# Medical Marijuana discussion thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 13, 2019, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912 "2019-05-13T17:48:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912/41 "2019-05-15T17:35:11Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Basically that I have a personality problem because I don’t have love for doctors who abandon their due diligence so you can self prescribe cannabis. If it gives you PTSD, I have a suggestion for you. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912/42 "2019-05-15T18:09:01Z")
It’s been legal for use in a number of states for years now. It’s been illegal but very widely used in a number of places for a lot longer. The sky has never fallen, crime rates have not soared, the highways aren’t being turned into death traps by stoned drivers. Everything bad promised by the anti-Marijuana crowd has been proven to be a pack of lies, disinformation and ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912/43 "2019-05-15T18:17:18Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > If it gives you PTSD, I have a suggestion for you. > > Regards, > Shodan Every dispensary I’ve visited has offered military veterans a 10% discount. PTSD is very common among veterans, as is depression. Just saying. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912/44 "2019-05-15T18:19:53Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > (bolding mine) > > Actually, the doctor I met with has not, IMHO, abandoned her due diligence. If anything, she believes that some people are helped by non-mainstream medical care. She is a passionate supporter of patient rights. If you (CarnalK) want to be upset with someone, send your negative feelings to those, like me, who are maybe gaming the system to a small degree. > > We good? We’re good but I’ve got to stand by my position. I don’t entirely blame you for gaming the system, though since you have ample access iirc I don’t know why you bother. But a doctor is put in a position of responsibility and authority, she is abdicating that by just going by her patients wants/feelings. Before pot got recreational legal here, I just bought from my buddy like I always did. I didn’t find a “pot friendly doctor” because I would rather give all my money to a pot dealer over some weak willed airy-fairy doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912/45 "2019-05-15T19:04:01Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > It’s been legal for use in a number of states for years now. It’s been illegal but very widely used in a number of places for a lot longer. > > The sky has never fallen, crime rates have not soared, the highways aren’t being turned into death traps by stoned drivers. > > Everything bad promised by the anti-Marijuana crowd has been proven to be a pack of lies, disinformation and ignorance. And apparently Irritable Bowel Disease and PTSD are soon to be eradicated as well. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912/46 "2019-05-15T20:55:07Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > And apparently Irritable Bowel Disease and PTSD are soon to be eradicated as well. > > Regards, > Shodan No need to be obtuse. No one is claiming pot cures anything anymore than aspirin cures headaches or insulin cures diabetes. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2019, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912/47 "2019-05-15T21:09:05Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Took longer than I thought in this thread, but there it is. Stoners think everyone should be like them. Maybe some here should stop smoking a bowl for a while, get a new perspective. Actually, it’s about judging people who are trying the best they can to manage their issues in our sucky health “system”. The last time I smoked was last November when I was smoking a low THC-strain. It was recommended to me by an excellent budtender who understood that I needed to manage extreme anxiety, not get high. You see, my husband was hospitalized across the country after having a heart attack. He had open heart surgery. My doctor told me to try deep-breathing and gave me an antihistamine to help me sleep. I thought she was kidding. The weed helped take off the panicky edge. My husband died. I haven’t smoked any weed since then, but I’m not going to judge _anyone_ for how they manage their lives. Or how they acquire what they use. I blame the system and not the people, unlike those in this thread who sit in judgment. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912/48 "2019-05-16T10:58:30Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > We’re good but I’ve got to stand by my position. I don’t entirely blame you for gaming the system, though since you have ample access iirc I don’t know why you bother. I like the idea that I’m legal. For 45 years I’ve broken the law every time I’ve purchased or used cannabis. Feels good to do it legally. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912/49 "2019-05-16T12:26:53Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > And apparently Irritable Bowel Disease and PTSD are soon to be eradicated as well. > > Regards, > Shodan Here are the 21 conditions Pennsylvania allows treatment with medical marijuana. I’m sure you can find plenty of laughs in the list. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Autism Cancer Crohn’s Disease Dyskinetic Disorders Damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity Epilepsy Glaucoma HIV / AIDS Huntington’s Disease Inflammatory Bowel Disease Intractable Seizures Multiple Sclerosis Neurodegenerative Disorders Neuropathies Opioid Use Disorder Parkinson’s Disease Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Severe chronic or intractable pain of neuropathic origin or severe chronic or intractable pain in which conventional therapeutic intervention and opiate therapy is contraindicated or ineffective Sickle Cell Anemia Terminal Illness Tourette’s and Anxiety are currently under consideration. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912/50 "2019-05-16T13:46:23Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Here are the 21 conditions Pennsylvania allows treatment with medical marijuana. I’m sure you can find plenty of laughs in the list. And the bona fide, scientifically demonstrated effectiveness of marijuana on those diagnoses is pretty close to zero. Reports of usefulness of pot on those entities are based on anecdotes 99+% of the time. Now I’m sure people report relief of symptoms; pot works great for making most folks feel better. Works better than alcohol, for sure. Safer, too. And while pot does lower intra-ocular pressure, it needs to be consumed every 2 hours to do so effectively; i.e. enough to prevent actual blindness from developing due to elevated pressure. Eye drops and eye surgery are better options. Once we study the various active components of pot, I’m sure we’ll find some demonstrated uses for it. But touting it as a fix for nearly everything then making physicians complicit in approving it remains ludicrous. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912/51 "2019-05-16T14:09:31Z")
I don’t smoke pot. I tried it once in college, and didn’t like it. But now that it’s legal in my state, I may try it again, just out of curiosity. But I’m a huge fan of medical cannabis, and I favor full legalization. (and even got the chance to vote for legalization, whoopie!) Two anecdotes: A guy who worked for me developed Hodgkins disease. He smoked pot prior to his chemo, and it greatly reduced he nausea. He found out just how much it reduced it the week he neglected to smoke pot. I gather there are other drugs for that these days, but choice is good, and pot is pretty safe. My BIL has intractable back pain. He’s in pain management therapy, and takes more opioids than he’d like, and still has a lot of pain. Since medical marijuana was legalized, he’s been using it. He was able to cut way back on his opoids, and gets better pain relief. My sister says he’s also become a bit of a pot-head, but, she say, “it seems to make him happy”, and he’s doing much better at work (fewer pain-related sick days, mostly) and is generally doing okay with all the regular stuff. So it’s been a net win. > [@VOW](#): > > …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.”… What a bizarre story. The doctor sounds like a dick. All that being said, kayaker’s story rubs me the wrong way. You were wasting your doctor’s time and lying to get treatment. I don’t blame him for throwing you out on your ear. You obviously didn’t have trouble buying on the black market. Why mess up the medical system and hurt legitimate medical users? > [@kayaker](#): > > … > The doctor who discussed these matters is not my new PCP, as her practice is currently limited to seeing patients seeking certification under PA Medical Marijuana law. Plus, she is not in my health insurance group. I guess I’ll frantically search for a new PCP when my next health crises occurs.:eek: > … May I suggest you seek a PCP now, when you aren’t in a crisis? Maybe even one you are compatible with? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912/52 "2019-05-16T14:26:32Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Now I’m sure people report relief of symptoms; pot works great for making most folks feel better. I take Amlodopine, Atenolol, and Losartan every day. I feel no effect whatsoever. I also take some cannabis every day. It makes me feel better. As Ry Cooder sings(Sidney Bailey / J.B. Lenoir / Jim Dickinson) : Feelin’ good, feelin’ good All the money in the world is spent on feelin’ good ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912/53 "2019-05-16T14:37:32Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > All that being said, kayaker’s story rubs me the wrong way. You were wasting your doctor’s time and lying to get treatment. I never lied. Lying is something I do not do even in situations where some people would say it was OK. As far as wasting my doctor’s time, his time is _what I pay for_. In fact, he was pissed off at me for not paying for his time every year. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912/54 "2019-05-16T14:41:02Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > May I suggest you seek a PCP now, when you aren’t in a crisis? Maybe even one you are compatible with? Heh. Yes, that would probably be a good idea, but it’s not something I’m likely to do.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912/55 "2019-05-16T16:27:02Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > And the bona fide, scientifically demonstrated effectiveness of marijuana on those diagnoses is pretty close to zero. Reports of usefulness of pot on those entities are based on anecdotes 99+% of the time. > > Now I’m sure people report relief of symptoms; pot works great for making most folks feel better. Works better than alcohol, for sure. Safer, too. > > And while pot does lower intra-ocular pressure, it needs to be consumed every 2 hours to do so effectively; i.e. enough to prevent actual blindness from developing due to elevated pressure. Eye drops and eye surgery are better options. > > Once we study the various active components of pot, I’m sure we’ll find some demonstrated uses for it. But touting it as a fix for nearly everything then making physicians complicit in approving it remains ludicrous. Shssh. You’ll harsh their mellow. