Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
Florida’s legalization of medical marijuana is trickling down to Marion County.
Both city of Ocala and Marion County officials have created ordinances establishing rules for dispensaries, should any ever set up shop here. Meanwhile, Medical Marijuana Doctors has opened its fourth Florida office in Ocala.
The business, tucked away in a small office complex at 1714 E. Silver Springs Blvd., opened about 45 days ago. The business does not sell medical marijuana, but rather helps to qualify clients to be eligible for the drug.
“It’s mind boggling that people don’t know” (about alternative medicines such as medical marijuana),” said owner Bob Gifford during a telephone interview.
He said the marijuana especially helps cancer patients who are suffering from side effects associated with chemotherapy treatment and that it can reduce their nausea and increase their appetite. He advocates its use for pain management and said it is better than strong opioid drugs, which can lead to addiction problems.
Gifford said he is a recovering cancer patient.
In Florida, patients who want to try medical marijuana to help with chronic or terminal illnesses must first be certified as eligible to use medical marijuana by a medical doctor certified to prescribe the drug.
At Gifford’s business, patients are screened by the office staff and their medical records are faxed to medical doctors associated with the business in Broward County. The doctor also talks with the patient via a teleconference and computer setup at the Medical Marijuana Doctor’s office in Ocala.
If the doctor deems that the patient qualifies, they will issue a medical marijuana number and, later, the Florida Department of Health will issue the patient a medical marijuana card, said Chris Comas, the office manager in Ocala.
From there, the organization’s doctors write the patient an order for the medical marijuana they think will do the most benefit for the patient, he said.
“We don’t deal with the order or dispensing,” said Donnie Greene, who helps screen patients at the business and sets up the teleconference links with the doctors, and provides security at the office.
If the patient needs additional help, Comas and Greene said, the business assists in contacting the doctors and establishing additional teleconferences.
The cost for the initial visit is $250. The patient is charged only if they qualify for the medical marijuana.
Florida initially allowed only terminally ill patients to legally purchase marijuana. This year the Legislature expanded that to include patients with cancer, post-traumatic stress syndrome, Crohn’s disease, HIV, AIDS, glaucoma, Lou Gehrig’s disease, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and other debilitating medical conditions.
“Our goal is that we want everyone (who can benefit) treated naturally with medical marijuana,” Greene said.
Both Comas and Greene do not think the federal government will get involved in trying to stop the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The drug is still against federal law.
“If it was going to happen, it would have happened by now,” Greene said.
The nearest medical marijuana dispensaries to the the Ocala/Marion County area are in Gainesville and The Villages.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Ocala business assists patients seeking medical marijuana - News - Ocala.com - Ocala, FL
Author: Fred Hiers
Contact: Contact - Ocala, FL - Ocala.com
Photo Credit: Scripps Media
Website: Ocala.com: Local & World News, Sports & Entertainment in Ocala, FL
Both city of Ocala and Marion County officials have created ordinances establishing rules for dispensaries, should any ever set up shop here. Meanwhile, Medical Marijuana Doctors has opened its fourth Florida office in Ocala.
The business, tucked away in a small office complex at 1714 E. Silver Springs Blvd., opened about 45 days ago. The business does not sell medical marijuana, but rather helps to qualify clients to be eligible for the drug.
“It’s mind boggling that people don’t know” (about alternative medicines such as medical marijuana),” said owner Bob Gifford during a telephone interview.
He said the marijuana especially helps cancer patients who are suffering from side effects associated with chemotherapy treatment and that it can reduce their nausea and increase their appetite. He advocates its use for pain management and said it is better than strong opioid drugs, which can lead to addiction problems.
Gifford said he is a recovering cancer patient.
In Florida, patients who want to try medical marijuana to help with chronic or terminal illnesses must first be certified as eligible to use medical marijuana by a medical doctor certified to prescribe the drug.
At Gifford’s business, patients are screened by the office staff and their medical records are faxed to medical doctors associated with the business in Broward County. The doctor also talks with the patient via a teleconference and computer setup at the Medical Marijuana Doctor’s office in Ocala.
If the doctor deems that the patient qualifies, they will issue a medical marijuana number and, later, the Florida Department of Health will issue the patient a medical marijuana card, said Chris Comas, the office manager in Ocala.
From there, the organization’s doctors write the patient an order for the medical marijuana they think will do the most benefit for the patient, he said.
“We don’t deal with the order or dispensing,” said Donnie Greene, who helps screen patients at the business and sets up the teleconference links with the doctors, and provides security at the office.
If the patient needs additional help, Comas and Greene said, the business assists in contacting the doctors and establishing additional teleconferences.
The cost for the initial visit is $250. The patient is charged only if they qualify for the medical marijuana.
Florida initially allowed only terminally ill patients to legally purchase marijuana. This year the Legislature expanded that to include patients with cancer, post-traumatic stress syndrome, Crohn’s disease, HIV, AIDS, glaucoma, Lou Gehrig’s disease, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and other debilitating medical conditions.
“Our goal is that we want everyone (who can benefit) treated naturally with medical marijuana,” Greene said.
Both Comas and Greene do not think the federal government will get involved in trying to stop the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The drug is still against federal law.
“If it was going to happen, it would have happened by now,” Greene said.
The nearest medical marijuana dispensaries to the the Ocala/Marion County area are in Gainesville and The Villages.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Ocala business assists patients seeking medical marijuana - News - Ocala.com - Ocala, FL
Author: Fred Hiers
Contact: Contact - Ocala, FL - Ocala.com
Photo Credit: Scripps Media
Website: Ocala.com: Local & World News, Sports & Entertainment in Ocala, FL
