Dear AntiSoccermom,

I went in to ******* and they told me I had to put their name as my caregiver. Does that mean I can only get my medication from them or can I go to other stores?

MedMaryColorado

Dear MedMary, I’ve been fielding a lot of emails from people just like you that really need more information about where to go, what to expect and how to get through those first few trips to get their medicine. Many dispensaries will ask you to name them as your caregiver for the simple reason that allocating a caregiver gives them certain monetary advantages. Caregivers are allowed to grow your allotted plants (6) and can potentially benefit from your medication. What most people don’t know, and most dispensaries cleverly avoid saying, is that this is not the law. Dispensaries can request you put them as your caregiver and ask you to sign them over upon arrival, but you do not have to sign them as your caregiver in order for them to sell you medicinal marijuana. They can turn you away, and if they do please let me know, but they cannot tell you that you have to sign them up before buying. Here is the problem with this: Walking in to a dispensary for the first time means you havent tried the medication these people are supplying, signing up before you have tried anything is just plain stupid. Akin to meeting your OBGYN on the day you give birth. You’d be locking yourself into something and leaving yourself no time to back out and that just seems silly to me.  Your caregiver should be someone  you trust, they must be reliable and must be someone with whom you can easily communicate. What most people don’t know is that you are allowed to purchase medication by using an alternate provider commonly referred to as a “Secondary Caregiver,” and while it may cost you $5/eighth more, you won’t be locked in with people who may or may not be able to provide the medication that you need. Secondary Caregiver is not a term you will find in Amendment 20, but it is something you will hear about whenever entering a dispensary. The law states that your caregiver is the person who is allowed to cultivate your plants, but you can purchase your medication from anyone you deem appropriate. I urge you to shop around. Find a store that is comfortable, clean and above all else, PROFESSIONAL. I cannot stress this enough. Professionalism is something this industry lacks, so find a place that feels right to you. If it feels sketch, it is sketch. Medication is very case specific, what works for pain on someone else, may not work for you or your pain. Look closely at the medication, bring a magnifying glass if you want, I do! Its important to be completely aware of what you are buying and be satisfied with the product. Stick with home-grown, organic medication and ask questions!! If the dispensary is worth a damn, they will satisfy those questions and get you comfortable. If they can’t, go somewhere else. You have rights and being a caregiver is a priviledge, dont just give it away! You deserve to trust the people involved in your health care. Regards, AntiSoccermom

As Always, if you have questions for AntiSoccermom on any topic from Medical Marijuana to Mommy-Blogging feel free to drop a line to mom@antisoccermom.com. Not all submissions will be posted and messages may be trunkated in order to get to the friggen point, all rights reserved.

*Stay tuned for our upcoming series, How to pick the best caregiver.

© 2009, AntiSoccermom. All rights reserved to the original author unless stated otherwise.

Related posts:

1. 5 Things you need to know about your Caregiver
2. Pay it Forward
3. Dispensary Review: Natures Medicine
4. The border, where medicinal marijuana seeps over the line.
5. Thanks, Mr. Romer, But No Thanks.