LAist Interview: A Local Medical Marijuana Card-Holder

Medical Marijuana Card

With all this national attention surrounding the recent DEA raids on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries, LAist found it the perfect time to get the news from the horse's mouth, so we sat down with a Medical Marijuana card-holder who has visited some of the shops that the DEA shut down. Hopefully we can answer some of the questions surrounding the rumors, the hype, and the DEA:

How does a person get a Medical Marijuana card? How did you get yours?
There are certain Doctors who specialize in prescribing Medical Marijuana or "Cannabis" (as they like to call it). They advertise in the LA Weekly and some are more legit than others. I have seen a CA Medical Marijuana card before but I do not have one and that is not what legally allows you to posses Marijuana for personal use. It is the Doctors prescription and you need that before you get any cards. Most doctors don't care if you are "sick" or not. Besides, some of the legitimate reasons a person CAN be prescribed Medical Marijuana are as vague as, "Pain". So, the Doctors are trying to help sick people feel better AND they are trying to help healthy people feel better! Its a win, win. I first got my prescription about 7 years ago from a Dr. E##. He was recommended by a friend and was very professional. I had to fill out normal Doctor's Office forms and write about how I needed Cannabis for whatever medical reason I chose (They were listed on the form in case I wanted to choose one on the spot). I chose pain because of my many sk8boarding injuries and proceeded to pay his secretary $250.00 for a one year prescription for Medical Marijuana. I couldn't believe it. I asked about the dispensaries in the LA area and the secretary gave me the gas face. She asked, "Do you really have any trouble finding weed?" I thought, No and answered, "Yes." She gas faced me again and gave me a business card from the #### Wellness Center. I left with that and a signed document certifying my Medical Marijuana status.
Then what did you do?
Then I called The Wellness Center from my parked car, told them I was coming and drove straight there. It was great back then. The club was importing everything from Oakland (where it originated) and everything was peaches and cream. Six months later that club started only selling weed that they grew and products made from the weed that they grew. The only problem was - They couldn't grow weed for shit! I didn't know about any other clubs and I could get way better weed "on the street". My prescription was almost expired so I said, "fuck it". Years later, my weed connects all had children and I knew that more stores had been popping up all over the place. I made some calls and got this number - (213) ###-####. It only costs $100.00. I called and made an appointment for the next week. Before the next week could come a friend of mine text messaged me about a "Prescription Party" he was having where a Doctor would be signing prescriptions (for a fee of course). I showed up late and most people had gone home or drank and smoked themselves into a stupor. Lucky for me the Doctor was included in the drunk, smoked out portion of the partygoers. I managed to get away with paying him only $50.00 and I got a prescription for Vicodins too! My point is - It is very cheap and easy to get a prescription now and no one seems to care that the majority of the people taking advantage of all this- aren't terminally ill.

Why is it better than buying pot from the neighborhood pot dealer?
#1) The best quality and variety in the world. There are over 100 "weed stores" from Long Beach to The Valley and the weather is right!
#2) They accept credit. You can have no money in the bank and walk out of a weed store with an ounce of OG KUSH.
#3) You can complain. If "Lil Smoker" down the street sells you a short 1/4, you're shit out of luck. But when the weed store shorts you, you can tell them and they will hook you up.
#4) Less risk. Sure, these places get raided every once in a while but the customers are never arrested. At worst, you might get questioned for a short period of time, but who cares? If you are doing a drug deal at a gas station or something, that's sketchy. Or worse, sitting in the drug dealer's living room with an ounce in your pocket when he gets raided, you are going to jail.
#5) Convenience. With so many stores and Internet access ( www.canorml.org ) You can find a good place, close to you that will be open when they say they are (a lot of places are open until midnight)!

Why do you think the DEA is busting these pot shops, even though the city says its ok?
I don't know. The City and State say its ok. I thought the federal government was supposed to work FOR the people of the United States of America (not against them). The only explanation is - The federal government is not working for the people of the United States of America. Either that or its the Mercury Car Insurance Aliens.

How long before the Medical Marijuana Clinics typically re-open?
The next day. I haven't heard about any place (that is legit) being permanently shut down. As far as I know - everyone is winning in court right now too. No one (that isn't growing big) is doing any time.

Are most of the people shopping at the Medical Marijuana Clinics legitimately sick?
No. But, is anyone legitimately sick?

Are you concerned that your name has been put onto some kind of "Government Watch List"?
No. I am not ashamed. I see nothing wrong with smoking weed. I tell anyone who I think will be cool with it. If it was 100% legal, I would use my real name in this interview but until then you can call me Jeb.

If marijuana were sold legally would that make more people marijuana users?
I hope.

What is/was the best medical marijuana caregiver in LA, and why?
The California Patients Group on S.M. Blvd. - www.californiapatientsgroup.org - They are non profit. They have a wide selection, deals on 1/2 ounces and a hash bar where you can get pre-rolled joints for $5.00 or sample the goods. They have free coffee, a big screen w/ couches, snacks and sometimes weed snacks for free! I love this place.

