OK, the largely miserable year that was 2008 has been cut & pasted into the history books, thank Jeebus.
Let's renew the energy in this blog. You guys/gals want fresh topics, suggest them!
My yoga teacher passed around a little copper pot this evening asking each of us in the class to withdraw a slip of paper. On these slips were written a short wisdoms.
Mine was, "When the compulsive striving away from the now ceases, the joy of Being flows into everything you do. The moment your attention turns to the Now, you feel a presence, a stillness, a peace."
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26 comments:
I would like to wish everyone a very happy near year.......
dr.bud
It is finally nice to read about concerned people. I live in a small town in MT. I am very sick and have been seekiing a physician for many of months now, without any luck. I am 58 years old and the only help and aid that I get is from receiving this med illegally. My pain does not go away. I hardly sleep and eat. I have lost over 40 lbs in the last few months. I have cornic Hep C, severe back pain, cirrosis of the liver and a severe depression that I cannot seem to get a handle on. I have shingles so bad that my scratching just draws blood. When they say that you only have a very little time to live, it is hard to be happy. I was told to write an essay about what you would like to do if you knew you only had a few months to live. Like Make A Wish foundation. It has been four weeks and my paper is still blank. I can think of nothing! I am so depressed I can only cry and hide myself form others. I am on Social Security disability and am on a very limited on funds. I cannot find a doctor for his or her recommendation. I cannot pay 3-4 hundred dollars for this recomendation. What am I suspose to do? I receive all my medical through the VA. It is their policy to follow the FDAs recommendations that marijuana is still classed as a number 1 drug and has no medical use. I read about all the others that have received recommendations and yet I cannot get one myself. My medical documents are a stack of papers about two feet tall. I have just had an open heart surgery 2 years ago and now they want to do it again. I now have a Mitra heart valve that is failing. My liver and amune system is not strong enough to go through another major surgry. I want to live the rest of my life not just die. Is there anyone out there that may be able to help me get my Montana M/M card?
Lost in Montana
r.polesky at yahoo.com
admin-
patients like learman are what mtpfu is all about. Learman where in the state are you? Once you obtain your medical marijuana status would love to help.
I've learned that Learman does have an appointment with the THC Foundation but doesn't have enough money to pay their fee. (They do negotiate based upon ability to pay, right down to free.)
But it crosses my mind that maybe what we need is a kind of "scholarship" fund to help patients who can't afford doctors.
Caregivers, how about a voluntary "tax"?
Ideas?
we need a blog for paitents who need caregivers in certan areas of mt to leave a e mail or other way to get a hold of them
forumadmin
What about a low income fund? Possibly donation driven? If it gets set up then I will send $100 donation no problem. How would the caregiver tax system work?
We need to remember there are a lot of people in need out here. We as members of Patients and families united should do what we can to help. We are looking at harder times finacially in the future.
Next year it could be you that needs the financial help. Lets all pitch in for the cause, OUR cause.
Take care and stay warm and thankful.
Rich
Oh by the way Montana State Legislature is in session your donations are desperately needed to reform our medical marijuana law.
Dont forget fundraiser in helena this month.
Rich.
blog is dying,dying dead.........................................................................................................................................? dont know why.
its been dead
Well here it is another 9 days and I am still no where close to a recommendation. I thought I was getting an appointmenter (phone numb with the THC Foundation but I still do not have an appointment in Blgs, MT. I called the THC Foundation via a Missoula, MT phone number. They inturn told me to fax my progress report from my VA doctors to a 503 (Oregon). I have faxed four sets of documents and page numbers that was asked of me. Still no appointment! The lady on the phone has me so confused. I am not sure she knows what documents are needed. Is the doctor in Oregon authorized to give me a recommendation from my medical records? I only want to get off this oxycodone. I would like to have a normal appatite and be able to sleep more than 3 hours at a time. As to my cornic pain. I would rather suffer with pain than to keep on taking pain pills all the time.
Other wise it is a wonderful day as I get one more day. I usually love the Holidays but this year seemed so empty and blue. I wish that this year will be better and all you caring people have a good year too. I hope that there will come the time I can give my effort to help others. LEARMAN
Anonymous...
I don't know if this will help you or not, but we have been working with RMCC and they have been amazing. They are caring, helpful individuals out for the greater good. They are very knowledgable and may be able to guide you through the process. I am sure you can reach them through this website.
Is there any news on, on if there was a decision on HB 73, yesterday, and SB 212?
