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Clinic Provides 'Pot Permits' for Pain

Stacy Loe kgmb9.com

Honolulu, HI Sept 7, 2005 -- A new clinic opened its doors in Honolulu today, but at this facility, patients can only get one thing: a permit for medical marijuana. It was a busy first day as doctors at the clinic saw several dozen people, all hoping to get relief from their chronic pain with pot.

"The marijuana, if I do it before I go to bed, I'll sleep like a baby and then I'll feel fresh," said Frank Abrue, who has a degenerative disc disease. "I won't wake up in the middle of the night with pain."

Patients like Abrue say they've waited a long time for this clinic to open.

At the clinic, Abrue goes through a series of interviews - first with an advisor, then a nurse and finally a doctor. Several hours later, Abrue is approved. He will get a permit and will finally be able to use marijuana legally. Abrue can't wait.

"[I feel] like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulder, like I don't have to look over my shoulder more and worry about prosecution," he said.

Medical marijuana was legalized in 2000, but until now it was difficult to get a permit. Workers at the clinic say only one out of every 25 doctors in the state would recommend a permit.

The permit allows each person to grow up to seven marijuana plants, but there's a catch. By law, doctors can't tell the patients where to get the weed.

"I cannot write prescriptions, I can't give them cannabis," said clinic physician Thomas Orvald. "I wouldn't ever know where to get the cannabis myself, but there are sources."

Some patients go online and buy marijuana seeds on the Web.

Kai Kingsley has already shopped for seeds on the Internet. When KGMB9 asked Kingsley where to get seeds, he replied: "Everything is illegal, including seeds, so basically friends have to give them to you. You can buy them online as well."

Patients must prove they have severe chronic pain to get a permit. The permit is valid for one year only then patients must reapply.