I am going to give you some basic guidelines to help you make the right decision.

1. Call the clinic first and ask them the following questions:

a.  Is the doctor going to physically be present or will I be speaking to a doctor over skype (computer) or phone?   The medical board of California states that to have a legal recommendation the initial consultation MUST be done in person, face to face.   There have been a plethora of clinics that are doing recommendations over skype for dirt cheap.  SAVE YOUR MONEY.  Local dispensaries know who these clinics/doctors are and do not accept their recommendations.   So essentially you just wasted your money and more importantly time.

b. Ask them for your fictitious name permit number?    Any clinics that advertises a name other than the doctors name requires this by law.    In order to obtain one they have to prove that the clinic ownership is a doctor.   In California, only a doctor can own a medical practice.   However what has happened is many dispensary owners and entrepreneurs have opened clinics with hopes of getting rich and just hire doctors to see patients.   This is ILLEGAL and considered a felony (look up “the corporate practice of medicine” and “aiding and abetting an illegal medical practice”)    Clinics that are NOT owned by doctors will not have a fictitious name permit.

c. Ask them if you can still get a recommendation if you do not have medical records with you?    By law, in order for a doctor to recommend medical marijuana, they must first verify that you have an accurate diagnosis.   Many of these clinics you can just walk in and say you have headaches and they will issue you a recommendation.   These clinics will come and go (they eventually get caught) and your recommendation is not valid.

d. Ask them where the nearest dispensary is?   If they tell you it is right next door than run for the hills screaming.  This is the obvious sign that the medical clinic is being run by the dispensary and is most likely an illegal medical practice.

e.  Ask them for the doctors name and medical license number?   You want to see a doctor whose license is in good standing with the medical board.   Many doctors who are issuing medical marijuana recommendations have suspended licenses and are just trying to make as much money until they ultimately lose their license.   You can go to the medical boards website and search for free.

2.  Call a few local dispensaries and ask them if they can recommend a reputable doctor in your area.   Most of the dispensaries know where the good clinics are and can give you non-biased feedback.

I hope that helps!

LASTLY, IF YOU ARE IN THE ORANGE COUNTY OR LONG BEACH AREA YOU CAN CERTAINLY MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE DR BREEN.   SIMPLY GIVE US A CALL AT 877-721-0047

** Photo of Dr Breen with an Iraqi Imam as they turn over their care and trust to the Americans**

Ali lost his Mother, Father, brother and 13 of his relatives when a stray American bomb struck his house.   Ali lost both his arms and had 3rd degree burns over the rest of his body.    60 minutes featured a story about Ali in 2007 and Dr Breen can be seen transporting him from an Iraqi hospital to awaiting  US Marine humvee ambulances at the 3:40-3:47 time mark of the interview.  He is dressed in camouflage with one of his Navy Corpsman trailing behind.

Below is the link to the story on 60 minutes:  it is inspirational and shows the human side of two waring countries.  Dr. Breen recalls as he was transporting Ali out of the hospital that he was being screamed at by hospital workers “you did this to him!” .   “It was a very intense situation” Dr Breen recalls.   “Outside the hospital there were thousands of people chanting God is great in Arabic and they were also parading another deceased Iraqi teenager through the streets.  I was just trying to let the local Iman know that despite the fact that our countries were at war, I am a fellow human being and would take care of Ali as if he were my son.  I do recall wanting to get the heck out of there as the crowds began to get pretty upset.  I remember them putting a camera in front of my face and waiting for me to say something to the world.    Not sure what to say I uttered the following: We agree to take Ali into our care and also into our hearts.”  Those words seemed to melt away any animosity and in the picture the Imam grabs Dr. Breen’s hands and thanks him.

