Is Pot the New Wonder Drug?
An Interview with A Compassionate MD
in our Neighborhood,
or How to Get your Medical
Marijuana Recommendation and
Start Growing your Own
Health!
by erica snowlake
Proudly displayed on the wall of my room is
my brand new authenticated Health and Safety Code MD Statement, hereby declaring
my right to use medical marijuana for, specifically, migraines and insomnia.
Signed and duly authorized by a State of California licensed physician, good for
one year, it’s all simple, clear, nifty and 100% CALIFORNIA LEGAL!!!
I can now visit any one of hundreds of
diverse medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles and buy the absolute
best organic cannabis on the market over the counter, with full knowing and
loving intention and protection under the Law, (Nature’s first and
Human’s second, with a prayer the two shall twain o’er a Hempen
braid of time).
I can also legally
grow and joyfully caretake six mature and six immature plants to enhance my
Being, stimulate my intelligence, sexuality, and cre8tivity, cure my dis-ease,
spiritually and playfully fortify my friendships, and SO CAN YOU!!!!!
“One in five hospital emergency
admissions are folks undergoing terrifying adverse reactions to pharmaceutical
medications.” My esteemed doctor and newly-formed friend Allan Frankel
dispenses this eye-opening nugget of revelation inside his cozy office on
Washington Blvd under the auspices of his practice, Green Bridge Medical
Services.
Beachhead: Name your
passions, Dr. Frankel!
Dr. Frankel: My
three kids, having fun, and merging medicine and technology. I was born in
‘51, grew up in the heat of the 60’s movement. Spiritually and
emotionally I’ve always been a hippie, a hemorrhaging liberal, and a bit
of a med school nerd. Today I’m first and foremost an Internal Medicine
Physician and have been practicing medicine thirty years. I can tell you this
about marijuana - why it’s illegal is
disturbing.
Beachhead: When did you first see
the Light?
Dr. Frankel: In 1996 I
started writing prescriptions for my patients who needed it. At the time
dispensaries were federally run, hydroponically grown marijuana was going for
$30 an ounce, and my patients expressed their gratitude by bringing me
gifts.......
Beachhead: What are the
common ailments and symptoms alleviated medically by
marijuana?
Dr. Frankel: Name the reasons
people need to take a drink, and we’ll just start there. Of course it gets
its due for healing and managing serious, life-threatening illnesses as well as
everything in between.
Beachhead:
Chronic pain, depression, anxiety, arthritis, insomnia, migraines, eating
disorders, cancer, aids, are a few of the boxes to tick on the online
registration form it took five minutes to fill out as the computer snapped my
certificate pic in the reception
room.
Dr. Frankel: When I realized what
an amazing herb/medicine marijuana is, I wanted to become fully involved in
helping make a difference. I thought perhaps I would be politically involved,
but I didn’t have the patience for that slow and arduous process of
change. I wanted to bridge all kinds of people together, so I decided to open a
clinic, especially co-functioning as a database enterprise to help
statistically/ scientifically unite the
movement.
Beachhead: The good doctor is
wearing a t-shirt with the insignia Chartscape on
it......
Dr. Frankel:
That’s our software company, HOMEGROWN NETWORK, specializing in
Electronic Medical Records Systems. I invented the language and designed the
software program. Now we’ve got SAS, Software as a Service. Instead of
doctors keeping shoddy medical records, lost, gathering dust, or never seen
again, we’ve created an online filing system of medical records, still
strictly confidential, of course, yet providing important information
cross-referenced and complied as ammo in our ongoing presentation/research for
the medical marijuana
movement.
Beachhead: SuperKushy
benefits, I’m sure!
Dr. Frankel:
We are already showing a far better outcome than everyone’s assuming
- medical marijuana use is spread all across the board in socio-economic
factors. That means it’s benefitting and becoming widely accepted and
accessible to everyone from all segments of the population. Plus there’s a
major glitch in the current system of getting your recommendation we’re
currently resolving with the software - when a patient armed with a
recommendation visits the dispensary for the first time, the dispensary security
checks in by phoning the doctor to verify. Good in theory, but doctors and
dispensaries tend to have peak hours operating at odds, and many people return
home disappointed after their first highly anticipated visit/purchase if the
doctor isn’t IN! Contrast that unfortunate experience with a beautiful
recommendation shining on a secure website et voila! - you’re in every
time! I personally will see to it that all practicing doctors receive this
software. Winning stats are already rolling in - 85% of patients respond they
were unsatisfied with their prior care and are now way happier on marijuana.
Plus software records are a great tool helping us coordinate feedback on what
types of strains and blends specifically help treat certain
symptoms/illnesses.
Beachhead: Is all
California simpatico, or as we say in Canada - compassionate? ( the writer
having been part of a collective opening a Compassion Club on the B.C Coast
including outspoken U.S. citizen and medical pot refugee
now-free-of-all-charges! faerie flower mama Renee
Boje).
