Marijuana issue goes mainstream with clinic

On Friday, the Montana Caregivers Network offers a daylong clinic at the Red Lion Hotel Kalispell for people seeking physician evaluations needed to apply for state registry cards to use medical marijuana.

People also can meet marijuana growers (known as caregivers) at informational booths.

Network founder Jason Christ said the organization has helped more than 3,500 patients obtain registry cards from the Department of Public Health and Human Services to use marijuana. He said he started the network after a frustrating search for a doctor willing to provide the required certification.

Montana law requires that a doctor certify that a patient has a debilitating medical condition and that the benefits of using medical marijuana outweigh the health risks.

The physician also certifies that a full assessment was made of the patient’s medical history and medical condition in the course of a “bona fide physician-patient relationship.”

“I had a real hard time getting a doctor in December of 2008,” Christ said. “I’m a medical patient with a medical condition that causes severe and chronic pain every day.”

He finally found one in Victor. He waited a month and a half for an appointment, then waited six and a half hours to get in to see the doctor.

Christ received a signed physician’s statement and applied for the registry card. He then faced the dilemma of finding a supplier or growing his own medical marijuana without violating any laws.

Christ said he wound his way through a seeming mine field of problems before finally finding pain relief through medical marijuana.

He said he used his frustration to develop an easier way for people in pain to receive legal marijuana — what Montana voters approved with a 62 percent “yes” vote in 2004.

Christ started Montana Caregivers Network to share his knowledge and pave a smoother path for others who could benefit from marijuana use.

“I was in pain in 2008,” he said. “We saw the first patient in Missoula on July 24, 2009.”

At a Montana Caregivers Network clinic in December in Kalispell, two doctors saw 320 patients. Christ predicts a turnout of about 550 people Friday.

In a press release, the Montana Caregivers Network invited people “tired of prescriptions and narcotics” to find “more holistic ways” of dealing with illnesses through the medicinal properties of marijuana.

“Cannabis can be ingested in foods, made into teas, tinctures, muscle rubs and even vaporized to avoid carcinogenic qualities.”

According to the Department of Public Health and Human Services Web site, a debilitating medical condition qualifying a patient for medical marijuana is defined as:

n (a) cancer, glaucoma, or positive status for HIV, AIDS or the treatment of these conditions.

n (b) a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces one or more of wasting syndrome; severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures or severe or persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those caused by Crohn’s disease.

n Any other medical condition or treatment for a medical condition adopted by the department (although the state health department has not added to the list).

Christ said people who want to attend Friday’s clinic should make appointments by calling (406) 207-7078. Walk-ins are accepted but may wait longer. Wait times varied from a half an hour to two hours at earlier clinics.

According to the organization’s Web site, the cost is $150 or $100 for low-income people. The fee covers doctors’ time and clinic expenses.

At noon and 6 p.m., the Montana Caregiver Network offers classes taught by attorneys and growers about Montana’s medical marijuana program and its laws. Christ invites patients to meet marijuana producers from this area and find out about the different strains grown for various conditions.

“Not every strain works for the same kind of pain,” he said.

Christ said the network works with 20 doctors, all licensed in Montana. He expected to bring about five to the clinic.

“I’d like to work with all the doctors, if possible,” he said.

At the clinic, patients (who need to bring their medical records) go through an intake process where they fill out paperwork, then see a nurse or assistant. By the time they see the doctor, the physician has reviewed their medical history, which cuts down the time for the evaluation.

Those deemed qualified receive signed physician’s statements. They next need to apply for registration cards from the state.

For those not able to attend a clinic in person, the network has initiated teleclinics where a doctor consults with a patient using Internet technology.

For information, consult the Web site www.montanacaregivers.net.

Another organization, Montana Medical Grower’s Association, has a Web site, www.montanamedicalgrowers.org, with more information about medical marijuana in Montana.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.