What shall I do? I need the meds.

[Holdin']

So I'm in a bit of a pickle.

The state in which I reside in (WA) doesn't permit the use of medical marijuana for panic/anxiety disorder. Which I have plenty of documentation for.

The herb keeps me level. I never have problems with anxiety anymore. I've always smoked, but now I apply the herb in different ways in which I couldn't get by without it. Well, I could, but I choose not to.

I also smoke to cope with migraines, which also causes nausea and insomnia problems. The state does recognize these as conditions in which medical marijuana can be applied. But I have no documentation for this, as that problem started after I lost my medical insurance.

So there's my problem. No medical insurance. The company I work for does offer a form a insurance, but it's not part of any sort of "benefit" package, and to make a long story short is fairly expensive. If work was steady and I knew I would have 40+ hours a week EVERY week, it'd be no problem. Things seem to be picking up, but until I can be sure of that, the insurance is a no-go.

Now I ask for opinions. Should I bite the bullet and pay out of pocket for a doc appt to document the migraines, nausea etc. Or will I not be able to accomplish what i want to with one doctor's visit? Should I wait until I can be sure to afford the medical insurance, and go that route, being that I may need multiple appts to get a recommendation?

I feel that the migraines are stress induced, because they seem to come in waves during stressful times in my life. Usually days at a time, but has lasted longer. I am no doctor, but I know my body best. Basically what I'm getting at, is I don't want countless appts to get evaluated on what's causing them.

When I smoke, I am fine. It's really a miracle drug to me, as well as the rest of you. But I don't want to illegally grow/obtain the herb anymore, and until we get this legalization thing in order, I need an alternative solution.

Any opinions on the best route I could take are very much welcome. Feel free to PM me if need be.

Thank you for your time.

 

[kweezy]

move to cali =]

 

[boroboro]

I'm in a similar position in my state, which started issuing med. marijuana cards last year. Need a history of doc visits documenting a qualifying condition. I might skate in with a qualifying condition that I do have, but have never seen a doctor for.

Despite this taking years longer than I thought it would, I'm trying to stay optimistic. We could be living in one of the 30+ states and numerous countries with harsh penalties and no Med. Marijuana, right?

It's taking a little time in this state, but there does seem to be a groundswell of doctors coming out of hiding and admitting that they'll support MM and be a PCP for patients, in addition to the clinics that sign forms based on a long-standing documented history.

So, anyway, I'm taking a three-pronged approach:
1. Grow it anyway. Been doing it for years, right?
2. Find a legal patient and become their caregiver. That gives me a legal grow and more options.
3. Keep grinding away at obtaining the MM certificate.

Good luck! Remember that it could be worse.

 

[Holdin']

I was going to make the point that I do plan on moving to norcal in the future, but right now it's not reasonable

 

[Holdin']

I have been growing here and there for years, but I haven't been for a while because of legal issues. I did a short prison term for distribution. I'm not paranoid to grow, but, my girlfriend won't let me grow it in the house because of that reason.

 

[facelift]

Step one:

Calm down. Take a few minutes to catch your breath. The bad news is that most MMJ laws exclude persons who have been convicted of a felony drug offense.

Step Two:

Find an alternative. For me that alternative is to not allow the pot I grow ever leave the house. I find I only run into the police outside my home unless I am the one to call them.

Plan B:

If your felony was 20-30 years ago, pay a lawyer to get your conviction removed. It's a form of a pardon. Get it done before any MMJ legalization.

 

[Hydro-Soil]

move to cali =]

Yep. I have a Medi-Cann card. My wife was also able to get one without providing a documented previous patient history.... we were both totally and completely honest with the doctor. The crux of the matter is that, in California, a doctor can recommend cannabis if it helps a patient. I have YET to come across a single human being that cannabis would not increase the quality of their life and, therefore, their overall attitude and health.

Any real doctor will know when you're just bullshitting about your condition. It's just tough to know who they are, before you walk in and pay your cash.

I would see if there are any groups in your area (freemygreen.com/bbs) that would know who you would best be speaking with.

 

[supermanlives]

develope symptoms that they recognize. find the list and study

 

[Holdin']

Step one:

Calm down. Take a few minutes to catch your breath. The bad news is that most MMJ laws exclude persons who have been convicted of a felony drug offense.

