Past Marijuana Use Questions

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Jake222

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Hello, thank you in advance for any insights into topic.
I am interested in getting my 1st class medical in the USA. To start off clearly, I understand and agree that flying and marijuana do NOT go together and are not acceptable in any circumstance. I do not use marijuana anymore. However, in high school I got a medical marijuana card for some bs reason (I think I said it helps me fall asleep). It was through a website where you pay like $75 for a phone consultation that lasted no more than 5 mins. At the end of that conversation the doctor was like ok you can have a med card (they only make money if they approve you, so I think essentially everyone who asked got one). I have not renewed the med card and it expired more than 2 years ago. Is this something to be concerned about for the purposes of getting approved for a FAA medical? Since it was over 2 years ago and wasn’t tied to a diagnosis of concern, I’m hoping that it is fine and I can answer “no” to question 18 on the application. Additionally, around this time I told my primary doctor during an annual checkup that I smoke weed on occasion. As mentioned before I have since stopped smoking weed and no longer consume cannabis in any form. However, I don’t believe that ever told my doctor that I stopped. Would either of these (having a med card in the past, and my primary care doctor knowing of my use) prevent me from answering “no” to question 18 on the med express form related to substance dependence and abuse.
 
Schedule a consultation, not an exam, with an AME and discuss this. Here's what 18(n) says:

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The fact that you had a marijuana card, and told some story to a doctor to get a diagnosis justifying the card, might be considered an indication that you had substance dependence. Substance dependence is "ever in your life," not just two years.

Many people have used marijuana in the past and have managed to get an FAA medical, so it's not a show-stopper, but you might have some hoops to go through. If @bbchien joins the thread, he can provide details and some advice.
 
Half Fast said:
Schedule a consultation, not an exam, with an AME and discuss this. Here's what 18(n) says:


The fact that you had a marijuana card, and told some story to a doctor to get a diagnosis justifying the card, might be considered an indication that you had substance dependence. Substance dependence is "ever in your life," not just two years.

Many people have used marijuana in the past and have managed to get an FAA medical, so it's not a show-stopper, but you might have some hoops to go through. If @bbchien joins the thread, he can provide details and some advice.
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This is more of a disclosure question. OP, you'll have to disclose your diagnosis and any substance abuse or dependence. The FAA has it's own definition of dependence.

“Substance dependence” means a condition in which a person is dependent on a
substance other than tobacco or ordinary xanthine containing (e.g., caffeine)
beverages, as evidence by:
A. Increased tolerance;
B. Manifestation of withdrawal symptoms;
C. Impaired control of use; or
D. Continued use despite damage to physical health or impairment of social,
personal, or occupational functioning.
 
This seems more a nothing burger to me. You got a silly card off an internet site. Maybe I want to get a goofy card of some sort, they sell ‘concealed carry’ badges, mean nothing. I could buy a fishing license & not go fishing.

I was never into MJ, plenty were in their younger years, 1st class medical now. Even look at the question mentioned above, don’t see any reason the card alone has you checking ‘yes’. Now if you have a trail, could be more of an issue.

Say a guy went to a party years ago, got ‘hammered’. There was no driving, no police involved, no hospital visits. Does this individual have to self disclose, after all, drank more than he should have? I guess if you want to complicate your life, you could. OBTW, my example was more of a one-off, not a repeating pattern.
 
sourdough44 said:
This seems more a nothing burger to me. You got a silly card off an internet site. Maybe I want to get a goofy card of some sort, they sell ‘concealed carry’ badges, mean nothing.
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That goofy CC badge doesn't require a diagnosis from a licensed physician, and it doesn't require that you use a prescription at a pharmacy to buy your ammo. There may well be a diagnosis and Rx in this guy's permanent medical records. That makes it a bit more than a nothing burger, and it's worth a discussion with an AME.
 
I read where it started & ended with the card off the net, nothing ‘local’. Some States have various levels of legal mj, medical or recreational. Say one dabbled 3 years ago, never any trouble with the law, not using now. I just don’t see it as a big deal. I’m not talking like a ‘Chechen & Chong’ level of use, a handful of times.

Again, I was never interest myself. I also don’t think there’s a major, central clearing house with one’s medical records. I’m not saying to lie, just not interested with entanglements that are difficult to straighten out. I know some that have offered up extraneous tidbits that wasn’t necessary, took over 6 months with trips to OKC to iron out.
 
sourdough44 said:
I also don’t think there’s a major, central clearing house with one’s medical records.
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I believe the pharmacy records are in a database, or several, that can be accessed. I don't know anything about how the MJ cards are issued or controlled or what info goes to the state.

And you know those forms you sign for every doctor that say "We may share your data with the following:...?" It's impossible to know where your medical info may pop up. I sure wouldn't trust a pot doc not to sell my info all over the place.
 
