Local Product of Colorado is a medical marijuana center located in downtown Denver, Colorado.  In addition to being a medical marijuana dispensary, we consider ourselves to be somewhat of an authority on the medical marijuana industry.  This means providing our readers with well researched, objective information regarding the future of medical marijuana in the United States (we use the word “objective” lightly – the legalization of marijuana is a mass socio-economic / intensely political issue that inevitably will result in subjective rhetoric).  

So.  Enough fancy words.  What is medical marijuana anyway?  The term “medical marijuana” was pretty much unused 10 years ago; much like the words “Internet” and “E-mail” in the early 1990′s.  Yet here we are in 2011, and over 14 states in the country have adopted official medical marijuana laws permitting the use of marijuana to help treat medical conditions such as chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, and many others.  So the question is… is medical marijuana truly “medical”?  Or is the phrase “medical marijuana” just a term our country has coined to ease the path towards legalization thus opening the doors for a new breed of corporate capitalists?  The answer, in our “objective” opinion (yes, we know, there really is no such thing; perhaps we should say our “subjectively accurate opinion”) is unequivocally “yes” to both of these.  It also defines our vision and philosophy for the future of Local Product of Colorado as well as the entire medical marijuana industry.

No matter what end of the political spectrum you may be standing on, the socio-economic shift in the fundamental principles of our country have undeniably changed drastically.  Up until 5 years ago, our lives were lived through a period of prosperity.  The technology boom that began in the early 1990′s continued straight into the real estate bubble of the early-to-mid 2000′s (with a few serious hiccup years in terms of stock market performance).  The uglier side of the corporate capitalistic machine found its way directly into the pocketbooks of millions of unsuspecting money borrowers. Everybody kept their eye on the prize – their “success”.  The biggest problem we had was picking which restaurant to go spend all of our money at.  Yet it was only a year later that unpopular terms such as foreclosures, unemployment, and bankruptcy were plastered all over the news, and the lives of millions of people would be changed forever.

Whatever people thought their “problems” were in the past, weren’t really problems at all.  They were annoyances that stood in their path towards “success”.  But now, people had REAL problems.  People weren’t just losing their jobs, but losing their pensions, health benefits, homes, and everything they spent their entire lives counting on.  That’s life changing…and damaging. Times like this make a person reflect on their lives and think about what’s really important.  Morals and values get examined, questioned, and often re-defined. Accepting what the world has brought you and re-taking control of your own destiny becomes the only way to fight through what was inconceivable 10 years ago.  Doing so will also help alleviate one of the biggest ongoing contributors to many serious medical conditions (and in our opinion one of the most un-talked about epidemics that is destroying the lives of millions) – stress.  Understanding the link between the current shift in the economic paradigm and its impact on the level of stress in our country is critical towards understanding the “medical” aspect of the term “medical marijuana.”

At Local Product of Colorado, our mission is to teach patients how to use medical marijuana to support a healthier, alternative way of life that is designed to alleviate physical and mental stress to our bodies.  The very definition of western medicine teaches us that if there is something wrong (a symptom) we simply take a pill, and the symptom is fixed.  Never mind the fact that your body may be missing vital nutrients and minerals that are found in fresh fruit and vegetables; instead, take a pill and fix it.  Medical marijuana (when used in the proper setting – check out “treating anxiety with Medical Marijuana” for recommendations on how and when to use medical marijuana to alleviate stress) can help facilitate a natural period of reflection and self-realization; helping one to understand that our health and general lively hood are much more important than a nice pair of shoes or expensive vacations.  Instead of focusing on getting away from our lives, we should focus on enjoying the things around us on a day-to-day basis.  This dramatically decreases the mental (and emotional) stress of day-to-day living as we have come to know it in our country.  Medical marijuana allows users to “slow down” and look at life from an “outside” perspective.  This period of emotional “enlightenment” will teach patients to actively manage stress by having an outlet to reflect on what is truly important in life – family, friends, and health; thus providing the basic tools to create a new set of values that lead to an enriched, happier lifestyle.

Now that we understand the “medical” aspect of the word “medical marijuana”, it is important to explore the notion that the term “medical marijuana” is just a soft way of saying “soon to be legal and for-profit.”  Considering the transformation our country has gone through in the last 10 years, it seems inevitable that politicians will put aside their differences on this issue and open up the flood gate of tax revenue that awaits our hurting economy.  While it was capitalism that put us in this mess in the first place, it will inevitably be capitalism that will not only help salvage the economy but also fundamentally change the way our country views health in general by re-defining life happiness through “medicated” reflection.  We feel that this is the beautiful side of free-market capitalism – the message is positive and healthy – and nobody can ever take it away from us.  If politicians and corporate enthusiasts want to use the words “medical marijuana” in order to make this message a reality, well, that’s not the worst thing in the world

How Do You Get a Medical Marijuana Card?

Having a medical marijuana card means that you’ve been prescribed the legal and medical use of this drug and are allowed to purchase and transport it as needed for that prescription.

In many areas you may also be allowed to grow you own supply of marijuana if you have a legitimate medical marijuana card; this too is something that’s regulated and controlled by law. You are typically allowed a certain amount of the plant on your premises as your prescription allows but cannot indiscriminately grow as much as you want. If you were to grow far too much more than what you need for your prescription, it would be assumed that you are looking to distribute the drug and this can cause you legal entanglements. Even when you have a medical marijuana card, you need to understand the specifics of the law so that you know you’re not doing anything illegal and won’t face any unpleasant situations if stopped by the police.

Qualifying for a medical marijuana card will depend upon your state, as the use of marijuana for medical reasons is governed at the state level. They will determine the conditions one might have to qualify and in many cases, how much can be prescribed as well. This means that when you’re interested in obtaining a medical marijuana card or have a prescription from a doctor, you need to ensure you’re getting accurate information according to your state of residence.

This also means that you cannot assume it’s legal to transport or use this drug in another state other than your own. Because there is much controversy over the use of this drug, your medical marijuana card may not be sufficient from one state to another. If you’re traveling out of state, you would do well to find out the laws as they pertain to you from one state to another.

Your doctor may or may not want to qualify you for a medical marijuana card depending upon your condition and other factors. As an example, because you need to smoke or inhale the smoke from marijuana to make it work, your doctor may be concerned if you already have breathing problems or lung damage due to smoking. Those with asthma or COPD or another disorder may not be issued a medical marijuana card as it may compromise their lungs even more.

If you’re concerned about how to qualify for a medical marijuana card and aren’t sure if it’s the right choice for you, it’s good to speak with your doctor or a healthcare professional. Never assume that the use of this drug is the best choice or that it’s a simple “cure all” for your pain, no matter your condition. Your concern should be to treat your condition and its effects, and a medical marijuana card may only be one part of that. Your doctor can also ensure that you use this drug properly for the best results and best overall treatment.

Important Information About the Use of Medical Marajuana

If you’ve been prescribed the use of medical marajuana, it’s important that you consider and keep in mind some simple information about its possession and use. Even though it’s legal to use it under a doctor’s care in many areas, the drug is still very strictly regulated and controlled and patients need to understand this.

It’s also good to understand what is required of you and the limitations you have when it comes to using and possessing medical marajuana so that you avoid legal entanglements. As an example of what this means, it’s illegal to share or sell any prescription medication with anyone else no matter that prescription and no matter the other person. This is true of the use of medical marajuana; you cannot sell it to someone else or allow them to use it even if you have a legitimate prescription, and you certainly still need to keep it out of the hands of children.

It’s also important to understand how to transport and carry your medical marajuana legally so as to avoid confrontations. Keep your club card or prescription card with you at all times when you have your supply on you, in case you are ever pulled over or stopped by the police. If they smell the smoke on you or see it in your car, they have the legal right to question you about this and if you fail to produce your card, this can be a serious offense even if you can show it in court to a judge at a later date. If you are carrying your supply of medical marajuana, you need to carry your club card with you as well.

In some places you’re allowed to grow a certain amount of the plant in order to fulfill your needs of medical marajuana but this too is strictly regulated. Typically you’re allowed just a certain amount that is reasonable according to your prescription. You certainly cannot have a greenhouse on your property where you grow hundreds of pounds of the plant, even if you do have a legitimate prescription! The police would rightly assume you’re distributing the drug to others since you could not use that amount. When you’re prescribed medical marajuana and you’re considering growing your own plant, check about the legal limits of how much you can grow at home on your own.

If you’re interested in becoming politically active or at least keeping up with the news about medical marajuana, you would do well to talk to your doctor or someone at your dispensary. They too need to know about the latest regulations regarding the use of this drug and can probably tell you where to find accurate information overall. They can tell you how to become involved if that’s your desire when it comes to the use of medical marajuana. Never hesitate to speak up to those at a dispensary or elsewhere if you want to become active or get that information for yourself.