Patients' Biggest Fears And Concerns ?

[trichcycler]

I know I've heard of some doozies in the past, and am interested in hearing about more. Any patient concerns, fears, nightmares, mistakes,considerations, things that you ask your potential caregivers about are welcome. Maybe not here to address them, but to explore them. Hopefully it makes us better caregivers and better patients.

 

thanks

[jointedone]

If anybody says anything they will just get attacked from the same people that attack everyone. I bet there is plenty to say,but you can't say it here. Watch what happens to me because I posted on this thread. 

[trichcycler]

wow, I hope you didn't have a bad cg experience?  I'll admit that in the beginning I had some bad patient experiences as a caregiver. There was no book to teach us how to conduct caregiver/patient interviews, or how to do anything related to our relationship. It seemed like just register anyone who wanted what you had, and could help you pay for the growing of it.  I'll share those in another thread, as they're form my(as a cg) point of view, and not necessarily fair to a patient thread.

 

It goes both ways. The initial interview seems to be the most important phase of this relationship. I'm a pro interviewer I think now. Really good patients find me and are typically long term. I help cg's until their program is up and running smoothly, and patients who want the best.

 

Please share your patient experience here. Haters will always come. I think I got one the very first time I posted ! don't sweat it.

[Highlander]

based on my experience, here are some good questions:

 

1.  When was the last time the cops showed up at your house and for what (some people are trouble magnets)?  There are too many stories of CGs getting popped and patients having to go without meds because a neighbor called the police for noise, or because the grower's stepson caused trouble, etc.

 

2.  How long have you been growing, and how many times have you had to tell a patient "sorry, no meds ready at this time."

 

3.  Do you "sell overages" or otherwise make transactions with people who are not registered to you?  Have you ever?

 

4.  Do you have a regular job, or do you count on caregiving for your income?

[jointedone]

But Highlander,how can a pt know if this is even true? I THOUGHT I had a great one for almost 2 years only to find out he was NOT the person that he represented to me.Besides pissing me off,it HURT. I thought we were friends. I know you guys want to encourage and teach people to grow their own meds,and that is a noble thing. But some cannot grow for themselves,and it will always be that way. CGs are important to the pt. They count on you as their grower,you come into their homes,most are sick and cannot get access to legal MMJ. The pt should always protect the CG,treat them the way YOU want to be treated. The CG is taking the risk. If he is compliant with the law,good.If not,well, that really isn't any of my business,is it? Only ONE CG has offered to show me their set up. Why would the CG NOT want to show the pt the set-up? You have each others addresses,don't treat the pt like they are a narc,and if you as a CG have doubts,then dump them! I used to be a more trusting person. But since 2009,I have learned that people will tell you anything,lie looking you right in the eyes,and it is so discouraging you pretty much wonder why you even went thru the expense of getting the card. I was a GREAT pt to a person that just downright intended to set me up. I am not saying this in a bitter way. To me,it is sad, because that isn't what the law was intended for. There are so many pts out there alone,and because of the nature of this law,most stay alone.

[beourbud]

based on my experience, here are some good questions:

 

1.  When was the last time the cops showed up at your house and for what (some people are trouble magnets)?  There are too many stories of CGs getting popped and patients having to go without meds because a neighbor called the police for noise, or because the grower's stepson caused trouble, etc.

 

2.  How long have you been growing, and how many times have you had to tell a patient "sorry, no meds ready at this time."

 

3.  Do you "sell overages" or otherwise make transactions with people who are not registered to you?  Have you ever?

 

4.  Do you have a regular job, or do you count on caregiving for your income?

Right On

[Petyr]

 Only ONE CG has offered to show me their set up. Why would the CG NOT want to show the pt the set-up? You have each others addresses,don't treat the pt like they are a narc,and if you as a CG have doubts,then dump them!

There is no reason for a patient to know a CG's address.  A CG can and should use a PO Box as your address for their CG cards.

 

It has nothing to do with thinking the patient is a narc, its just common sense security.  What if your patient loses or gets his wallet stolen?  Now some random person knows where this patient's CG keeps his garden.  Some dispos also photocopy patient cards for their records.  So if the CG's real address is on the card, now everyone with access to the dispo records knows where a grow is.  Just security risk after security risk that can be prevented by getting a PO Box.

 

As far as seeing a garden, nope.  Besides the regular security risks, there are bio-security risks.  No one but me enters my garden.  I don't need other people tracking in mites and who knows what else.  

 

As a CG in a permissive city, cops aren't something I think about much.  Rippers are what worry me, so I do everything I can to stay safe and anonymous.  If I lose out on a patient because of that, its well worth it IMO.  Much preferable to getting beat up at gun point in the middle of the night by some scum bag criminal.

[trichcycler]

Early on  while discussing and planning on my registration my wife, a non user, and I discussed hundreds of scenario's, and reviewed lots of good and bad ways to be a caregiver or a patient. One of those things that neither one of us was comfortable with is inviting a patient I met online to our home. Now you gotta know, I grew up around cannabis and every user I knew was a cool solid person. I had no judgments or anything, but security was paramount. Several patients have become very close but they always knew that they would never be at my home.  I just cannot count on another persons character judgment when my family security is at stake. I invest long hours in my friends, and even lifetimes with some, and have chosen few to call friends, that are invited to my home. It just doesn't make sense today to invite an internet person to your home, grow, or into your life, just because a doctor said they're sick, and the state issued them a marijuana card.

 

I do respect your desire to visit your cg's grow room, and get to know them better. I totally would be with you on that maybe if I was a patient, without the experience I have as a cg, or the incredible investment/sacrifice I've made to provide cannabis to five people.  Truth be told, if I could have found a caregiver capable of providing me the quality I demand, at the donation my patients gladly give me, I would not have become a caregiver for patients.

 

I'm going to keep on doing what I'm doing, because I like what I keep on getting.

[trichcycler]

holy moly, did you have those bad experiences with your caregivers ?  sorry if you did. I'm feeling like cream now ! thanks

based on my experience, here are some good questions:

 

1.  When was the last time the cops showed up at your house and for what (some people are trouble magnets)?  There are too many stories of CGs getting popped and patients having to go without meds because a neighbor called the police for noise, or because the grower's stepson caused trouble, etc.

 

2.  How long have you been growing, and how many times have you had to tell a patient "sorry, no meds ready at this time."

 

3.  Do you "sell overages" or otherwise make transactions with people who are not registered to you?  Have you ever?

 

4.  Do you have a regular job, or do you count on caregiving for your income?

[trichcycler]

Unfortunately for privacy sake, the directions on the applications are designed for the patient to submit, with a copy of the caregiver's drivers license. PO boxes are not used on a drivers licenses, and a simple google will produce the address of any name, with a city to verify, and family members, annual income, google earth, etc.

 

There is no reason for a patient to know a CG's address.  A CG can and should use a PO Box as your address for their CG cards.

 

It has nothing to do with thinking the patient is a narc, its just common sense security.  What if your patient loses or gets his wallet stolen?  Now some random person knows where this patient's CG keeps his garden.  Some dispos also photocopy patient cards for their records.  So if the CG's real address is on the card, now everyone with access to the dispo records knows where a grow is.  Just security risk after security risk that can be prevented by getting a PO Box.

 

As far as seeing a garden, nope.  Besides the regular security risks, there are bio-security risks.  No one but me enters my garden.  I don't need other people tracking in mites and who knows what else.  

 

As a CG in a permissive city, cops aren't something I think about much.  Rippers are what worry me, so I do everything I can to stay safe and anonymous.  If I lose out on a patient because of that, its well worth it IMO.  Much preferable to getting beat up at gun point in the middle of the night by some scum bag criminal.

[imiubu]

Back of my card says "NO CAREGIVER"

 

and will stay that way as long as this program continues as is.

 

 

Yes, 2 bad CG experiences. My 1st was a friend prior to being my CG.

2nd. I met on line.

I'm not willing to start the    on this old subject again...

nor, to get flamed for 'caregiver bashing' if I tell the particulars.

 

There has to be good CG's out there... it just wasn't my good fortune to aquire one.

Now, I am nursing sick looking plants (they are looking happy today, whew) and going w/ out meds but...

I will eventually be able to provide for myself and hopefully one day, help others also.

 

 

edit: spelling

Edited October 28, 2013 by imiubu

[greenleaf]

There is no reason for a patient to know a CG's address.  A CG can and should use a PO Box as your address for their CG cards.

 

It has nothing to do with thinking the patient is a narc, its just common sense security.  What if your patient loses or gets his wallet stolen?  Now some random person knows where this patient's CG keeps his garden.  Some dispos also photocopy patient cards for their records.  So if the CG's real address is on the card, now everyone with access to the dispo records knows where a grow is.  Just security risk after security risk that can be prevented by getting a PO Box.

 

As far as seeing a garden, nope.  Besides the regular security risks, there are bio-security risks.  No one but me enters my garden.  I don't need other people tracking in mites and who knows what else.  

 

As a CG in a permissive city, cops aren't something I think about much.  Rippers are what worry me, so I do everything I can to stay safe and anonymous.  If I lose out on a patient because of that, its well worth it IMO.  Much preferable to getting beat up at gun point in the middle of the night by some scum bag criminal.

 

 

Yes.  Even though it's legal, it still got a shotgun put to the head of a neighbors 14 year old son, in a suburban neighborhood.  One person tells another, and another and finally the right one.  Being a Caregiver already violates the first rule of growing, which is, never tell anyone you're growing, ever.  Ever.  And in case you missed it, ever.

 

Times are tough.  The city of Detroit suffered a civil war the past decade, where more people died than in Columbia.  Pretty much, more people died here than US soldiers in Afghanistan.

 

Besides ripper paranoia, bugs, pests, mold, mildew and pet hair.  Every person that steps in the room risks contaminating it with something.  I've lost a room to a visitor before.  He had mites in his grow, and then I had mites in mine. 

[greenleaf]

Back of my card says "NO CAREGIVER"

 

and will stay that way as long as this program continues as is.

 

 

Yes, 2 bad CG experiences. My 1st was a friend prior to being my CG.

2nd. I met on line.

I'm not willing to start the    on this old subject again...

nor, to get flamed for 'caregiver bashing' if I tell the particulars.

 

There has to be good CG's out there... it just wasn't my good fortune to aquire one.

Now, I am nursing sick looking plants (they are looking happy today, whew) and going w/ out meds but...

I will eventually be able to provide for myself and hopefully one day, help others also.

 

 

edit: spelling

 

Just keep going until you get it right.  If you keep having problems, consider a smaller lamp to get the learning curve easier.  400 watts is a lot easier to learn with than 1,000.  Unless you have ALL the equipment, to cool the lamps and manage heat.

[imiubu]

Thank you for the encouragement!

 

 

 

edited content, which is my perogative

Edited October 29, 2013 by imiubu

[Highlander]

There is no need for a patient to see the CG's garden...no need to know its location.  As another poster already discussed, you can use a PO Box # for your CG card and keep the garden location a secret from everyone.  Of course, another poster pointed out the truism that the CG needs to submit a copy of his/her DL/State ID with the application or Change Form.  But I have kept my patients at a distance with this information....It is a "need to know basis" kinda thing.  So I send in the app/Change Form myself and don't give them a copy of my ID.  Who likes giving out a copy of their DL?  There is no need for a patient to have a copy of his CG's personal records. 

 

The only thing the patient needs to know is that she gets her meds on time, and within budget.  I send in the application/Change Form with payment, and my DL information, etc. never ends up in front of the patient.  And this really isn't a trust issue.  I'd leave $5000 cash, my dog, and my truck in the care of any of my patients and would never have a worry.

 

But, from the patient's point-of-view, there is some information better not known. 

 

If my neighbor has $100,000 in gold in his safe, and he offers me the combination to this safe, there is no way I'd accept it.  Kinda the same with a pt having a CG's personal info.  If you don't have the information, you cant be accused of abusing it.

 

Sometimes it is best to plug your ears and repeat "blah blah blah"      Some information you just don't need.

