Jack R.
Posted
An encouraging first experience with online recommendations
I have always been opposed to the places that validate the criticisms of medical cannabis - that is, that it's just a 'front' for recreational use and there's no such thing in reality. For this reason I've always preferred to drive in person to see a doctor and to see one who takes his or her time to actually examine me or at least review my paperwork. In short, someone who seems to genuinely consider whether or not I have a medical need for the recommendation rather than simply taking my money and giving me a rubber stamp. But this year, when I needed to renew, I found myself without a car and unable to do what I usually do. So I did some research and discovered that it was possible to get a recommendation online. I was worried I would be supporting the sort of service I do not agree with - especially with Prop 64 passed, there should be no need for those shadier services anymore, and those of us with real medical need should be treated as such. I was positively surprised in working with HelloMD. I was required to not only fill out information about my medical issues/history and how cannabis helps, but there was also a video interview. I didn't feel rushed or hurried along, and I didn't feel like my answers were irrelevant (that is, that I would have gotten a recommendation no matter what I said). I felt like I was being genuinely considered and examined, as much as a webcam conference allows, at least. The format is still not my ideal, on the whole, but it was definitely a much better experience than I expected. I felt like a patient getting a quick off-site checkup rather than like a drug user going through some red tape to get my fix, and to me that is important. Thank you.