Medical Marijuana discussion thread

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

In 2014 Pennsylvania held a gubernatorial election. Incumbent Tom Corbett had vowed to veto any marijuana legislation that crossed his desk. Tom Wolf was more cannabis friendly, so I began to urge friends to vote for the guy. Longstoryshort, Wolf was elected and a few years later he signed SB 3, allowing medical use of cannabis in PA for a short list of problems.

I recently decided to see if I could make the law work for me. I made a doctors appointment with my PCP (step 1 in PA). Things did not go well. When my doctor walked into the room, he went on the offensive, yelling at me for not coming in for 5 years. I fired back, saying it had been 3 years, which was when I’d had a stent placed in a coronary artery. Turns out he was correct (time flies). OK, I could see him being upset about me neglecting my health, but that wasn’t why he was so pissed off. He was angry about the financial dent he experienced due to people not seeking health care. He was also pissed off because his employer (UPMC) required him to update all my medical stuff and that was hard work.

As he worked on updating me on his computer screen, he was not saving each update (I watched over his shoulder). He got frustrated and went to get someone to “fix” his terminal. While he was gone, I updated my info. When he returned he was surprised by what he saw, then realized I’d been messing with the system, and he started yelling at me about that. I pointed out that he didn’t know what he was doing and I had plans later that day. When the office worker tried to ask if he needed her he yelled at her to get out.

When I finally mentioned the reason for my appointment (I always thought I had IBS, never sought medical care for it, now it was worse and I thought it would qualify as IBD, allowed in SB3) he laughed in my face. Sure, he’d be happy to diagnose me with IBD after referral for colonoscopy and a histopathologic diagnosis, otherwise he suggested I keep buying it on the street. I left his office pretty unhappy. A few days later my credit card company informed me that the $60 charge from my doctor (copay) had been returned to me. That’s as close as he will come to an apology, I guess, as I won’t be seeing him ever again.

I considered finding another PCP and starting from scratch, but I’d heard about a doctor who was pro-cannabis and who did certifications. (If my PCP gave me a diagnosis letter, my next step would be to see a physician who did certifications). She was awesome. We chatted for over an hour about my health. I had read about PTSD diagnosis (one of her specialties) and was hoping to qualify. I never lied, but I did emphasize areas of my history that I thought would help. Turns out I qualified! A week later the state sent me my ID card and that same day I visited 3 dispensaries.

TL,DR: I am legally using medical marijuana in PA and I am loving it.

Anyone else? Dispensary tips? Favorite strains?

2

I’ve visited 3 dispensaries, each about a 50 minute drive from my house. On a first visit, you have to meet with the pharmacist, complete paperwork, etc. Once you are in their system, on return visits you just buy what you want.

Maitri Medicinal in East Liberty was my favorite place. It’s all chrome and glass, with hipster/hippy bud tenders eager to help you choose. They also offer daily specials and sales. Dishes of suckers are out so you can help yourself. I bought a disposable pen of Tangie and 3.5 grams of White Poison.

Cresco Yeltrah in New Kensington was not as upscale, but the people were very nice. After meeting with the pharmacist and doing my paperwork, I bought a gram of Cresco Cookies.

Solevo Wellness in Greensburg was a pretty cool experience as well. The pharmacist there was actually fun to talk with. We ended up chatting for a long time about our past experiences with cannabis, then I ended up buying 3.5 grams of Salmon River OG 4. This impressed the pharmacist. Out of the dozens of options, I had chosen her current favorite strain.

Ironically, I have not tried any of my purchases. I want to wait until my pre-legal stash is exhausted.

3

I wish more European countries would get with the times when it comes to cannabis.

But with that said, this board amuses me to no end: So many clueless, upper middle-class, college educated, oh-so liberal Americans (“Smartest, Hippest!”) whinging, whining, bitching, crying about how repressive and authoritarian 2019’s America is, and of the limitless freedom and paradise that awaits them in “Europe”. What a fucking joke, as in most respects, (regarding extremely open social policy) California or Colorado makes places like Denmark and Nederlands look like 1950’s small town Iowa…

4

I support the full legalization of marijuana, but this isn’t how it should be done. If you want to get toasted, that’s your business. Playing “Let’s Pretend” is a waste of resources.

Darn those doctors who won’t diagnose something you don’t have so you can get treatments that won’t work on what you haven’t got.

She sounds like a real crackerjack diagnostician.

I’m glad you can get high if that’s what you want. If it ever becomes legal, I will probably join you. It just seems like it’s not good for patients or the medical profession if I have to pretend I have Lou Gehrig’s disease before I spark one up.

Regards,
Shodan

5

Heh, I agree. As far as wasting resources, hey, I’m playing by the rules. I’m paying a bit more to buy my legal cannabis compared to what I can buy “on the street”.