Do you think other drugs should be legalized for medical or recreational use? Why, or why not?
I think alcohol should be illegal and weed should be legal for recreational use. As far as other drugs- keep um illegal but don't spend any money enforcing those laws. I don't know, maybe acid should be legal. Maybe acid should be mandatory, like Jury Duty.

What kinds of things do they sell at the clinics?
Weed, hash, oil, kief, weed food (pastries, candy and butter), pipes and bongs.

If you could give the DEA a piece of your mind what would you say?
I would tell them to spend all that money they (un-deservingly) have on the real drug problems in America like Meth, Crack, Alcohol and Heroin. That shit destroys people. I can tell you one thing for sure- Pot is not on the same level as those drugs. Smoking a joint is more comparable to drinking a cup of coffee. Sales tax on marijuana started on Jan. 2nd so leave us Alone. The people have spoken (voted). Get the fuck of our backs. You have a couple glasses of wine when you get home. I smoke a couple bong hits. Where is the victim? WHO IS THE VICTIM YOU OLD FUCKEN REPULICAN DUMB FUCKS??!!!

What is the best/worst thing about having a medical marijuana card?
The best thing is always having the best weed. The worst thing is spending all my money on always having the best weed.

Why do you think the federal government has such a resistance to legalization?
I think it has something to do with Nancy Regan but I was young then and I didn't pay much attention in school.

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Comments (21) [rss]

Is anyone legitimately sick? I'm not getting the point to this rhetorical question.....maybe because it has an answer....which is "yes".

anyone have info about doctors in the more affordable $100 range?

Awesome interview. Been thinking of taking the plunge. Fuck it. I don't care if I end up on a list.

How legit can this "Dr" be when he can't even spell "patient" correctly. It's quacks like this that are causing all these places to get raided and the truly needy are getting screwed. All you potheads out there get your dope the old fashioned way, on the street.

what a idiot

I have a card also but its idiots like this who didnt pay attention in school who ruin it for the others who have real pain and its people like this that get the DEA invloved in taking down these shops..
LAist thanks for picking the most retarded person you could find to interview and helping the DEA prove its point

:(

In response to the other comments-
No one is legitimately sick.
Except for those who are...
It looks like the card was made by a dispensary, the places get raided when they make too much money, the needy do not get screwed and you have no idea what you are talking about but it was pretty funny how they miss spelled patient.
The DEA only cares about money being made, you naive fool.

okay, firstly, what you receive from a "doctor" is in no way a prescription. prescriptions are FEDERALLY regulated by the FDA, giving them and their dispensers (i.e. pharmacy) a legitimate right to do so. what you receive is strictly a recommendation from the doctor that all other treatments did not work so they are recommending you to pursue this treatment. that is why the DEA can legally raid the clubs, because they do not recognize the legitimacy of the operation. the regulatory side of things were left up to individual counties and cities, we in LA have none, so it is really the wild west. if we were dealing with prescriptions here, then the whole story would be different. you could go to walgreen’s and get that OG Kush, not a shady dimly lit room in north hollywood with DEA breaking through the front door.

WOW, i am excited by all the mis-info being flung around.

R. pupkin, just because the dispensary that issued the marijuana card didn't use spellcheck people should buy pot "the old fashioned way"?!? i do not see your logic in that conclution.

SG, you are wrong. Flat out. The DEA didn't come knocking down doors because of this interview. We did this interview because the DEA went knocking down doors. And what point was the DEA trying to prove?? Your comment is emotional and all over the place. my advice is to not be jealous, and if you are patient calm cool and collected, maybe someday LAist will interview YOU.

but i wouldnt hold my breath if i was you.

and furthermore, "city employee", the city of West Hollyhood is a seperate entity from "the city of Los Angeles" and de-prioritized recreational use of marijuana, and made allowances for several dispensaries to be located within its city limits. Perhaps thats why 5 of the eleven busts took place in West Hollywood.

And if all these commenting "know-it-alls" have all the answers already, then RIDDLE ME THIS:

Why did the DEA target only 11 shops, and NOT ALL of the shops? Why such a small percentage???

so far it reeks of a photo-op.

[quote]Do you think other drugs should be legalized for medical or recreational use? Why, or why not?

I think alcohol should be illegal and weed should be legal for recreational use. As far as other drugs- keep um illegal but don't spend any money enforcing those laws. I don't know, maybe acid should be legal. Maybe acid should be mandatory, like Jury Duty. [/quote]

STICK to teh PRINCIPLE! don't cherry pick 'appropriate' subsbtances. the KEY is CHOICE...ya know? FREEDOM.

if you start saying "alcohol (whatever) is bad" there gonna beat you to 'death' with "so is pot" (car crashes, etc) which IS a function of dufus's who drive under the influence, NOT a function of the substance (ie you are not required to drive to use pot, coke, alcohol, etc)

ANY substance you choose to posess/use should be legal! (PRINCIPLE)...you accept responsibility for consequences (REAL ones, NOT artificial ones (eg prison))

ANY substance can KILL you, it's the DOSE, not the substance (ie the chick to killed herself with water last week)

GO LIBERTARIANS!

in NC, im a freak, in SF, i get along fine! (just can't afford it)

Seriously shits fucked...

