Medical vs. Recreational - Pros and Cons? - Security & Legal Issues - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

QueenofGreen · 08-04-2007, 11:36 PM

I view myself as a combination of a medical and recreational marijuana user. I was wondering how safe it really is to get a medical card, because I know in my state that I qualify to get one... But I don't know how safe it really is. I have up until now chosen to remain without a medical card and obtain my weed through other means. And I have never been in any trouble with the police at all. So I was wondering what other peoples experiences were on the matter.
People who have medical, how much harassment do you recieve? How safe is it really?
People who don't have medical, what are you experiences as well?

08-05-2007, 01:02 AM

My experience is...once you hit 40,it's all medicinal..

green_grow · 08-05-2007, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The American

My experience is...once you hit 40,it's all medicinal..

hard to argue with that .

08-05-2007, 01:44 AM

i would go medical if it was in the state i live in...but there lies the rub

Pops · 08-05-2007, 01:58 AM

Queen, here in Cali there are a couple hundred thousand folks who have "medical" recs. How many are actually valid for something besides anal spasms or rectal seepage is anyones guess. Even though the state law provides for ID cards, there was no funding for it and many counties elected not to issue them. Therefore there is no state data base of med users.

Many folks get recs from so-called pot doctors(pisses the politicians off) and the only record is at the office of these "Doctors". Even still, with a Prop 215 rec, the best bet is to pretend that you are illegal(you are federally) and act accordingly. Don't let anyone know you smoke and kill anyone who finds out you grow!(j/k)

DrKatz420 · 08-05-2007, 02:00 AM

People need to get it out of their heads that if they get a medical recommendation, they immediately go on some "magic list" that the government and anyone else can have access to. I won't speak for other states, but here's how it works in california.

Step 1: you go to a doctor who knows about medical cannabis, and have your medical records transferred to him

Step 2: assuming your medical records show that you have a condition for which MMJ works, your doctor gives you a "recommendation", not a "prescription", which is signed and embossed, and is a legal document. The doctor keeps your name in his records, but because of doctor-patient confidentiality, he does not give this information out to anyone else, except to verify that you are a patient when a dispensary is checking your info.

Step 3: you go home, knowing that you can now possess and grow cannabis, totally free from state and local prosecution. If you wish, you can also go to dispensaries to buy cannabis, and because these places check your ID and info, you should attempt to find one that is trustworthy. While it is true that the DEA has raided many dispensaries, they are at least conscious enough to realize that most people who go to the dispensaries do so because they do not grow, and therefore are not a big target.

Bottom line: if you live in CA and you qualify, get your recommendation, even if you plan on never needing it. If you live in another state, try to find out whether anyone besides the doctor will end up with your info (not likely), but you should probably become legal if you have the chance.

PoppinFresh · 08-05-2007, 06:28 AM

i am in nyc so we don't have that medical stuff. but when i first heard about that in cali, i was hoping it wouldn't pass because i simply did not trust any govt with such personal information. i've always felt that laws like that could get repealed faster than it got approved. and the govt would have all of those names. i just don't trust it. now, the climate seems different so it does seem ok.

being in nyc, you get to meet a lot of shady people especially when it comes to marijuana. this is why it's so important for it to be legalized and regulated totally and not just for medicinal users. as i've said before, it leaves many of us criminals and maintains a drug war.

in general i'd prefer marijuana be legalized for recreational use. if someone feels they need it for medicinal purposes then toke that glaucoma into submission! the govt doesn't need to keep track of marijuana users the same way it doesn't need to keep track of alcohol, tobacco, and tylenol purchases.

hopefully one day we can go to CVS/Duane Reade and buy hash like they sell skoal or marijuana at pathmark like they sell cases of beer and cigarettes or maybe get some honey oil from GNC in small vials like they sell herbal ginseng sex enhancers.

StealthFarmer · 08-05-2007, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrKatz420

People need to get it out of their heads that if they get a medical recommendation, they immediately go on some "magic list" that the government and anyone else can have access to. I won't speak for other states, but here's how it works in california.

Step 1: you go to a doctor who knows about medical cannabis, and have your medical records transferred to him

Step 2: assuming your medical records show that you have a condition for which MMJ works, your doctor gives you a "recommendation", not a "prescription", which is signed and embossed, and is a legal document. The doctor keeps your name in his records, but because of doctor-patient confidentiality, he does not give this information out to anyone else, except to verify that you are a patient when a dispensary is checking your info.

Step 3: you go home, knowing that you can now possess and grow cannabis, totally free from state and local prosecution. If you wish, you can also go to dispensaries to buy cannabis, and because these places check your ID and info, you should attempt to find one that is trustworthy. While it is true that the DEA has raided many dispensaries, they are at least conscious enough to realize that most people who go to the dispensaries do so because they do not grow, and therefore are not a big target.

Bottom line: if you live in CA and you qualify, get your recommendation, even if you plan on never needing it. If you live in another state, try to find out whether anyone besides the doctor will end up with your info (not likely), but you should probably become legal if you have the chance.

