Medical Marijuana: PTSD Victim Sues West Virginia Pain Management Center for Dismissing Him Because He Smokes Marijuana for Relief
Medical marijuana patients are routinely discriminated against in medical settings. Even in medical marijuana states, patients are denied transplants because they are considered "drug abusers." All across the country, medical marijuana patients face problems in obtaining traditional pain treatment, especially because of "pain contracts" used by doctors who either don't understand or believe in medical marijuana or who fear the heavy hand of federal law enforcement, or both. Now, in West Virginia, one patient is fighting back.
Putnam County resident Ronald Sprouse filed a lawsuit September 3 against a doctor and health center, claiming they refused to prescribe him pain medications and dismissed him as a patient after he tested positive for marijuana on June 13. Sprouse is suing the Family Care Health Center, officer manager Janice Amburgey, and Dr. Larry Beker for refusing to treat him because he uses marijuana medicinally.
In his complaint, Sprouse admitted he smokes marijuana and said he does so to relieve the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. "In addition, the Plaintiff asserts that many medications have been used in the past to attempt to treat his disorder without success," the complaint said. "Only the use of marijuana has proven effective to control the Plaintiff's disorder." Without marijuana, Sprouse wrote, he becomes violent toward his family and is reluctant to leave his home for fear of how he will react to others. "Unless properly medicated the Plaintiff cannot sleep, has night sweats, and bouts of deep depression," the suit said
Sprouse admitted signing a pain contract, or pain management agreement that says: "Unannounced urine or serum toxicology screens may be requested, and your cooperation is required. Presence of unauthorized substances (legal or illegal) will result in discharge from the practice."
But Sprouse argued that the clause is invalid, first because Family Care did not provide him with a list of what it considered unauthorized substances. "Without such a list the Plaintiff had no way of knowing what Family Care considered to be legal or illegal unauthorized substances," the suit said.
He may have better luck with his second argument against the pain contract. He signed the contract under coercion, he argued, because he had to to obtain treatment. "In this case the Plaintiff was forced to sign the Pain Management Agreement or live a life in constant pain with no medication," his complaint said.
Sprouse also argued that he violated the agreement out of medical necessity, not malfeasance. "Family Care was not authorized to prescribe the medication needed to alleviate his serious medical condition, not is any medical professional in the state of West Virginia," the complaint states. "In order to preserve his health, mental stability, and the safety of his family and others, the Plaintiff was forced to medicate himself."
As a remedy, Sprouse is seeking a judgment against the center that would order it to continue treating him and bar it from placing any negative comments in his medical file that would inhibit other doctors or practices from prescribing him medication. He is also seeking court costs.
Sprouse has requested a jury trial. He is representing himself.
State West Virginia Verses Ronald Sprouse
Comment posted by Anonymous on Thu, 03/26/2009 - 8:04pmI am a firm believer, in the good, Cannabis can contribute to the medical field. I myself have suffered from depression/aniety for most of my life, age 30. When I smoke (not medically percribed), I seem to release or dismiss the problems that are messing with my mind. I want to clean the house, talk with people, and most important I feel I can be more nurturing to my children. Why make it Illegal to smoke? How many people clog the jail/prision system with changes of intent. The goverment cant figure a way to TAX Cannabis. Ronald fight for your rights for pain feel living. I commend you for your strenght. A proud user of Cannabis for medical purposes.
We support you Ronald
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 09/12/2008 - 10:37amwww.the-recovered-truth.org we are all behind you 100%
I have CRPS/RSD as well as
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 09/12/2008 - 12:40pmI have CRPS/RSD as well as PTSD. I also go to a pain mgt. doctor. I signed a similar contract, but discussed my use of medical marijuana with my doctor. He gave me my first drug test a few months ago (he had put it off as long as possible). He asked me about my use of marijuana, and its effectiveness, then announced, "If it works, I recommend you continue using it, but you need to also understand that I need to protect myself and my other patients. Therefore I am informing you that your medical record will not contain my support of your use, and will say that I have strongly advised you to discontinue any further use of marijuana." *sigh* Such an atmosphere of fear and deception has no place in my medical treatment.
