You paid your money to be sitting in front of the Doc. He SHOULD comply with your wishes

That is not all they have. They also have to say that in there opinon mj will do you more good than harm.

Worrying about people abusing access to medical cannabis is like hate radio. :wtf: There is no underlying reality...

mmj should be as easy to get - and legally! - as it is in California...

:hippy:

Ok, I've had my little rant and I feel better now. But I do have another thing or two to say. First ... it's been my experience as a practitioner seeing about a dozen people in the last couple of months for the purpose of a consultation to get them enrolled in the NM mmj program ... nobody's scamming. Marijuana is a medicine that helps people. It helps a whole lot more people than the measly few diagnoses that are approved to use it. Rather than complain about who shouldn't get to use this gentle herb, we should all be working on making it more accessible ... educating the public and the medical community ... and political candidates...

Welcome to Las Cruces, btw :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by quinnbmx

Hi i'm new to the group. first post.

I'm a little worried about the eagerness to share info on doctors, without regarding if someone has a real condition that can be treated with marijuana, as medicine. I myself don't have a card, i see my rhuematologist in two weeks and plan on bringing it up. I have three auto-immune diseases that are diagnosed(Ankylosing Spondalitis is one), probably two others that are really hard to diagnose, and my doc is reluctant to diagnose me without certain biopsies, but i appreciate his carefullness. I don't know if he'll consider mm, but i hope so, i have been illegally using so far,Its helped sooo much more than the opiate painkillers and dmards that make me sick before making me better, and i just want to be on the right side of the law.

i'm just worried that people are trying to abuse the MM law now, like i believe of california. "i have a headache, can i have some pot? i have anxiety can i have some pot?" i have friends who vacation in cali and come back with medical cards, i'm not going to be convinced its not abused there.

I'm all for complete legalization but we aren't there yet, Medical Marijuana called "medical" for a reason: ITS MEDICINE.

anyway i'm ranting, hello from las cruces, i hope this place can help me embrace and work with the MM community in the future

---

Don't worry overmuch.....NM has made quite a different program and the majority of people now with their cards here are legitimate medical patients with serious conditions.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BosqueBoy

Hi!
I've been in the Medical field for over 30 years. I have a couple suggestions to help with the Dr. issue.
First of all, if you read your application form carefully, you may notice that the Dr. doesn't have to recommend MM or prescribe it. All he has to do is certify that you have the qualifying condition. Most Dr"s are as new to this process as many of the patients. Explain to your Dr. that YOU have made the decision to medicate yourself with MM. Explain that he/she isn't recommendig or prescribing. Just certifying your qualifying condition. You paid your money to be sitting in front of the Doc. He SHOULD comply with your wishes

---

Makes sense to me,but the form I read says that the doc also certifies that you have tried other medicines that were less effective for you than cannabis,I believe.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by deserthealer

Worrying about people abusing access to medical cannabis is like hate radio. :wtf: There is no underlying reality...

mmj should be as easy to get - and legally! - as it is in California...

:hippy:

Ok, I've had my little rant and I feel better now. But I do have another thing or two to say. First ... it's been my experience as a practitioner seeing about a dozen people in the last couple of months for the purpose of a consultation to get them enrolled in the NM mmj program ... nobody's scamming. Marijuana is a medicine that helps people. It helps a whole lot more people than the measly few diagnoses that are approved to use it. Rather than complain about who shouldn't get to use this gentle herb, we should all be working on making it more accessible ... educating the public and the medical community ... and political candidates...

Welcome to Las Cruces, btw :D

---

Absolutely! Nice post.

hey i didn't mean for everyone to get so defensive :)

I do appreciate how passionate all of you are.
I know that marijuana is a blessing for millions of suffering people,
and i do believe it should be easier to access.
I am just worried that if there is the slightest appearance that the system is easy to abuse, that lawmakers and oponnents will do what they can to make it HARDER to access then it is, even now.

you know what i'm saying?

p.s. i think we are all on the same page here
(boards.canabis.com) haha
whats the point of a forum where everyone says the same thing?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by quinnbmx

whats the point of a forum where everyone says the same thing?

---

true that...
hey, it feels good to get a little rant on now & then. no harm intended. :smokin:

welcome and good luck.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by quinnbmx

hey i didn't mean for everyone to get so defensive :)

I do appreciate how passionate all of you are.
I know that marijuana is a blessing for millions of suffering people,
and i do believe it should be easier to access.
I am just worried that if there is the slightest appearance that the system is easy to abuse, that lawmakers and oponnents will do what they can to make it HARDER to access then it is, even now.

you know what i'm saying?

---

I see your point,it's just that I'm trying to stay positive about the future of the NM program.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by allegrobay

I also just moved to las cruces and i would love to find a doctor to give me MM, ive never been prescribed it before.. could someone help me out?

---

do you have any of the qualifying condition?

Hey Skydivr It is all true that your doc is not prescribing it or what not, But for me my doctors had me shove pill after pill down my throat and losing a organ and damaging the rest before they were convinced that it would benefit me and signed the paperwork. I have to renew in jan so i will be on the hunt again as well and all i am going to do is spend a whole day calling everyone my stupid insurance accepts and finding a compassionate doctor (one of my two doctors retired two days after signing my paperwork,for a completely unrelated reason).

All i can say is the squeaky mouse gets the cheese...call as many docs as you can in your area there is bound to be one.

I think you only need one dr. to do the reregistration

even for chronic pain

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by skydivr

i have only just recently learned that my state of new mexico has adopted a medical marijuana program. i have self medicated for years, at great risk to my freedom, and now my heart soars that there is a possibility of getting the medicine i need without being criminal about it. however since i have not ever considered that this was a possibility, i really don't know where to start. i have been doing a tremendous amount of research and it all boils down to one thing, finding the right doctor! i do not currently have a family doctor so i am pretty much starting from scratch. Q. is there any way to tell if/or find out if a particular doctor is sympathetic and understanding of medical cannabis? Q. are there any medical cannabis specialists in southern new mexico?
i read alot about people getting the "laugh-off". if this happens do you just keep finding new doctors until you find one that is sympathetic? wouldn't this become exorbitantly expensive?
i truly am lost can anyone help me?
can anyone give guidance and start me down the right path?
any and all help is greatly appreciated

---

what part of nm are you from? coolslayer has a good post on finding one check his posts.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by alfonso2002

even for chronic pain

---

I had to have 2 docs sign mine for chronic pain.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by medical420mama

I had to have 2 docs sign mine for chronic pain.

---

I am saying for recertification you only need one.

Where are the qualifying conditions listed? I have a protrusion between the upper sacral and lower lumbar vertebra that gives me daily or nightly pain. I just moved here from AL and brought medical X rays and records. I do not like taking addictive drugs for it and want to try Medical Marijuana. Anybody have an idea what my chance might be?

I am in Lincoln County and need a doctor here or in Otero County. Any ideas?

Hope they found a Doctor by now,lol.

ur mormon doc should lose his license for denying u. i believe any doc that would put a religious cult and beliefs before an excellent safe medical treatment should lose their license