Prescription Pot: Getting Your Medical Marijuana Card

Medical marijuana isn't actually prescribed, but if you live in one of the 28 states that recognize the benefits of medical marijuana, you can get a 'recommendation' which is then be used to obtain your medical marijuana card. In California, for instance, this recommendation must meet some guidelines:

• Printed on a full 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper.
• Your full name.
• The date of your evaluation.
• Your patient ID #.
• The expiration date of the evaluation, generally good for a year.  
• Your doctor's signature.
• An embossed or raised seal.
• Contact information to verify authenticity, usually done online or by phone.

After registering with a dispensary for the first time, most will accept a digital or smaller ID card version of your recommendation until it expires and you need a renewal.

Do you qualify for a medical marijuana card? Depending on where you live, many chronic conditions, illnesses, and afflictions are treated with and helped by pot, including:

• Anxiety.
• Seizure disorders.
• Glaucoma.
• Chronic pain issues.
• Fibromyalgia.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Diabetes.
• Addiction.

Some things to know about getting your medical marijuana card include:

Location. Don't assume that your card is transferable from state-to-state, as each state honors different laws surrounding medical marijuana and access. For example, it is legal to use medical marijuana in Maine, but that does not entitle you to shop in the state dispensaries. Furthermore, the medical conditions that merit medical marijuana are also very different from state-to-state, so your affliction may not be recognized out-of-state for medical marijuana.

Renewal. Renewing your card is required, typically every year at which time you will be charged for the consultation and the recommendation. This varies but generally can cost up to $200 per patient, each year.

Possession. In states where medical marijuana is legal, patients must buy from authorized dispensaries or grow their own, with the guidelines pertaining to the amount in mind.

Cannabidiol. Cannabidiol (CBD) is different and legal in most states, as long as it contains less than 3% THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient in the cannabis plant. Cannabidiol comes in an oil-form, and is used in products such as gum, lozenges, and tinctures. It is non-sedating and is typically well-tolerated for treating medical conditions and preventative care.

Do you qualify for a medical marijuana card? Check with your provider and know the laws in your state to access the relief and treatment that medical marijuana provides. While federal law still prohibits the use of marijuana, state legislatures continue to recognize and legalize the use of this potentially life-changing herb. To learn more, contact a company like Golden State MD Health and Wellness.