cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Registry Fee Angers Patients





Medical Marijuana Registry Fee Angers Patients
Posted by CN Staff on December 22, 2004 at 08:59:27 PT
By Allison Farrell, Missoulian State Bureau
Source: Missoulian 
Helena -- The state of Montana's launch of a new medical marijuana registry Tuesday drew criticism from one of the law's major supporters, who called the $200 registration fee "exorbitant."Robin Prosser of Missoula, who is suffering from an immunosuppressive disorder, said she's appalled that the state is charging the chronically and terminally ill $200 to get on the medical marijuana registry.
The new law protects registered patients and their caregivers from local and state prosecution, even though federal law prohibits possession and use of the drug. "This is a pretty high cost just to get a card," Prosser said. "A driver's license doesn't cost that much. It's like charging people for handicapped stickers for their car."The new law, passed by a majority of voters on Nov. 2, created a state medical marijuana registry. Upon written recommendation from their doctors, patients with certain medical conditions are registered on the confidential list and issued a card that permits them to have as many as six marijuana plants and an ounce of marijuana.Roy Kemp, head of the state's Licensure Bureau, said the new law didn't come with any funding. He said the $200 fee is necessary to keep the new database and the registration service financially self-sufficient."We had to come up with a fee that would enable us to administer the program as the voters intended," Kemp said in a written statement. "We tried to keep the fee as low as possible without putting the program in jeopardy. Given the cost of most medical treatments, we think $200 is not unreasonable."Prosser, who uses marijuana to ease chronic bone pain, muscle spasms, nausea and headaches, wants to be registered on the list. Prosser, 47, was charged with drug possession and drug paraphernalia possession last May.Prosser is one of the 30 Montanans who have already requested an application for the registry, but said Tuesday that she won't be sending the forms back to Helena."I got my application in the mail Friday and I was stunned to say the least," Prosser said.The state began mailing registry applications on Friday, Kemp said. No cards have yet been issued."I've had a lot of calls since November," Kemp said. "There's definitely been a lot of interest in this program, both from people who are ill and from people who want to be caregivers."To be eligible for the program, individuals must suffer from a debilitating medical condition, which is defined in the law as cancer, glaucoma, or positive status for HIV or AIDS, a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition that produces one or more of the following: cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, or severe or persistent muscle spasms.A doctor must certify in writing that the patient has a debilitating medical condition and that the benefits of using marijuana to treat symptoms would outweigh the risks. When a patient registers with the state Department of Public Health and Human Services, the department will provide a form for the treating physician to sign.By law, only medical doctors and doctors of osteopathy may sign the certification, Kemp said."A physician can't prescribe marijuana under this law," Kemp said. "They can only recommend it to a patient and then certify that recommendation with us."Prosser said she's exhausted from campaigning for the medical marijuana initiative during the election season, and doesn't know if she'll lobby the 2005 Legislature to change or eliminate the $200 fee. But she said the registration fee is prohibitively expensive and should be axed. Source: Missoulian (MT) Author: Allison Farrell, Missoulian State BureauPublished: December 21, 2004Copyright: 2004 Missoulian Contact: newsdesk missoulian.com Website http://www.missoulian.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Medical Marijuana Information Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/medical.htmPatients Can Now Register for MMJ Treatmenthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20056.shtmlNo Prescriptions: Putting Pot in Its Proper Placehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread20039.shtmlWith Montana Vote, Most of West Covered http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19767.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #13 posted by FoM on December 23, 2004 at 09:05:41 PT
BUDSNAXZ
I didn't like Martha Stewart even though I buy her stuff ( when on sale). When people are humbled they often learn. Egos, power, lots of money, good looks etc. can blind a person to those less fortunate. When egos are shattered good things can come from them.As far as your question in comment 1 I didn't answer because I don't know.Merry Christmas, (shhh I didn't say that LOL! ) I mean Happy Holidays!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #12 posted by BUDSNAXZ on December 23, 2004 at 08:53:42 PT
Martha