I managed to get represented, from my network, of networks, about 5 million Mt. voters.
Should be enough to make a diiferance.If not, something smells, in Helena.
Hay LEARMAN i learnd any PHD that works for the state is not alowed to sine the paperwork for Medical M. so you have to go to privit family doctor to get it done that means you have to pay for it out of your pocket for the office visit but you can do it loakely with out going out of town.
Greetings,
I have suffered from severe migraine headaches since my youth, and over the past couple years have seen an increase in frequency and intensity. The severe nausea associated with the headaches makes ingesting any oral medication impractical, and often MJ is all that helps me relax, settle my stomach, and ease the pain so I can sleep through the headache. My family physician passed away years ago, so I currently don't have a regular doctor. I'm presently attending graduate school and have access to university doctors, but I am reluctant to approach them about the topic since they work in an academic setting around many young people (although I am an older student and am well vested in my career). I have researched and collected scientific literature on the historic and clinical use of MJ for treatment of migraines, so I'm hoping that will help present my case.
As you can understand, trying to obtain MJ during the onset of a headache is very impractical (and risky), so I am hoping to obtain a medical MJ card so that I can possess the medicine for the times that it is needed. I'm curious what successes others have had at obtaining a card for this condition. I'd also like any recommendations on where to see a doctor and how to approach the topic. I realize outright referrals for specific doctors are probably not wise (or ethical), but any advice and direction would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all the help.
Migraine Man
Migraine Man, write to me at info at mtpfu.org, OK? I can help/advise.
Skip
If you are looking for a free mmj recomendation and legally qualify for the medicine. you may look for a doctors name in the billings gazette search marijuana. then look his number up in the phone book.
If you are going to approach the DR. that Mark refers to in the previous post, please HAVE YOUR ACT TOGETHER.
In other words, make sure you have a qualifying condition. Make sure you have a treating physician, make sure you have your medical records together.
Skip
I have over the last 10 years gone through a nightmare of gigantic proportions with the VA in which they nearly killed me. The whole story would take me a week to write out but to make a long story short I am on a chronic pain maintenance program and receive Morphine and Oxycodone. They discontinued this suddenly without any gradual cessation of the drugs and with no aftercare which resulted in my getting a heroin habit going that stole 4 years of my life and had significant impacts on my mental and physical health. When I went to them for treatment I was refused and threatened with arrest if I did not leave the premises. After kicking cold turkey on my own I went back to the VA with the assistance of Senator Tester and was once again placed in the chronic pain program. I have discussed my desire and intent to use medical marijuana at every appointment and the doctor at no time gave me any indication that this would be a problem. Mind you I was CLEAN! having gone through hell for 6 weeks to kick the habit. Now after five months I received the attached letter. Why did he get me strung out again if this would be the inevitable result? I suffer from chronic depression with suicidal ideations and have in fact attempted suicide several times in the past. was this part of a plan to trim the budget? Am I not allowed to get a second opinion or to seek alternative treatment from other providers? The VA also does not believe in acupuncture or chiropractic treatment. Does this mean if I go in for an adjustment they can cut me off for treatment? I am not the only Vet going through this crap with them, just the first one to come to you. If needed I can track down some more to join a class-action suit. Please,please help us with this. If I am forced to go through withdrawl again I'm not sure I can take it. The pain I experience every day is bad enough but without the herb I am queazy from the other medication and do not eat and the narcotics also have a detrimental effect on my sleep patterns that further aggravate my depression: the herb helps with this. I am awaiting my appointment with a doctor to sign off on my Montana Medical Marijuana Card but cannot see him before I get copies of my VA medical records which I have been trying to do since last October without success. It seems pretty obvious that if the VA is willing to prescribe these powerful narcotics I meet the qualifications for the M.M. Card. If you could spare me about 30 minutes I could tell you the whole story and trust me it will make you want to scream and pull your hair out! Thank you for your time., this is a copy of a letter I sent to NORML and The ACLU. The letter from the VA I could not attach but says that they had detected cannabinoids in my urine and so they are going to schedule me for intervention with a drug counsel and if I test positive again they will discontinue my treatment. the letter is from the same doctor I have spoken to repeatedly about using herb.
Time for a new topic...experiences with the VA. Robert, could you continue your comments there?
Skip
I couldn't seem to find an appropriate place for this but my Ex and I are going to be driving up to Helena friday morning early (7AM?) for the Cannabis at the Capital Rally and will be returning Friday evening. We have room for 2 riders. (three if they are thin-we're driving a Honda!) I can be reached at five for three-7866 or email bobajabob at Gmail dot com. Carpool for clean air!