How come none of your jerks can spell? Love some weed though!

oops! "your jerks" should read "yer jourks."

"Why is this better than buying pot from a neighborhood dealer?"
Because as often as not the MONEY ends ups in the hands meth heads who invest in making meth, where you can make a lot more money a lot quicker. Granted at least a third of the people trimming the pot for these clubs are on meth, they receive a lot smaller cut. regulation creates responsibility, its up to us to be RESPONSIBLE CONSUMER!!!!!

First of all, almost everyone of these comments is foolish and all over the place. All the money goes to meth heads? I am not going to even get in to that yet. Republicans? Jesus, let's not start on this bipartisan crap because we all know that if "Democrats" had their way, it would be just that: pot would be legalized, everything else would still be criminalized and we would be getting taxed on everything from our internet proceeds to consumer-grown and purchased marijuana.

Everything needs to be legalized; let the meth heads go on making their money and using their meth, same goes for you too coke and heroin users. Come on, if meth were legalized tomorrow, would you go try it? Well you wouldn't, because you can go try it right now - you know you can - and it's going to be just as unenjoyable as the legal stuff would. Haha, make booze illegal? What a fool...

What happened to SDS? We need to protest..

yer pretty all over the place yourself pal.

Federal law overrides state law and since the DEA is a federal enforcement administration I'm pretty sure they can do whatever they please no matter what the people of California vote. That is why the DEA keeps busting the shops even though the city says it's okay.

Not to mention the fact that the DEA specifically regulate medications that can potentially be abused, which is most of the medications worth having. So this guy with his prescription who is not sick is obviously breaking the law by abusing the drug he was wrongfully prescribed.

Why did the DEA target only 11 shops, and NOT ALL of the shops? Why such a small percentage???

I'd imagine they concentrate on the few staffed entirely by Dr. Feelgoods who hand out whatever perscriptions to whoever asks. Didn't their lastest target write thousands of MM perscriptions every year? Those cases are easiest because even if they can't nab the guy he'll still lose his license.

Hmmmmm, I thought they raided dispensaries, not doctors.

My only comment about this is that some people are throwing around how all illegal drugs should be legal, something about "people should have the freedom to accept real consequences of what they do, not artifical consequences (eg jail)"...

well okay, so you're some druggy and meth and cocaine and acid are all legal, and so you take a big dose and go drive on the freeway, and end up getting in a huge car accident and killing three people (which has happened to drunks all the time.) You accept the responsibility for your actions, that's great. What about the three people you just killed? What about their family's? Why should they be forced to put up with some punk's stupidity and irresponsibility?

Laws are a bit more tricky than just black and white, your freedom ends when it limits someone else's freedom, and honestly people are greedy selfish fuckers and aren't going to take that into consideration if there are no laws governing them. I personally think marijuana should be legal cuz it's less harmful than cigerettes and alcohol, and other than that all those hard drugs should stay where they are. As long as idiots exist, laws will need to exist to protect innocent ppl from stupid mistakes.

Other than that, it sounds like having a prescription is pretty good, i think i'll look into getting one.

Once pot is used with the Digital Volcano Vaporizer is no longer contains THC. But wait theres no smoke! How does that work? The Volcano Vaporizer is a revolutionary system that releases the active ingredients from herbs through hot air vaporization. Vaporizers gently heats material just enough to release the active ingredients without combustion. This means no damaging smoke in your lungs. Just another way to debunk the whole theory that pot is bad for you.

Hep pa laws and stark laws protect you from any list, the only way you can be put on a list is if you apply for the State card at the health department. Don't do that, go to a private MD or DO and the He pa and Stark laws will protect you. FACT!

Louis J. Rosner MD President of CannaMed Inc. author of the best seller Multiple sclerosis : new hope and practical advice for people with MS and their families / Louis J. Rosner. Dr. Rosner is a former professor of clinical neurology at UCLA. He was also formerly head of the UCLA's Multiple Sclerosis Clinic. Dr. Rosner is now writing medical marijuana recommendation for the seriously ill at CannaMed of Thousand Oaks.

Medical Marijuana Doctor Recommendations Available in Thousand Oaks! Apply today and receive your prop 215 medical marijuana photo id card the same day if approved. New medical marijuana consultations are $150.00 renewals from another M.D. are $100.00.

If you suffer from Cancer, Chronic Pain, Chron's Disease, Depression, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Glaucoma, HIV, Insomnia, Migraines, MS, Nausea, Seizures, Anorexia, Anxiety, Stress, or any other serious ailments, We can help you!

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Additional Info: Call us at 1-805-497-9190
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