We need to send him money
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 09/12/2008 - 10:41pmWe need to start a collection effort so that Sprouse can retain an attorney. Even better, the Marijuana Policy Project, of which I am a member, should assist Sprouse with his case. If he tries to argue his own case in a place such as West Virginia where public sentiment is strongly pro-police, he doesn't stand a chance. The defense lawyers will at some point haul in a cop to recite the litany of lies that they use to demonize cannabis, medical and other, and the good West Virginians will sagely agree. After having sent the drug abuser packing, the good jurors can enjoy the warm feeling that spreads from having done a good deed. (More likely, it's the warm feeling of spreading piss as the obedient yahoos soak their pants.) We shouldn't let Sprouse go up against those bastards by himself.
I've already asked Advocates all over USA for help
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 11:57pmI wrote Marijuana advocates all over USA, including WV MPP and WV NORML.
None will help, why are we sending them money to defend these people and to help get laws established If they don't do anything? This would have been an opportunity to introduce Medical Marijuana in WV.
Then why am I not surprised... most of the Marijuana advocates are starting to look like politicians, law enforcement, judges, prisons and attorneys.
Where would they get their paychecks if Marijuana where legal?
I agree with you
Comment posted by Anonymous on Sat, 09/13/2008 - 4:35amI think NORML and MPP should get very involved in this case. It will open the door to marijuana law reform in WV that won't likely see the legislature any other way. We need sprouse to win his case or the legislature will pass even stricter laws riding their win. We cannot let that happen
Yes - I too am very
Comment posted by Anonymous on Sat, 09/13/2008 - 5:27amYes - I too am very concerned for this brave man, Mr Sprouse, as he fights an unfair fight: one against many. How can we help him get the support he needs to win in court?
Concerned citizen
Another War on Drugs Crazyness
Comment posted by Anonymous on Mon, 09/15/2008 - 7:08amThank you USA for bringing us the War on Drugs with all of its misinformationk, politicization of institutions and thanks good they did not stop the censorship yet, but they tried. Else they would have been able to report on this case.
The War on Drugs Hawks are runing, they have no arguments.
Comment posted by Anonymous on Mon, 09/15/2008 - 8:49amThey know that history and science is against this War on
Drugs. So they do their best to intimidate and make
people fear. Fear is the only tool they have, because
they are running out of scienrific nor political
argument to continuo this war that has cause trillions
of dollars and have not given us much results.
In any other business they would have been out of business.
If they would have spended all of this money in public
health and treatment we would have not have the half of
the problems we have now with drugs. We wouldN'T have
people shooting dope under xpressway and leaving their
syringes behind because they are affraid that the cops
are going to bust them for posession of resedue for
only carring a syringe. We would have been doing
research about the best use for marijuana and what it
ails people.
Drugs have efficacy or else people wouldn't
be doing them and if they get in trouble with using or
changing them too much, they could go to treatment.
Instead they have driven a whole system of people
undergroud like they were rats. It is basically racist in
nature and disigned to disfranchise parts of our community
and keep them unemployed, with out civil rights, the right
to vote and be full participants of our community. The hawks
creat a fear that this people are imoral and not decent. What
is worse is that we have to double check ALL of this
statistics and guesstimates because they are questionable
of the scientific method. The hawks wants to keep us in this
war and they are outright lieing.
indiana marijana laws inhumane for injured worker
Comment posted by Anonymous on Wed, 09/24/2008 - 9:02pmI was injured at work 2-1-07.Beginning my life of disability and cronic pain.Smoked marijana helped me get threw being stuck home all day disabled.It really helped with pain and depression.Put a smile on my face despite my condition.After 18 months of being on pain meds my dr left clinic.New dr urine tested me 3 times in 2 weeks.Reffered me to pain management.Who test me every 30 days.And said clean up thc on test or no more meds.Been clean over 60 days now.The injured worker bill of rights states we are protected by law from being mistreated.But I guess being forced to hate life in general.Is not considered mistreatment.A medical marijana clinic in oregon said my condition would qualify me.Probably move to a little apartment there and visit wife and kids every couple months.This country is not equal oppertunuty for disabled workers.
I wrote advocates all over USA, none will help
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 11/07/2008 - 11:52pmI wrote Marijuana advocates all over USA, including WV MMP and WV NORML.
None will help, why are we sending them money to defend these people and to help get laws established If they don't do anything? This would have been an opportunity to introduce Medical Marijuana in WV.
