shibshib

Hey guys, so I wanted to make a thread just on this topic. I've seen it touched upon in other threads, but nothing definitive.

So basically... i understand that if I go into the emergency room, I can tell a doctor that I am a medical marijuana user and they can keep that in mind for whatever drugs they end up giving me for said emergency...

And I understand that those doctors, due to confidentiality, won't be able to "rat me out", so to speak.

My question is, however, what do I do with my primary doctor?

I know there is not a legitimate reason to be afraid of legal problems, but what about with problems down the road (such as insurance problems) for what the doctor puts in my chart?

Is it best to just not tell my primary physician? Or can I talk to him about it, but tell him (or force him?) to keep it off my records?

I'm trying to be as cautious as possible when it comes to my medical marijuana, and I don't want a decision I make now come back to bite me in the ass years down the road.

I'm going to call my marijuana doctor and get his advice, but I probably wont hear back right away from him, so I'm interested in your thoughts.

Edit: The doctor wasn't in, but the nurse said if it was an emergency situation, then disclosure may be necessary... but in general, it is best to not disclose it because many doctors are known to write "substance abuse" in a patient's charts if they admit to using marijuana (be it medical or not).

She left a message for the doctor, so I'll let you guys know what the official ruling is when I hear back.

__________________
Q: Does weed make you smarter, ShibShib?
A: No, it just focuses me. ADHD is like having a bunch of TVs in your head, all running different programs, and having no ability to control them. Marijuana not only appears to give me a remote, it also allows me to shut off all the other TVs sucking up the juice... which makes the TV I'm watching a bit brighter.

Herbania

Depends on the doctor. My former pain doctor put a big black mark on my folder denying me and pain meds(opiates) because I made the mistake of being honest with him. The DEA came in and cut off several dozen patients from pain meds that showed THC in their urine. Now I see a primary care doc, I don't ask for meds from her so she doesn't have to report it, she's very cool and I only opened up to her after going to her for a few years. Her opinion was if possible I should move to medical maryjane state. My shrink knows, and is also in agreement that I benefit from it and he's the state psyche evaluation guy for disability., again I only came clean after being his patient for over a year.

Depends on the doctor. a good indicator is if they actually pay attention to you, look you in the eye and seem to exhibit some compassion. I should have known with the pain management(what a joke)doctor, he almost never looked at me in the eye and spent about 30 seconds with me and let his nurse do all the work of listening to my complaints.
It's a weak answer, but I think you just have to make a judgment call on their personality. Female doctors seem to be more open minded about it in my experience. I think as long as you're not asking for opiates he probably wont report you.

Edit: I didn't mean report in the sense with a LEO. I meant putting it on your record, outside the folder, I watched him do it. Pain doctors aren't allowed to prescribe opiates to people with illegal drugs in their system. The patient doesn't get into trouble, the doctor does. In the case of the mentioned doctor in my post, one of his patients committed suicide with his scripts and the family complained to the DEA and the DEA raided the place , went through the records and told the doctor he had to urine test ALL patients and the DEA denied 72 patients their meds because of marijuana use. I only came clean with my primary because weed was causing a problem with an anti-spasm med as I have very low blood pressure and heart rate, taking this med on top of weed was dropping it dangerously low. Weed actually takes care of that problem(spasms) so I don't take that med unless I'm out of pot.

__________________
Fighting fire with empty words While the banks get fat
And the poor stay poor And the rich get rich
And the cops get paid To look away
As the one percent rules America
-Queensryche

Trocisp

He's not legally allowed to report you at all. Even if he did, there's nothing that anyone could do about it (other than charge you with Possession under Federal laws, and that's only if they catch you with it).

I wouldn't mention it unless it comes up, or there's a reason to. In general, until you've built a rapport with your Primary Care Physician, I'd keep it to myself.

shibshib

Again, I'm totally not worried about a direct report... I'm more worried about him scribbling "Marijuana" in my chart, and then for the rest of my life its in there, available to doctors and insurance agencies.

Looks like I made the right choice to keep my mouth shut =).

I like my primary doctor, but I've only known him for a couple years, so I in no way trust him enough to reveal it to him, and really, there doesn't appear to be a need to reveal it.

Thanks guys =)

gfish15

no it is 100% illegal the doctor is like a psychiatrist they have the same laws they cannot tell any one i told my doctor in my last physical that i smoked pot and he asked me if i got my mj card and i said no he siad why not you have horrible shoulder problems and so forth... the reason is because of my parents but it is 200% illegal for a doctor to put that in your chart. and your chart is completly confidential as well just like if you have an std your doctor cant just go tell every one.

Trocisp

Insurance companies, other doctors, and certain special exceptions are made to Doctor-Patient confidentiality.

The Doctor most assuredly can write it in your chart, the doctor can write anything he wants in your chart including 'walla walla bing bang, ting woppa doppa doo.'

shibshib

First off, you are going to have to show me a reference that says its illegal for a doctor to put any information in your chart.

Second, you are going to have to show me that insurance agencies do not have the right to view your charts (especially if they are protesting a procedure and looking for a reason to drop you as a client).