Places to Avoid Getting a Medical Marijuana Authorization

As of May 20th, 2011, the day this article is being written, there are a myriad of choices for patients to choose from, when it comes to choosing a clinic to get their Medical Marijuana Authorization in Washington State. Below are TWO places where patients should avoid getting their authorizations.

AVOID:

1. Dispensaries, or any place that produces or grows medicinal cannabis.

This almost seems like common sense, but many dispensaries (which are illegal anyway) are providing authorizations by contracting a doctor to work for them during specific days and hours.

Why should this be avoided? For one, many dispensaries are beginning to turn down authorizations that were obtained through dispensaries. Secondly, there is current legislature that will soon make this kind of activity (providing authorizations in a dispensary environment) illegal. Here is an excerpt from Senate Bill 5073 (currently in Washington State Senate as of May 20th, 2011):

[Lines 11-13, Page 11] "A health care professional shall not [...] Examine or offer to examine a patient for purposes of diagnosing a terminal or debilitating medical condition at a location where cannabis is produced, processed, or dispensed;"

While this is not current law, it is still important to avoid dealing with dispensaries (illegal). Dispensaries are unlikely to verify you as a patient, because they don't file or store any medical records or patient files, or don't have the medical infrastructure or staff that would be able to provide that service. While the doctor that was contracted to serve you may be able to file your record and verify for you, it is unlikely they will, or at least a risk is there.

2. "Clinics" that exist for the sole purpose of handing out authorizations.

This can be difficult to gauge. But, a good test is to see if the doctor you see for your medical marijuana evaluation, could also see you for other medical issues, like a flu, a cold, or any other ailment. Please check your doctor's credentials; are they an MD? Are they licensed? Anyone can throw on a robe and run an operation out of a rented office space. It is important to check if their practice is legitimate.

Moreover, these clinics will soon be phased out as well. Another excerpt from Senate Bill 5073:

[Lines 14-15, Page 11] "A health care professional shall not [...] Have a business or practice which consists solely of authorizing the medical use of cannabis;"

Conclusion: Why should we avoid these clinics NOW?

These "operations" if you will, are not working in the patient's interest. How can we tell? Well, they clearly are not monitoring state legislature and the changing laws. If they are not monitoring them now, what indicates they will monitor them later? Are they actively ensuring their compliance to legislature now and preparing themselves for the coming changes which are a little over a year away?

Are they actively consulting with patients and answering questions about the law they might have? Or are they happily going along and profiting while they can? A good way to gauge a clinic, is if they are compliant to SB5073 NOW. Are they still offering multi-year or lifetime authorizations? Are their doctors also providing alternative packages or options to medicinal cannabis? That is also a future change in law that will be a requirement.

Who should I choose?

Currently, our clinic in Redmond, WA is one of few clinics that operates in strict compliance with SB5073. In fact, we encourage all patients to try our alternative plans for treatment. We also only provide 1-year or less authorizations, and also enforce recurring visits throughout the year. We also establish care with our patients and become their primary care providers, to ensure their safety for future changing legislature.

To become a patient, visit our website today: http://www.medical-marijuana-washington.com/

Sources:
Link to SB5073: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5073

Written by Newman Edwards.

Top 3 Mistakes Made by People Who Try Getting a Medical Marijuana Card

Reasons to get a Medical Marijuana card
The Many Uses of Marijuana: Do you suffer from a degenerative disease? Are you suffering from lack of sleep or chronic pain? Do you use marijuana illegally and want to stop risking your freedom and livelihood buying drugs from criminals? If you can answer YES to any of these, I can tell you that you are not alone.
The marijuana-for-health movement has been growing in numbers and it is spreading across the country. Every year, more and more states have politicians lobbying for cannabis reform and legislation that brings the healing benefits of marijuana to deserving patients. But who has the right to claim this prize? Can anybody really get a medical marijuana card, or is it only for the seriously sick and the terminally ill?
Getting Medical Marijuana Mistakes and Misconceptions
Those who are new to using marijuana or are not aware of cannabis used for legal and medical purposes are all over and everyday more of them are becoming educated about the amazing benefits of becoming a legal marijuana patient. The first step for anybody seeking information about how to get medical marijuana card is to take special note of the top mistakes made by aspiring patients:
1. Lack of understanding of Marijuana Laws and the states that they apply in
People need to remember that all forms of use, possession and sale of marijuana are still illegal in the United States under federal law. However, if people were to read the state laws and do proper research, they would know that state laws offer a safe legal haven for those who seek to use cannabis for its medical benefits and are therefore protected by the state if they follow ALL PROPER STEPS.
2. Aspiring patients do not know the system for getting a Medical Marijuana card
Marijuana itself is one of the largest agricultural industries in the world, and the branch of medicinal marijuana is gigantic in itself. This massive-scale business operates on a very fine line when trying to weigh the needs of the patients and the law makers. Those who do not understand the pressure and needs of this industry are going to be rejected due to the fact that doctors, growers, 420 small businesses, and politicians are all people pushing for a cause, and they are very protective of their image. It would look very bad if stereotypical marijuana users were bragging to reporters about their ability to cheat the system. Getting a medical marijuana card in your state protects you by state regulations making it a process which must follow the laws.
3. People have no clue where to begin
One of the most difficult parts about how to get a medical marijuana card in California, or anywhere else, is beginning the process in a correct and legal way. Using an internet search engine, one can see that an inquiry for medical marijuana brings nothing but a large number of advertisements for doctors and dispensaries selling their goods along with a political battleground over legalization.The medical pages give strict restrictions to their practice and only schedule appointments with those who have met qualification guidelines, while the dispensaries taunt you with their beautiful legal medication! So how do you get this ball rolling...
Becoming a patient
In order to get a medical marijuana card in California or anywhere else, you only must have an approved reason or condition, see a doctor that is authorized to recommend the use of cannabis, and then find someone that is legally authorized to "supply" you(it is illegal to profit from the sale of marijuana, so collectives and dispensaries only accept "donations" in exchange for their products). This sounds like a simple process, but it can only be done if you remember to not make the 3 most common mistakes!
Sounds easy right?
The problem is that people do not research the process well enough, and end up being dismissed when they go for their first meeting with a "pot doc". Doctors have absolutely no problem with flat out rejecting patients who come in asking for medicinal marijuana and are unprepared. It is important that YOU DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE YOU GO TO THE DOCTOR!
I wish good luck to all aspiring medical marijuana patients out there and offer comfort that with proper knowledge, you will soon be able to use the medicine that you need if you properly educate yourself first.



Kevin Fox is a activist for the legalization of marijuana and seeks to help people use the medicinal herb according to the legal limits of the law.
For a free guide on how to get a medical marijuana card, visit http://www.medicalmarijuanalifestyle.com