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912/56 "2019-05-16T16:39:45Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > But touting it as a fix for nearly everything then making physicians complicit in approving it remains ludicrous. In Pennsylvania, physicians are not made complicit in approving it. Any physician who does certification must: [ul] [li]Demonstrate to the Department of Health by training or expertise that he or she is qualified in treating one of the “serious medical conditions” eligible for treatment with medical marijuana including: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Autism, Cancer, Epilepsy, Glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s Disease and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder[/li][li]Successfully complete the required four hour course established by the Department of Health[/li][li]Hold a valid, unexpired, unrevoked, unsuspended Pennsylvania license to practice medicine[/li][/ul] A physician approved to do certification may certify a patient if all of the following conditions are met: [ul] [li]The physician has determined, based upon a patient consultation and any other factor deemed relevant by the physician, the patient has a serious medical condition and has included that condition in the patient’s health care record.[/li][li]The physician has determined the patient is likely to receive therapeutic **or palliative** medical benefit from the use of medical marijuana based upon the physician’s professional opinion,[/li][li]The physician has reviewed the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program prior to issuing or modifying a patient certification to determine the controlled substance history of the patient to determine whether the controlled substance history of the patient would impact the patient’s use of medical marijuana.[/li][li]The physician has explained the potential risks and benefits of the use of medical marijuana to the patient and has documented in the patient’s health care record that the explanation has been provided and informed consent has been obtained.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912/57 "2019-05-16T16:46:53Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I never lied. Lying is something I do not do even in situations where some people would say it was OK. As far as wasting my doctor’s time, his time is _what I pay for_. In fact, he was pissed off at me for not paying for his time every year. Is it possible that it was more exasperation that your heart stint and missing gallbladder isn’t enough to get you to visit the doctor regularly but a pot prescription gets you to come in? Because I don’t know about your town but around here, doctors often have to turn away new patients. It certainly wouldn’t affect their finances if a patient dropped off the radar for 5 years. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912/58 "2019-05-16T17:00:31Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Is it possible that it was more exasperation that your heart stint and missing gallbladder isn’t enough to get you to visit the doctor regularly but a pot prescription gets you to come in? Because I don’t know about your town but around here, doctors often have to turn away new patients. It certainly wouldn’t affect their finances if a patient dropped off the radar for 5 years. Nope. I can call and get a same day appointment here. I never mentioned the purpose of my visit until the final 5 minutes, and we were yelling at each other for an hour by that time. He was pissed off about the fact that he hasn’t been able to retire, period. He’s always been a dick, but I always just played along. I do not want to out anyone, but here is a review posted online (not by me): > [@](#): > > My experience with this man still haunts me to this day. My visit with this man was almost 5 years ago. Rude and condescending. He told me I was uneducated because I was trying to explain to him some symptoms I’ve been having that was causing concern for me and my family. He was so mad at something before he walked in that he was yelling at me during my visit until I walked out. I only wish I would have done something at the time. To be fair, he also gets positive reviews, but even in those people often mention his attitude: > [@](#): > > I’ve been going to Dr. X as my PCP for 15 plus years. I can see the how some snowflakes can melt easily in this man’s presence. Once you get to know him you can really see he’s not upset with the patient but with the current state of healthcare. Besides, who shows up at another man’s work and tells him how to do his job besides a jackass. Don’t call the doctor if you are going to diagnose yourself on webMD. And, another: > [@](#): > > Definitely never recommend to anyone. Dr X was agitated and angry at his staff, his computer and umpc, slightly condescending to me. He was unprofessional using the lords name in vain numerous occasions, uninformed about drugs and generally negative. He told me that his job as my pcp was basically to refer me to specialists. He said he was interested in relationships with patients but his actions showed nothing that resembled a professional, kind demeanor nor the type of temperament that should work with people. I was shocked that this type of horrible care is real. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2019, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912/59 "2019-05-16T21:09:50Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > Some people in this thread need to smoke a bowl. Starting with Yak’s ex-PCP ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2019, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912/60 "2019-05-17T14:46:42Z")
I started this thread thinking it would give those of us with medical certification a place to discuss the details of our situations. There are discussions on reddit like this. Oh well, so it goes. Heh, turns out my ex-PCP is more evil than I thought. He refunded my $60 copay, but I assumed he still billed my insurance for my visit. Curious about how much he charged, and how he explained not charging a copay, I looked on my medical insurance app. He made a claim and it was covered. He billed my insurance $301.00, they paid $146.88 after a network discount of $154.13. My copay is listed as $0 _because he lied about the services provided_. I showed this to my gf and she thinks I should complain to my insurance as well as the state medical board, but fuck it. He’s looking for an excuse to retire and I’m not going to cooperate.:mad: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-marijuana-discussion-thread/833912.md?page=4)