From Dr. Breen: Often I think of that day and about Ali laying in bed scared to death of me.    I could not imagine how much courage it took for him to leave that hospital and get into a US Marine ambulance flanked by M19 grenade launchers.   I often think of how lucky we are as Americans to live in such a stable country with access to the best health care in the world.   It is only when we see how children in other countries that we truly appreciate what we have here.    One day I would like to meet with Ali and see him as an adult thriving in society.   I am honored that I took a small role in helping him back to safety and health.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=2796107n&tag=mncol;lst;1

Medical Marijuana benefits HIV+ and Aids patients in many ways:
1. It reduces the pain associated with peripheral neuropathy that often accompanies the disease.
2. It stimulates the appetite and combats Aids wasting syndrome.
3. it reduces nausea and other gastrointestinal side effects associated with the medications used to treat HIV.
4. It helps HIV patients sleep.
5. It reduces HIV/Aids patients need for anti-anxiety medications. Many HIV+ patients have significant anxiety associated with their disease and are prescribed benzodiazepine drugs like xanax (alprazolam) and valium (diazepam).

Treating HIV+ patients with medical marijuana has been extremely rewarding as my patients get excellent results and are very grateful.

I encourage all HIV+ patients to consider using medical marijuana to treat the above symptoms and have an open conversation with their doctor.

If you have questions or would like to come in for an appointment feel free to give my office a call at 877-721-0047.

Be blessed,

His office is conveniently located by the John Wayne Airport at the Sky Park Plaza:  17910 Sky Park Circle Suite 108, Irvine CA 92614

Dr. Breen’s passion for medical marijuana was rooted in an unfortunate family tragedy . In 2000, while still in medical school, his uncle Gerard Breen died of lung cancer at the age of 44.    It was during that time, while taking care of his uncle, that the conversation about medical marijuana came up.   It turn’s out that the only thing that helped Gerry feel any relief while undergoing chemotherapy treatment was medical marijuana.   With the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on medical technology, it was the only thing that gave him an appetite, allowed him to sleep and reduced his pain and nausea.   It was that “seed” that was planted in his heart that turned into this passion to help patients using this plant.

Dr. Breen is currently enrolled in a Fellowship and Anti-Aging, Functional and Regenerative Medicine and is also getting a Masters in Clinical Nutrition from the University of South Florida Medical School.   His goal is to work with patients on getting off all of their prescription medication.  Medical marijuana is the perfect niche!

Dr. Breen graduated from the NY College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2001 and did his training at the Naval Medical Center San Diego.   Following his training he spent 4 years as a Battalion Surgeon with 1st Marines at Camp Pendleton.    He is a decorated combat veteran after deploying with 1st Bn 4th marines to Iraq in 2003.

Lastly, he is a loving husband and proud father of a 1 year old son Jack Ryan Breen.

To call and make an appointment simply dial 877-721-0047 and his professional staff will be able to assist you.

Dr. Breen is Navy trained family doctor and spent 4 years (2002-2006) as a Battalion Surgeon with 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton.   He is a decorated combat veteran and spent 9 months (Jan-Sep 2003)with 1st battalion 4th Marines in Iraq.   He brings his military training and much needed professionalism to an industry that is struggling to find standards of care.

Dr. Breen states that he see’s a lot of Veterans who are benefiting from medical marijuana.   The most common reasons his patients receive medical marijuana cards is for 1) Chronic Pain 2) Insomnia, PTSD, Anxiety 3) Chemotherapy treatments 4) HIV AIDS   In addition he sees patients with a variety of conditions.

Medical marijuana is best known for it’s ability to reduce nausea and stimulate the appetite.  However it has also been studied extensively to reduce pain (especially neuropathic pain), reduce inflammation, reduce muscle spasms of any kind, reduce anxiety, improve mood, reduce intra-ocular pressure in glaucoma, and assist with end of life care.

Dr. Breen has blogged recently about 2 cancer patients who were able to stop 6 different medications when they started using medical marijuana.

Dr. Breen see’s patient in his Long Beach office Monday, Wednesday and Friday and is also in Irvine Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.    If you would like more information feel free to call us at 877-721-0047.

Our address is: 1777 N Bellflower Blvd Suite 212, Long Beach CA 90815

Here we go:

The primary caregiver is designed for patients to designate a person to help them purchase, cultivate or transport medicine on their behalf.

A primary caregiver can go into the dispensary independently of the patient to purchase medical marijuana and transport it home legally.  He or she can also grow that patients medicine on their behalf.

