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seeking help

Discussion in 'Medical Marijuana Usage and Applications' started by Shenmue, Oct 18, 2015.

  1. #1 Shenmue, Oct 18, 2015
    My name is Eric, I'm 29 years old, and I just recently moved to mid-Michigan. I was born with a very rare gastrointestinal disease known as Peutz Jeghers syndrome. When I was 10 years old, medical malpractice caused me to have intestinal gangrene. I was in the hospital for 27 days, I needed 9 blood transfusions, and I barely survived. Over 90 percent of patients with my condition end up with cancer at some point in their lives. I have countless medical records. I experience constant organ pain and I have post traumatic stress disorder.



    A large majority of the public supports medical marijuana but I believe there is something that some of them are not aware of. Most people who need medical marijuana the most end up in section 8 housing for the disabled, which are federal buildings where possession can lead to eviction. Even if federal law eventually got changed, these are smoke free buildings and public use is not permitted even in legal states - so, no matter what, people in these homes have no way of using it.



    Medication either constipates me, gives me headaches, makes me sweaty, or makes me dependent. Medical marijuana clears up almost all of my pain, helps my nausea, clears up my ptsd, helps me sleep and eat, and gives me energy. When I moved to Michigan, I got a card and was able to be pain-free for 2 months. My roommate and I had disagreements and now I'm living in a federal disability apartment completely alone. I have to choose between pain relief and shelter. I would be homeless if I tried it. I have to accept stabbing abdominal pain on a daily basis and the fact that I might not ever be able to use it again. Even if something were to allow it, I have no car to travel to the clinics that give cards when it's time to renew and I wouldn't be able to afford much medication with my disability checks.



    My question is - do I have any other options? I spoke to someone on the internet who said that some states actually have housing for the disabled that aren't federal where I would be able to use the cannabis medication - but I was never able to figure out what they were talking about. It honestly seems like my only hope is to somehow find a way to provide for myself and afford my own home - but I don't know how I can do that with all my pain and medical difficulties. I don't wish to be co-dependent either - I have trouble trusting people. Is there anything I can do? If they exist, what were these non-federal disability homes that this person spoke of? Is there anyway I can get assistance or get my story out? Please, I'm in so much pain. Plus, I've been told that cannabis oil has been shown to fight cancer and I'm absolutely terrified of the idea of chemotherapy.
     
  2. #2 Father Ted, Oct 18, 2015
    No idea, but good luck with everything.
     
  3. #3 roachlover, Oct 18, 2015
    get ahold of some edibles if you can't stomache them get some tincture. I live in mi as well brother and hope that all goes well
     
  4. #4 muddymcphereson, Nov 2, 2015
    OP I'm sorry to hear about your plight, and you raise an important issue about government supported housing for medical marijuana patients. I'm from Michigan myself and have a sister who lives in Port Huron in low-income housing and has had medical issues that keep her from employment. She tried pot for migraine and back pain, but said it wasn't help her. Nevertheless, I wouldn't want her to have to choose between pain relief and having a roof over her head.

    It's unclear where you obtained the idea about section 8 housing requirements and medical marijuana patients. I could find no explicit information stating that medical marijuana patients could be evicted or arrested for possession in such housing. Given your dire situation (which I cannot believe is unique), I think you should contact someone within your local public housing office about this specific issue, in order to get a clearer answer. Just because the housing is supported via federal funds may not necessarily mean medical marijuana patients are barred from them, but I just don't know for sure.

    If it turns out that medical marijuana patients are barred from low-income housing, then I would suggest seeking like minded individuals within your area that are either medical marijuana patients themselves or sympathetic that may be able to provide shared living arrangements if your financial means make it too difficult to afford to live alone.

    Finally, whatever your current or future medical decisions, please at least include your physician within the discussion. You should have a physician you feel comfortable talking about your use of medical marijuana and fears concerning other treatments (e.g., chemotherapy). Medical marijuana is not a magic bullet for cancer, and there simply is not sufficient medical evidence that it will prevent, reduce, or cure it. While extremely difficult, chemotherapy has saved people's lives, so please don't write it off as an option. Good luck.
     
  5. #5 Galaxy420, Nov 8, 2015
    people are trying to avoid going to jail so even mentioning cannabis is not wise imo. their health problem will not amtter as much if they end up in a jail cell
     
  6. #6 muddymcphereson, Nov 8, 2015
    States obtain some funding to provide low income housing from the federal government. The OP's concern is that is medical use of marijuana with either prohibit him from obtaining said low income housing or worse, be arrested for the use of medical marijuana. Since he lives in Michigan, a medical marijuana state, as long as he is a registered medical marijuana user, there is likely a low chance of being arrested by the state of Michigan for marijuana possession. Unless someone can point to other cases, I'm skeptical that the DEA or FBI is going to go after a medical marijuana user with a serious medical condition living in low income housing unless they are really running afoul of federal law. I'm sure the OP isn't the first medical marijuana user in MI to wonder about whether using medical marijuana prohibits them from obtaining low income housing, and it is unclear if the OP has asked someone within the housing authority about this issue. You cannot be put into jail for asking.
     
