cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Users On The Rise Medical Marijuana Users On The Rise Posted by CN Staff on November 01, 2002 at 08:23:25 PT By The Associated Press Source: Associated Press The number of Oregonians with state approval to use medical marijuana doubled this year, and, as one might expect, Dr. Phillip Leveque has been signing a lot of the requests. But he hasn't signed all of them, and much of the jump happened when the semiretired osteopath from Molalla was under suspension for substandard medical practice. Oregon's Medical Marijuana Act, one of nine in the nation, was approved by voters in 1998. A doctor must verify that the patient has a "debilitating medical condition" such as cancer, glaucoma, AIDS or severe pain. The patient pays an annual fee of $150. Three-and-a-half years after the program started, 4,162 Oregonians have cards allowing them to grow and use marijuana. In February, the total was less than 1,700. "Wow, that's amazing," said Gail Kelsey, who runs Colorado's medical marijuana program. The Colorado plan, modeled after Oregon's, has amassed 181 cardholders in two years. Oregon health officials can't explain the massive increase. "Our numbers aren't telling us why," said Mary Leverette, acting manager of Oregon's medical marijuana program, run by the Department of Human Services. Leveque, 79, has authorized about 45 percent of Oregon's approved medical marijuana applications. He said he has signed applications for about 750 patients since Aug. 1, when his suspension was lifted. Since medical marijuana became legal in Oregon, Leveque estimates he's signed about 2,500 applications. Most of the 950 Oregon physicians who have endorsed a patient's request for medical marijuana have signed only one. The Board of Medical Examiners suspended his license for 90 days on May 1 and fined him $5,000 for signing marijuana applications for patients he never saw. Under a signed order, Leveque agreed to follow accepted standards of care when he resumed practice. This week is typical of Leveque's schedule that caters to patients seeking medical marijuana cards. Clinics on Sunday and Monday in Roseburg. A court appearance in Roseburg on Tuesday in defense of a man accused of growing marijuana illegally. More clinics Wednesday and Thursday in Medford. Two clinics this weekend in Brookings. Back to Portland for another clinic Monday. "Every patient I see says medical marijuana works better than other drugs for them," Leveque said. "Would they lie to me about that? I don't think so." Leveque said he spends about 20 minutes with each patient and charges between zero and $50, depending on the patient's ability to pay. No private or public insurance plan pays for medical marijuana use, he said. "I'm not advocating marijuana," Leveque said. "I don't prescribe it. I don't recommend it." Nor does he use it himself, he said, though he has severe chronic pain in his back, buttocks and legs. He takes nonprescription pain relievers and Benadryl to help him sleep. Source: Associated Press Published: November 1, 2002Copyright: 2002 Associated Press Related Articles & Web Sites:Hemp & Cannabis Foundationhttp://www.thc-foundation.org/OMMP -- Medical Marijuana Programhttp://www.ohd.hr.state.or.us/oaps/mm/Doctors Free To Discuss Pot Use with Patientshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14604.shtml `Marijuana Doctor' Gets Probation, $5,000 Fine http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12516.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by p4me on November 01, 2002 at 09:29:09 PT Cannabis will find the pain Three-and-a-half years after the program started, 4,162 Oregonians have cards allowing them to grow and use marijuana. In February, the total was less than 1,700.Sounds to me like people are finding cannabis against the fascist wishes of the government or antigovernment, which ever you prefer.1 [ Post Comment ] Post Comment