A decades-old neck injury that lead to a diagnosis of surgery for a Colorado man was the impetus to treat his symptoms with medical marijuana and that decision is what fueled the idea for the area's newest medical marijuana dispensary.
Mark Anthony Jones and his sister Sherry Childress owned a building in Pocola that had been a cafe, a wheel shop and various other ventures over the years and after medical marijuana was legalized in Oklahoma the idea for Wagon Hill Medical Warehouse bloomed.
"We just decided 'why not' after the state made it legal," said Jones. "Realizing how much the natural products helped me, and having the building available here in Pocola, it seemed like a no-brainer on our part."
"We just decided 'why not' after the state made it legal," said Jones. "Realizing how much the natural products helped me, and having the building available here in Pocola, it seemed like a no-brainer on our part."
Jones said he suffered the neck injury in 1983 and dealt with the symptoms for years.
"It just got worse and worse over the years," said Jones. "I got my medical marijuana card in Colorado six years ago and it took a bit for me to get the point where I could get off the opioids but I took my last on on January 17, 2017."
Jones is quick to point out that the treatment with natural products may not be the answer for everyone, although he says he is heartened by the fact that more and more doctors are starting to look at cannabis-based products as an option for some patients.
"I'm a little confounded at it taking as long as it has across the border (in Arkansas) to get the dispensaries going," said Jones. "It's obvious that the voters in Arkansas see the benefits of medical marijuana, and all they have done by taking so long is just deny people a safe and effective alternative to opiods and traditional medical treatments."
Still, Jones says that potential patients need to consult with the physician before embarking on an alternative treatment.
"That goes without saying...you have to have a doctor approve your medical marijuana card anyway so obviously that puts you and a medical doctor on the same page," said Jones. "And it takes a while for people to figure out the right products and dosage levels. I'm just speaking from personal experience. These products can help people in a lot of ways."
"It's trial and error, but it's worth the effort," said Jones.
Jones said the fact that medical insurance doesn't cover the products makes it a financial hardship on some people, but that many inflicted potential medical marijuana patients endure th cost to reap the benefits.
"With the doctor visit and the licensee for the card, you're out $225 before you purchase a single product," said Jones. "Medicare patients do get a break from $100 for the license to just $20, but you still have to factor in the cost of the products."
As an example, a 1000 mg bottle of THC drops sels for $90. For some people with extreme medical conditions, that is a four day supply of potential live-extending "medicine".
"And $90 is ridiculous....that should be a $50 vial of medicine at best," said Jones.
While more and more scientific and doctor-driven research is starting to back up some of claims of MM advocates, Jones says his own experience is all he needs to know about the healing powers of cannabis-based treatments.
"That's the reason that we are doing everything in our power to be a liaison between local and state entities in an effort to educate them on medical marijuana," said Jones. "These products help people. Whether people buy them from us or other outlets, they are a safe and effective alternative that is changing people lives."
Sherry Childress is the day-to-day operations manage for the facility, which is located just west of the Arkoma exit near the Choctaw Casino. A second sister, Wendy Robinson, also works at the dispensary.
"I live in the Kansas City area, and I'm in and out about every two weeks," said Jones. "We are also working on another dispensary in the state of Missouri but we're not looking to franchise out beyond that."
You can check out their website by clicking HERE or call (918) 268-9150 for more information.
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