Pubdate: Thu, 31 Oct 2013
Source: Sacramento News & Review (CA)
Copyright: 2013 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://newsreview.com/sacto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/540
Author: Ngaio Bealum

ANXIETY! DOES MARIJUANA EASE IT OR MAKE IT WORSE?

Also: Ngaio Answers Whether Out-Of-Staters Can Buy Marijuana in Colorado.

I am contemplating using marijuana for my chronic back pain. The 
medications my doctors have prescribed over the years are taking 
their toll and are not working anymore. My problem is: When I've 
smoked pot in the past, I got terrible anxiety, and now I am afraid 
to go forward with trying to get a card. I've done some research, and 
it appears there are different strains of marijuana that are 
particularly useful for pain. However, I'm very reluctant. Any advice 
on where to get a card, and if I do get one, what type of marijuana 
should I be looking to alleviate pain? I've also heard that some 
dispensaries mix up their pot, and when you think you are buying one 
strain, you get another. That would be no bueno. Any advice is appreciated.

- -Chris

High, Chris. Go get a card. It's easy. There are ads for doctors 
specializing in cannabis all over the place.

As for anxiety, I would advise you to stay away from sativa strains, 
and concentrate on indicas and strains with a high CBD-that's 
cannabidiol-content. Most medical-cannabis dispensaries are very 
careful about making sure their medicine is properly labeled. Also, 
you might want to look into using some of the cannabis-infused 
creams, salves and sprays that most dispensaries carry. Using 
cannabis externally won't get you high and may provide you some 
relief. Talk to the doctor about why you want to try cannabis, and he 
or she should be able to offer you advice. I hope you feel better.

I am traveling to Breckenridge, Colorado, in December and am curious 
if I would be able to purchase my medication at a dispensary without 
a problem. I was able to obtain a temp card while in California; not 
sure what is applicable to Colorado. Please advise if you could let 
me know specifics.

- -D.C.

Colorado doesn't accept out-of-state medical-marijuana cards. 
Michigan and Vermont do (and so did Montana, although, I'm not sure 
if Montana still does). The recreational clubs aren't open yet, but 
dude, come on: You. Will. Be. In. Colorado. Even when weed was 
illegal, it was hella easy to find in Colorado. It's just that now, 
the weed is better and locally grown. Ask around. I am sure someone 
will hook you up. Enjoy your snow-filled bong hits.

Hey, man. What's cracking up in the Pacific Northwest?

- -Phil

Everything is proceeding apace. Oregon is hashing out (you heard me) 
the regulations for legal medical-cannabis dispensaries as we speak, 
and Washington's legislature has just started going over the 
recommendations from the committee charged with creating the 
regulations for recreational-cannabis storefronts. The Washington 
medical-cannabis community is very upset, because the recommendation 
would outlaw private and collective grows and force patients to use 
recreational clubs to get their pot. I am on the side of the medical 
activists in this argument, but I caution people to not get too 
worked up. I will write more about this next week.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom