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AncientWolf
12-03-2008, 01:46 PM
I realize this forum is hardly visited, but I was hoping y'all could help me with a situation. I don't think I've posted this here before, but my memory sucks.


I am a college student. I suffer from osteoarthritis of the spine and epilepsy. Because no other epilepsy meds have worked and the osteoarthritis meds normally increase risk of seizure greatly, I have been prescribed medical cannabis for both. It is a wonder drug in that it dulls the pain enough for me to deal with it most days and is 100% effective thus far against my seizures.

The problem is that I need to take it right when I feel a seizure aura in order to use it for seizure control and I have to take 3 "doses" in any given school day to manage the pain. I have not yet found an edible that has worked on me and I've tried some very strong edibles. I think I'm too fat or something.

Anyways, the problem with needing to take it as needed is that Campus Security has made it clear that I am not allowed to smoke it while I'm at school. I have an hour and a half bus ride each way and a 5 hour block of classes. I absolutely need to be able to have my medicine while on campus.

According to the defining document the California senate passed for medical cannabis (SB 420) you are allowed to use medical cannabis in public places that normally allow tobacco use. HOWEVER, you are not allowed to smoke within 1000 feet of a school. Even though it has been argued legally that the law intended to apply to high schools and below, I'm not sure if there's been any official rulings on that matter and for now Campus Security is using that provision to stop me. I cannot get 1000 feet from campus (1/4 mile) due to the campus location (next to an army base, federal land) and my arthritis. (and the fact that I don't drive.)

Unfortunately my school offers very little in the way of online classes and I need to go where I can get my BOGG fee waiver (a California thing) and my Pell grant. I can't afford school otherwise.

My area has microclimates so when I pass over the Cuesta Grade to get into San Luis Obispo, where the college is, the pressure change between my inland town and near-coastal San Luis Obispo really kills my arthritic spine and I end up with spasms and severe sciatica attacks by the time I get there. Definitely need to have my medicine.

I've ended up missing a lot of classes due to seizures and inability to have my medicine on campus. The times I've been there I've often been in such severe pain that I can't pay attention in class. (Believe it or not, I learn great when I'm stoned and I don't have to be absolutely blazed for medical effectiveness.)

So, sorry for the length, but I hope y'all will have some feedback.

Namaste,

Daniel

michael178
12-25-2008, 03:43 PM
Most schools have someone responsible helping students with disabilities. If the school get federal monies, and all of them do, the school has to comply with the various federal disability laws. It seems to me that your medical situation could override what the security measures of your school and allow you the freedom of medicating yourself when and how you want to. I would look into it and I would become familiar with your rights under the variious disability laws, there is no need to get trampled upon any more.

Bahamaroot
12-26-2008, 05:43 PM
Is there a lawyer that you could call or contact that might be able to give you free consultation on this matter?

bombi
12-29-2008, 02:16 PM
MJ is still illegal from the Fedral Gov. perspective. If your school recieves any $ from the feds then they must comply with the law + no MJ use.

AncientWolf
01-03-2009, 12:08 PM
It's not a federal monies issue as no threats have been made by the feds regarding that.

However, it is an issue of my medicine still being discriminated against thanks to the 100 years of negative publicity about it. (one of the reasons I'll never visit Hearst castle even though it's close by.) They are using a law that hasn't even been approved by the courts (still in challenge since it's more limiting than the original law, which is unconstitutional in California.) Not to mention, the spirit of the law was supposed to apply to High school and lower, not colleges.


I guess I'm just done with school. They won't bend at all and I can't be away from home without my medication. It's a horrible situation, but I'm stuck. I'll take online classes where I can, but otherwise I'm screwed.

No, I do not know of a lawyer who will consult for free on this one. It's too shaky in the courts right now. I'm not sure I have the ability to fight something like this in the courts to begin with.

houghchrst
01-04-2009, 12:43 AM
Daniel this could be really huge for someone who may be interested in taking on your case pro bono. Most lawyers will give you an hour of free advice. Could set a precedence for more than just colleges.

I imagine that the college probably feels they are between a rock and a hard place considering the age bracket and the kind of drugs and drinking that goes on in college. Then again there are a lot of colleges that want to get the drinking age lowered. Their reasoning is ludicrous.

I really hope you don't give up on your dreams. There has to be a way. Just keep fighting.