As far as “Let’s Pretend”, I’ve successfully self-medicated my IBS/IBD for decades and am happy with the results. :slight_smile:

6

Here’s the thing. She was without a doubt the most caring, compassionate MD I’ve ever met. She is board certified in family practice and had a thriving career prior to her decision to be proactive in an area she truly believes in. I hope to find a new PCP who is half as good.

7

As a resident in a legal state, it’s astonishing how hung up the rest of the country is. Yet alcohol is available pretty much anywhere. Give me a stoner over a drunk any day.

8

Awesome that that’s working on relieving the symptoms, but have you considered getting that checked up by an actual doctor you trust?

9

At least recreational legalization has ended the charade that was “Medical Marijuana” in the SoW (while there is still a medical certification for certain conditions, all it does is eliminate some fees for the holder).

For a while you could pick up a copy of a “want ads” newspaper and find several pages of “Come in with $150 and leave with a green card” ads. An acquaintance of mine worked at a dispensary and said they had a multi-page list of “clinics” whose certifications they wouldn’t recognize.

10

I’m on pain management, never used marijuana ever before. I somehow made it through the Sixties and Seventies without getting stoned.

A friend of mine, also on pain management (different doctor) tried marijuana and had much much better control of her pain. Unfortunately, her doctor added THC to the drug list for the regular screening pee test. When she tested positive for THC, the doctor flat out told her, “Choose one. Pain management opioid, or marijuana. Test positive again, I won’t prescribe for you.”

I asked about the policy at MY pain management doctor’s office. Turns out, my doctor’s policy is that patient consumption of marijuana is not a concern of the doctor.

I thought, “Well, shit, I may as well try the stuff!”

I’m currently using CBD oil daily. In my opinion, using CBD with my prescribed opioid makes it more effective. I also discovered a lovely side effect! Being on pain management often causes a problem. Constipation. It’s unremitting. I currently juggle three or four remedies, which can be hit or miss. But using CBD oil is a definite CURE to what TV commercials call OIC–opioid-induced-constipation.

I’ve also been buying edibles. For days when NOTHING seems to touch the pain, I’ll have a dose of edibles. And I find it relaxes me so I don’t hurt so damned much, or sometimes even puts me to sleep.

Medical marijuana is a useful product when you have pain.
~VOW

11

I see it as a necessary evil to change the mindset of all the hang wringing “it’s a gateway drug!” types who can watch Reefer Madness without laughing or rolling their eyes.

Progress always comes at a cost, and if playing charades for a decade or two so people don’t fear the reefer (heh), then fine, pay that cost and let’s move on.

12

Cost/benefit analysis doesn’t pan out. I’ve managed some low grade GI dysfunction to a satisfactory degree for decades. Lacking a gallbladder has an effect as well. I’m 61 and am looking at quality, not quantity. :slight_smile:

13

If you were planning on suddenly conjuring up a chronic disease, you probably should have done a quick google search. IBS and IBD are completely different diseases that just happen to occur in the same organ. It’s sort of like saying that since you can get certified for lung cancer, you should be able to go to your doctor with asthma and get certified and then saying “I have been suffering from asthma/lung cancer for years and treating it myself so I should get a certification without having to get any evaluation.” This just demonstrates how stupid the “medical marijuana” laws are. Just go ahead and make it legal if you’re going to approve it for medical use. It’s pretty clear that most of those with certifications don’t have an actual medical need and then you end up with doctors like the one cited who basically agree to certify pretty much anybody for enough money. I could be wrong, and she could be very ethically evaluating each case on its merits, but the way that the OP describes how he heard of her and how the interaction went, I sort of doubt it.

14

I agree with psychobunny completely. Just legalize the damned stuff. Don’t make the medical profession complicit in making it available.

15

All that yelling! Is your PCP a surgeon?

16

I agree, but that isn’t reality today in Pennsylvania. I’m playing by the rules, even if I think the rules are ridiculous.

Nope.

And he’s my ex-PCP.:slight_smile:

I’m not up with the hip lingo you kids are using, but I’m pretty certain I do not wanna get “toasted”. I have beer, wine, and liquor available to me at home. I typically have a glass of wine with dinner and maybe a beer afterwards, but I seldom get “drunk”.

Similarly, in the evening I frequently relax with a hit or two of cannabis, yet I do not get “toasted”.

17

So what’s your opinion of people who go “doctor-shopping” for opioid prescriptions?

18

I don’t really have an opinion of them. If someone is in pain I think their pain should be addressed to the extent medical technology is able to address their pain.

19

Just out of curiosity, what will you do if your great new PHP actually cures your PTSD and IBD/IBS?

Regards,
Shodan

20

How about if they’re not in pain, just like you don’t really have IBD or PTSD?

Your new doctor doesn’t sound good. Sounds more like a soft touch, which I understand you appreciating in this case.