So your saying that you only need a recommendation to be fully legal? Then whats the deal with the state issued ID bs? I thought it went something like this to be legal... First you get recommendation, then you get ID card, and then your legal... Correct me if Im wrong

DrKatz420 · 08-05-2007, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealthFarmer

So your saying that you only need a recommendation to be fully legal? Then whats the deal with the state issued ID bs? I thought it went something like this to be legal... First you get recommendation, then you get ID card, and then your legal... Correct me if Im wrong

Yes, I'm saying that you only need a recommendation to be fully legal. The state ID cards are supposed to be issued by each county, and many counties have not yet made arrangements. On top of this, the ID cards are VOLUNTARY, not MANDATORY. The ID cards are supposed to make it easier for police to verify your legal status, but getting one puts your name into a government-run database, and this is what many people are afraid of. To reiterate: your doctor's rec. is a legal document, and any state or county issued ID card is just icing on the cake.

QueenofGreen · 08-06-2007, 05:54 AM

Does anyone know about how it works in states other than California?

08-04-2007, 11:36 PM	#1
QueenofGreen Registered Marijuana User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Smokey room Posts: 89	Medical vs. Recreational - Pros and Cons? I view myself as a combination of a medical and recreational marijuana user. I was wondering how safe it really is to get a medical card, because I know in my state that I qualify to get one... But I don't know how safe it really is. I have up until now chosen to remain without a medical card and obtain my weed through other means. And I have never been in any trouble with the police at all. So I was wondering what other peoples experiences were on the matter. People who have medical, how much harassment do you recieve? How safe is it really? People who don't have medical, what are you experiences as well?
	Quote

08-05-2007, 02:00 AM	#6
DrKatz420 Durf Bifer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: In a Joint Subcommittee meeting Posts: 356	People need to get it out of their heads that if they get a medical recommendation, they immediately go on some "magic list" that the government and anyone else can have access to. I won't speak for other states, but here's how it works in california. Step 1: you go to a doctor who knows about medical cannabis, and have your medical records transferred to him Step 2: assuming your medical records show that you have a condition for which MMJ works, your doctor gives you a "recommendation", not a "prescription", which is signed and embossed, and is a legal document. The doctor keeps your name in his records, but because of doctor-patient confidentiality, he does not give this information out to anyone else, except to verify that you are a patient when a dispensary is checking your info. Step 3: you go home, knowing that you can now possess and grow cannabis, totally free from state and local prosecution. If you wish, you can also go to dispensaries to buy cannabis, and because these places check your ID and info, you should attempt to find one that is trustworthy. While it is true that the DEA has raided many dispensaries, they are at least conscious enough to realize that most people who go to the dispensaries do so because they do not grow, and therefore are not a big target. Bottom line: if you live in CA and you qualify, get your recommendation, even if you plan on never needing it. If you live in another state, try to find out whether anyone besides the doctor will end up with your info (not likely), but you should probably become legal if you have the chance. __________________ "That felt goooood. And I almost died from auto-erotic asphyxiation, so I know from good." -Klaus Look who's snickering over there, Mr. "I can't do a suicide bombing because I'm sick". He had a note! He had a note from his doctor! "Not too close Bobby. Those leafy green plants can suck the oxygen right out of your body." -Peggy Hill Prop 215/SB420 Patient/caregiver in compliance
	Quote

08-05-2007, 01:02 AM	#2
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	My experience is...once you hit 40,it's all medicinal..
	Quote

08-05-2007, 01:44 AM	#4
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	i would go medical if it was in the state i live in...but there lies the rub
	Quote

08-05-2007, 01:58 AM	#5
Pops Resident pissy old man Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: someplace hotter than hell Posts: 3,053	Queen, here in Cali there are a couple hundred thousand folks who have "medical" recs. How many are actually valid for something besides anal spasms or rectal seepage is anyones guess. Even though the state law provides for ID cards, there was no funding for it and many counties elected not to issue them. Therefore there is no state data base of med users. Many folks get recs from so-called pot doctors(pisses the politicians off) and the only record is at the office of these "Doctors". Even still, with a Prop 215 rec, the best bet is to pretend that you are illegal(you are federally) and act accordingly. Don't let anyone know you smoke and kill anyone who finds out you grow!(j/k)
	Quote

08-05-2007, 06:28 AM	#7
PoppinFresh Banned Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Darkside! Posts: 705	i am in nyc so we don't have that medical stuff. but when i first heard about that in cali, i was hoping it wouldn't pass because i simply did not trust any govt with such personal information. i've always felt that laws like that could get repealed faster than it got approved. and the govt would have all of those names. i just don't trust it. now, the climate seems different so it does seem ok. being in nyc, you get to meet a lot of shady people especially when it comes to marijuana. this is why it's so important for it to be legalized and regulated totally and not just for medicinal users. as i've said before, it leaves many of us criminals and maintains a drug war. in general i'd prefer marijuana be legalized for recreational use. if someone feels they need it for medicinal purposes then toke that glaucoma into submission! the govt doesn't need to keep track of marijuana users the same way it doesn't need to keep track of alcohol, tobacco, and tylenol purchases. hopefully one day we can go to CVS/Duane Reade and buy hash like they sell skoal or marijuana at pathmark like they sell cases of beer and cigarettes or maybe get some honey oil from GNC in small vials like they sell herbal ginseng sex enhancers.
	Quote

08-06-2007, 05:54 AM	#10
QueenofGreen Registered Marijuana User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Smokey room Posts: 89	Does anyone know about how it works in states other than California?
	Quote