Let me give you some specific examples of how it is designed to be used.

1. A 55 year old women is intimidated to go into a dispensary by herself and wants her husband to be able to go into the dispensary with her or purchase medicine on her behalf without her.

*** I have many patients who are intimidated walking into a dispensary.    They often want someone to be by their side and hold their hand.    So what they can do is designate an individual (can be anyone) to be their primary caregiver.

2. A patient with cancer on chemotherapy is too sick to either pick up his medical marijuana or grow it on his own.    He would designate someone who is taking care of him to be his primary caregiver to go purchase the marijuana or grow it for him.

3. An 87 year old women with dementia and chronic pain needs someone to get the medical marijuana for her.  She designates her son as her primary caregiver to be able to pick up the medicine for her.

4. A 25 year old female who is in a wheelchair designates her brother as her caregiver because she is unable to drive.   He goes and picks up her medical marijuana for her as a result.

Here is the kicker:  The primary caregiver has to be someone is taking care of the patient in some capacity.  Either providing food, shelter, day to day care or is their primary means of transportation.

The confusion lies in that people thought that they could just designate themselves as a primary caregiver for 20 unrelated patients that they do not take care of, feed, house or transport so that they can grow up to 12 plants for each one of them.

THAT IS NOT WHAT THE PRIMARY CAREGIVER WAS DESIGNED FOR.

Here are examples of the primary caregiver being used incorrectly and illegally.

1. An individual has 10 friends who all have medical marijuana recommendations.   This person wants to grow 80 plants in his greenhouse so he has each one of his friends designate him as their primary caregiver.

In situations like this you have to be set up as a collective to grow.   This requires legal paperwork and the advice of a competent attorney.

HOW DO YOU DESIGNATE SOMEONE AS YOUR CAREGIVER?

We have a specific form in our office that we have you fill out and you and your caregiver sign.   We also place a photocopy of your caregivers drivers license on your recommendation.  They also get inputed into our verification system.

Another important point:   a primary caregiver has NO LEGAL worries at all.   He is not considered a patient and is not allowed to use the medical marijuana.    He does not go on a list and his privacy is protected.

If you have more questions feel free to contact Thomas or Carrie in our office at 877-721-0047 and they will go over everything again with you.

I hope this helps.

Step 1: Determine if you have a qualifying diagnosis
Most patients think medical marijuana can only be recommended for dying patients or those with severe disabilities. In California, that is not the case. The most common reasons patients receive a medical marijuana card are:

a. Chronic Pain: any condition where chronic pain is a component can qualify. For example, back pain, joint pain, post-operative pain etc.

b. Muscle spasms: can be for many reasons but things like Multiple Sclerosis, Restless Legs Syndrome

c. Nausea and Poor Appetite

d. Insomnia and Anxiety

e. Mood disorders such as depression.

f. Inflammatory bowel disease including Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

***There are over 250 indications that we can recommend cannabis for. You can simply call our office and find out if your diagnosis will qualify. 877-721-0047

Step 2: Gather your medical documentation.
When you see a doctor for medical marijuana he will need to review your medical records and verify your diagnosis. You can simply contact your treating doctors office and ask that they release your medical records to you. They simply have you fill out a form.

Step 3: Locate a doctor that is specialized in recommending medical marijuana
Dr. Breen has extensive knowledge about the medicinal benefits of using marijuana and will be able to answer any questions you may have. Visit our website at www.MCSoCal.com and see our office locations in Irvine, CA and Long Beach, CA

Step 4: Simply bring in your documentation.
At your appointment Dr. Breen will review you medical records, go over all the benefits and risk of using medical marijuana, perform a physical exam and then determine if it is an appropriate treatment approach.

Step 5: Purchasing your Medicine at a Medical Marijuana Dispensary
Doctors are not allowed to provide you with the medical marijuana so you have to go to a local medical marijuana dispensary. You will need to bring your written recommendation signed by Dr. Breen They will make a copy of it and verify your eligibility by using our 24 hour online verification system. You can then purchase up to 8 ounces of medical marijuana.

