I could never convice my grandmother to try cannabis, but many Okies (and Missourians) are.
When will Medical Marijuana Dispensaries be open (in Missouri)?
If I had a dollar for every time I was asked that question I’d be close to owning that farm house on 20 acres I’ve had my eye on.
“I don’t know” doesn’t really evoke confidence in my patients, but it is the truth, could be August 2020, Nov 2020, or June 2021.
For now I discuss the best legal options for them and the one that seems to work best is to take a road trip to Oklahoma. Of course I would love to send some Missouri caregivers business, but most of my patients are cannabis-naïve and have no idea what will work for them and how much they will need.
Fortunately, for me I lived in OK for 10 years and when my grandparents were in their 80s and 90s I would take frequent trips on short notice, sometimes going there and back in less than 24 hours. My grandparents lived in Claremore and I hear there is dispensary on every corner now. It does make me feel a bit sad and angry and grateful too. When Medical Marijuana came to Oklahoma I tried so hard to have that conversation with my grandmother. For the last few years of her life she was physically addicted to opiates that didn’t really seem to help the pain much. She was taking them just to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
I attempted to have a few conversations with her about trying cannabis and I was not only shot down, the next time I was there she showed me a book that was the 2015 version of “Reefer Madness.”
Once Oklahoma implemented a strict opioid monitoring program getting her Norco filled every month became a source of extreme anxiety. Every 30 days a woman who was 93 would have to plan for someone to take her to the doctor to answer questions like “Do you get anxious if you run out of pain medication?” “Yes.” Do you experience any of these withdraw symptoms? Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Outbursts of Anger.” “Yes, yes, and yes.”
Her physician actually talked too much, very friendly, but one time kept her in the office for over two hours talking about politics, “tree huggers,” opioids, and just about everything he had an opinion on. She sat there, probably not listening to much of what he said, wondering when she could get that script. She always got her prescription, but not before she felt like an addict and that something was wrong with her because she experienced pain.
Now onto the pharmacy. Hot off the prescription pad she takes her script to the Wal-Mart pharmacy. If she’s lucky the doctor appointment coordinated with being able to get her refill, which also meant she had about a days’ worth of Norco, not an amount she was comfortable with.
As usual, the pharmacy refilled her script. Then it was back home to count the pills to make sure she had the 120 the script was written for.
During the last few years of my grandmother’s life she didn’t go to her Wednesday hair appointments or many shopping trips, but she did have to get out and go get her Norco.
There was a point when she thought she needed to cut down on the meds. So she did, but not as slowly as she needed to. One day she was laying in her bed and told me she was dying. She had told me that she was not afraid to die and wanted to go on her own terms. I asked if she was ready. She said she was, but she was in too much pain and could not take it any longer. She wanted to go to the hospital. She was admitted for opiate withdrawal and cardiac changes. Unfortunately, she passed away.
It could have been so different with cannabis. I wish I could have taught her what I am now teaching patients, how to heal without getting high. My grandmother trusted me and wanted my opinion on everything related to her medical issues but unfortunately she couldn’t overcome the stigma of marijuana
So now back to the point. When will the dispensaries open? Well they are, but you’ll have to take a drive to Oklahoma and pay $100 to get that temp card. Enjoy your road trip because I know I enjoyed mine even when I wasn’t able to convince my grandmother that a little cannabis chocolate could really help her manage her pain.
See below for a link to apply for your temporary card in OK.
