What is this "green card" that my father has gotten?
November 6, 2013 7:23 PM Subscribe
What exactly has my father gotten himself, and is it legal? Is there a "green card" in BC that permits the purchase, use and possession of marijuana?
So let's preface this by saying that I am not in the know as far as marijuana goes, I haven't used it in two decades and likely never will again. Nothing against the stuff, just not for me. If my terminology is wrong, sorry!
This question is on my father's behalf. He has zero internet access. None. No smartphone, no computer, and he will not use a computer for anything whatsoever. So his "research" consisted of asking his fellow dockworkers and shiploaders what they thought. The results ranged from plausible to insane, from what he tells me.
My father is in his sixties and is a lifelong marijuana user. He travels to Vancouver regularly and while there enjoys whatever the scene is for marijuana. When he's not there he acquires his weed through the usual illegal channels. The man loves getting his toke on. His last trip, he calls me up absolutely overjoyed because he got something he calls his "green card", and that's the only descriptor he uses for it. Apparently he met with a doctor in some clinic or whatever somewhere in Vancouver, and after some short consultation he now has some card that allows him to legally (maybe?) purchase marijuana by the ounce, baked goods with marijuana in them, and something he calls "honey oil" from the storefront. He is super stoked because I guess dope from the store is way better than dope from Arnie who lives on the cul-de-sac two blocks down.
Today he calls me up and wants to know what this green card he has allows him to do. Can he order dope over the phone and have it mailed to him? Can he grow his own? How much can he carry around daily? I told him I had no idea, I've never heard of this before, and he was nonplussed. Why can't I ask the Internet, he says. Why can't you ask your damn doctor, says I. So we reached an agreement: I'd ask the internet and he'd ask his doctor.
So bottom line: what's this green card he has? What does it let him do? He refers to it only as his green card and says it has no other name, and he swears it's issued by a real doctor that he may or may not have actually met in person, or he talked to on the phone (his story is not consistent, or else I misunderstand him). Has my father been duped, or been led along so he can convince himself that he's legal now? This whole thing sounds like a load of bullshit to me. Seems to me that there is more involved in getting legal medical marijuana than a half hour consultation but I am no expert, so I come to you all.
So let's preface this by saying that I am not in the know as far as marijuana goes, I haven't used it in two decades and likely never will again. Nothing against the stuff, just not for me. If my terminology is wrong, sorry!
This question is on my father's behalf. He has zero internet access. None. No smartphone, no computer, and he will not use a computer for anything whatsoever. So his "research" consisted of asking his fellow dockworkers and shiploaders what they thought. The results ranged from plausible to insane, from what he tells me.
My father is in his sixties and is a lifelong marijuana user. He travels to Vancouver regularly and while there enjoys whatever the scene is for marijuana. When he's not there he acquires his weed through the usual illegal channels. The man loves getting his toke on. His last trip, he calls me up absolutely overjoyed because he got something he calls his "green card", and that's the only descriptor he uses for it. Apparently he met with a doctor in some clinic or whatever somewhere in Vancouver, and after some short consultation he now has some card that allows him to legally (maybe?) purchase marijuana by the ounce, baked goods with marijuana in them, and something he calls "honey oil" from the storefront. He is super stoked because I guess dope from the store is way better than dope from Arnie who lives on the cul-de-sac two blocks down.
Today he calls me up and wants to know what this green card he has allows him to do. Can he order dope over the phone and have it mailed to him? Can he grow his own? How much can he carry around daily? I told him I had no idea, I've never heard of this before, and he was nonplussed. Why can't I ask the Internet, he says. Why can't you ask your damn doctor, says I. So we reached an agreement: I'd ask the internet and he'd ask his doctor.
So bottom line: what's this green card he has? What does it let him do? He refers to it only as his green card and says it has no other name, and he swears it's issued by a real doctor that he may or may not have actually met in person, or he talked to on the phone (his story is not consistent, or else I misunderstand him). Has my father been duped, or been led along so he can convince himself that he's legal now? This whole thing sounds like a load of bullshit to me. Seems to me that there is more involved in getting legal medical marijuana than a half hour consultation but I am no expert, so I come to you all.
Here's some information from BCM, a not-for-profit BC-based medical marijuana advocacy group, that might help answer your questions.
posted by carmicha at 7:33 PM on November 6, 2013
posted by carmicha at 7:33 PM on November 6, 2013
What showbiz liz said. Here's a contact page if you need to ask them a question specifically.
posted by SMPA at 7:37 PM on November 6, 2013
posted by SMPA at 7:37 PM on November 6, 2013
Seems to me that there is more involved in getting legal medical marijuana than a half hour consultation but I am no expert, so I come to you all.
I think it really can happen that easily. My old employer, a guy in his 50s, got his license by going to a walk-in clinic and talking to a doctor about his insomnia. Bam, MM card. I also have a friend on the Island who claims to have gotten one at the dispensary itself, but he might be bullshitting me.
Look into it anyways, but it's not like he's gonna get sent to prison if he goes to use it and it turns out to be fake. They would probably feel bad for him and explain how to get a proper one.
btw from googling, it doesn't look like the cards are actually green, but get him to describe the card to you and see if it matches.
posted by mannequito at 7:54 PM on November 6, 2013
I think it really can happen that easily. My old employer, a guy in his 50s, got his license by going to a walk-in clinic and talking to a doctor about his insomnia. Bam, MM card. I also have a friend on the Island who claims to have gotten one at the dispensary itself, but he might be bullshitting me.
Look into it anyways, but it's not like he's gonna get sent to prison if he goes to use it and it turns out to be fake. They would probably feel bad for him and explain how to get a proper one.
btw from googling, it doesn't look like the cards are actually green, but get him to describe the card to you and see if it matches.
posted by mannequito at 7:54 PM on November 6, 2013
From a MeFite who would prefer to remain anon:
I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area, and that sounds perfectly reasonable. In my and my spouse's experience, our first-time visits (or first-time with a particular recommendation clinic) took 20 minutes or less; renewal visits take 10 minutes or less. This is based on having documentation of past medical issues (e.g., migraines, back pain, insomnia). If your father has any past medical history that might be helped by cannabis, it may well have been that easy to get certified for a BC card.posted by jessamyn at 8:15 PM on November 6, 2013
It's definitely that easy to get a medical marijuana card in Alaska, if you're willing to pony up the cash (although there's no legal way to acquire the marijuana people are legally allowed to have, go figure). There's a "doc" who goes around the state and sets up "healing clinics" where one can apparently go and talk for 5 minutes about your medical history, and then you get a card.
So it seems plausible that it could be that fast in BC.
posted by leahwrenn at 8:51 PM on November 6, 2013
So it seems plausible that it could be that fast in BC.
posted by leahwrenn at 8:51 PM on November 6, 2013
It's also "that fast" in California (San Diego, specifically). I had two friends who had their cards after a 10-15 minute talk with their doctors. One of the friends starting growing her own, the other started visiting the clinics.
That said, I can't speak to any legality or rules in Vancouver. But I'd be willing to bet it's not a long drawn out process any more than it was in California.
posted by routergirl at 8:33 AM on November 7, 2013
That said, I can't speak to any legality or rules in Vancouver. But I'd be willing to bet it's not a long drawn out process any more than it was in California.
posted by routergirl at 8:33 AM on November 7, 2013
There are a few “clubs” or dispensaries where you must register and may receive marijuana for a large list of illnesses. A referral from a “practitioner” is usually all that is required. I haven’t seen any details about the licensing requirements of the practitioner – so it could be a herbalist, naturopath etc.. The practitioner can also waive any responsibilities for the referral (therefore limiting their liability). As well, many of the clubs can refer you to practitioners they know will complete the forms with minimal resistance. They also accept applications from out-of-country referrals and have a large mail order system. With this type of referral, most clubs limit the quality you can receive. The concerns about these clubs are the quality of product you may be receiving, as they are not regulated.
Then there is MMAR (medical marijuana access regulation) program through the federal government’s Health Canada ministry. It requires more rigid registration and those approved get a Health Canada authorization card. In this program, you have access to the Health Canada regulated distribution sites (so, one assumes the quality is better/safer) and the quantity you can receive is higher.
Although having small amounts of marijuana does not interest the police – I have had clients living on the street who said the police have asked to see their MMAR card. Stolen/lost cards are frequently sold on the street.
Here’s a recent news article about the dispensaries:
"Marijuana dispensaries have vital history in Vancouver"
posted by what's her name at 8:50 AM on November 7, 2013
Then there is MMAR (medical marijuana access regulation) program through the federal government’s Health Canada ministry. It requires more rigid registration and those approved get a Health Canada authorization card. In this program, you have access to the Health Canada regulated distribution sites (so, one assumes the quality is better/safer) and the quantity you can receive is higher.
Although having small amounts of marijuana does not interest the police – I have had clients living on the street who said the police have asked to see their MMAR card. Stolen/lost cards are frequently sold on the street.
Here’s a recent news article about the dispensaries:
"Marijuana dispensaries have vital history in Vancouver"
posted by what's her name at 8:50 AM on November 7, 2013
He travels to Vancouver regularly
From inside BC or at least inside Canada, right? Because if he's crossing the American border to get there, or rather, to get home from there, he should know that they couldn't care less about his card and it could be a world of trouble if he tries to bring any home.
posted by Salamandrous at 2:42 PM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
From inside BC or at least inside Canada, right? Because if he's crossing the American border to get there, or rather, to get home from there, he should know that they couldn't care less about his card and it could be a world of trouble if he tries to bring any home.
posted by Salamandrous at 2:42 PM on November 7, 2013 [1 favorite]
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