Step Two:

Find an alternative. For me that alternative is to not allow the pot I grow ever leave the house. I find I only run into the police outside my home unless I am the one to call them.

Plan B:

If your felony was 20-30 years ago, pay a lawyer to get your conviction removed. It's a form of a pardon. Get it done before any MMJ legalization.

I have no breathing problems. I am calm. Just because I said I have a history of anxiety/panic disorder doesn't mean I'm sitting here tapping my foot, pulling my hair out, about ready to have a heart attack because I want to legally grow herb but can't.

The only time (in Washington state) that a (and any type of) felon isn't allowed anything to do with medical marijuana is when it comes to third party grows.

Thank you for your input though.

e

My question here is if I'd be better of just paying to see a doctor one time to get a recommendation, or if I might as well just pay for the medical insurance, and go through a series of doctor appointments to accomplish what I need to do. Because it will take more than one visit to the doctor. And then I know it will depend on which doctor I see. This is where I'm looking for advice. Washington state provides medical marijuana for nausea and/or migraines. All of which I deal with and use MJ to cope.

 

[hardraade]

Whats the status on posttraum.stress syndr.? I havnt found anyting on that one yet..

 

[THC_Decapitator]

start your own small perpetual garden if possible , the only way to financial freedom and plenty of meds .

 

[Presto_D]

Do you know of any foods or stressors that trigger migraines for you? Can you find a community health clinic that will see you for a reasonable fee?
You might have to lay out enough money to be seen on an emergency basis two or three times at one of these clinics.
See if you can get a record of your visits, and then go to one of the WA doc-in-a-box that will recommend MMJ. Most of the MMJ recommenders in WA won't do any diagnosing, that's why you need to get seen somewhere else first.

I don't know how much a health care clinic visit for a migraine would be, but the recommendation is probably $200, and expires yearly. Do some research, the costs of several individual visits may rival a health plan.

You should be able to skip getting diagnosed with migraines for 2-3 years after that, and only pay $200 for MMJ recommendation renewal every year.

It's quite a chunk of money upfront, but how much is the peace of mind worth?

 

[hardraade]

Is there possible to get a written doctors attestation from a calif.MD when Im living in Europe? Just for the american health-point of view in this question.
its not accepted to smoke it over here...its the expensive ripoffsheit sativex...

 

[Presto_D]

I don't know if it would do you any good. Even in the states, we have to have a recommendation from a doctor licensed in the state we live in. I know there are people here and on other sites who get recommendations for ALL the states they spend time in, to cover their asses.
It would be easier to qualify in California, there's a wider array of qualifying medical conditions, but I'm in WA, so I have to qualify with migraines, rather than the other things that bother me more but don't qualify in WA.

I don't think, if it's not allowed where you are, a doctor's rec will do you any use.

 

[Marywanna]

I don't think you can get that. Its a state issue,still illegal to the Feds.

 

[DoobieDuck]

Is there possible to get a written doctors attestation from a calif.MD when Im living in Europe? ...

Buddy I'm willing to bet you can find a Doc over here in Cali that will write you a script, especially if you have the medical background and issues that qualify...but what good would that do you over there? good luck..DD

 

[phan]

My quick 2 cents on the original poster's question, is that it seems like if you go to a clinic or an urgent care place (where doctors see you but they aren't your regular doctor) and see them for migraines then you could take that diagnosis and any evidence of perscription to the mmj doctor. You could also say that you tried the migraine perscription and that it either didn't work or you didn't like the side effects and that MMJ works better. I know this is CA and it is very different, but each doctor i have been to is interested in my history of self medicating more than they are interested in traditional medicines failure to help my situation. good luck!

 

[Marywanna]

I have found that it is better NOT to tell your regular Drs. about your MMJ pt status.

 

[PharmaCan]

Do you have doctors in Washington that specialize in MMJ recommendations? If you do, go talk to one of the MMJ docs. Chances are pretty good that they won't require as much documentation as you think. Anyway, the MMJ doc is a licensed physician and quite capable of diagnosing your problems him/herself.

PC

 

[touchofgrey]

have you talked to these guys? They're in Bellevue.

http://www.thc-foundation.org/washington/