Pubdate: Mon, 18 May 2009 Source: Napa Valley Register (CA) Copyright: 2009 Lee Enterprises Contact: http://www.napavalleyregister.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/736 Author: Natalie Hoffman, Register Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal) MEDICAL MARIJUANA MAY COME TO NAPA S.F. Doctor Considers Downtown Napa Office A San Francisco-based physician who recommends medical marijuana use for a variety of health conditions is looking at opening a practice in downtown Napa. Dr. Monte Fisher of San Francisco's Holistic Institute of Greater Health is eyeing a rental space at 1535 Main St. in Napa, where he is considering securing a part-time office. Stressing that it would be just that -- an office and not a dispensary -- Fisher said medical marijuana is just part of his treatment repertoire for some chronically ill patients, who also benefit from his guidance about meditation, diet, vitamins, exercise, medication and yoga. Fisher said Thursday that he is still considering coming to Napa and has not yet signed a lease for the Main Street property. If all goes as planned, however, he will have one or two employees at the downtown Napa office, he said. A tentative grand opening for Fisher's office is scheduled for May 21, said Renee LePage, a local medical marijuana advocate and patient of Fisher's who is trying to help him set up in Napa. If secured, Fisher's office would be blocks away from both St. John the Baptist Catholic School and New Technology High School. Calls requesting comment at both schools were not returned by press time Friday. Fisher said parents and teachers have nothing to worry about. If they were offended, I would say it's a legitimate medical practice. .. I don't understand this, why (some) people have a problem with it," he said. He pointed to the medical benefits of marijuana and said that the public should perhaps be more concerned with prescription drugs such as Vioxx, which he said "probably caused about 40,000 heart attacks the one year it was on the market in the U.S. alone." Fisher said medical cannabis can provide relief for patients with illnesses ranging from HIV and AIDS to cancer, arthritis, muscle spasms, seizures, nausea, multiple sclerosis, migraines, glaucoma, chronic pain and anorexia. LePage, who said she has been under Fisher's care for about two years, credits medical marijuana with her ability to walk again after suffering devastating domestic violence injuries. I didn't walk for three years because of my injuries. ... I was seeing a pain management doctor (then) and they were attempting to fill me with pharmaceuticals," she said. I have just been able to live a happier, healthier life," said LePage, who added that she believes critically ill patients should have ready access to the drug. LePage said it has taken about a year for her to get the green light from the Napa Police Department and the city of Napa to invite Fisher to practice locally. I believe that this is the most compassionate approach that our city can take," she said. According to the Medical Board of California, Fisher's medical license has been replaced by a temporary one that could expire in October. The issue is "noncompliance with a judgment or order for (child) support," according to the organization. Russ Heimerich of the California Department of Consumer Affairs, the medical board's parent organization, said medical professionals risk losing their licenses under California law if they fail to handle family support matters in accordance with the law and court orders. Often, Heimerich said, the agency will "replace their current license with a temporary (one), usually for 90 days. And during that time, they can resolve that. If they don't, their license is expired." For his part, Fisher said he is trying to resolve the issue. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake