Canadian exemptees for chronic pain?

[MedGurl]

Hi all,
I'm wondering if anyone knows if anyone has been given an exemption because of chronic pain? As well as having scar tissue on my sciatic nerve which causes me excrutiating pain at times, I've also been recently diagnosed with fibromyaglia, and I experience chronic insomnia, restless leg syndrome (only when I haven't had cannabis for over a week...same with leg spasms/charlie horses in the calves). I've had several concussions in my lifetime, and it's believed that some of my neck and shoulder issues are a result of that, as well as the headaches.
So I am wondering if anyone has been given an exemption for the right to possess and/or grow for having chronic pain? I wonder if I should go through the hassle of applying. Any advice/thoughts?
Thanks.

[soulmate]

Robbin has all of what you have described above and She has had her Exemption for the last 6 years. Her Doc applied for it, for Chronic Pain and Fibromylagia. So yes you should be able to get one for your conditions.

[Roy]

I have Chronic Pain caused by many back and neck problems. I have my exception and have had it since 2003.

Good luck!

[coco_artist]

I wish you better luck than I have had.
I have found no doctor willing to sign for Medical Marijuana and I have the following diagnosed conditions:

Stage Three Renal Cell Carcinoma (Kidney cancer, I had a number of things removed in my gut with surgery)
Fibro and Arthritis
Dystonia and Restless leg syndrome
Degenerative Disc Disease in my back
Hypothryoidism
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Colitis)
Brain Anuerisms (awaiting to see surgeon regarding these)
Stomach issues, ie: Acid Reflux
Migraines
and the list goes on............

yet, no exemption

I wish you better luck than I.

[micah]

you should also be aware that ALL forms of available treatment and medications must have been tried before govt will consider your application.

[MedGurl]

thanks everyone. My next question is really hard for anyone to answer, but I'll ask anyway. LOL: Is it worth it? To try and get my exemption?
And if the doctor fills out all the appropriate papers, and states that all other options have been tried without success, can Health Canada still deny me? And would I not be risking having attention drawn my way?

Also if I do get an exemption, does that mean that I can grow immediately, or would I have to apply for a different exemption?

[soulmate]

If all the forms are filled out right, it would be very hard for them to deny you. It wouldn't drawn attention your way as they can't release your imformation unless there is a Crimanal investagation going on about you.

[micah]

getting a drs signature is only the first of an uphill battleother factors are considered ..ie do you have a criminal record, where is your grow going to be located?do you own your home or if rental does your landlord know of your intention to grow, are you willing to risk losing your home insurance..etc etc

i purposely did an article in my local paper and tv news channel so i cant answer your next question..and payed for doing so i might add..

once you recieve your exemption you can grow immediately..f you require a designated grower that includes more paperwork etc..

i was in the system from 1999 till 2005.. the reason i am no longer exempted s..i no longer require a specialist as the only medication i required was cannabis and my family dr wont sign my renwal as he does not feel cannabis has any medical value..even though he witness my recovery from near death to the partially functioning man i am today..

i cannot speak for others and i do not want to discourage anyone from seeking an exemption..but after the yrs i was involved with the govt mmj program little has changed and the product offered by HC is of little medicinal value in my personal opinion..my purpose to go public was to forward the progress of treatment of various illnesses using cannabis..as i feel there are many individuals who are not being treated successfully using todays modern medicine and are sufferring needlessly....micah

[Roy]

There are two different authorization. One is for using and one is for growing. I think most people get both authorizations.

[MedGurl]

getting a drs signature is only the first of an uphill battleother factors are considered ..ie do you have a criminal record, ...............


............as i feel there are many individuals who are not being treated successfully using todays modern medicine and are sufferring needlessly....micah

Thanks micah...I totally hear that, and totally agree. I don't have a criminal record, but I just .....I dunno, must be the Metis and Algonquin in me; I can't stand asking the government for validity or validation on anything. And I hate filling forms. It rubs me the wrong way to be asking for permission to use a gift from our Mother Earth. It really really pisses me off!!!!!

I'm sorry you went through such BS in not getting your papers re-signed. This is the kind of thing I fear. Even if after all the form filling and waiting, they could still make things harder for me. And I just can't risk the extra stress on my body. I end up in a hellish insomniac cycle, and then the pain in my legs becomes intolerable. Since I don't have an unlimited supply of green medicine, I just can't risk the extra stress. I guess I've answered my question....:p .....with a little help from you all. Thanks so much. Think I'll try to stay under the radar, so to speak. Maybe end up helping someone else with their grow. *shrug* who knows what this life will bring. I just really really really really don't want to end up in jail. It's morally offensive to me how many of the ill are in jails/prisons. And even those on cannabis "offenses" (the offense is the illegality of it in the first place) who aren't sick shouldn't be there. It's just wrong wrong wrong....I tell ya...:mad:

*gets off the soapbox; stops preaching to the choir* :p

[MedGurl]

LOL Roy, your signature cracks me up! :D

Yes, indeed thank god we don't get it all.

[hashimoto]

you should also be aware that ALL forms of available treatment and medications must have been tried before govt will consider your application.

You are required to try alternative forms of treatment first, but you're not required to try ALL. My friend's doctor just signed for him, this after the doctor wanted him to try nabilone first, but my buddy said he didn't want to and his doc said cool. He did try other alternative treatment that his doctors recommended, but it's always your final choice.

[micah]

i stand corrected..your right hashi i wasnt offered nabilone or marinol for that matter..micah

[soulmate]

At least have your Doc put your using Cannabis for Medicine on your file. This helped Robbin and me out years before she got her Exemption, in court.

[MedGurl]

soulmate, good point. I believe at least one of my docs has it on file that I self medicate, and he has no problem with my use of cannabis. It's good to have at least one "professional" :rolleyes: on your side. Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement. I think I'm still gonna have to chew this over. Given my great great aversion to form filling, and government in general, not to mention it's bureaucracy, I'm still leaning towards just carrying around the member cards I have already. ;) And hope for the best.

[groo]

you should also be aware that ALL forms of available treatment and medications must have been tried before govt will consider your application.

I've been through all available forms of treatment for chronic migraine pain.
I've seen a few G.P.'s, a neurologist, a psychologist, and an anaesthesiologist.

The Saskatchewan Medical Association, anaesthesiologist, and current G.P. decided they don't want to get "involved" with my MMAR application.

My only remaining option is to file a personal lawsuit against the SMA through the Saskatchewan court system, demanding that my legislated right to effective treatment be respected.