I don't know where to start. All this time I have though of Martha Stuart as kind of two faced. First the motherly homemaker on TV and then the dishonest owner of a corporation that sells at Kmart. I was totally floored when I read this statement from her. I had not recieved the Christmas spirit this year until last night and this just tops it off. I really feel like crying right now because I feel bad about my thoughts of her. She either has been this way all along or has just now became human. It is just amazing how a close look at the small folks will change the way you think about them. After all we're all just people that feel no matter how much money you have. I am so happy she wrote that and I'm sure it will be seen by millions. I can honestly say that her statement must have been heartfelt because it was from her own personnal insight from in prison and not a corporate scripted holiday message.afterburner and Hope, you hit it right on the head, I'm so glad we have a new ally in our cause.Did anyone have any thoughs on the questions I asked in comment #1? FOM, Thanks for the great work you and all are doing and I hope you all the best for the new year.Mac
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by Hope on December 23, 2004 at 07:10:50 PT
Martha Stewart
It's a rotten shame that she had to go to prison herself before she realized this truth. I am thrilled to have her as an ally though. She surely will be able to reach some people that haven't even noticed what is happening.One more hand to help drag this load uphill. Every single hand, even the weakest, makes the load a little easier for everyone to tote. She will have a new type TV show, for her, a talk show sometime after she gets out. She also has a magazine. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by afterburner on December 23, 2004 at 04:31:45 PT
On Martha Stewart
{Martha Stewart is keeping busy in prison "washing, scrubbing, sweeping, vacuuming, raking leaves" and more, the homemaking entrepreneur has told fans in a Christmas message on her personal website, http://www.marthatalks.com.[It sounds like she's taking a leaf out of Marc Emery's recent prison experience blog.]{She urged people to support sentencing reforms for non-violent, first-time offenders and drug users who would be better served in a true rehabilitation centre than in prison "where there is no real help."} --Martha Stewart takes a swipe at prison food By MARTHA GRAYBOW
Reuters News Agency
Thursday, December 23, 2004 - Page B2 [The Globe and Mail, Report on Business]
http://tinyurl.com/6w56g[Martha Stewart, a new ally to the cause.][*comments added]"The Lord works in mysterious ways."
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by FoM on December 22, 2004 at 20:10:33 PT
Open Letter from Martha Stewart
Dear Friends, When one is incarcerated with 1,200 other inmates, it is hard to be selfish at Christmas -- hard to think of Christmases past and Christmases future -- that I know will be as they always were for me -- beautiful! So many of the women here in Alderson will never have the joy and wellbeing that you and I experience. Many of them have been here for years -- devoid of care, devoid of love, devoid of family. I beseech you all to think about these women -- to encourage the American people to ask for reforms, both in sentencing guidelines, in length of incarceration for nonviolent first-time offenders, and for those involved in drug-taking. They would be much better served in a true rehabilitation center than in prison where there is no real help, no real programs to rehabilitate, no programs to educate, no way to be prepared for life "out there" where each person will ultimately find herself, many with no skills and no preparation for living. I am fine, really. I look forward to being home, to getting back to my valuable work, to creating, cooking, and making television. I have had time to think, time to write, time to exercise, time to not eat the bad food, and time to walk and contemplate the future. I've had my work here too. Cleaning has been my job – washing, scrubbing, sweeping, vacuuming, raking leaves, and much more. But like everyone else here, I would rather be doing all of this in my own home, and not here -- away from family and friends. I want to thank you again, and again, for your support and encouragement. You have been so terrific to me and to everyone who stood by me. I appreciate everything you have done, your emails, your letters, and your kind, kind words. Happy holidays, 
 Martha Stewart http://www.marthatalks.com/
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #8 posted by cloud7 on December 22, 2004 at 19:53:47 PT
Sorry if this was posted
Survey: More Teens Passing up Marijuana for Oxycontin, Gluehttp://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories2004/health/20041221234731.shtmlAll their propaganda is paying off, now kids are using what is more or less prescription heroin and huffing out chunks of their brain with glue because they are so afraid of becoming addicted, getting pregnant, blowing off their younger brother's birthday party, and stealing from their grandparents because they used the dreaded demon weed. The harder the prohibition the harder the drug (thanks whoever originally wrote this) and every narc and moralistic blowhard should be held accountable for the results of their actions.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #7 posted by ekim on December 22, 2004 at 18:42:47 PT
back at ya
gee this palce is great thanks to you FoMand to all.
http://www.marijuananews.com
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by FoM on December 22, 2004 at 18:37:06 PT
ekim
I want to say Happy Holidays to you. Thank you for your dedication and kind ways.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by ekim on December 22, 2004 at 18:31:16 PT
Rep. Kucinich help set up a Med Cannabis Group 
what are the benefits of supporting a med group.how many does norml and mpp have and how many are potential card holders.this great nation is compassionate. reasonable when spoken to openly.a wellness center - with Dr Andrew Weil
-training and learning of cannabis.
