New MMJ State (MA) What to Expect? Find Dr?

Chicken Charlie

MicroDose Cognoscente
It appears that there will be a further delay in the issuance of state id cards; as prescribing physicians will need to enter patient data via the virtual gateway. Upon completion the state will then assign the necessary individual registration numbers to be used for the completion of the process.
 
Chicken Charlie,
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Chicken Charlie

MicroDose Cognoscente
I just received an email from my medical provider which states (in part) "The state has finally begun the application process. You must provide us with your preferred email address, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number. This is important because once we enter your certification into their system the state will email you with your registration number; and information on how to complete your registration."
 

darkrom

Great Scott!
I just received an email from my medical provider which states (in part) "The state has finally begun the application process. You must provide us with your preferred email address, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number. This is important because once we enter your certification into their system the state will email you with your registration number; and information on how to complete your registration."

I forgot to update this thread! My doctor (Casco Bay) was able to give me a registration number that same day I got a renewal since my card was yet again expired. I was able to register with the state, and once finishing their paperwork, I had a temporary MA DPH issued card to print as many copies as I need. Now cops can match my card number and drivers license, and verify that I am a recognized patient. My plastic card should come in the mail in the next 60 days apparently!
 

zor

Well-Known Member
I've been suffering from IBS for my entire life, coupled with a severely traumatic life event in 2011 which then led to panic attacks / anxiety, insomnia, and other conditions. My PCP is staunchly anti-MMJ so I'm considering going to CannaCare in southie or Dennis for a consultation. Any experience with them?
 

zor

Well-Known Member
My girlfriend's mom and another friend both got their certificates recently from CannaCare. I had a lengthy meeting with my PCP and he's sending me to a grief counselor / psychiatrist and seemed to be hinting at getting pharmaceuticals prescribed which I absolutely do NOT want. I'm going to try to go to a MA CannaCare tomorrow or Friday.

It's a weird situation in MA, there aren't any open dispensaries but apparently "caregivers" can make deliveries to patients. I'm really not clear with how MA is rolling out MMJ :(
 
zor,

darkrom

Great Scott!
My girlfriend's mom and another friend both got their certificates recently from CannaCare. I had a lengthy meeting with my PCP and he's sending me to a grief counselor / psychiatrist and seemed to be hinting at getting pharmaceuticals prescribed which I absolutely do NOT want. I'm going to try to go to a MA CannaCare tomorrow or Friday.

It's a weird situation in MA, there aren't any open dispensaries but apparently "caregivers" can make deliveries to patients. I'm really not clear with how MA is rolling out MMJ :(

There are caregivers, but under the law the caregivers can only have 1 patient each...so they are either breaking the law, or just growing for family. There are plenty of caregivers willing to serve many patients.

They claim a dispensary is expected to open this winter in boston.
 
darkrom,

darkrom

Great Scott!
CBD Please is just Yankee Caregivers. I don't know all of their products, but some of their products are the really overpriced and super weak CBD products that have terrible reviews in the 50 state legal CBD thread here on FC.
 

zor

Well-Known Member
Got my MA mmj certification. Process was really easy and straightforward, now i need to register with the State's system which is simple. There arent any open dispensaries yet so medication must be granted either from a caregiver or i can grow my own....im excited at this prospect!
 

Chicken Charlie

MicroDose Cognoscente
I found the online registration process to be seamless; and received my card (paper-temporary) within twenty-four hours. Re. dispensaries: the Newton venue (Washington St.) is reportedly opening mid-January/early-February. The Brookline dispensary opening is in limbo pending a review in Federal District Court; premising federal law prohibiting dispensaries within one-thousand feet of schools or playgrounds. (Note: Town of Brookline licensing allows a locus within five-hundred feet.)
 

zor

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the info dude! So I am a little confused. I have the certificate and letter of recommendation, I submitted my application for state registration online, do I need to wait for this to process or can I begin meeting with caregivers?
 
zor,

Chicken Charlie

MicroDose Cognoscente
DPH first needs to approve your application. Once approved you will be able to download your Temporary Registration Card permitting you to both possess and purchase "marijuana for medical purposes."
Consider telephoning the DPH at (617.660.5370) for specificity and clarification. I called on one occasion and (remarkably) found them to be quite helpful.
 
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zor

Well-Known Member
Hey all,

I registered with the state quite easily by using their online system. Within 36 hours or so I received a temporary picture ID I could print out as I wait for the ID card to be sent to me. Armed with this I decided to contact a few caregivers on Leafly and marijuana-caregiver.com....the latter was unsuccessful (and extremely shady) while I met with two caregivers from the listings on Leafly and had a great experience overall. A friend of mine has been reluctant to register for MA MMJ as he expected tons of paperwork, fees, and was confused (just as I was) with how to obtain medicine, but he quickly followed my lead after we both realized how straightforward the process can be (I know this is not necessarily the same experience for everyone).
 

JiggyJack

Well-Known Member
Anyone else out there have experience with the Mass registration process? I meet with my doctor next week and hope he'll be open to giving me a recommendation. I've looked at the steps and it seems quite complicated to me (even though a couple of people seem to say it's not so bad). Any other advice to make it easier.
 
JiggyJack,

zor

Well-Known Member
Anyone else out there have experience with the Mass registration process? I meet with my doctor next week and hope he'll be open to giving me a recommendation. I've looked at the steps and it seems quite complicated to me (even though a couple of people seem to say it's not so bad). Any other advice to make it easier.

It's very straightforward: get your doc's recommendation, they enter some info into the state website and provide you with a patient ID #, you use this to then register yourself in MA's site. Pay $50 to the state, get a temporary ID card followed by a mailing including the "permanent" card.

If your doctor is not willing to recommend you for MMJ then seek out a doctor who can. Look on leafly for providers, I used cannacaredocs.com. They can walk you through the process too. Check out the previous posts above, maybe my experience can help.
 

JiggyJack

Well-Known Member
Curious, if anyone is willing to share, what types of conditions are you looking to treat. For me I have chronic back pain, insomnia and depression/anxiety and am tired of the load of pills I take. I'm assuming they are pretty broad in their interpretation of debilitating?
 
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JiggyJack

Well-Known Member
Glad to hear it, I'd just rather not pay an extra $200 if my PCP can do it as part of my normal checkup.
 
JiggyJack,

Chicken Charlie

MicroDose Cognoscente
I'm a practitioner in this state's medical community. 99.9999% of the docs in the Commonwealth will not prescribe...no time-no need to get into the politics relevant to the rationale...I concur with darkrom!
 
Chicken Charlie,

JiggyJack

Well-Known Member
Interesting piece of information to pass along. I saw my PCP today and he said that he was "required" to be certified in the MMJ Online Registration System. The impression he gave me was all doctors need to be able to provide certifications in the system. However, he also said he usually refers people to places like CannaMed unless it is for cancer or something. I'm not sure why he doesn't do it if he can but I will talk to him again tomorrow to see if I can get him to assign me a PIN for the system. If not, I'll get copies of my medical records and get an appointment elsewhere.
 
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