For many people, the thought of getting a medical marijuana card in California can be very intimidating. As marijuana has been thought of and classified as illicit for so long, it can be difficult to change your mind and ignore the stigma to realize that medical marijuana is a necessary and helpful medication that can massively alleviate symptoms caused by a range of illnesses. If you suffer from anxiety, chronic pain, depression, anorexia, multiple sclerosis or a variety of other illnesses, using medical marijuana may prove very helpful in reducing your symptoms.
If you’re a resident in the state of California, it’s not just the great weather for which you can be grateful. California is one of 29 states in the U.S. that will allow the use of marijuana for medical reasons. California was the first state to pass a medical marijuana law. Ever since Prop 215 passed in 1996, patients have flocked to the Golden State to take advantage of its patient-centric medical marijuana laws that allow doctors to help patients manage their chronic symptoms. The medical marijuana law is flexible and allows patients to seek assistance from medical professionals in many ways.
Steps to Getting Your 420 Card
As marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, doctors are not allowed prescribe it. The letter that your doctor will provide you is called a recommendation.
There are some steps you’ll need to follow to get your medical marijuana card in California. You will need a letter from a doctor, but this is not a prescription. As marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, doctors are not allowed prescribe it. The letter that your doctor will provide you is called a recommendation.
You do not have to go to your normal physician if you don’t want to. There are several physicians who work specifically in medical marijuana, and you can even attend an online consultation to get the necessary paperwork.
An online consultation is often the easiest way to get your recommendation. You will have to fill out a consultation form and questionnaire, detailing your reasons for requiring medical marijuana. It is important to pick an online physician that places high importance on your safety and security as a hack or leak of sensitive medical information would be disastrous.
After completing your questionnaire, you will then have a short consultation with a doctor who specializes in medical marijuana. After speaking to you, you will then receive a PDF of your medical marijuana recommendation, and a 420 card and hard copy letter will then be mailed to you, arriving less than a week later.
You will need to have an official form of U.S. identification, but it’s better to use a California ID as some dispensaries will not give medical marijuana to out-of-state residents. Although it is not a legal requirement to be a Californian resident, it is better to be safe than sorry and to comply with the request of your MMJ dispensary.
If you decide to go for an online consultation, it is important to be open and honest with them. Feel free to ask as many questions as you need to and to ask if they have any feedback about particular medical marijuana strains that may be more helpful for you and your symptoms. Different medical marijuana strains work on different symptoms. For example, if you have insomnia, you may benefit from a strain that will be completely unhelpful for someone with chronic pain.
Now Plan a Trip to an MMJ Dispensary
It is very important that you choose an MMJ dispensary where you feel comfortable speaking to the employees and seeking advice so that you can get the best medical marijuana strains for your symptoms.
Now that you have your 420 card, what’s next? You’ll need to visit an official MMJ dispensary to collect your medical marijuana. Before making a purchase, make sure to ask the dispensary if they accept an online letter printed out or if you’ll have to return when your official letter and 420 card have been delivered.
Different dispensaries have different requirements, and you are not obligated to go to any one MMJ dispensary, so feel free to shop around. It is very important that you choose an MMJ dispensary where you feel comfortable speaking to the employees and seeking advice so that you can get the best medical marijuana strains for your symptoms.
Although the process of getting a medical marijuana card in California may seem troublesome, you just need to remember that you can attend doctors and dispensaries that are comfortable for you.
Although the use of medical marijuana may still be stigmatized, the people who provide marijuana recommendations are medical professionals who want to assist patients in getting the best relief possible for their symptoms. You don’t have to go to a sketchy MMJ dispensary or a dodgy doctor. Online providers will give you an open and safe space to get your recommendation.
You also can pick and choose the best dispensary that meets your needs and allows you to use your medication to live your best life. Get online, get your recommendation and blaze up without fear of prosecution. California will protect you and your rights to manage your condition in the best possible way: with medical marijuana.