Then why am I not surprised... most of the Marijuana advocates are starting to look like politicians, law enforcement, judges, prisons and attorneys.
Where would they get their paychecks if Marijuana where legal?
Most of the peoples are
Comment posted by Anonymous on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 6:38pmMost of the peoples are addicted Marijuana drug leafs. government should take necessary steps to prevent this Marijuana drug.
===========
Brook
assholes like you
Comment posted by Anonymous on Mon, 11/17/2008 - 10:44amYou need to learn the correct use of the English lanquage and educated yourself on the FACTS. Who gives you the right to judge others who have first-hand knowledge of what does or does not help their illnesses. We all know that marijuana in NOT the cause of drug abuse as our government officials leave the ignorant to believe. Open your eyes, more drugs than ever before in history are being abused recreationally. Legal marijuana is more beneficial to a society than making it illegal to use. Again, do your home work and know the truth.
Peace and Love, Carol
Obviously Clueless
Comment posted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/08/2009 - 4:44pmJudging by your grammar, you are obviously clueless- but I will reply anyways.
Marijuana laws just cause more unnecessary congestion in the legal/prison system, and I certainly haven't seen anything good come from them. People who are concerned about addiction need to educate themselves on marijuana addiction and face that it is not a significant problem.
This is a shame to the state, and if they could just pay attention and see that virginia drug rehabs are not full of crazed "marijuana addicts" maybe they will get their act together.
Marijuana drug center
Comment posted by Anonymous on Wed, 11/26/2008 - 1:10amdrug intervention
Comment posted by Anonymous on Wed, 12/10/2008 - 6:05amIt's A Shame
Comment posted by Anonymous on Thu, 12/11/2008 - 4:15pmThere is still so much misinformation and misunderstanding when it comes to medical marijuana. When will people realize that it has important medical uses? It serves some purposes better than any drug currently available - such as reducing nausea in those receiving chemotherapy. Hopefully someday the stigmas around medical marijuana will be gone and people will recognize it's medical value.
Frustrating issue
Comment posted by Anonymous on Tue, 12/30/2008 - 4:14pmAny drug can be 'abused', including marijuana. But to see people, who are using marijuana for legitimate medical reasons, being cast aside as 'drug abusers' is an outrage. People who are users of pain medication, which has a far greater potential for abuse, are never stigmatized as 'drug abusers'.
Mike Bayer Addiction Intervention
dr need to know
Comment posted by Anonymous on Thu, 01/22/2009 - 2:24amDr. Should be explained in the benefits of the use of marijuana. I am a chronic pain person. When i can not stand the pain smoking pot is the only thing that helps me relax. All the Oxycotin and Percet in the world sometimes DOES NOT HELP. It is a shame that I can not be honest with my Dr. For fear of him turning me over to the police. I am hoping that president Obama will confront this issue. Seeing that his oun grandmother died of cancer. I would much rather smoke a joint for some pain releif, Than ruin my kidnes and liver that the pain meds are doing to them
I lost my eye when Addicted and now Sober
Comment posted by Anonymous on Mon, 02/02/2009 - 10:27pmI was an alcoholic for 14 years and i was powerless.And i lost my left eye in an accident when i was drunk driving.Even though i didn't stopped my addiction.This is what addiction is.After 14 years now i am sober through AA(alcoholic anonymous) since 5 years.Now i am sober but i lost my beautiful life in the past.I am writing this for all addicted ones.Take me like an example and beware of Addiction.
sober:
http://de-adiction.blogspot.com
Addicted:
Add Blog Banner
Comment posted by Anonymous on Tue, 02/03/2009 - 9:42amHi, any idea to place a banner in my blog.Check it and place.Thank you.
Marijuana gives relief from chronic pain
Comment posted by Anonymous on Sun, 03/08/2009 - 9:02amThe study by researchers at the General Clinical Research Center at San Francisco General Hospital Medical Center, looked at 50 HIV patients with HIV-associated sensory neuropathy, a painful and often debilitating condition that is the most common peripheral nerve disorder that occurs as a complication of HIV infection.
Severe peripheral neuropathy usually occurs in the feet and is characterized by tingling, numbness, the sensation of pins and needles, burning, and sharp intense pain, severe which can make walking or standing difficult.