-medical
- nutrition if the hia joined what a center that would be as the farmer will have a seat at the table.
http://www.leap.cc/events
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by Hope on December 22, 2004 at 12:45:15 PT
C. S. Lewis didn't imagine we'd have
Robber baron self-righteous busy bodies.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by The GCW on December 22, 2004 at 12:22:06 PT
Yes, it is wrong to charge $200... 
Using other herbs or medicine does not bring these charges.Morphine, opiates of all kinds, addictive meds of all kinds, that are even simply refered to as cocktails. No limit!Could some one sue, because cannabis users are being unfairly singled out for what amounts to as blatant biased persecution?The states want to persecute You for using a plant AND they want to charge You for their labor. Is that similar to a rapist coming back over and over again to rape the same person?We already are given permission to use cannabis, BIBLICALLY. We should not be ripped off by the Gov.When Colorado passed it's initiative and they were going through the process of deciding how much it should cost, I sent them a letter and spoke publically at the meeting expressing disappointment over such high charge, and questioned a charge at all.They wanted $160 ransom to use the superplant and I think it dropped a few... now.So to use the superplant, that is Biblally good, You must pay doctor's fees, to get His stamp of approval, then You must pay the Gov. it's fee to get their stamp of approval and You must do it yearly.That could be about $300 minimum, which becomes a small bundle devided up monthly.What ever Your health care costs... using their system for just this one herb jacks up Your monthly costs about $30! EXTRA! (taking money for no reason may make sick people feel more aweful.)That unacceptable cost could mean the difference for a family to eat wholesome foods instead of cheaper foods with high risks... (example: it cost more to purchase foods with out partially hydrogenated oils...) A health segment of government charging like this is harming the public's health because it puts undue strain on finances that normally might go to better family and personal health... Why does it make a difference to a judge if two people use cannabis; one with a doctor and state stamp and the other with out?Cannabis is good.The lack of a stamp, does not make cannabis any less good; it only means You did not get ripped off.So the gov. wants to punish someone for not allowing them to rip them off.420I AM not a fan of government, right now.  
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by tokenitallup4162 on December 22, 2004 at 10:37:51 PT:
appeal if possible!!!
 wow, this is an out of shot pocket to the poor folks, like me!!! It looks as if they want to make money out of peoples pockets know matter what the cost is. I do believe the prices will drop as the years go by in any state that pays this cost. The federal government will eventually look into the FDA's ignorance on these drugs they are pulling of the market, this should be a great benefactor to all ill and sick folks of the USA.(one less pill, one more joint for folks LIKE me). Once the next drug hits the "PULL OFF THE SHELVES A.S.A.P", the fda has gotta look into the mirror,so to speak and the opposite will be unveiled, some POSITIVE changes, I'm sure will come. Then,(all toes and fingers crossed), the supreme court will have to come up with some changes in their thinking. I sure wish some of those federal judges will read some of this, maybe it will give them clear light. " the beam of one light can penetrate all darkness" and I'm glad I'm under no law of any federal agency, I see light>>>>>>>>>
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by BUDSNAXZ on December 22, 2004 at 09:39:10 PT
Question for all legal types
First off, this fee is indeed excessive just to run a database and administrate this program. It is clear that the prohibitionist are fighting the new program tooth and nail by putting up as many obstacles as they can.My question, sort of on topic is this: I can only guess that many of the patients in the many states that allow medical marijuana are military retiree's that receive retirement checks from their respective service branches. Being under this status, they are still covered under military law as long as they are receiving $$'s from the government and could still be court martialed for using drugs. Do you think many have not registered under the MM programs because they fear the government will identify them as retiree's and 1. court martial/punish them 2. have their retirement checks stripped away from them due to this? Do any of the law knowledgeable folks in here know if the government has done this to any military retiree's who use MM? I was just kind of wondering how that kind of thing would play out in court.Thanks in advance to any replies and happy holidays to all of the wonderful folks in here.
Mac
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment