Seltzer

I wish this was my first post, but I used that to find this section of the site But I'm a new member on this board so let me first just say hello

My question is about medical MJ, particularly about caregiver info. I've been a recreational cannabis grower (for my own use) since 2003. I started out making all the newbie mistakes. I went from six scraggly plants in soil to continuous, high grade chem and organic hydro grows with big potent blooms using top notch equipment. It's just a beautiful plant and I really enjoy growing it.

I am pysched by the rush of attention and support cannabis is getting lately. Did anyone listen to the piece yesterday on NPR about Oaksterdam University in CA? That has really got me inspired.

I want to make the transition from being a grower for myself to being a medical cannabis caregiver. Medical MJ is not legal in my state but it has been legalized in neighboring states (although support in my state is, uh - growing). I am considering setting up a hydro grow and becoming a caregiver in a neighboring state until my state has medical MJ protections in place. The Oaksterdam bit seems interesting, but it also appears to be very specific to growing cannabis as more of a storefront business which is not what I want to do.

I know there are pit falls and it's not a perfect system by any means, however I have also been underemployed for quite a while due to the lousy economy and it's about time I started doing something that I enjoy rather than being a low wage corporate slob. I am not looking to become an illicit dealer, nor am I looking to "get rich quick". I truly believe in the cause, I like to help people, and without tooting my own horn, I'm really good at what I do.

So, I have a chunk of money to invest, all the gear and equipment and knowhow, some previous experience owning a business, and the testicular fortitude to do something I believe in that might be deemed unpopular by some in the community. I want some advice from people who have experience in this before I make any investment. If you've done this, let me know.

Thanks

CRAZYTRAIN

I may be mistaken, but I don't think the dispesaries will deal with you unless you carry the card, which you have to be a resident of that state to obtain. Of course you could always grow a few thousand pounds of it, freeze it, then move to that state, get your card and then give it to them

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Seltzer

Hi Crazytrain

Thanks for your reply. Not all states that have MMJ allow dispensaries. Card carriers in those areas are supposed to grow their own or work with caregivers to grow for them.

thisbudzforyou

Hey, I gotta drop my halfass input on here. I am a California MMJ patient. I have NEVER been a resident of California and I use the dispensaries without any problems. its doesn't matter, the doctors or dispensaries don't care...

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Current Grow, 1 White Widow in a Hugo block, 1000 w HPS> http://www.gardenscure.com/420/hydro...ml#post1263150

swordfish

Being someones legit caregiver in Ca requires lots of other caregiving you must provide for the person you claim to be a caretaker for. Let me explain, you cant just take on the single aspect of growing med pot for other individuals under the premiss that makes you a caregiver. You must provide other life enhancing or be doing additional things for these individuals as well as furnishing pot. This is where the courts will nab you if they wish to play hardball with the "definition" of what qualifys a person to be a caregiver in the state of Ca to began with.

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thisbudzforyou

I am not disagreeing with you, because I don't know what the technical laws, but when i got my MMJ card, my doctor also gave me a paper to name my "caregiver". i gave it to a friend and she used it in a bunch of different dispensarys. Not sure how well it would have covered her under the law, but it let her into the dispensaries w/o any problems...

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Current Grow, 1 White Widow in a Hugo block, 1000 w HPS> http://www.gardenscure.com/420/hydro...ml#post1263150

swordfish

Your ass is protected under Ca law. The grower has the burden of proof to establish his caregiving is legal under Ca caretaker provisions which I myself are unaware of. I am aware that making sure someone has food in their house and a ride to the hospital is also part of a caretakers responsibility. I use to think it was cool to have several friends with med recomendations that would allow me to have copys of their certificates in my grow room should LEO come knocking. Ive learned they can and do litigate the hell out of the "caretaker" provisions. If the prosecutor who is shagging the buts of growers and is having a bad day may require you to demonstrate to the court how you are a "caregiver" for an individual simply because your growing pot for them. Agreed this is one component in being a caregiver but you may be asked about other responsibilities that encompass your status as a bona-fide caregiver. It's pretty sketchy or they can make things nasty if they dont like you. Pretend you need to convince a jury, not me that you are a dignified caregiver. This is where the bastards can nail you unless you have all your ducks in a row and know the buracratic BS that's associated with "caregiving".

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Seltzer

Thanks to all of you for posting some good information. I guess I'll need to dig into the specifics of what it means to be a "caregiver" in the state where I'm thinking about working.

I am not a medical professional, but if being a caregiver also meant that you check in on people, make sure they are clean, they are eating and taking their meds and getting to doctor's appointments, I would be completely fine with that. If there is anything this world needs it's a little more compassion and people looking out for one another.

alleycat

Seltzer---Gosh if it's cali you are thinking about, then it sounds like this is the info.

I'm in colorado and our caregiver status is totally different, so you might want to say what state you are thinking about for more defined info, unless cali is it.

Happy Growing

Alleycat