[ozzrokk]

There is no need for a patient to see the CG's garden...no need to know its location.  As another poster already discussed, you can use a PO Box # for your CG card and keep the garden location a secret from everyone.  Of course, another poster pointed out the truism that the CG needs to submit a copy of his/her DL/State ID with the application or Change Form.  But I have kept my patients at a distance with this information....It is a "need to know basis" kinda thing.  So I send in the app/Change Form myself and don't give them a copy of my ID.  Who likes giving out a copy of their DL?  There is no need for a patient to have a copy of his CG's personal records. 

 

The only thing the patient needs to know is that she gets her meds on time, and within budget.  I send in the application/Change Form with payment, and my DL information, etc. never ends up in front of the patient.  And this really isn't a trust issue.  I'd leave $5000 cash, my dog, and my truck in the care of any of my patients and would never have a worry.

 

But, from the patient's point-of-view, there is some information better not known. 

 

If my neighbor has $100,000 in gold in his safe, and he offers me the combination to this safe, there is no way I'd accept it.  Kinda the same with a pt having a CG's personal info.  If you don't have the information, you cant be accused of abusing it.

 

Sometimes it is best to plug your ears and repeat "blah blah blah"      Some information you just don't need.

 

 

Exactly.......... I do the same thing..........

[trichcycler]

you can google names within a state and may see information you didn't know was public knowledge. I use a po box, and also mail in our application myself, usually before we even meet. I don't want to lock eyes with a patient until after a solid interview process, and a state marijuana card verification. but my name remains on the their card when we register. No big deal to me, but was scary before I had my interview process down pat.

[bobandtorey]

But Highlander,how can a pt know if this is even true? I THOUGHT I had a great one for almost 2 years only to find out he was NOT the person that he represented to me.Besides pissing me off,it HURT. I thought we were friends.

 

I know you guys want to encourage and teach people to grow their own meds,and that is a noble thing. But some cannot grow for themselves,and it will always be that way. CGs are important to the pt.

They count on you as their grower,you come into their homes,most are sick and cannot get access to legal MMJ. The pt should always protect the CG,treat them the way YOU want to be treated.

 

The CG is taking the risk. If he is compliant with the law,good.If not,well, that really isn't any of my business,is it? Only ONE CG has offered to show me their set up. Why would the CG NOT want to show the pt the set-up?

 

You have each others addresses,don't treat the pt like they are a narc,and if you as a CG have doubts,then dump them! I used to be a more trusting person. But since 2009,I have learned that people will tell you anything,lie looking you right in the eyes,and it is so discouraging you pretty much wonder why you even went thru the expense of getting the card.

 

I was a GREAT pt to a person that just downright intended to set me up. I am not saying this in a bitter way. To me,it is sad, because that isn't what the law was intended for. There are so many pts out there alone,and because of the nature of this law,most stay alone.

 

i can see your point if i was looking for a Cg and that Cg said to me you can't see your plants i would think he didn't trust me 

And i would want to be a part of the grow by helping out 

 

One time i had a partner we would grow together 12 plant upstairs and 12 down stairs that way we could share the work and the plants then one day i went over to his house and he had more plants growing in another room and if he would have gotten raided guess what i would have been in court with him 

 

i would want to know if they are legal 

[+Malamute]

I would say there is no cookie cutter answers.

 

 It is more about introducing a patient with many caregivers and caregivers to many patients so the right fits can be found.

 

I have had two sets of a patient and caregiver  come to me unhappy about their situation.  We literally switch the patients to each others caregivers and all 4 were happy as pie.  Go figure...

 

People are people and easy fits are easy to deal with; but if you are a hard fit,... it can take awhile to find a match.

[bobandtorey]

I would say there is no cookie cutter answers.

 

 It is more about introducing a patient with many caregivers and caregivers to many patients so the right fits can be found.

 

I have had two sets of a patient and caregiver  come to me unhappy about their situation.  We literally switch the patients to each others caregivers and all 4 were happy as pie.  Go figure...

