ODSP and Marijuana at 18 (Ontario)

emiiclare

New Member
Hey there,I'm 18 and I'm on ODSP for anxiety/depression/bipolar. I was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia and have been in so much pain that sometimes I can't walk. I am on percs and 24-hour tramacet/tramadol. It helps, but at night it's still just as bad. I also hate taking such heavy meds. I have tried marijuana before for recreation, but I found it makes me kinda down for the next few days after. Apparently you need to smoke it everyday to not get that? As you can see, I don't know much about it. I do know it helped my pain so much when I tried it, that when I was high all I could talk about is how I felt so painless. I do know you can get marijuana cards on ODSP and I was wondering how easy they are to get. I have a psychiatrist who counts as a physician that might fill out a form if he knew it would help me. I was reading all these posts about suing ODSP and getting charged 1000s because they weren't covered. Basically I'm asking any general tips about it (I know how to actually smoke it and all that, but I mean the physical and physiological side-effects from experience) AND if it's pretty simple to get on ODSP if you have a doctor who has known you for 8 years to sign the forms. If not, what are the hitches?THANK YOU!
 

sunni

Administrator
Staff member
i would suggest if it makes you feel down not to use it. it sounds like it does not help you much mentally , which is never a good thing.
Ontop of that but youre going to have a REALLY hard time convincing someone to get medical mj at 18 years old, unless youre on your death bed. I am almost positive they will decline you, because if it makes you feel down after you smoke it, theyre not going to prescribe it to someone with mental disabilities such as depression, bipolar and anxiety. That doesnt make sense to me AT ALL
I wish you the best you can always try , but I would suggest not to, mental disabilities are not something to muck around with ,

I will give you the advice i give everyone, there is no 1 cure drug or mj that can take away all your pain , you need to work for it, with diet, exercise, and other mental challenges that will help you with your anexity, depression and bipolar. You need to give your body what it needs, there are plenty of people who have made their lives easier not just with mj but with proper food intake nutrients, and exercise
 

emiiclare

New Member
Thank you for the info. It isn't easy... It's hard to find pain relief that won't screw up the mental health piece. Does it really make you even more down? :/ Does ODSP cover it easily in general if your doctor gives the OK?
 

sunni

Administrator
Staff member
Thank you for the info. It isn't easy... It's hard to find pain relief that won't screw up the mental health piece. Does it really make you even more down? :/ Does ODSP cover it easily in general if your doctor gives the OK?
Well you said it causes you to feel down even more when you smoke mj, so i would suggest not to do it. MJ can effect people with mental problems pretty badly it is generally NOT prescribed for people with psychological disorders such as bipolar, or schizophrenia or anxiety
However again I highly doubt anyone will prescribe it for you, considering your age alone . ODSP is a pain in the ass to get, and to get them to cover anything for you, you will be paying out of pocket a long time if you get it, and than you will probably have to fight for them to pay it for you, my mother is on ODSP but it took her 5 years of fighting with the government to stop denying her, she had to get a lawyer to appeal her case for them to give her ODSP, its been 5 YEARS and she STILL hasnt received payment from them.
 

emiiclare

New Member
I'm already on ODSP (luckily)! I have heard horror stories like that though, sorry to hear that. Do you know about marijuana coverage once you're on ODSP? I know I probably can't get it prescribed, but I don't want to start trying if they can deny it even with the proper forms or something. I have known this doctor for a long time and I don't really want to ask him to prescribe it unless I know that if he says yes that it will be more or less guaranteed they'll cover it. Thank you :)
 

sunni

Administrator
Staff member
I'm already on ODSP (luckily)! I have heard horror stories like that though, sorry to hear that. Do you know about marijuana coverage once you're on ODSP? I know I probably can't get it prescribed, but I don't want to start trying if they can deny it even with the proper forms or something. I have known this doctor for a long time and I don't really want to ask him to prescribe it unless I know that if he says yes that it will be more or less guaranteed they'll cover it. Thank you :)
well heres what i found so far on the issue
https://www.rollitup.org/canadian-patients/325691-canadian-medical-marijuana-patients-growers-7.html

it looks like you'll have to fight it because it is not covered
http://www.toronto420.com/28sep05_expensive_pot.html
http://forums.cannabisculture.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1705423
http://medicalmarijuana.ca/about-us/testimonials/michelle-story

you will even have to confirm that your doctor is able to prescribe/ give a referral for MJ not every doctor is licensed http://www.royalcollege.ca/portal/page/portal/rc/directory is a link you can check for his/her name
 

Narse

Member
Well you said it causes you to feel down even more when you smoke mj, so i would suggest not to do it. MJ can effect people with mental problems pretty badly it is generally NOT prescribed for people with psychological disorders such as bipolar, or schizophrenia or anxiety
However again I highly doubt anyone will prescribe it for you, considering your age alone . ODSP is a pain in the ass to get, and to get them to cover anything for you, you will be paying out of pocket a long time if you get it, and than you will probably have to fight for them to pay it for you, my mother is on ODSP but it took her 5 years of fighting with the government to stop denying her, she had to get a lawyer to appeal her case for them to give her ODSP, its been 5 YEARS and she STILL hasnt received payment from them.
When I went to get my Cannabis card I specifically stated I had Bipolar, and I wanted to use it to treat the depression and mania. It's actually done wonders for me Sunni. I used to take all kinds of prescription medication and it was hell, I will never take that stuff again. Weed helps me sleep when I get a state of mania and my mind is working on overdrive. I get times where I can go for days without feeling tired, The Cannabis really helps keep me level.
 

sunni

Administrator
Staff member
When I went to get my Cannabis card I specifically stated I had Bipolar, and I wanted to use it to treat the depression and mania. It's actually done wonders for me Sunni. I used to take all kinds of prescription medication and it was hell, I will never take that stuff again. Weed helps me sleep when I get a state of mania and my mind is working on overdrive. I get times where I can go for days without feeling tired, The Cannabis really helps keep me level.
I am so glad it worked for you, but it doesnt for everyone :( mental problems are just that the brain and everyone reacts differently the only reason i suggest her/him to stay away from MJ is because she specifically stated "it makes her feel down" so it doesnt work for her the way it does for you!
 

Whatstrain

Well-Known Member
I agree with you Sunni, If it didnt work before trying again and again and youll be finding the definition of insanity. That being said if you really are seeking a alternative medicine then maybe try a few different strains. Researching strains that treat you mental problems shouldn't be hard. Getting your hands on those strains here in Canada could be hard but maybe a trip to Washington/Colorado might help.
 
Top