How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in California
A medical marijuana card, also called a m dispensary card, is the access card to purchase medical marijuana from a qualified Clinic if you suffer from a diagnosed condition where marijuana could help ease symptoms. The medical marijuana card is essentially a state issued card which enables authorized patients to legally purchase medical marijuana from a qualified Clinic to cure various medical conditions and ailments. In California, a valid card can be collected from a local Agency which issues them to residents as proof of residency. However, anyone over the age of 18 who is a legal resident of the USA and has not yet acquired a doctor's prescription to obtain a recognized medical marijuana card can apply for one online. To get medical card follow the link provided.
All applicants must apply for a MMIC (medical marijuana program) card from their local Agency in order to register with the State to obtain legally purchased cannabis. This permits registered persons to purchase and use medical marijuana in accordance with California law. Anyone suffering from a debilitating illness which qualifies them to use the substance must apply and be approved for the mics. These include those diagnosed with cancer, AIDS/HIV, Glaucoma and MS.
All potential patients who meet the aforementioned requirements must apply for a MMIC card. After being accepted, the applicant must provide a doctor recommendation which must be supported by two-year records from their treating physicians. Patients must also present documentation of previous use of the substance, including amount and frequency. The physician recommending the card must also qualify for certification by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Candidates will then be subjected to a three-step process in order to gain eligibility for the card.
After meeting the above requirements, a prospective patient should submit a valid California MMJ card application. This application is reviewed by the Department of Health Services under the position of Marijuana Nurse. Once approved, a valid California MMJ card will then be mailed to the cardholder's home.
Currently, fourteen states plus the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana. These states include Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Although each state has differing laws regarding obtaining and qualifying conditions, the statutes are identical in all states.
Every applicant can get a free copy of their application from the California MMJ website. In addition, many clinics offer free initial consultations. During these consultations a counselor will review the patient's medical records and determine if they meet the state's definition of a qualifying condition. Each clinic differs in how they decide if a patient meets the requirements for their particular state. Some clinics will get the applicant a letter of authorization from their doctor, while others will simply request the patient to submit a doctor's recommendation.
It is possible to receive approval to use medical marijuana from these fourteen states without having to attend any special proceedings. However, those who do attend these proceedings will likely be under quite a bit of time restrictions. Clinics that approve applications without the necessity of a doctor's recommendation will usually require the potential client to attend a minimum number of hours of education and counseling. Those who receive approval to use MMJ card or a physician's recommendation will not have this requirement.
Even though California is the only state to have legalized marijuana, other states are considering following suit. seventeen states currently allow patients with certain diagnosed conditions to obtain a medical card. With more states expected to consider legal action in the near future, it is best for patients and their families to familiarize themselves with their local laws and eligibility requirements.
