Medical Cannibis Patients Seeking a Recommendation.

Use of Cannibis Sativa, the hemp plant for medicinal purposes is at least 1500 years old.  Medicinal effects include relief of nausea, muscle relaxation, seizure control and reduction of intraocular pressure.  Proposition 215, known as the Compassionate Use Act was passed by the California Legislature and signed by Governor Wilson in 1996.

Proposition 215 specifically identified 11 “serious medical conditions” including AIDS, anorexia, arthritis, cachexia, cancer, chronic pain, glaucoma, migraine, persistent muscle spasm, seizures and severe nausea for which medical marijuana may be recommended but also included “any other chronic or persistent medical symptoms that either substantially limit the person from conducting one or more major life activities or may cause serious harm to the patient’s safety or health”. This provides a very broad range of possible conditions but does not include “recreational use” for the purpose of intoxication (getting high).

Patients seeking a recommendation must bring documentation of one or more of these conditions and/or exceptions.

Patients considering Medical Marijuana use should be forthright in discussing it with their doctor.  Many doctors feel uncomfortable issuing a Medical Marijuana recommendation. However, they can provide you with documentation of a condition (from your patient record) and refer you to a Medical Marijuana specialist who can provide the recommendation. Since marijuana is not a routine prescription obtained from a pharmacy and is still illegal under Federal Law, a special evaluation that is not covered by medical insurance is necessary.

Senate Bill 420 (SB 420) attempted to further define the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (Proposition 215) by establishing guidelines for appropriate personal use.  State Law carves out “protection” for patients and their caregivers allowing them to cultivate as many as six mature or twelve immature plants and possess as much as eight ounces of dried marijuana.

Under Proposition 215, a “caregiver” is defined as “the individual, designated by a qualified patient or by a person with an identification card who has consistently assumed responsibility for the housing, health or safety of that patient or person.”

Compassionate Care Consultants is now conducting Medical Marijuana examinations on Tuesday and Friday from 3-7 PM.  The cost for new and renewal patients is $100.00, good for any evaluations for one year.  Individuals who after evaluation are not felt to qualify for this treatment recommendation will receive a reduced fee.  Discounts may be available.

For the Medical Marijuana Specialist appointment, patients should bring a copy of their medical record identifying a medical condition for which they feel Medical Marijuana may be a reasonable treatment. The record need not indicate that Medical marijuana use was discussed with their doctor but must identify a specific medical condition and preferably how that condition impacts the patient’s life. The Medical marijuana Specialist will then discuss this condition with you and determine if he feels Medical Marijuana is a treatment option. He will need to identify if you have used marijuana previously, its effect on your condition, perform a basic examination, develop a treatment plan for Medical Marijuana use, inform you of hazards and dangers, both medical and legal of medical Marijuana and if deemed appropriate provide you with a written “recommendation” as a certificate and/or card. He may also provide a “recommendation” to your primary caregiver if he/she attends the appointment.

The Medical Marijuana Specialist may not direct you to a purchase source for Medical Marijuana. The law specifically forbids this, so please do not ask. With the recommendation you may join any of the numerous collectives or cooperatives to obtain Medical Marijuana. These facilities will verify the recommendation using 24 hour phone or website access.

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