Ya'll worry about the traffic this blog isn't getting?
I shoot over here and look around every few days, yet have no clue what this "Cannabis at the Capital" etc is, and so far haven't found anything here telling us what it is.
Just googled it, in quotes, and nothing. How can this be?
I mean, if I can't look here for MMJ news, then where? ASA? ACLU?
try Smokapelli Club, that is where I get my info. They even have news updates from PF&U, Norml and Marijuana Policy Project
Hello All,
It has been quite awhile (months) since I've posted here, and, as most of you know, I have my own site: www.montanacaregiver.net, but this is a good forum (blog??..lol) and I thought the following might do well here:
One of the biggest issues that exists in the MMJ community is the price caregivers set on their stock. I have not come across any perspective that reflects the point of view of the caregivers who set these prices, and I thought maybe I could help shed some light on the matter.
I received an email yesterday from a patient that expresses the attitude of many patients about this subject. Here it is...
"...I still have not found a satisfing caretaker.
As I mentioned before I live in Joliet, just out of Billings. I have met a couple of care givers there but they don't seem to be within the process of helping people with needs. One care taker even charges $10 more than street prices. Ozs in Blgs are going for $300. And this is not commercial. Real Blueberry and AK47. So why do I need a care taker? It is like they are just a dope dealer trying to make a profit.. I am very upset with this process. Yet everyone says they are fair and wish to be helpful. Why would I give someone the oppertunity to grow 6 plants in my behalf and then charge me the same prices as thugs! The Families and Patients are really upset with this. I can't afford $300 an oz. I am on disability and only receive a small income. So I am stuck trying to grow my own. So in 3 months I WILL HAVE MY MEDICINE. That is if I had the straenght to care for these plants. I do have a 1000 watt light but the ballast is bad. So in reality I have the plug and light assembly. If a caretaker wants to profit on my behalf and still make me pay street prices, why are there caretakers?
I hope that you can understand where I come form. I am sure you are a nice person and wishes to help others. How much can I trade my liver for? Just a joke. I have hep C (cronic) and there is not much left of my liver. I just don't know what to do any more. If I ever did know what to do I would do it. The weather is getting better so I can get out side more. I love baisting in the sun.
I have to go back into the hospital in April in Salt Lake City VA for about two weeks. But I do have my cell phone...and I go monitor my e-mail regulary. I hope that you will keep in touch. I just don't know which way to turn and some times I am too sick to care. Peace."
**********************
My heart goes out to this person, and in an effort to bring a little clarity to the situation I wrote him the following,
"I understand your thinking, and I have read the posts you refer to on MTPFU concerning the prices caretakers are charging. When I first decided to try my hand at providing for patients, I felt the same way.
I started off buying lights, and settled on 600 watt HPS. Lights and reflectors were about $400, ballasts were about $60. I purchased six complete units, which ran (these are estimates, but are very close to the dollar amount) about $3000. Seeds came to about $500. Soil runs about $20/bag and 100 plants demand about 30 bags for a total of about $600 for potting soil, and you can throw in whatever you like for ferts, nutrients, PH testers, fans, ducting, containers, and other miscellaneous. Call it another $1000.
My house isn't capable of containing a large grow, so I had to rent a shop, and that costs me $600/mo including insurance. The power bill runs well over $300/mo and after water, trash and utilities get totaled my operating costs come to at least $1000/mo.
By the time my first month had elapsed, I still had about another 4 to 5 months to go before I would be able to harvest my first plant. During that time, operating costs ran another $4000.
As you can see, running a grow operation is not the same as one person growing their own five or six plants. By the time I saw my first plant I had invested a dollar amount approaching (and damn closely) $10,000.
At 2 oz/plant (a rough average) and $300/oz, I get a gross return of $600/plant, but after operating expenses I net about half that (I won't bore you with crop loss from disease, hermaphrodites, mites, fungus, and the other delicacies any grower must deal with).
Well--enough of that. The point is (obviously) that providing a decent product for say, 100 patients (which is a tiny drop in the huge lake of Montana patients) is enormously expensive, requires all of a grower's time, demands an education in marijuana horticulture, and many other components. As you have noted, caregivers who are conscientious, know what they are doing, have the investment capital, and possess the integrity patients deserve are very, very rare. I have pointed out frequently (and you know it well, because you are also growing) that being a caregiver requires much more than merely sprinkling a few drops of water on a few seeds.