It affects about a third of HIV-infected people.
The mainly male participants in the study, apart from the nerve pain were in stable health and had all been marijuana smokers but not drug abusers and were told to stop using it prior to the study.
Half of the group smoked marijuana cigarettes three times a day for five days, while the other half smoked placebo cigarettes that were identical other than having had the cannabinoids, the primary active components of the plant, extracted.
Cannabis ABSOLUTELY WORKS for PTSD!
Comment posted by Anonymous on Mon, 03/09/2009 - 11:54pmAs a former Paramedic/Firefighter who suffers from PTSD, I can attest to the medicinal properties of Cannabis. I was witness to two firefighter deaths and was almost killed, myself. I started using Cannabis( I prefer Cannabis to Marijuana for many reasons I won't get into) about the time that I begin to suffer from PTSD. It works vastly better than any anti-depressant I have tried for PTSD. It seems to modulate my moods, helps me sleep better, without any unpleasant dreams. I actually sleep through the night and feel really good the next morning. With Cannabis, I don't think about the events that caused my PTSD as much. I can actually get enjoyment out of things, instead of only being anxious and angry. The fact that this miraculous herb is illegal is fucking stupid. The Drug War is bullshit and it must end now!!
west virginia drug rehab
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 04/10/2009 - 10:28pmHello there. There are various websites that helps drug addicts. These websites are really promising websites to cure drug addicts. One of them is West Virginia drug rehab center. This center is really proving that it can cure many drug addicts. Many former drug addicts also recommended this rehab center.
______________________________________________________________________
cristiano
west virginia drug rehab
Good news
Comment posted by Anonymous on Sun, 04/12/2009 - 11:23pmSay no to drug.
_______________________________________________________________________
Roberto.c
Drug Intervention Massachusetts
Everyone has a opinion
Comment posted by Anonymous on Mon, 04/20/2009 - 4:38amI respect everyone's opinion on this subject because we will all stand up for what we believe in. So here is mine....I have smoked marijuana since I was 14 years old and am now almost 49. I did not become addicted to other drugs, I don't drink and I have a very high IQ. As previously posted, alcohol and prescription drugs are far worse on the kidneys and liver...speaking of which, it is true that medical facilities won't allow for transplants if you smoke cannibus, however, I must not have tested positive when I received my kidney transplant in 1986, because I sure did receive one. Also it was a cadaver (non-living) and only expected to last approximately 5 years and I discussed my cannibus usuage with my transplant coordinator after the fact and she assured me that I would lose the kidney if I continued to indulge......I did continue to "indulge" and have had the kidney for 23 years and still going strong. If that really want to go after a drug that truly kills the mind, the body and the spirit, legalize cannibus and prohibit alcohol. There are numerous problems with transplantation and one of them is the immunsuppressive drugs that must be taken daily every day for 23 years.....they do a number on your stomach and various other parts of the body. If it weren't for smoking, there would be no relief....and by the way, I did my own experiment with cannibus and tried to refrain from smoking. Each and every time, I started rejecting the kidney. My nephrologist is aware of this and agrees that "it's not as bad as we once thought it was." Now the only problem that I face is trying to locate it, buying it at street value, taking the risk of imprisionment and the humiliation of being labeled as "drug user." We are not "dopes", we are educated people trying to educate the rest of the world. Guess I will have to move to one of the 13 states that will allow for medical use of cannibus or everyone that lives in Virginia and believes it's our right to live in pain-free environment with vomiting everyday and having some quality of life needs to get on board and either put up or shut up. Oh, and if you decide to respond to this blog, I don't need some wise guy telling me to start packing or giving me a hyperlink to the nearest drug rehab center....only intellectuals need reply.
