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Doctor Helps Alaska Residents Get Medical Marijuana CardsThe Healing Clinic causes controversyANCHORAGE – A man who has started a business helping Alaska residents get medical marijuana cards says he’s had no problems getting clients. Mike Smith is the man behind The Healing Clinic. Based in Washington State, Smith has been traveling to Alaska with a doctor who is licensed to practice in the state. For a fee of $225 he will provide an exam to people who want medical marijuana cards. What Smith is doing appears to be legal, but he has faced criticism. Some say he is opportunist just out to make money. Smith has had similar businesses in three other states and claims he has helped over 4,000 people get medical marijuana cards in the last three years. Others say the “exam” his doctor provides is questionable, and that not everyone has the documentation of pain or medical illness they need to get a card – Smith denies that. “You can’t just come in and say my back hurts and get a card, that will not happen,“ says Smith. “We pre-screen every single patient and they will not meet with the doctor unless they have the required conditions as per Alaska state law. “ The state has several categories that can qualify people for the cards and applications must be approved by the state. But the state is the first to admit they don’t do more than check to make sure the proper paperwork has been filed and that the doctor making the recommendation is licensed to practice in the state. They also say they can’t tell people seeking cards which doctors have recommended them for patients in the past. That may be a boom for Smith, who can advertise all he wants. The man in charge of the state’s registry says they have gotten a surge of applications for the cards following Smith’s clinics, and that almost all of them have been approved. Smith says he has seen at least 400 Alaskans since he started bringing clinics here and plans to continue them on a monthly basis. |
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erroll booth said on Friday, Mar 9 at 9:14 PM
ok, why would someone pay the $225 for the exam when they can go to their regular doctor and be prescribed and then go through the vital statistics to apply and then be granted and save the $225 to begin to grow your own plants up to 5 plants no more than 3 can be mature at any given time and not exceed 1oz according to state law ruled by judge patricia collins. also according to state law for private use a person can also have plants not to exceed 1oz and not have more than an ounce in their home not to be contained in any form or sold and not to be within 500 feet of school grounds. so as a private citizen why would i pay some doctor for an exam when under state statutes alaskans can for private use grow and use in their own residence. i think since alaska is far ahead of the rest of the states on marijuana, the state should just legalize it all together and tax it like every thing else and be ahead of the game. it is time to take off the blinders and not be narrow minded about it.
83770154The Healing Center Medical Clinic said on Friday, Mar 9 at 11:18 PM
This story is inaccurate. We are The Healing Center Medical Clinic. No patient came to our clinic and saw the Doctor without proper documentation. That was a LIE told by this reporter to SENSATIONALIZE this story. We asked this reporter to provide the name of this SUPPOSED patient.....But she could not. :( Also there IS a way to get seeds or clones for your grow..............from another legal patient. They can give it to you FREE. You DO NOT have to break the law as stated in this report. We also encourage ALL patients to seek a signature from their Doctor first before seeing us. The last time we checked, your doctor will also charge you for an office visit. Lastly the above comment is inaccurate. Ravin v Alaska DID NOT make Cannabis legal. Mr. Booth please get better legal advice. 6 plants. 3 in vegetative state and 3 flowering. While it is growing it DOES NOT count toward your 1oz of dried and cured medicine.
83775474Mike said on Saturday, Mar 10 at 1:18 AM
This man has done nothing wrong. Pharmaceutical companies which are getting sued many times over are the true criminals in our society. I personally don't smoke marijuana. But if I did have a medical condition, this would be one of the first plants I'd look towards...
83778484bob ward said on Saturday, Mar 10 at 10:10 AM
My doctor was very condescending towards me when I asked him to sign off on my paperwork. He said why would he when there is no dispensary in Ak. yet. And he didn't want to deal with the hassle of dealing with all the people looking for the signature if word got out. He was more concerned with his reputation than with helping me. It's ok to be poisoned by big pharma but a natural plant causes him consternation. And I thought he was smart?
83809845Ronald DeWitt Brower said on Saturday, Mar 10 at 5:24 PM
Are they planning on coming to Barrow? I am getting tired of taking man made chemicals to alleviate my constant pain and loosing weight due to lack of hunger from the meds..
83835073Anonymous said on Sunday, Mar 11 at 1:44 AM
well dude this is Alaska...we don't need a medical card to get weed...and the best is in the Valley... so don't know and don't care...peace...
83853333Theminichef said on Thursday, Jan 17 at 5:13 PM
I suffer from chronic back pain and am tired of taking painkillers and the side effects. Is there anyone who can help me in Fairbanks.nthe only clinic I am aware of is in Anchrage
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