Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
Kellogg Patton is a believer in the healing properties of medical marijuana.
A retired Air Force veteran, Patton said medical marijuana has calmed her central nervous system tremors and has treated other physical and mental health issues better than conventional remedies.
Yet she is firm that she does not endorse recreational use, nor does she recommend the potent brands of medical marijuana with an ingredient known to get people "stoned."
With a mix of humor and personal stories, Patton shared her own viewpoint with a room of about 25 people at the Adult Center of Prescott on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Patton, who is not a medical professional, said she has gleaned insights from her experience and wishes to educate others who might benefit.
In June, Patton withdrew her candidacy for City Council amid questions of the legitimacy of her petitions. Patton said she withdrew her name as she was healing from a spring car crash.
Patton's discovery of the medicinal benefit of marijuana was accidental. A child of the 1960s, she ended up smoking a joint with her adult son who lives in Colorado, Patton said. Afterward, she noticed not only that she was relaxed, but her tremors were gone. The effect lasted 12 hours, she said.
She told her doctor. But it was not a conversation he was willing to have. So she did her own research.
The law does not allow physicians to prescribe medical marijuana, said Dr. Joseph Goldberger, chief medical officer at Yavapai Regional Medical Center. But patients with certain documented health conditions are eligible to obtain a card that will allow them to buy the product at licensed dispensaries, he said.
Goldberger was not present at Patton's presentation. As a specialist in chronic pain management, Goldberger said he has had patients over the years whom he would certify as proper candidates for medical marijuana. He said, however, he selected those patients very carefully. He said he is leery of those who have built practices around medical marijuana certification without knowing the patients' histories.
"I don't call that good medical practice," Goldberger said.
In most cases, Patton affirmed patients must be their own advocates.
The local options are the Arizona Medical Marijuana Clinic, or a commercial enterprise. Founders of the family-owned MJ Consulting, Michelle and John Alexander, operate a medical marijuana community center in Prescott Valley. They, too, handle patient certifications.
The standard cost is $150 plus the additional $150 state fee. Alexander said her fee is $25 less, with discounts for veterans, food stamp recipients and those who collect Social Security disability.
Those prices do not include the marijuana, with varying prices depending on the product. Patton said she spends about $20 for a 30-day supply of pills and a bit more for a tincture she also uses. She once bought a marijuana-laced butterscotch cookie for $13; the potency was such that she had to call for emergency medical help.
The law allows qualified patients to buy up to 2.5 ounces of consumable marijuana every 14 days.
Once a person obtains a green medical marijuana card, he or she can visit a dispensary, Patton said. She advocates patients research which marijuana blends, and form, best suits their condition. Marijuana no longer must be smoked, but can be found in edibles, pills, even oil forms.
Prescott native Lee Proper said he attended because he is curious about this controversial issue. He suggests it is a topic that is likely to gain more attention. The senior citizen and veteran said he suspects he might even consider it as an option for his own health.
Patton said her motivation is to educate people so they can make their own, informed decisions.
"If I become the spokesperson for medical marijuana in Prescott, I'm willing to take on that responsibility," Patton said.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Civic activist, medical marijuana user opts to educate others on controversial topic - The Prescott Daily Courier - Prescott, Arizona
Author: Nanci Hutson
Contact: Questions? Comments? Use the links below to contact us. - The Prescott Daily Courier - Prescott, Arizona
Photo Credit: KNOE News
Website: The Prescott Daily Courier - Prescott, Arizona
A retired Air Force veteran, Patton said medical marijuana has calmed her central nervous system tremors and has treated other physical and mental health issues better than conventional remedies.
Yet she is firm that she does not endorse recreational use, nor does she recommend the potent brands of medical marijuana with an ingredient known to get people "stoned."
With a mix of humor and personal stories, Patton shared her own viewpoint with a room of about 25 people at the Adult Center of Prescott on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Patton, who is not a medical professional, said she has gleaned insights from her experience and wishes to educate others who might benefit.
In June, Patton withdrew her candidacy for City Council amid questions of the legitimacy of her petitions. Patton said she withdrew her name as she was healing from a spring car crash.
Patton's discovery of the medicinal benefit of marijuana was accidental. A child of the 1960s, she ended up smoking a joint with her adult son who lives in Colorado, Patton said. Afterward, she noticed not only that she was relaxed, but her tremors were gone. The effect lasted 12 hours, she said.
She told her doctor. But it was not a conversation he was willing to have. So she did her own research.
The law does not allow physicians to prescribe medical marijuana, said Dr. Joseph Goldberger, chief medical officer at Yavapai Regional Medical Center. But patients with certain documented health conditions are eligible to obtain a card that will allow them to buy the product at licensed dispensaries, he said.
Goldberger was not present at Patton's presentation. As a specialist in chronic pain management, Goldberger said he has had patients over the years whom he would certify as proper candidates for medical marijuana. He said, however, he selected those patients very carefully. He said he is leery of those who have built practices around medical marijuana certification without knowing the patients' histories.
"I don't call that good medical practice," Goldberger said.
In most cases, Patton affirmed patients must be their own advocates.
The local options are the Arizona Medical Marijuana Clinic, or a commercial enterprise. Founders of the family-owned MJ Consulting, Michelle and John Alexander, operate a medical marijuana community center in Prescott Valley. They, too, handle patient certifications.
The standard cost is $150 plus the additional $150 state fee. Alexander said her fee is $25 less, with discounts for veterans, food stamp recipients and those who collect Social Security disability.
Those prices do not include the marijuana, with varying prices depending on the product. Patton said she spends about $20 for a 30-day supply of pills and a bit more for a tincture she also uses. She once bought a marijuana-laced butterscotch cookie for $13; the potency was such that she had to call for emergency medical help.
The law allows qualified patients to buy up to 2.5 ounces of consumable marijuana every 14 days.
Once a person obtains a green medical marijuana card, he or she can visit a dispensary, Patton said. She advocates patients research which marijuana blends, and form, best suits their condition. Marijuana no longer must be smoked, but can be found in edibles, pills, even oil forms.
Prescott native Lee Proper said he attended because he is curious about this controversial issue. He suggests it is a topic that is likely to gain more attention. The senior citizen and veteran said he suspects he might even consider it as an option for his own health.
Patton said her motivation is to educate people so they can make their own, informed decisions.
"If I become the spokesperson for medical marijuana in Prescott, I'm willing to take on that responsibility," Patton said.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Civic activist, medical marijuana user opts to educate others on controversial topic - The Prescott Daily Courier - Prescott, Arizona
Author: Nanci Hutson
Contact: Questions? Comments? Use the links below to contact us. - The Prescott Daily Courier - Prescott, Arizona
Photo Credit: KNOE News
Website: The Prescott Daily Courier - Prescott, Arizona