Dr. Frankel: We are especially
lucky in Southern California. Other places require along with the
recommendation, a County-granted license costing upwards of $250, (the medical
recommendation goes from $150 to $175 on average). In Los Angeles many cities
have low-prioritized marijuana in the penal code to where possession of under an
ounce is merely a discretionary fine. Patient demand for doctors issuing
recommendations can’t keep up with patient’s needs, so I’ve
opened this center ( 3007 Washington Blvd Suite 110), 3 1/2 weeks ago and a new
one on 1811 Ocean Front Walk just nine days ago. I’m seeing upwards of 20
patients a day and some are in crucial need of pain relief from debilitating
illnesses. The software is compiling built-in clinical trials, I’m finding
we need more dedicated chemists out there working on super potent extractions of
THC into elixirs, oils, sprays, patches, suppositories, you name it, be an
angel, go out there and perfect it! Dying patients can’t effectively
smoke, and muffins and brownies just don’t cut it for them.
Beachhead: Let’s talk about kids
- say teenagers to people in their early twenties who may come in for a
recommendation.
Dr. Frankel: They are
my biggest dilemma. I counsel them on function and balance within their lives -
they are still growing and creating their live’s opportunities.... My
advice is for them to take a moment to identify where marijuana use helps them,
and to be honest about where it hurts. In my own experience I’ve achieved
a broadening of the “box” as well as a higher level of focus using
marijuana to selectively alter my mind, to look at my life’s challenges
creatively from a different angle. However, if you are twenty and marijuana is
your only angle......... Beware parents, however, zero tolerance is not the
answer and will only serve to alienate our kids.
Beachhead: Zero tolerance sounds like
a fanatic religion stemming from the present
administration!
Dr. Frankel: The irony
of the phrase “drug doctor” is the real adverse side effect galore
drugs most doctors prescribe originate from pressure from the pharmaceutical
drug cartel lobbyists, we are talking big bucks here....!!! By the way, I was a
Conscientious Objector to the Viet Nam War, and I hope kids will take the lead
preparing themselves to not being drafted into this or any
War.
Beachhead: While Flor is
processing my recommendation, which, among other things, I hope will alleviate
the excruciating sinus pressure in my temples when the Santa Ana winds blow
in, I get a chance to chat with two of Dr. F’s patients, Michael and Will,
about the distinct mouth-watering features of several of the dispensaries in the
area, (there’s three on Lincoln near Rose, one in the doctor’s
building, one on the boardwalk, and more popping up overnight). Michael reveals
he’s in the industry, suffered a herniated disc, undergoing horrible back
pain, been miserably addicted to Vicodin for four months, and is desperate to
use marijuana to manage the pain and sleepless nights. However, he’s
afraid random drug tests in his field might jeopardize his career. He confides
the recommendation is worth paying whatever it takes to ensure him physical and
mental relief. He’s stoked his responsible use will be protected by Law.
Beachhead: What about your protection, Dr.
Frankel?
Dr. Frankel: Physicians and
patients are in a very solid position with State and Federal laws. The
dispensaries have some issues with Feds but these are little more than illegal
raids confiscating the kindness and the contents of the ATM machine. I am in
support of the 9% sales tax, (though most of our misguided tax dollars are
appropriated to wage the War). When the government sees how fast and fat the
coffers are filled, they will all rally pro-medical marijuana. 14 states have
now legalized it, and more are coming on strong. If I am seen as aiding and
abetting this Heavensent, I can assure you it feels good on every
level!
Beachhead: Have you ever grown?
I’m looking forward to singing and communing with my elven sisters again
soon.
Dr. Frankel: I am for the first
time, and praying the seeds are
female!
Beachhead: She’s one of
the most beautiful, delectable, irresistible, crystalline Goddesses ever to
hitch a ride on a comet destination Holy Gaea Land. Let’s partake, if you
will, of your ideal vision for medical
marijuana.
Dr. Frankel: I would like to
see doctors, all doctors in every capacity, stand up for this recently released
5,000-year-old medication. I encourage patients to seek alternate medical
practices in conjunction with western medicine. Our clinic features an
acupuncturist, a dear friend I’ve worked closely with many years.
We’d appreciate a blessing from the HIghest States of Government,
acceptance from the medical community, and an end to the prosecution and
persecution of medical
marijuana.
Beachhead: Thank-you! Amen,
or I mean Ahem.....always a pleasure, Dr. Frankel.! Prospective patients out
there - mention the Beachhead sent you and receive a discount from the doctor.
Call Dr. Frankel at 821-9600.
COMING IN
JUNE:
INSIDE THE
DISPENSARIES!!!
Posted: Tue - May 1, 2007 at 01:13 PM