Written by His journey of confusion, frustration, and resistance from the medical community in seeking alternative health options.
“In January of this year, I was diagnosed with a cervical herniated disk that radiated never-ending nerve pain from my neck down through my arm and into my hand. The prognosis from my doctor was that this issue would self-correct within the next few months. Treatment at this stage focused on pain management options. I returned to my doctor within days with poor reviews as to how his prescription for Tylenol 3 was working. I had spent the last few sleepless nights conducting internet research on my condition searching for alternative pain management solutions and all clicks seem to lead towards medical cannabis. Drugs? At the age of 55, I had grown up in the era of “Just say NO” and had never really experimented with recreational drugs of any kind, but the more I researched, the more I became interested in exploring the many therapeutic benefits of this natural drug called cannabis.”
On my third return to my doctor’s office, I brought up the notion of trying a non-psychoactive strain of CBD oil as an alternative pain relief. My doctor’s immediate response was “Absolutely Not”! He explained that he, nor the medical community at large had conducted enough scientific research on the long-term effects to feel comfortable in prescribing such medicine. End of discussion. Off he sent me with a prescription of 50 Percocet’s. I guess there hasn’t been enough scientific research and publicity of late about the opioid crisis and long-term risks associated with this product? So no to cannabis, but yes to a milder strain of heroin. After all, why expose me to the risk of getting the munchies when his prescription of choice is only attributed to addiction, overdose, and death. Crazy!
Since my doctor had weeded this option out, I decided to embark on my own journey to find a safer and healthier pain management alternative. Over the course of the next two days, I visited three different walk-in clinics. They swiped my OHIP card, made me wait in the queue and all sent me packing without a prescription to medical cannabis. I had been offered a variety of alternatives to Percocet that included its evil cousins Oxycodone and Oxycontin because as all the good doctors explained, “they don’t prescribe drugs”. Aside from the frustration of rejection and inability to control the excruciating pain I was experiencing, the worse part of these walk-in experiences was an overwhelming feeling I felt that I was trying to do something wrong and illegal. All I wanted to do was end this pain without the risk of addiction or death.
I decided to take a drive into the city to pay a visit to the local dispensaries that have dominated the local news channels over the past few months. To my surprise, none of them seem to be located in medical buildings but in strip malls and shady areas housing sparse products and sketchy clientele. The staff is very knowledgeable and passionate about the products and strains, but all have emerged from the recreational side of the cannabis spectrum and could not really relate to a 55-year-old male who didn’t see the world through dilated pupils. Big disconnect. The Bud-tender showcased his pharmacy of medical cannabis strains that included names like Green Crack, Sour Diesel, and Purple Kush while giving me a rundown on the anticipated effects that ranged from “feeling chilled” to feeling “F*^#@% up”. He quickly ran through a host of other products they sold that included gels, oils, eatables, and butter, as well as many different delivery options that included vaporizers and pens. I had no idea what he was talking about and felt like the biggest dope in the place. As with the walk-in clinics, this approach was a waste of time. The only thing I left with was with my nose out of joint.
The only option I had left was to go back online. I spent days navigating through the endless websites, all of which were asking for personal details and credit card numbers. The few online clinics I stumbled across that seemed to be legitimate all seemed to post the same qualifying criteria; they need your doctor’s referral or request form completed to have your medical records transferred in order to proceed. This was an option I ruled out as I really just wanted to try the product and see if it even worked before souring my 20-year relationship with my Physician. After several sleepless and frustrating evenings navigating the web, I came across a company that offered online Skype-style consultation with a Nurse Practitioner who would be in a position following an assessment to write a prescription. Bingo!
My online consultation was scheduled four days out. On the day and time of my online assessment, I received a call stating that the company was having technology issues and asked if I was comfortable to proceed with a telephone call to which I agreed. I spoke to the Nurse Practitioner for approximately 5 minutes. She asked me eight questions and then said she would provide me with a one-gram per day prescription for six months. I was then asked to remain on the line to speak with a Customer Service Representative who would recommend a product and strain according to my condition and desired outcome. Based on my lack of experience with cannabis and self-proclaimed fear of “getting high”, the CSR recommended I opt for a CBD product that contained very little THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. I was directed to the website of her chosen Licensed Producer and completed my order/purchase with my credit card details. My prescription amount for a month would cost roughly $800 for the CBD oil we selected, however, I only agreed to purchase the smallest quantity available, which sold for $200 plus taxes and shipping. Relief was on its way at last.
I received my package from Canada Post within a couple of days. The packaging and label were very professional and looked like a prescription you would receive from a pharmacy, with one exception – no instructions on usage or dosage. I was given a one-gram per day prescription and received 50mm of oil drops. Figure that one out? I called and emailed both the online clinic and Licensed Producer for over two days with no response. I could not find a single resource online as to how and when to take my medication. I eventually opted for the old trial and error approach. A few drops at first and then take more as needed. With no warning label that this product may take hours to feel its effect, I ended up consuming a few too many drops than needed and fell asleep at the dining room table in front of the dinner guests. Carried to bed, I slept for 14 hours. Bad first-time experience but with great lasting results. For the first time in weeks, I awoke with absolutely no radiating arm pain. Over the next week, I was able to figure out the proper dosage to ease the pain and keep awake till dessert. Within a couple more weeks my condition had come to a welcome end as did my consumption of the cannabis oil drops.
Today, I remain a big supporter of medical cannabis and truly believe in its immense medical benefits. The only negative I would caution other alternative health-conscious seekers on is the current process in accessing this powerful, safe and effective alternative to pharmaceuticals. The process is painful and needs a serious prescription for change.”
What an awesome testimony! It seems that many people like him will respond well to full-spectrum CBD and get the relief they need. Others will go after the THC products that are widely used for pain relief or use both to make themselves a bit more functional during the day or possibly all the time.
I just loved this beautifully written testimony by Canadian Cannabis Patient Stephen Moore. A very well-known professional that leads the Alternative Health Association of Canada as the President. His original post appeared on Linkedin and was just too good not to spice up and share with everyone. It’s people like Stephen that are game-changers in the world of Cannabis by stepping up to the plate and giving their testimony. It doesn’t matter if you’re a patient or a person in the industry that uses cannabis as medicine – we’d love to publish your story on Mikes’s Medicines!
Cannabis of all types – the answer to all types of health problems! As far as strains and what type of cannabis to get? It’s all personal preference – everyone is individual as are their Endocannabinoid Systems. Thank you Stephen once again for such an awesome testimony!
Mike Robinson, Medicinal Cannabis Patient
Director of Communications, AACM
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