Pubdate: Thu, 03 Apr 2014
Source: Sacramento News & Review (CA)
Copyright: 2014 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://newsreview.com/sacto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/540
Author: Ngaio Bealum

WILL PROPOSITION 215 DOCTOR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MARIJUANA COME UP ON
BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR STATE JOBS?

I am writing to ask about the 215 card. I have a back/spinal
condition, which puts me in a lot of pain. I would like to try the CBD
buds, having heard that it helps and doesn't get you high. The concern
I have is that I am applying for fellowship and state jobs. Would my
name be put on a list where employers and anyone who does a background
check would be able to see that I have a 215 card? I am competing with
hundreds of others and do not want to jeopardize my chances. I have
heard that no urine test is administered, however, I am worried of the
background check.

- -A.

Sorry to hear about your back. It is true that cannabidiol, or CBD,
has shown promise as a pain reliever and an anti-inflammatory. It is
also true that CBD doesn't have the psychoactive effects of THC. In
fact, CBD can act as a THC inhibitor, preventing you from getting too
high.

CBD has been in the news lately, because it has become increasingly
popular as a treatment for Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy
that causes children to have several seizures a day. Many states are
passing legislation aimed at allowing high-CBD strains for medical
use, but keeping THC illegal. Sounds kind of dumb to me, but whatever.
Weed will be completely legal soon enough.

As to your question about background checks: Don't worry about it. In
California, medical-cannabis recommendations are between you and your
doctor. Medical-privacy laws prevent you from being on any sort of
list. So go get signed up. Once you do get your letter and visit a
medical-cannabis dispensary, look for high-CBD strains like
Cannatonic, Harlequin or Sour Tsunami. They should also have some
high-CBD edibles and tinctures if you don't want to smoke. I hope you
feel better.

High, Ngaio. I have been smoking weed on the daily for a long time. I
just don't get as high as I used to get. What should I do?

- -Tommy Tolerance

You have two choices: Start smoking a bunch of hash, or just quit
smoking weed for a while. Hash will get you hella high, but
eventually, you will also develop a tolerance to hash as well, and
hash gets expensive. Just stop smoking for a while, like a week or
two. You may feel weird at first, but you will have vivid dreams and a
little extra money. After two weeks, smoke a bowl, and see if you
don't get higher than you've been in a while.

I am a grown man, and I still can't roll a joint to save my life. Any
tips?

- -Freddy Fumblefingers

Practice. That's really the best way to be better at it. Get a pile of
cannabis and a pack of rolling papers (I recommend the
one-and-a-quarter size), and get to work. Roll until your fingers
hurt. After you have rolled about 50 joints or so, you should have an
idea of what it takes to roll a serviceable doobie. Don't worry too
much about a perfect cylinder, just get it so it burns evenly. Of
course, the Internet is also full of tips. Have fun! 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D