Crohn's patient in Michigan, but on probation...where do I stand?

[MrMaryJane]

Hello everybody, I am making this post because I have a few questions regarding the passing of a medical marijuana bill in Michigan last November.

In May I was caught by the police and appeared in court on June 3rd. There I was sentenced to a year of probation. I visit my P.O. just about every 6 weeks and go there for the 2nd time this coming Tuesday.

Before I was sentenced I had an appointment with my Gastroenterologist. There I told him about my pending court appearance and talked with him about the benefits I have had from using cannabis. Granted, I was a habitual smoker for the high, but it did give medical relief when in the past other medications have not helped. I am on a medication called Remicade, which self-induces remission of the disease. However, I still experience bad stomach cramps, and have trouble with my appetite/keeping on weight.

The doctor and I talked about abuse and addiction potential, and it opened up my eyes to the fact that I shouldn't be smoking myself stupid when I smoke, but should be responsible and use it for its medicinal purpose. He wrote a note for me saying we were going to explore the possibility of getting approved.

The first time I visited my P.O. I took the note with me, and while there I told her that my smoking was for medical use, and that I did have a letter from my doctor explaining my case.

She said "sounds like a bunch of bullshit to me, but let's see this so called letter." Fucking bitch...but anyways, I gave her the letter and she basically gave me a lecture on... "So you get caught smoking but you still want to do it. Sounds like you want an excuse to smoke pot. You do realize that if you get this card it will be attached to your name. When you get out of college what are you going to do? Do you think an employer is going to look at you and another applicant and choose between the guy who smokes weed all day or the other person who is qualified?" Once again, fucking bitch...but I understand that its her job.

Now, with all that back story I have a few questions.

She pretty much turned me off the idea of getting the card, but now that I can't smoke and it is affecting my health, what should I do? Was she playing the role of queen bitch and saying things that may not necessarily be true? Or is she right?

If I were to get the medical card, what would happen with me taking drug tests for my P.O.? Obviously it would be expected that I drop dirty, but would I be penalized given my medical circumstances?

How easy is it for one to be approved for a card in Michigan, and would it be harder for me to get given that I'm in the legal shitter right now?

How does one go about getting a card in Michigan? My doctor told me that he honestly hasn't read much about it, although he should now that it's a new law. He said I could be his guinea pig so to speak. He also told me that he has denied 3 Hepatitis-C patients because of research studies he's read that say it could have harmful affects on those patients. He also said that he would do the same for a Crohn's patient but hasn't read anything about it being harmful to those patients.

Sorry for the length of this, but I'm really confused and searching for answers. I'm hoping maybe somebody could give me some input.

I would appreciate your input even if you're not from Michigan.

MrMaryJane Reviewed by MrMaryJane on 08-13-2009. Crohn's patient in Michigan, but on probation...where do I stand? Hello everybody, I am making this post because I have a few questions regarding the passing of a medical marijuana bill in Michigan last November. In May I was caught by the police and appeared in court on June 3rd. There I was sentenced to a year of probation. I visit my P.O. just about every 6 weeks and go there for the 2nd time this coming Tuesday. Before I was sentenced I had an appointment with my Gastroenterologist. There I told him about my pending court appearance and talked with Rating: 5

[Coelho]

When you get out of college what are you going to do? Do you think an employer is going to look at you and another applicant and choose between the guy who smokes weed all day or the other person who is qualified?"

Well... between my health today and a possible future job in the future, i would choose my health today without thinking twice.
The future needs the present to exist. If you dont take care of your health today, who ensures you will ever reach the future?

[Markass]

The doctor and I talked about abuse and addiction potential, and it opened up my eyes to the fact that I shouldn't be smoking myself stupid when I smoke, but should be responsible and use it for its medicinal purpose. He wrote a note for me saying we were going to explore the possibility of getting approved.

She said "sounds like a bunch of bullshit to me, but let's see this so called letter." Fucking bitch...but anyways, I gave her the letter and she basically gave me a lecture on... "So you get caught smoking but you still want to do it. Sounds like you want an excuse to smoke pot. You do realize that if you get this card it will be attached to your name. When you get out of college what are you going to do? Do you think an employer is going to look at you and another applicant and choose between the guy who smokes weed all day or the other person who is qualified?" Once again, fucking bitch...but I understand that its her job.

Now, with all that back story I have a few questions.

She pretty much turned me off the idea of getting the card, but now that I can't smoke and it is affecting my health, what should I do? Was she playing the role of queen bitch and saying things that may not necessarily be true? Or is she right?

If I were to get the medical card, what would happen with me taking drug tests for my P.O.? Obviously it would be expected that I drop dirty, but would I be penalized given my medical circumstances?

How easy is it for one to be approved for a card in Michigan, and would it be harder for me to get given that I'm in the legal shitter right now?

How does one go about getting a card in Michigan? My doctor told me that he honestly hasn't read much about it, although he should now that it's a new law. He said I could be his guinea pig so to speak. He also told me that he has denied 3 Hepatitis-C patients because of research studies he's read that say it could have harmful affects on those patients. He also said that he would do the same for a Crohn's patient but hasn't read anything about it being harmful to those patients.

Sorry for the length of this, but I'm really confused and searching for answers. I'm hoping maybe somebody could give me some input.

I would appreciate your input even if you're not from Michigan.

Sorry to hear of your position...I would've killed to have been able to obtain a medical marijuana recommendation while I was on probation. Personally I don't care, I see a state law in regards to MMJ nullifying the drug test, just as having a prescription for opiates would. Whether that's true or not I don't know, but I would throw up one shit fit in court about me using medication that's most effective.

Why did what she said turn you off to being legal and feeling better?? Does it not help you enough to make you want to? Marijuana doesn't completely eliminate every bit of my pain all the time, but it damn sure does more than opiates does for me, without any negative side effects.

Glad your doctor put some sense into you about the amount you consume..don't know about crohn's..but I do know for my pain it takes me a good 2-4 hits of killer and I may not have a crazy heavy buzz, but my body feels relaxed.

MDCH - Medical Marihuana Program

Maybe ask the MDCH if they had any clue where your drug tests are going to stand..

Good luck

[rast420]

You said you were caught in May, I assume you by "got caught" you mean you got caught with marijuana? Well, I'm not sure if its too late now but when you went to court you had the option of using the affirmative defense, what that means is that if you would have gotten a doctors recomendation before you went to court saying that you were using it for medicinal purposes the charges would have been dropped. I don't know if you can do this now because you are already sentenced, I would talk to a lawyer. I feel that it is a possibility that you can get the charges dropped.

[psychodelic]

I agree. Consult with a lawyer. Any decent lawyer will be ale to make a case with a doctor's prescription and card. But it sounds like you don't have those yet.

If you don't want to just stop smoking for a year to pass your tests, make sure you test clean until you have a judge (or your lawyer, I guess) tell you it's ok to use medicinally. If you don't get approval first and test dirty, you're screwed. I highly doubt a judge would accept "Well, I talked to my doctor about it and was going to get the card, so I figured it was ok."

[psychodelic]

I sympathize with you. I have several close family members and friends who have Crohns...no decent person deserves it.

[str8balln]

I have chron's disease and almost died from it till marijuana came into my life, I was against it until one day I said sure pass it, and then I inhaled:thumbsup: I can say marijuana is the number 1 medicine for my chrons disease, I smoke every day, I have to because this disease is a bitch, I used to take asacol but not anymore thanks to weed, some days though I wonder if I should get back on but them are the days I'm running low on weed and I can't stand taking any pills so I just smoke and it eases the pain considerably. Its a life saver. If I were you get the card and smoke, health is too important to listen to some dumb bitch that has no ideal what she's talking about, she doesn't have chrons disease!

[hisuiiro]

I'm right in your shoes man.

I got pulled over and arrested for possession right around the time I was being diagnosed with Crohn's. I was throwing up blood every couple months and wanted it checked out.

As soon as I had to stop smoking my body went haywire, nausea, pain and the inability to stay vertical. I can't even work some days, which makes bills and court fines tough.
Turns out I had Crohn's, and the only med's that help me is MMJ.
I'm receiving treatment right now, but as for my symptoms they can't or won't give me anything for it.

So now I'm on probation with a debilitating disease, for Possession.

My question is if anyone has any advice for me? Am I still eligible for a card, would I need legal representation?
Getting the signature wouldn't be hard, I just don't want the courts to put me in prison for breaking probation when I test.

I need help people.

(If you have any advice email me at [email protected])