It's like being a parent. When my wife and I had one child it took -- say-- "X" -- from us. When we had 2 children it didn't take "2X" from us, it took "4X." By the time we got to 4 children it took "100X." Lol. Believe it or not, it's a fair comparison. And it is the reason $300/oz is actually a very fair price.
And it is not only fair, it is competitive. You can bet that if street dealers, or the black market, or any underground sources could undersell the rest, they would do it to get the business. But they can't. The sad truth is, that when any supplier lowers his prices to anything below $300/oz he is cutting into his own pocket. It is the lowest price the market will bear. I know, believe me. If I could cut my prices, I would. And sometimes I do. It depends upon the patient's situation.
You will note that I offer our commercial strain at $175/oz. For any patient who is on a limited income our commercial strain is an excellent alternative. And for patients who require regular quantities, or who are on limited incomes, we even drop our prices lower than that.
I wish you the very best in your search, and above all, you will be ecstatic when your own crop comes in...:-)
Sincerely,
Derek
Why would anyone intentionally grow a "commercial" strain . . . I heard this $175 weed is weak. It costs no more to grow the best than it does to grow schwag. Anyone buying discount weed is getting burned. It MIGHT get you some relief, but you have to use 2-3 X's as much, so you're actually paying 2-3 X's as much for the relief a great strain brings at a lesser price.
Can you say "foolish?"
Any smokers that aren't feeling 1-2 hits need a better source.
A discounted price should not mean 1/2 strength product.
HI My name is milky waters and im new to this blog I am a patient and caregiver to one person. I read threw this long blog page and Im very greatful to the person who set straight the cost of growing this medicine. Its hard expensive and very time comsuming. and caregivers if they can claim that should grow medicin well worth $300/oz. Im looking for friends in the billings area and Im very good at what I grow for myself if any fellow patients need help just ask ill answer back
well, Crest Rhyder, I'm sorry to see you are having such a hard time. You must be the most caring kind person in the world next to jesus! Spending all that time and money only to lose your shirt and sacrifice your own well being just to supply us poor patients with the same shit I buy on the street for $280 for only $300! It has taken me 11 months to finally get my card and at last it is here and I'm running into all these "caregivers" who want to provide me the same great prices you offer. My anus is achin' already! I have hep C, just had major spinal surgery and am waiting for the first op to heal up so we can go back and do 4 more vertabrae and I live on $900/mo. Right now I live in my van so cannot grow myself , can't afford rent, had to save up and spend 1 1/2 months pay for upper denture and now got to cough up another $750 before they'll let me have the lower.( I'm a disabled vet but VA does not do dental!) I have a hard time eating due to this but that's good because it saves me money, right? So, just how much of my paycheck should I give you every month? 50%? 75%? Hell, I can just keep living in this van for a year or two so I can give you all the money I was gonna use for rent. I mean let's not forget, as far as you are concerned anyway, this is Bizness!! I'm sorry but a bunch of you "caregivers" only seem to care about the bottom line. I mean, I smoke about one Oz/mo. You say you get 2 Oz per plant, my card lets you grow 6 plants, that's 12 Oz, I'm going to smoke 3(assuming you harvest every 90 days, not unreasonable) that leaves you 9. If I give you the $900 for what I use will you DONATE the other $2,700 to NORML? I'm sorry but I have grow indoors and out off and on for near 30 years and never, never spent more than about $100-$150/Oz if I depreciated my equipment over 1 year. (I pretty much got about 2-3 years use out of my 1000W HPS and 1 1/2 yrs for my MH) I and the other group of growers I dealt with in Mt., Or.and Idaho took a vow never to charge more than $200. The few I know still at it STILL have kept it to $250 and were embarrassed to fess up to me! Maybe I'm just being overly sensitive here but the way I'm feeling now I guess I'll just keep paying the college kid down the block $300- at least he makes no pretensions about what he's doing and his dad wasn't a vet(and isn't helping him!) so unlike my kid he's got to pay for school himself. I keep telling him to keep it up so he doesn't end up a broken down old bum like me. Forgive me for being so rude but it sure looks like from your own words your motives are not all that altruistic. The caregiver system was not intended to set up a new industry, it was meant to help those in need-kinda like Red Cross, not Blue Cross! And I second Anon's comment-WTF? You INTENTIONALLY grow bunk? Just so you will be able to help those on a tight budget right, kinda like crack cocaine, gotta provide for the poor!
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