  7. #7 Shenmue, Nov 15, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 28, 2015
    Suspicious.
    It is stated in the lease contract, it was said by the manager while I was doing paperwork (one of the first things she said), it's in the rules book, they printed out a separate/extra sheet for it, other employees have talked about how it's not allowed, maintenance explained how they support eviction over it & had a big evil smile on their face, and recently there was a marijuana scent in the hallway which was quickly followed up by a warning notice about eviction. I don't see why I would be asking if it wasn't forbidden and I'm pretty sure I would know since I live here. As my post said, even if possession was allowed - it's a smoke free building and public use is illegal, so it's a deadend. The paperwork even says that they won't offer shelter to anyone who uses it in any way shape or form.


    I live in an extremely conservative neighborhood with confederate flags and jesus bumper stickers everywhere. No one is friendly. Mid-Michigan is rated as one of the most racist parts of the country and Michigan was recently ranked as the lowest integrity in America.


    I contacted the MPP themselves about my situation. They said that I wasn't the first person to contact them about federal housing and medical marijuana. I contacted my senator about it - he just sent me a generic letter back saying how MI Legalize was putting in efforts for state legislation, even though my letter clearly stated that it wouldn't help me at all.


     
  8. #8 muddymcphereson, Nov 16, 2015
    Shenmue, thanks for the clarification. This is really a catch-22. Apartments want to be "smoke free", which does make public health since when we are talking about tobacco, but at the same time, medical marijuana users cannot simply go outside to smoke out in public because it's against the law. It's also about money. States need the federal money for public housing, to feds, any type of marijuana is still considered illegal, and thus states do not want to jeopardize losing the money by explicitly welcoming medical marijuana users with open arms.


    However, I found this FAQ put out by the MSU College of Law that specifically addresses your issue: https://www.law.msu.edu/clinics/rhc/Med_Marijuana_...
    They basically indicate that the local public housing authority can, but is not required, to evict someone for using medical marijuana. This means that policies may differ from place to place. If you live in conservative areas of Michigan (basically everything outside Detroit, East Lansing, and Ann Arbor), then they may strictly enforce anti-medical marijuana policies. Relocation may not be financially practical for you, but your best best for finding medical marijuana-friendly places would be in Ann Arbor.


    Again, if relocation is not possible, connecting with other local individuals in your situation may be your best recourse. If you haven't already tried, posting to http://michiganmedicalmarijuana.org/ might help. Contacting your MI congressional representatives about the issue is important, but limited if there is not a spotlight on the issue. This means writing to the media, but you'll have to decide whether you want to bring such attention upon yourself.
     
  9. #9 Shenmue, Nov 17, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 17, 2015
    It would be nice to move. I could afford it. But I don't drive, there's no moving companies in the area, there's probably a waiting list so I'd need another place to stay for a bit... I just wouldn't know how. I have no friends in the area since I'm new here. Most importantly... since it's just a "maybe" for getting away with it elsewhere, it's not worth the risk, IMO. I finally have a place to live with no other options and if I move over just a small possibility of using MM, it might turn out that I can't use it and I'd be stuck somewhere else in the exact same position. I'm not moving just for a maybe - even though I don't have the resources. It would be nice though, since I quickly caught on to news articles that Ann Arbor was very open minded. I guess I'm stuck with hoping that the federal law changes and sticking to vaping, which is still probably a risk. As for that other website, I posted to it, this, and 2 other forums at the exact same time - and MMM website is being the most helpful. Thank you for your post.
     
  10. #10 WeedCat, Nov 18, 2015
    Isn't there a place you can ditch out to have a puff where no one can smell it? What's wrong with vaping and edibles? It's a real drag that you've been through so much. I'm so sorry. And it adds insult to injury how you can't take care of your problems without the fear of being kicked out. Hang in there as things are changing. I would see if there is some sort of meet up in your area and perhaps you may be able to find someone cannabis friendly that will rent out part of their house to you. Start typing in your area + medical cannabis and see what comes up on google. You might find some allies that will get you in a better situation. Good luck to you and good luck with your healing.
     
  11. #11 Shenmue, Nov 19, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 19, 2015
    Finding a place to sneak a toke was on my mind more than anything at first - more than the excitement of having my own place for the first time ever. I couldn't find anywhere. I'm from the Chicago suburbs and being in the middle of no where was a huge change for me. I'm used to overpopulation and no secret areas away from public/police. I thought a tiny population would have a lot of spots away from others - I went biking for a 8-10 mile radius and EVERYTHING is private property.


    Most importantly though, to answer your vaping question - I know for a fact that the scent of the buds alone will travel to the hallway. It's too risky. When I was living with my roommate, I was in the basement and they told me to smoke in the garage - they said the smell of me opening the jars was traveling all the way upstairs. Eventually, they told me to just go ahead and smoke in the bathroom with the window open and fan on - the scent traveled all the way to the second floor. As for edibles, I've tried them a few times in the past and never once have I felt any effects from them. Maybe I'm making them wrong but the dispensaries can't legally sell edibles, so I'm out of luck there - plus, with my medical problems, there is very little that I can eat. Or maybe I felt nothing because of my malabsorption/malnutrition. Either way, it's still a possession risk, even if I figured something out.


    I think my only hope is to stop being so quiet and try to make friends. Still, that alone is a risk - trusting a stranger with the knowledge of me breaking a lease contract. Thank you though - I appreciate your post. I'm probably just going to wait/hope for federal law to change.
     

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