I live in Charleston
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 8:18amIf I can help let me know. I have been in Pain Management for 10 years and COMPLETELY understand your concerns. Since I returned back to Charleston, there was only one pain management center that would accpet me, because he is the only game in town unless you were injured via work/or on Workmans Comp...Oh I visisted the workman comp doctors when we arrived here with a spotless record and high reccomendations from my prior pain management doctor, and was not only treated like a thief, but then had to pay over 800 dollars for 30 pills that lasted 12- 13 days, and about ruined my life. I was about to fly to Mexico, but didnt. I even went to the extent of flying to Boston to get experts to verify my 2 illnesses, and they used words like, MYSTIFYING, EXTREMELY RARE, because of where my tumors are and the 2. My heart is encapulated, both kidneys, and I have over 150 tumors in my abdomine, plus over 2000 bb size tumors embeded in all of my muscles. My point is I go thru hell each month, and yes Marijuana would help me reduce my morphine intake by 30-60 percent, but I do not have that option as I follow the rules of my contract, BUT as each month passes I am SCARED to death to go to my doctors office, for the fear they will cut me off because of their attitude and when they see me they only see a drug addict. If I sneeze wrong I am done. THEY have total control of your life and they know it, and use it against you. What they actually want is a person who will pay ( and they deserve payment) and who is regualted, but my issues are i have been on 150mg per day, and one month he gives me 90mg per month, one month, then 135mg per day for a month, and this is after 10 years...and each month my perscriptions depend on their attitude for that day. People who are not in our shoes, do not understand, and they never will.
PS, I do not sit on my butt and think the world owes. I am a home owner, I work each day, I not only build laptops and desktops with a spotless record, and I am also highly reccomended, but I also work at night to help provide more for my family.
Medical marijuana use in WV
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 2:47pmI am a Vietnam veteran; who supports the use of medical marijuana. I have used marijuana for many years. I suffer from PTSD, anxiety, depression and arthritis. The arthritis is in my both feet, both legs, both hips and both arms. I am on a lot of prescription pills for all these.
I am sitting here with my legs swollen and the skin is pealing. My left leg is swollen so much the the skin feels tight around my calf. This whole thing started about a month ago. My doctors at the VA have been changing some of the prescriptions I'm taking. Because some of the meds are not working anymore. I have just completed a step down program from effexor. I am completely off it now, but it has been replaced by cital opram hydrobromide. I have been put on seroquel since Janurary. I see that in Europe there is a class action lawsuit against seroquel.
I have been going to the doctor once a month. From my visit in March to my visit in April - I've gained 8+ lbs. I weigh 240 lbs. I think it is caused by some of the steroids in my meds. I am pretty sure that my swollen legs and weight gain are caused by the pills I am taking.
I showed the doctor my swollen and pealing legs. He seem to think that it could be a blood clot. The doctor also gave me some pills for the infection in my leg. I have told the VA for 2 1/2 years now that what ever happens do not give me penicillin. Well the pills he gave me turned out to be amoxicillin. So now I am 3 days into hives and itiching all over and eating benadryl like crazy.
I am thinking that I could get rid of 2 - 3 maybe more pills that I am taking.
If a person was in need of a prescription for cocaine or morphine; they could get a prescription for them in all the states in this country. But if you don't live in one of the 13 states that support medical marijuana; you are not going to get a prescription for it. Then you still have to watch out for the federal government.
I see that the Department of Health and Human Services has the patent on medical marijuana.
US Patent 6630507 titled "Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants. Why does the US government lie about this issue while holding the patent?
Thanks,
contact normal for a lawyer
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 05/01/2009 - 1:39pmthe war against canibus will always continue. over the years i have kept up with what is going on. Im sure if u contact a canibus magizine or NORMAL they will help











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Go Ronald
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 09/12/2008 - 10:34amMr. Sprouse is a true advocate for what is right. Medical Marijuana is an effective treatment for many disorders including post traumatic stress disorder. More than 1/5 of the United States already has laws in place for use of medical marijuana. Others, like the wise folks of Ohio, have decriminalized it to the point of it being easier for a police officer to ignore personal use than to have to write a ticket up. And that is only 39 miles away from where Family Care is dismissing a patient for using medicine. I am a patient at Family Care and I am a medical marijuana user too. They have never dismissed me, and I have openly discussed my marijuana use with several staff members. I never signed the pain managment agreement, however. I also use marijauna spiritually in a religious practice that demands its use by doctrine. I am a minister in that religion, and my religion is recognized by the state of WV through my registry on the list of people allowed to perform marriages in WV. All this poor man wants is to be treated for the pains that the marijuana doesn't take care of. Although, Ron, if you use it orally instead of inhaled, it will help more with pain. Vaporizing (inhaling) is good for psychological uses such as PTSD, but pain management is better managed by oral dosing.