Want a difference a state makes. DH and I moved from AZ to CA recently and I decided to get a medical marijuana card here.

I had first purchased a card in Arizona when it was legalized in Arizona about three years ago. It was costly but easily attainable. Obtaining product was more difficult. Plus I could not get the specific strains recommended for MS. Although I had granted seeds to a caretaker, it was just not convenient, easy or cheap. It was discouraging.

It cost $150 going to the state of AZ, $150 to a doctor. None of my regular doctors could write a script because they would be banned from practice in the local hospitals.

I also paid $200 to be in a "study" where MJ was to be delivered to my house on a regular basis which turned out to be not true. My caregiver would deliver only when I called and I had to take whatever product he would give.

I ended up going to other services. I even tried a compassion club but again, the choices were limited and costly.

And the buds were nice, it is not as if I had any basis of comparison.

That was then, this is now.

Once I had proof of residency, DH pursued finding the right resources to obtain a card. It cost $45 total and the doctor also wrote scripts of renewal for the following two years at $25 per year.

Cannabis is delivered to our apartment, no delivery charge. $60 minimum order.

I ordered Trainwreck. I had heard it is a good one for daytime use.

What struck me was the quality of the buds. I tried Trainwreck last night when watching television. Took only two draws, felt the effects within twenty minutes. Lasted about an hour or so.

It was no good for my insomnia. I did buy a strain that is supposed to work for sleep. I will try it in the next few days.

But so much easier than in Arizona. We also ordered a starter plant, only $10. Supposedly easy to grow, it is a weed after all!

I will update this as I continue my natural medical alternative experiment.

Glad your move made it easier and more affordable.

Illinois begins their pilot program in January. Rumors abound that it will be $$$$ for patients. We'll see...

I hope you find the right mix to make your life with MS easier
and less painful.

Let us know.

AZ makes it expensive to buy MJ affordable and legal.

The quality of the buds were so superior here in CA.

I tried Trainwreck while watching TV. I took three draws, it took about ten minutes for the effect to set in, wore off slowly after an hour. But the spasms abated during that time period so the MMJ did its job.

I tried a couple draws at 2AM that night and although I "felt" it, it did nothing for my chronic insomnia. Trainwreck is a sativa so it is not good for night sleeping.

I tried Stomper OG, an indica, at 2 AM last night. That worked well. I brushed my teeth, washed my hands, got back to bed and wham! Back to dreams.

I plan to keep with these two strains as a starting point. I want to see how long it takes me to use up my supply. That way, I can see if it is less expensive than the big pharma drugs.

The bonus is it is a mild mood elevator. I am looking to wean away from the antidepressant I am addicted to, no thank you very much to a damn psychiatrist pill pusher.

Aarcyn, do you have to smoke the kinds you've obtained or can you cook with them? Are they as effective when cooked or is smoking the preferred method to get the best effect?

As far as I know, it takes more to get the same effect with cooking and the effects are slower to come on...but maybe they last longer?

With love, Erika

I have tried edibles. Problem with it is twofold.

1. How much to eat for the correct amount. It may last longer but I have eaten too much and it is unpleasant.
2. Digestion Time varies depending on my calories for the day.

I have used a vaporizer. It uses a lot more product even though I was led to believe otherwise.

I have dexterity issues now so a pipe is difficult.

I use glycerin cones but also have rolled a joint.

It is not like smoking cigarettes. My lungs do not get inflamed like nicotine hurts the tissue. Smoking allows me the best control. I can take a couple of draws, wait fifteen minutes then decide if I need more.

Washington State approved mmj in 1998, and I got my recommendation from my gastro in 2006 (?) or thereabouts. I had only used a water pipe/bong (except in travel situations) and then discovered edibles. If you can purchase canna-butter and make your own -- and I will say it takes some trial and error and a good supplier of consistently potent butter -- edibles can deliver a body high that lasts up to twice as long once it sets in. However, many people eat too much impatient for it to take effect. For me it is anywhere from 1/2-2 hours before I feel it kick in. I will not drive an hour after ingesting, because it is not unusual to be shopping along at the mall and feel it kick in (a lifting feeling, and relaxing). I am a pretty good baker, and the last time I baked cookies, I gobbled a few too many . . . DO NOT DO THIS! In fact, at all times I let my partner know of my state, be it from mmj or other pain meds -- so she always knows what I have taken in case of an unrelated emergency.

In California you should be able to find some high quality tested edibles that you could experiment with for finding the right dosage for you. Here is a product that gives concentration levels and a little primer on use of edibles. I am a lightweight with edibles, and have found that approx 7 mg is a dose for me. Most recommend beginning with 10mg and waiting to see what the effects are. Edibles are best if you must travel with medicine, or are visiting friends or relatives who might frown on you "lighting up" in their home or around kids.

Concentrates have become a very popular way of dosing as well. The oil or wax concentrate is dabbed onto a heated "nail" on a rig similar to a bong, and what you inhale is devoid of smoke and ash from combusting leaves and stems. I find the effects longer lasting, but am still learning.

Some strains I have found useful, beside Trainwreck, are Super Silver Haze, said to have been developed for MS patients, Jack Herer (relieves stress), and Harlequin (great for pain - high in CBD's which work on inflammation.)

A website called Leafly is excellent for profiling different strains and telling you which local dispensaries carry it.