New Cargiver with a few Questions

[jdbgrowing]

I posted this on the MMMA site and didn't get much of a response.

I am newly appointed primary caregiver for 1 patient. I am not currently a patient myself, but plan to apply in the near future. I will be taking new patients over the next couple months. While I understand that due to the nature of this process the entire community continues to fall into areas of gray. With that said I have a few questions I hope to get answered here.

1) What documentation, if any, do you require your patients to sign if they designate you as their primary caregiver? I was looking at this more from a safety standpoint. If I have a patient that does not take their 2.5 ounces of usable meds and they put me in an overage situation time after time can I remove them as a patient? Would a document signed at the beginning of the relationship stating that either of us can "opt out" of the relationship at any time with appropriate notice be acceptable? If anyone has a template for this would you be willing to share it?

2) I plan to log each patients plants, their strains, a log of when and how much medicine they were given. They will get bags or pill bottles with a label showing their name, patient id #, amount enclosed and a not for resale statement listed on each package. Should I consider anything else here?

3) What, if anything, is listed in the laws about caregivers "testing" meds for quality? This is a serious question and I could not really find any information on the topic. This is a case where I am not a patient yet?

4) Has anyone informed DTE that they are registered caregiver to avoid questions about increased usage? I have read that DTE has a policy where you can inform them you are a registered caregiver to avoid any potential "red flagging" issues.

Thank you in advance for any help!

JD

 

[Howard Stern]

I know you have already thought of this but my advice to you would be to find a MMJ friendly attorney in your area and ask him all these questions. If it cost ya $150 bucks it is better than getting advice on here from people that don't really know the law. All our advice would be given on how we interpret the law and how it is written. I would find a good MMJ layer and have a sit-down with him/her and iron out all your concerns. 150-200 Bucks is way cheaper than what you would pay in court cost if you are doing shit the wrong way and forget a paper or some shit and the cops arrest you because they just want to find any reason to fuck with you.

 

[jdbgrowing]

Thank you for the reply. I am basically just seeking opinions here or looking for anyone that has solid answers to these questions.

 

[sheapdog420]

Howard is exactly right. Get an attorney. Everyone who isn't an attorney is just giving you their interpretation, and not what the law implies. But here we go:
1) Not a clue about overages. Me, I would find a real good place to hide them until I nedd to smoke them. A guy I know sells his overage to some dispensories, another poption for you.
2)Sounds like you got it covered. Maybe have them sign off on the amount delivered...not sure on this one.
3)I would test it cause who would know? But I think that technically it's the patients plant, you are just a grower who is receiving compensation for your time and bills.
4)I wouldn't tell them as long as you are comliant.

Again, these are my interpretations and in no way substitute for how the law is written, nor for it's intended implications.

 

[jdbgrowing]

So a call to a lawyer sounds wise. Does anyone have a template that they would share for use with their patients. I just want all my bases covered. I think this would be a great service an attorney with a high level of knowledge/understanding of the laws could provide. I am all for compassion, but if a patient begins to request free medicine or becomes belligerent I would really like the ability to drop them and have that ironed out before we start the caregiver/patient relationship.

 

[jdbgrowing]

I found this: http://www.michiganmedicalmarijuana.org/ccs_files/downloads/PatientCaregiverAgreement.pdf

It's pretty standard based loosely on our "interpretations" of the current laws. I am not an attorney, but think this might be good to utilize. Keep everyone's expectations inline from the beginning of the relationship to avoid confusion.

 

[RickWhite]

I posted this on the MMMA site and didn't get much of a response.

I am newly appointed primary caregiver for 1 patient. I am not currently a patient myself, but plan to apply in the near future. I will be taking new patients over the next couple months. While I understand that due to the nature of this process the entire community continues to fall into areas of gray. With that said I have a few questions I hope to get answered here.

1) What documentation, if any, do you require your patients to sign if they designate you as their primary caregiver? I was looking at this more from a safety standpoint. If I have a patient that does not take their 2.5 ounces of usable meds and they put me in an overage situation time after time can I remove them as a patient? Would a document signed at the beginning of the relationship stating that either of us can "opt out" of the relationship at any time with appropriate notice be acceptable? If anyone has a template for this would you be willing to share it?

2) I plan to log each patients plants, their strains, a log of when and how much medicine they were given. They will get bags or pill bottles with a label showing their name, patient id #, amount enclosed and a not for resale statement listed on each package. Should I consider anything else here?

3) What, if anything, is listed in the laws about caregivers "testing" meds for quality? This is a serious question and I could not really find any information on the topic. This is a case where I am not a patient yet?

4) Has anyone informed DTE that they are registered caregiver to avoid questions about increased usage? I have read that DTE has a policy where you can inform them you are a registered caregiver to avoid any potential "red flagging" issues.

Thank you in advance for any help!

JD

Stay off of the MMMA site. You will get nothing but bad advise. The site is there so a handful of people can make money. It is the worst, most dangerous MMJ site on the net.

None of that is necessary. Just don't produce overages if you are getting stuck with them. I would not advise DTE, and there is no regulation of MMJ quality. As far as the paper work - how are you a CG if you don't know what paper work to fill out.

