Written by MMA Administrator
One of the most challenging aspects of using medical cannabis is where to find it. In California we are fortunate to have hundreds of dispensaries and patient co-operatives, however always under threat of DEA raids few are willing to do much to publicize themselves.  Nevertheless, the MMA Directory offers free basic listings to all medical cannabis service providers, including dispensaries and co-ops. Try entering your zip code into the Radius Search tool and progessively increase the mileage to find those we have listed. If you know of any providers please urge them to login and add their listings right away.

Written by Chris Conrad

In California Health and Safety Code 11362.795 applies to this.

You have a right to use cannabis with an approval, but may have to have a court tell your parole or probation officer.
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Written by MMA Administrator
On July 18, 2005, the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) resumed implementation of the Medical Marijuana Program (MMP) and the issuance of identification cards to qualified patients and their designated primary caregivers.

In 1996, the voters of California passed Proposition 215, also known as the Compassionate Use Act.  Within California, the Act allows for the recommendation by a physician for the medical use of marijuana by a patient, and the cultivation, transportation and use of marijuana for medical purposes by patients and caregivers.  The Compassionate Use Act exempts patients, caregivers and physicians who recommend the use of marijuana for medical purposes from criminal laws, punishment, or the denial of any rights or privileges.  To address uncertainties and clarify the scope of the Act for patients, caregivers, law enforcement and others, Senate Bill (SB) 420 (Chapter 875, Statutes of 2003) was written into law in December of 2003 (see California Health and Safety Code, Article 2.5, Sections 11362.7 through 11362.83).  The MMP, within the CDHS, was established in 2004 to facilitate the registration of qualified patients and their caregivers, through a statewide identification system.  Participation in the program is voluntary for patients and the patient’s primary caregiver.  Through their county of residence, qualified patients and their caregivers may apply for and be issued an identification card.  This card will be used to verify those patients and caregivers that have authorization to possess, grow, transport and/or use medical marijuana in California.  To facilitate the verification of authorized cardholders, a registration database is available on the Internet: www.calmmp.ca.gov.  The costs of the Program are fee supported.  Both the state and counties have authority to cover their expenses through application fees.  For further information on the Medical Marijuana Program, visit http://www.dhs.ca.gov/mmp/ or e-mail:  mmpinfo@dhs.ca.gov , or you may write to us at: 
 

California Department of Health Services

Office of County Health Services

Attention:  Medical Marijuana Program Unit

MS 5203

P.O. Box 997413

Sacramento, CA  95899-7413

Written by Jahan
Some patients experience dizziness when consuming cannabis. There are numerous physical effects of cannabis consumption, including the dilation of blood vessels and an increase in heart rate. These two side effects may play a large role in the head rushes or dizzy spells that result from cannabis use. After consuming cannabis, a person may feel dizzy due to a sudden drop in blood pressure from the dilation of blood vessels (orthostatic hypotension). An increase in heart rate from THC consumption, will also place a higher demand for oxygen on your body. The heart also increases the amount of blood it pumps per heart beat (increased diastolic blood pressure) Furthermore, heavy users may develop tolerance to the effects of Cannabis on heart rate. Chronic users may experience a decrease in heart rate (Bradycardia), while others would experience an increase (Tachycardia). References furnished upon demand.

Written by MMA Administrator
The state usually will not help a patient find a doctor who is willing to recommend medical marijuana. It is completely up to the patient, in the course of a bona-fide doctor patient relationship, to obtain a recommendation for the medical use of marijuana.

That said, in most cases the real issue is legal protection so your search should include local attorneys that specialize in cannabis related law. In addition to the added security of having someone that is familiar with you and your case available in the event you need them, they may be able to suggest other professionals that can help you to be in full compliance with the law.

Written by MMA Administrator
11362.5. 
    (a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.

    (b) (1) The people of the State of California hereby find and declare that the purposes of the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 are as follows:

           (A) To ensure that seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes where that medical use is deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a physician who has determined that the person's health would benefit from the use of marijuana in the treatment of cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraine, or any other illness for which marijuana provides relief.

           (B) To ensure that patients and their primary caregivers who obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes upon the recommendation of a physician are not subject to criminal prosecution or sanction.

           (C) To encourage the federal and state governments to implement a plan to provide for the safe and affordable distribution of marijuana to all patients in medical need of marijuana.

       (2) Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede legislation prohibiting persons from engaging in conduct that endangers others, nor to condone the diversion of marijuana for nonmedical purposes.

   (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no physician in this state shall be punished, or denied any right or privilege, for having recommended marijuana to a patient for medical purposes.

