Thursday, April 28, 2011

Just a thought...

I'm sorry. I just don't get it. Why the hell would you put a biodegradable substance into a non-biodegradable bag in order to dispose of it? Doesn't make sense to me. I understand not wanting poop everywhere, but to put something that decomposes quickly into something that takes centuries to break down? Just so you don't step in poop? The vanity is alarming, cause you know what? Shit happens. Yet another reason to start making plastic bags out of biodegradable hemp.



Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Screw that!

I've been out of meds for over a week now. All my saved ass has been smoked. I am desperately wanting some sort of pain relief... but I can't have a nontoxic, harmless flower because I'm broke and the laws suck (even in medical states)... so, my choices? Pain pills, sleeping pills or alcohol if I wanna actually sleep tonight.


I admit a Medical State is much better than a non-Medical state, with that it gives you hope to some day get there, but unless you have money to pay cash to go the doctor, and the state, and the local caregiver... you're out of luck. I still cannot walk into a pharmacy, give them my insurance, and get my medicine. Or what would be much better, is walking into the 7/11 down the street and buying a pack of joints, safely and legally, like I can with cigarettes and alcohol.



Anyone who has a life long illness knows that doctors say to keep your levels even. That means DO NOT RUN OUT. But that is impossible when your choice of medicine is Cannabis. We get to be punished because we want a safer choice in medicine. 


I shouldn't have to wait and suffer as I figure it all out. I should be able to go and get a refill on meds whenever I run out. No matter what state I'm in. I can go to a different state, even only on vacation, and have a prescription filled just by making a phone call. 


But I refuse to take pain pills. Haven't (xcept for 2 surgeries) for 7 years now. Even with the surgeries, I didn't finish the bottle. Cannabis is my pain relief. But I could walk into any ER in the country and get a bottle of Percocet at the drop of a hat. I can go to the convenience store down the street and buy as much alcohol as I can afford. I can drink it til I pass out and am unavailable to my family until morning. I can take an over the counter sleep aid, and not even truly be available until mid afternoon or early evening, because of grogginess. 


But I can't have a calming herb that has been used for thousands of years to help people fall asleep and get through pain without the side effect of being in a drug induced stupor? 


Screw That.



Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Oregon's Black Market - pt. 2

Well, that didn't work out even remotely how I planned. It's been, what, 3 days? I can already see that I will not make it to Wednesday, much less the rest of the week.

I knew things would be tough, but I definitely didn't realize they would be this difficult. The cost of living is a bit higher than I expected, especially compared to little ol' Boise. Definitely could be worst and we will survive, but still... Gas is 30¢ a gallon more than Boise and food is quite a bit more also. Cigarettes are a little more, at least its nothing like the $7 a pack in Washington last summer. And at least a bag is $10-$20 cheaper than Idaho. But that's to be expected, it's a flooded market here.


Portland is freaking awesome though. Beautiful scenery, very cool people, and the grass really is greener here. (I'm sure the good stuff is also.) There is a lot more rain, so a lot more life, and it feels like the air is cleaner. I love it. So, I guess I just gotta suck it up, figure out the funding, and once again delve into the Oregon Black Market. 

Damn it... I wish our government would just give me another option already.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Oregon's Black Market

The decision to move to Oregon was based primarily on the state's compassionate Medical Marijuana laws. I've been using Marijuana as medicine for 7 years and I am very excited that I finally have the option to become a legal Medical Marijuana card holder. It wasn't even an option in Idaho.

Problem is, this option is still very difficult to choose. I've been researching Medical Marijuana clinics in my area with doctors who are willing to give a recommendation for Cannabis. (It seems that many doctors are still very afraid of the Federal Government and their apathetic war on Medical Marijuana, and refuse to really even discuss Marijuana much less recommend it for a patient's treatment.)

The fees for these doctors range from $150 - $200. On top of that, is the fee for the OMMP card, which is $100. Fortunately, the OMMP card has a discounted rate of $20, for those who receive government assistance to survive.

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a discounted rate for the MMJ clinics, nor does state health insurance cover such visits. And I am completely broke. So the option of obtaining an OMMP card is very difficult indeed.

We ran out of medicine about a week ago. I know I've said this before, and I'll most likely say it again, I never remember how much it actually hurts! Luckily, I had the thought to keep saving the ass of the bowls, even though times were plentiful, and have been able to kind of take the edge off with that. 

But because we don't really know anyone here, and because I still can't just walk into a store and buy a bag, I am having to deal with the black market in a Medical Marijuana State. Who would have thunk it?

So we scrounged up some money (good-bye movie collection) and found a very small bag of pretty decent medicine. It's not the best, it's not the worst, but I've definitely had better... even in Idaho. 

We also couldn't afford very much, a few grams at most, and I've already been out for awhile. I know, just looking at the bag, there is only enough for me to feel really good for a day or so; or I can conserve and try to make it last a few days longer. With 4/20 coming up, I chose the latter of the two. I want to at least feel a little better for what is fast becoming an international stoner holiday.

So, out came the weekly pill organizer, and I put barely anything into each of the days. But hey, at least I don't have to keep smoking ass... at least for a few days... hopefully. I always seem to need more than I can spread out, and end up pulling some from the end of the week. If only I didn't have to run out at all, and my levels never go down.

I just keep thinking patience... it will happen eventually. It is finally an option that, even though I cannot afford it right now, it is available. It's not a matter of law any longer, it's just a matter of time. 


Monday, April 11, 2011

New Adventures in a Medical Marijuana State

Well, I've finally done it. I've been dreaming of moving to a Medical Marijuana state for years.The hells of living in a non-medical state had started weighing heavily on my mind and my body. So we packed our bags, loaded a u-haul, and set off on our new journey in a Medical Marijuana State.

We moved from Boise, Idaho to Portland, OR a couple weeks ago. I am very excited to be living in this beautiful State and have been adventuring more than once already. I brought about 1/2 an ounce of medication with me. That medication is dwindling fast, especially with the increase in activity and movement. (Moving always takes a lot out of me, but I've never moved like this before.)

I had saved the money to obtain my Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) recommendation and card, but the Uhaul ended up costing way more than we had expected. So now I'm broke, with barely any medication, and living in a Medical Marijuana state. How screwed up is that?

At least it is better than being broke, with barely any medication, and living in a Non-Medical state. At least here its only a matter of time (and money) before I get that recommendation, and card, and am able to obtain the quantity and quality that I need to manage my pain and maintain my mobility.

And at least, if I do get caught possessing my medication with out the OMMP card, its a civil infraction, and a gigantic fine, rather than jail time and child endangerment charges.

I am way excited to be here and am looking forward to participating in the local reform movement. Oregon is trying for taxation and regulation for 2012.  Coming from Idaho, where we had just begun our fight for Medical Marijuana, Oregon is two steps and a giant leap ahead. Go Oregon!