Go to the MI dep of health website.

 

[jdbgrowing]

Rick I didn't come here to have my intelligence insulted. I just became a caregiver, thus the name of the Thread "New Caregiver" Obviously you have issues with the MMMA site. I could care less about your issues. These are valid questions to ME. Explain to me what great wisdom I should glean from your reply?

Let me address your response. As far as the quality of my medicine is concerned I want to ensure my patients get the best possible medicine. That is why I asked about sampling the medicine prior to providing a patient with it. How are YOU a caregiver if you don't care about the quality. I am making an assumption here since you so obviously made assumptions about me. I see nothing wrong with any of the questions I brought up. I am doing this legally for a handful of patients that I care about.

 

[skirulz]

I posted this on the MMMA site and didn't get much of a response.

I am newly appointed primary caregiver for 1 patient. I am not currently a patient myself, but plan to apply in the near future. I will be taking new patients over the next couple months. While I understand that due to the nature of this process the entire community continues to fall into areas of gray. With that said I have a few questions I hope to get answered here.

1) What documentation, if any, do you require your patients to sign if they designate you as their primary caregiver? I was looking at this more from a safety standpoint. If I have a patient that does not take their 2.5 ounces of usable meds and they put me in an overage situation time after time can I remove them as a patient? Would a document signed at the beginning of the relationship stating that either of us can "opt out" of the relationship at any time with appropriate notice be acceptable? If anyone has a template for this would you be willing to share it?

2) I plan to log each patients plants, their strains, a log of when and how much medicine they were given. They will get bags or pill bottles with a label showing their name, patient id #, amount enclosed and a not for resale statement listed on each package. Should I consider anything else here?

3) What, if anything, is listed in the laws about caregivers "testing" meds for quality? This is a serious question and I could not really find any information on the topic. This is a case where I am not a patient yet?

4) Has anyone informed DTE that they are registered caregiver to avoid questions about increased usage? I have read that DTE has a policy where you can inform them you are a registered caregiver to avoid any potential "red flagging" issues.

Thank you in advance for any help!

JD

1. I don't have anything in writing. I always discuss with them how much they're going to need, what their income level is (just to determine if they qualify with me for lower priced meds), who owns the genetics, what happens if we decide to terminate our relationship, if they'd like delivery, what strains work best for their ailment, etc.

2. I don't go that far, but it sounds like you've got a sound system there.

3. I couldn't find anything either. If you have a qualifying condition, you should at least get your recommendation, that way you have a little protection. Not much, but it's better than nothing. I wouldn't broadcast it that you're testing meds without a rec or a card, that way no one knows.

4. This is a touchy issue. I have been using lots of electricity for quite a while now and haven't had any problems. They're in the business of selling electricity, so as long as you're paying your bill, they couldn't care less what you're doing. As far as notifying Law enforcement, that's up to you. If you know your local PD aren't a bunch of jackbooted thugs, I'd say you'd be safe doing so. But there's always the chance that your info will fall into the wrong hands and you can put yourself at additional risk. Hire a lawyer and have him do some asking around about it with your local prosecutor, sheriff, chief, state police post commander, etc. That'll give you a better idea of how to proceed.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

 

[jdbgrowing]

Thanks, great feedback! I will not be contacting LEO. That information is all supposed to be "protected". We shall see how that unfolds in the coming years I guess. The main reason I was thinking about paperwork is it makes a nice clean break for either party, clearly stipulates pricing for each strain they may want and discusses how they will get their meds. I know a contract like this is most likely not really enforceable, but would probably hold up in civil court if anything ever got that far. Like I said before, just trying my best to be completely compliment to the law.

 

[motownklown]

jdb, i was in touch with matt able, he is the pot attorney to have in michigan. he is a little far from you (hes downtown detroit) he will answer your questions. the question i have is how are you a caregiver without being a patient first?

 

[skirulz]

jdb, i was in touch with matt able, he is the pot attorney to have in michigan. he is a little far from you (hes downtown detroit) he will answer your questions. the question i have is how are you a caregiver without being a patient first?

You can be a Cg without being a patient. A patient has to name you and you have to fill out all the relevant forms, etc.

 

[jdbgrowing]

You don't have to be a patient to be a caregiver. I am setting my doctor appointment this week after my doctor just approved MMJ for me this morning. Unfortunately for me it wasn't until after he stuck a 3 inch needle full of steroids and other stuff that he agreed to it. So odd, he won't sign the form, but is willing to call the MMJ doc and tell him that he approves it for me.

Motown...thanks for the name. My office is in Detroit so it's not a far drive at all.

 

[Kruzty]

I use the same contract as posted earlier. This way if they move on to someone else then both you and them know what happens when they change. Like who gets the plants ? how big when they get them as ya dont want them packing 4ft tall plants out of yer house for all to see. This form came from the mmma site and seems some folks are mad for getting the boot I guess. Dont know, but do know you'll find alot of info there like this form. It's better to cover all your bases before ya wish ya had,,, hence the contract aggreement from the mmma website.