   (d) Section 11357, relating to the possession of marijuana, and Section 11358, relating to the cultivation of marijuana, shall not apply to a patient, or to a patient's primary caregiver, who possesses or cultivates marijuana for the personal medical purposes of the patient upon the written or oral recommendation or approval of
a physician.

   (e) For the purposes of this section, "primary caregiver" means the individual designated by the person exempted under this section who has consistently assumed responsibility for the housing, health, or safety of that person.
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Written by MMA Administrator
Here are two cases that will help answer the question of what rights an employee has regarding use of medical marijuana.

• Washburn v. Columbia Forest Products. This case involved an employee, Robert Washburn, who was terminated from his employment at Columbia Forest Products after testing positive for marijuana. The plaintiff, Washburn, brought suit against his employer, claiming his termination was unlawful since he had an injury (ie, disability) and was entitled to workplace accommodations (ie, use of medical marijuana). In 2006, the Oregon Supreme Court ruled that Washburn's injury was not a disability under state law and that he was not entitled to employment accommodations. The court reasoned that he still had access to conventional prescription drugs and that his employer had no duty to accommodate his use of marijuana.

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Written by Tim Castleman
While some studies indicate cannabis users may drive safer than non users, there are a number of points to take into consideration here.

• Most communities have Driving Under the Influence (DUI) laws that include drugs other than alcohol.
  
• Also, reaction time and mental alertness may be affected by the active components in medicinal cannabis.
  
• Further, individuals will have different experiences depending on many factors such as method of ingestion, potency, amount, other medications etc.
  

For these reasons, patients should review this issue carefully with their doctor and/or legal and other professional consultants. As a general rule, like many medications, patients may not be able to safely operate motor vehicles, machinery or engage in risky or dangerous activities while using medical cannabis. Scientific studies need to be conducted to answer this question more fully. This is one more reason legalization makes sense.

Written by MMA Administrator
The problem here is that under asset forfeiture law the feds can seize the property if they can prove the landlord was aware of the grow. They can do this without ever filing charges or arresting anyone. The property is then sold at auction and the funds used to escalate the drug war. It is an evil system, but who can blame the landlord for protecting his property?

Written by MMA Administrator
Cannabis is mature and ready for harvest when the trichomes change from clear to milky and amber. Many growers harvest when the percentage of amber trichomes is around 10% to 30%. There is some evidence that this percentage of amber to clear/milky relates to the potency and effect when consumed, for example more amber results in a couch-lock body stone while clear/milky results in a more of a head high.

To see the trichomes requires a microscope. Drop by your local Radio Shack and ask for this lighted 60-100x magnifier. They sell it for under $20 and it will be useful year round for a number of garden tasks.

Written by MMA Administrator
Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2008 21:16:20 -0800
From: Lee Berger <lelandberger@comcast.net>
To: NORML Legal Committee <nlc@mail.norml.org>,

Dunno that its a trend (although the weather has been quite spring like here lately) but I got 3 calls in the last 2 days about 5 CA 215 patients who got popped in 3 Southern Oregon counties (Jackson, Klamath and Harney) because they figured they could go wherever they wanted with their 8 ounces because its their medicine and they are legal under CA law.

Oregon law is NOT GOOD on full faith and credit (our Supreme Court denied a police applicant whose prior convictions had been expunged under Idaho law, for e.g.) and untested on right to travel (or privileges and immunities for that matter) in this context.  Unlike Montana, we do not have reciprocity written into our MMJ law, and for a variety of reasons (cops are not interested, many local activists support way watered down version, MMJ law is under attack, only credible reform effort is licensed and regulated dispensaries) its not likely to be amended into the law soon.

I set up an appeal on full faith and credit and right to travel but an appellate decision (should they choose to write one) is about 2 years away.  I'm training Oregon lawyers on how to defend these (including at our state crim. def. lawyers ass'n annual conference, the weekend after Aspen) but in the interim it would surely help out some if lawyers and activists in CA would spread the word that 215 patients traveling to or through Oregon with what would be a legal amount of mmj in CA do so at their own risk.  Less than an ounce is still a violation here (although now a fine up to 1,000$, and poss. 6 mos DL suspension) but more than an ounce is a felony and under certain circumstances (more than 110 g., more than $300, packaging materials, for e.g.) can include presumptive 16-18 mos prison sentence for patient with no prior record.

We still have a strong state const. (especially on search issues) but patients can avoid the hassle just by taking better care.

Kindly pass the word.

Lee Berger, Portland