A Date With The Wizard of Oz.

MJ

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh, we’re off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz. We hear he is a whiz of a Wiz if ever a Wiz there was. If ever oh ever a Wiz there was, the Wizard of Oz is one because, because, because, because, because, because……Because of the wonder things he does.

Over the last ten plus years this body has ingested or been shot up with a host of pharmaceutical products. The ones I can remember are:  Interferons (Betaseron and Copaxone); Steroids (solumedrol); A variety of pills (Low Dose Naltrexone, Super Biotin, Ampyra); Chemotherapy Agents (Cytoxan, Ocrevus). Add apheresis (plasma transfers) to the mix and you can see that I’m not shy or afraid of trying different things to try to contain this beast.

There has however been one product that I have shunned for years, and I’m not sure why. It is one I was intimately familiar with for a ten year period starting my freshman year in college, but I never pursued it because I didn’t think I needed it. Going that route would simply be taking advantage of the fact that my condition allowed me to. In other words, I’d be taking this product for the wrong reasons, and while this may not have been as strongly entrenched when I was young, I am very big on what is right and what is wrong.

But I finally relented, and will be visiting what I have coined the Land of Oz., and I don’t mean Oz as in the movie. The Oz. I am referring to is the abbreviation of ounce, or in this case, ounces. Yes, I will be visiting a medical marijuana dispensary for the first time Saturday morning.

There are several reasons for the change of heart. I ran them all  by my neurologist and got the thumbs up to proceed, otherwise I would dropped the matter. As a matter of fact, their office processed the paperwork, sent their portion in, and sent me the link for the stuff that I had to complete the next day. Those items were completed and submitted on-line within twenty four hours, along with a non-refundable $100 payment, and I received my temporary permit via email last week. The entire process took about two weeks.

Why am I doing this? My restless leg is becoming increasingly annoying and uncomfortable, my back and hip are aching constantly, my leg foot and toes often cramp, I think I am more anxious, and K has repeatedly said my level of crankiness and intolerance is increasing. That was news to me, but when she pointed this out I began paying attention to my moods, and wouldn’t you know it? She was right. So we will give this a whirl and see if any of these things improve.

I’m looking forward to the visit, primarily to see what these places are like. I have no idea what to expect, no idea if the “product” will be displayed, and have only a rudimentary understanding of the options available to me. If I’m not mistaken, there will be a lot of items to choose from, which will be fascinating. The last time I was involved in this kind of purchase, it was over thirty years ago, an ounce of the “product” was in a baggie, and the cost was $40. That seems like a lifetime ago.

Now I can legally purchase two and an half ounces of the stuff every month without any felon’s guilt. From what I understand, many of the options don’t even produce a buzz, which is probably the way to go. But there is a part of me that would like to get the product that has the highest THC content so I can once again go cruising with the blimp, an expression from my college days, and completely tune out. Maybe I can get a little of this, and a little of that, something for any occasion.

Having said that, I really don’t know what is or is not allowed. What I do know is that I will be meeting with one of the pharmacists when I arrive for what I presume will be an orientation, a review of what they have, and what might work best for what I am trying to address. I wasn’t even sure if would walk out the building with anything, or have to wait and come back when whatever they ordered is received, but the person I spoke with made if very clear that I was to bring cash, a debit card or a checkbook. No credit cards are accepted. From this I have drawn two conclusions.

The first is that I will be bringing a month supply of something with me when I return from the visit, and the other is that I am in for sticker shock.

To be continued….

 

Author: Steve Markesich

I am loving husband, a doting father, a Red Sox fanatic, an aspiring novelist and MS advocate. Feel free to check out my stevemarkesich.com web site.

26 thoughts on “A Date With The Wizard of Oz.”

  1. I am really happy and excited for you and that this is available to you in your state. Having worked in the health care industry for years prior to my new challenge, I saw MM do wonders for patients that took it illegally without any help from a professional………..I am looking forward to the rest of your story!

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  2. After visiting the dispensary in Las Vegas, I can tell you that I agree with the sticker shock part, however, the rest was like we were in a high class boutique, with our own personal shopper. Best of luck to you! I look forward to hearing about your experience!

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  7. I am so happy for you that wonderful things are legal in your states. I am unfortunately one of the only states where is still isn’t legal. I have heard multiple times by various people how help this can actually be! I think the state I live in will be the last to approve this fantastic medications that actually works well! I feel like all states should get their crap together and realize how helpful it may be to those in desperate need for relief! I hope you have a lovely Friday and excellent weekend!!

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      1. I really hope it works wonders for you and I look forward to hearing how well is works. I have no idea about it considering it is not legal here and probably never will be. My husband wants to move to Canada in the worst way!!

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          2. Oh my goodness, you are right! I do not know why I was thinking someone else. Angela does live there and we have talked about that before. I guess I was having a brain fog moment!!

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  8. Party On (Steve) Garth! Go for a ride in a yellow submarine!!! I guess dispensaries are like going to a McDonald’s. You read the menu and pick something according to the menu. Not a bad deal. You may be in for a bit of sticker shock but if you make this a fun experience it’ll be worth every penny, Grumpy. You can write it off on your taxes! (Did that bring a smile?) I have been a real crab lately. Been low-grade flaring since the beginning of June. Just in enough increased, uncomfortable pain to keep me in a nauseated state and crabby mood! OMG. I can’t wait to hear if this helps. My doc told me it was time to start thinking about this option. So… I am thinking. Medical Marijuana is legal in Minnesota. It may be time to dance with Mary Jane. (I have many more one-liners…) I see her (Dr.) Thursday. Write about your experience soon, OK? I really want to know if it works for RLS because I know it works for nausea. Best of Luck!!!

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    1. I am going there this morning and will write about the visit soon, followed by the next post where I hope to share any changes I have experienced. I know a bunch of folks who have taken this for pain and swear by it. You should check it out regardless of what I do, but I will share…promise……doobie, doobie dooo….

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  9. As this is Saturday morning I expect you to be baked by early afternoon! I mean, feeling better … this is for medical purposes, after all. 😉

    I didn’t mean to wink there.

    It was a twitch or something.

    I have friends in the area that have taken full advantage of the legalization of the whacky tabacky for personal and professional reasons, and they all swear by its effects. One fella I know, an avid drinker, has all but given up the liquid intoxication in favor of the herbal one. More power to ya, I say.

    I haven’t honestly partaken in the magic dragon in well over 20 years, but never was into the calming highs myself. Perhaps now that I’m older, and the purchase and possession of the chronic is legal, I will try it again. I haven’t gotten the itch yet, but I will admit my curiosity is piqued.

    Please write about your experience and, as I’ve said before, please write ON your experience! God speed with the weed, Steve!

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  10. Pingback: B&W Photo Challenge Day Four – MS Graceful…NOT!

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