The process is as simple as that. Dr. Breen and the staff of MCSoCal will make sure that all your questions are answered before your leave our office. We realize that for many patients this is a very new experience and can be nerve racking. We want to assure you that your doctors visit will be very professional and compassionate.

Thanks for visiting our site and reading our blog.

MCSoCal Staff

1) Will the doctor be physically present to interview and examine me?    State medical laws say that a physician can recommend medical marijuana but has to use the same standard of care as he would if prescribing a controlled substance.   One of those requirements is that the doctor physically examine you.  Check your blood pressure, listen to your heart and lungs etc.

-There has been an explosion in the number of clinics where patients come in and either a) Talk to a doctor over the phone or b) Speak to a doctor using skype on the computer.

-Clinics that are doing this are NOT in compliance with state law and they will ultimately be shut down or raided by the state.    This is happening right now and patients are unknowingly walking around with invalid recommendations.  This means they have no legal protection and are also unable to get medicine from dispensaries.

2) Ask the doctors name that you will be seeing and get his license number.  You can then simply look him or her up using the California Medical Boards website and see if there are any pending disciplinary actions against them.   Unfortunately, many doctors in this business have had their license to practice their specialty suspended.   They then turn to medical marijuana to make as much money as possible while they are still able to, or they lose their license.

-Once a doctor has a suspended license you recommendation is no longer valid and you will have to get another one from a doctor whose license is in good standing.

3) Ask them if they require you to be previously diagnosed for your condition or if you can get a temporary recommendation for your illness until you get the actual diagnosis.

- The law says that for a doctor to give a medical marijuana recommendation to a patient, they need to first verify that the patient has been appropriately “worked up”, diagnosed and treated for that condition.    So if you have had persistent nausea, you are not supposed to walk into a medical marijuana clinic and receive a recommendation until you know what is causing that nausea

-Clinics that issue temporary recommendations and allow you to come in prior to being diagnosed are NOT in compliance with state law and are doing things backwards.     They issue “temporary” recommendations illegally and justify it by telling you to come back in three months.

ONE MORE THING:

4) Ask them who the owner on record is for the medical clinic?

-By law, ONLY a medical doctor can own a medical marijuana clinic.   What has been happening is dispensary owners, in a effort to recruit patients, have been opening up doctors offices adjacent to or nearby their dispensaries and hiring doctors to see those patients.   This is illegal and the medical board will ultimately shut them down.   The charge is “aiding and abetting an illegal medical practice” and is a felony.

- Be very leery of medical offices that are co-located with dispensaries.  Most of these are set up illegally and the doctors working for them are committing a felony.

IN CONCLUSION:

1. If the doctor is physically going to examine you, he has a license in good standing, requires you to be previously diagnosed and the clinic is owned by a doctor, you are most likely safe to get your recommendation there.

2. If any one of these questions can not be answered in a manner which reflects the letter or spirit of the law, go somewhere else.

I hope that helps!

Dr. Breen

http://www.cmcr.ucsd.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=149:vaporization-as-a-qsmokelessq-cannabis-delivery-system&catid=41:research-studies&Itemid=135

The most efficient way to medicate with marijuana is to inhale it. Rapid absorption and ease in titrating the dose make this is safest and simplest way to medicate. However most patients do not prefer to smoke it due to the carcinogens, carbon monoxide, cadmium and other tars that pollute your body. Vaporizers however solve all of those problems.

VAPORIZER PRODUCES HIGHER BLOOD LEVELS OF CANNABINOIDS

The study also showed that 30 minutes after inhalation, vaporizers demonstrated significantly higher blood levels of THC and other cannabinoids.   This means patients will use less medicine, saving them money over time.   In other words, patients will get more bang for their buck.

The model that I recommend is called the Vapor Genie.  It is portable, does not require electricity and is also cheap.  It retails for $59.99 + tax which is hundreds of dollars cheaper than the other typical vaporizers on the market.

If ou would like more information about vaporizers please feel free to contact me.

Be blessed,

Dr. Breen