 

People are people and easy fits are easy to deal with; but if you are a hard fit,... it can take awhile to find a match.

again very good opinion

[jointedone]

I get it. I have been hiding since before a lot of you were born. Bob,I guess you are the only one that understands what I mean. I don't really want to see the grow,even though there are pictures everywhere on these sites. Every CG brags about how good,etc. And I understand about bugs. It was the point I wanted to stress not the actual viewing of the plants.And that has only happened to me once I didn't go but appreciated the honesty in that person. Who is going to answer the questions you suggested,Highlander? Those are pretty tough ones,how would YOU answer a question like "do you sell your overages"? Holy crap, I would NEVER ask that,I would run. You can't ask a stranger that! For one thing,it is none of the pts business,and it's illegal. Once those meds leave the CGs house and are left with you,NOBODY needs to know what is done with it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Our home HAS been robbed since the card came into it. How does a pt know that this CG isn't just a fake,and looking at the things in your house,only to come back and steal them? I am not bitching about CGs,I am saying that there is no protection for the pt interviewing the CG. Pt shows ID and card to the CG,but when was the last time any pts saw the CGs ID and card? And my new card does say NO CAREGIVER. I wasted 300 bucks,my name is on a list now,and if I am still here in 2 years,I won't apply for another one.

[beourbud]

Early on  while discussing and planning on my registration my wife, a non user, and I discussed hundreds of scenario's, and reviewed lots of good and bad ways to be a caregiver or a patient. One of those things that neither one of us was comfortable with is inviting a patient I met online to our home. Now you gotta know, I grew up around cannabis and every user I knew was a cool solid person. I had no judgments or anything, but security was paramount. Several patients have become very close but they always knew that they would never be at my home.  I just cannot count on another persons character judgment when my family security is at stake. I invest long hours in my friends, and even lifetimes with some, and have chosen few to call friends, that are invited to my home. It just doesn't make sense today to invite an internet person to your home, grow, or into your life, just because a doctor said they're sick, and the state issued them a marijuana card.

 

I do respect your desire to visit your cg's grow room, and get to know them better. I totally would be with you on that maybe if I was a patient, without the experience I have as a cg, or the incredible investment/sacrifice I've made to provide cannabis to five people.  Truth be told, if I could have found a caregiver capable of providing me the quality I demand, at the donation my patients gladly give me, I would not have become a caregiver for patients.

 

I'm going to keep on doing what I'm doing, because I like what I keep on getting.

 

Well,  Looks like you Payed to much on a losing hand...get over it...or not

 

I refuse to believe you don't have 5  friends  who appreciate your gear.

 

If you have to look for patients you are doing something wrong.

 

pm me i will show you how to grow top shelf..good or gooder than yours for @$40/oz

 

It Ain't about the money.....is it?

Edited October 29, 2013 by beourbud

[I wood]

Well,  Looks like you Payed to much on a losing hand...get over it...or not

 

I refuse to believe you don't have 5  friends  who appreciate your gear.

 

If you have to look for patients you are doing something wrong.

 

pm me i will show you how to grow top shelf..good or gooder than yours for @$40/oz

 

It Ain't about the money.....is it?

Why do you assume he is trying to get rich?

Do you know all about his commitments and financial obligations?

A bankrupt caregiver can help no one.

There has got to be a middle ground where patient and caregiver are both benefited from the relationship.

Fairness, common sense, and karma all play a role my decisions regarding patients.

[beourbud]

Why do you assume he is trying to get rich?

Do you know all about his commitments and financial obligations?

A bankrupt caregiver can help no one.

There has got to be a middle ground where patient and caregiver are both benefited from the relationship.

Fairness, common sense, and karma all play a role my decisions regarding patients.

I didnt assume...i asked

 

He bankrupted himself...do i  need to bail him out?

 

Is it about the money?

 

If not you dont have to go on the internet 

 

if your gear is right you dont have to go on the internet

 

do you see a pattern

[beourbud]

We have the Best MMJ Laws in the World here in Michigan

 

Lots of Money has been generated in  this state.

 

Alas the greedy must have more......they will Never be satisfied until they have Yours