Jake222 said:
Hello, thank you in advance for any insights into topic.
I am interested in getting my 1st class medical in the USA. To start off clearly, I understand and agree that flying and marijuana do NOT go together and are not acceptable in any circumstance. I do not use marijuana anymore. However, in high school I got a medical marijuana card for some bs reason (I think I said it helps me fall asleep). It was through a website where you pay like $75 for a phone consultation that lasted no more than 5 mins. At the end of that conversation the doctor was like ok you can have a med card (they only make money if they approve you, so I think essentially everyone who asked got one). I have not renewed the med card and it expired more than 2 years ago. Is this something to be concerned about for the purposes of getting approved for a FAA medical? Since it was over 2 years ago and wasn’t tied to a diagnosis of concern, I’m hoping that it is fine and I can answer “no” to question 18 on the application. Additionally, around this time I told my primary doctor during an annual checkup that I smoke weed on occasion. As mentioned before I have since stopped smoking weed and no longer consume cannabis in any form. However, I don’t believe that ever told my doctor that I stopped. Would either of these (having a med card in the past, and my primary care doctor knowing of my use) prevent me from answering “no” to question 18 on the med express form related to substance dependence and abuse.
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There are a few puritan types here, so gotta scroll past that.

The big issue is where it’s documented and if you ever used insurance for any of this.

If you didn’t use insurance and it’s not documented outside of the weed “doctors” home filing cabinet, it never happened and you never touched the devils lettuce.

The issue is your odd proclivity to talk about weed use (a federal crime) with randoms who document things. I think your issue may be with the other doctor you randomly pontificated about your smoking habits, I’d look into if he documented that in your records.

One thing to remember with the medical INDUSTRY is it is a INDUSTRY and they typically only get paid if they DIAGNOSE you with something

Posting anonymous for obvious reasons
 
Jake222 said:
Hello, thank you in advance for any insights into topic.
I am interested in getting my 1st class medical in the USA. …..
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So many questions.

1. This is an interesting line to open with. Do you currently hold or have ever held a medical certificate and/or pilot certificate in any country?

Jake222 said:
… At the end of that conversation the doctor was like ok you can have a med card….
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What was the diagnosis provided by the medical professional?

Jake222 said:
…Since it was over 2 years ago and wasn’t tied to a diagnosis of concern, I’m hoping that it is fine and I can answer “no” to question 18 on the application.
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Hope is not a strategy.

Jake222 said:
…Additionally, around this time I told my primary doctor during an annual checkup that I smoke weed on occasion. …
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Depending on what is in the medical record, this may become significant.

Jake222 said:
…Would either of these (having a med card in the past, and my primary care doctor knowing of my use) prevent me from answering “no” to question 18 on the med express form related to substance dependence and abuse.
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Possibly. You need a consult with a knowledgable AME who can reveiw all your records, not just what you want to share with them. You should not fill out a MedXpress application until after that consult and you are certain of the steps required for your record to be certified and approved.
 
Jake222 said:
I have not renewed the med card and it expired more than 2 years ago. Is this something to be concerned about for the purposes of getting approved for a FAA medical? Since it was over 2 years ago and wasn’t tied to a diagnosis of concern, I’m hoping that it is fine and I can answer “no” to question 18 on the application.
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I would say that is correct, unless your "diagnosis" would require a yes response to one of the other #18 questions.

Each state has different rules, but around here, so I'm told, the pot docs don't take insurance so they aren't tied into that massive medical recordkeeping system, and the weed is sold in "dispensaries", not "pharmacies", so again they're not in that system.
Jake222 said:
Additionally, around this time I told my primary doctor during an annual checkup that I smoke weed on occasion.
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That, OTOH, may result in something being in the "system" if the doc felt it important enough to write it down. However, it doesn't change your answer to question 18. The risk is if your medical record ends up being reviewed by the FAA for any other reason (for example, needing a special issuance for some other reason, or an accident involving medical incapitation), then they may ask you about it and make life difficult for you by making you "prove" that you're not a deranged drug addict.
 
Half Fast said:
I believe the pharmacy records are in a database, or several, that can be accessed. I don't know anything about how the MJ cards are issued or controlled or what info goes to the state.

And you know those forms you sign for every doctor that say "We may share your data with the following:...?" It's impossible to know where your medical info may pop up. I sure wouldn't trust a pot doc not to sell my info all over the place.
Click to expand...
In Louisiana, and the 36 other states/military/Puerto Rico/D.C. with pharmacy record search reciprocity, prescribed marijuana/derivatives are entered into the searchable database. I have access for at least the last 6 years at the entry of first and last name and DOB. Easily discoverable, however, if past 2 years and the diagnosis was insomnia, it may not be a huge stumbling block. On the other hand, the federal gubment still considers marijuana, in any form, an illicit substance...so there is that. Paging Dr. Chien, white courtesy telephone, please.
 
Just having used a drug doesn't make it abuse. The FAA only puts a two year hold on prior marijuana use unless you demostrated some signs (arrest, use while driving/flying, ending up in the hospital as a result, etc....).
 
FYI for all the folks who have had to do the whizz quiz as part of their work. The test will not differentiate between the various types of cannabis.

THC, CBD, CBN, CBG all test positive
 
rockyfatcat said:
FYI for all the folks who have had to do the whizz quiz as part of their work. The test will not differentiate between the various types of cannabis.

THC, CBD, CBN, CBG all test positive
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When they asked about my positive opioid test, I blamed it on the poppy seeds on my bagel.
When they asked about the indication of cannabinoids and amphetamines, I said it was an everything bagel.
 
flyingron said:
When they asked about my positive opioid test, I blamed it on the poppy seeds on my bagel.
When they asked about the indication of cannabinoids and amphetamines, I said it was an everything bagel.
Click to expand...

Accompanied by a vodka xanax mocha latte grande, no doubt.
 
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