Bahamaroot
01-04-2009, 09:13 PM
I agree with Christina 100%. You have health issues that have taken enough from you. Don't let this school and there out dated and discriminative policies take even more. Just start with a few phone calls and emails to some law offices and your local news and see what happens. Hang in there. Best wishes.

AncientWolf
01-06-2009, 08:52 AM
I agree with Christina 100%. You have health issues that have taken enough from you. Don't let this school and there out dated and discriminative policies take even more. Just start with a few phone calls and emails to some law offices and your local news and see what happens. Hang in there. Best wishes.


I suppose it doesn't hurt to try, I just don't have much hope. Colleges usually get away with whatever they want. Heck, they are the one type of institution that can write a ticket for someone displaying a disabled parking placard! (normal parking rules are that with a placard or plate you can park anywhere that it is otherwise legal to park...not in red zones... You can ignore limits on yellow and green zones, don't have to pay meters and don't have to worry if it's a private parking lot. Yet, colleges can still ticket you if you don't buy their parking pass, even if you're in a designated disabled spot.)

I suppose I should start with CalNORML's website. Not sure where else to look. It's not something I'm comfortable picking a random name out of the yellow pages for.

I don't care if I have to walk to a designated spot on campus, despite my physical disability. Even though the law allows for me to smoke it anywhere tobacco is legal to consume, I wouldn't mind if they just picked one smoking area, or even created a new smoking area for those with legal prescriptions. I just need an option to be able to access my medicine while at school, so far away from home. (hour and a half bus ride.)


Namaste,

Daniel

houghchrst
01-07-2009, 11:30 AM
Daniel I have been trying to see what I can come up with and according to what I am finding that little town where you attend college has a history of not treating medical marijuana patients very well and causing problems. Seems most of the patients come out winning.

Here is a link that may have some contacts for you.
http://thedailycannabinoid.blogspot.com/2008/05/san-luis-obispo-sheriffs-department.html

Even though medical marijuana is legal the "rules" are made by the local "government" so I Googled San Luis Obispo medical marijuana laws and found quite a bit of info.

Bahamaroot
01-07-2009, 02:16 PM
Christina you are a jewel.

Daniel, I know times seem though right now but you are here expressing your thoughts and concerns so I know that there is still a little fight left in you. Though I haven't offered much more than support, my support you definately have. If nothing else, you might try writing your story and sending it to the local news. You may be supprised by the help that is offered to you there just from hearing your story. The school may even make provisions for you to avoid publicity. You might even let the school know of your intentionions before doing so. I also know that you may not want to get into something publicly, so I offer these words just for thought.

Even if this doesn't turn out the way you would like, you may be helping to pave the way for the person behind you.

Best of luck and understanding.

houghchrst
01-07-2009, 10:22 PM
Thanks Jeff, I totally agree with setting a precedent. I agree Daniel you may want to let the school know that you are going to make it public the kind of treatment you are getting from the school. You are trying to better yourself by getting an education and the school is preventing you from doing so by denying you the right to take your medication while on campus.

Something to that effect. I really hope you continue to try to get your education whether or not it is there or somewhere else. Maybe if you make it public a college will speak up and say 'hey, we will take you here'. Small chance but you never know.

powder pig russ
01-16-2009, 02:08 PM
Have you tried Sativex? I understand from a reliable source that it is a very effective delivery mechanism and can be administered anytime w/out being a social parriah. If you can't get it, you may check around on how to make it.

houghchrst
01-24-2009, 11:25 AM
Hey Daniel, just wondered how things were going. Haven't seen you posting. Am I not going far enough down the list lol.

AncientWolf
01-29-2009, 05:43 PM
Hey Daniel, just wondered how things were going. Haven't seen you posting. Am I not going far enough down the list lol.


Just been busy with school starting.



Yeah, perhaps I will write a letter to the president of the college and let him know that I'm going to go public with this issue. I don't know how much sympathy my cause would get, but maybe some good would come of it.


Namaste,

Daniel

Bahamaroot
01-29-2009, 06:07 PM
Glad to hear that you haven't given up with trying to continue your education. Just know you have friends here that care. :)
Good luck and best wishes.

houghchrst
02-03-2009, 01:29 PM
Hi Daniel, glad to see you are still pluggin' away at your learnin'. Hope it is not causing you overload, I know how much stress can add to pain.

(((((((((hugs)))))))))