by Paula Jacobs

Created on: July 06, 2010

California passed laws legalizing marijuana for medical use.  Before the marijuana is distributed, a registration program must be completed in order to obtain a California medical marijuana card. California medical marijuana dispensaries and medical marijuana clinics are located throughout the State and they issue the marijuana to card holders.

More than 14 States have legalized the medical use of marijuana and many of these States require patients to register first - but what is required depends on the state. The California Medical Marijuana Program is regulated on the county level, not the state level. Each county have their own rules and regulations that determine if a medical marijuana card will be issued. In each county some of the requirements are the same.

 
1) A complete list of each county's medical marijuana program is listed on the California Department of Public Health website. Find your county and follow the rules given.
 
2) Fill in an application with the county to apply for your card.
 
3) Provide official documentation of medical records. These will help to determine eligibility.

4) Be prepared to pay $66.00 for the application fee, including any additional county fees.

5) After careful consideration a decision will be made and if you are qualified, this information will be mailed to you.

Determine Whether You Are Eligible - To be deemed eligible to use medical marijuana, the patient must be diagnosed with a "serious medical condition" which can be improved or alleviated by marijuana use. Some of the most recognized conditions are;

* Cancer
* Seizures
* Arthritis
* AIDS
* Glaucoma
* Migraines

After the diagnosis, the condition must be of a certain degree and limit the ability to perform some of or most of the activities necessary for everyday life. If your family physician is unwilling to recommend the use of medical marijuana, visit one of the clinics or physicians in California who specialize in medical marijuana consultations. A list of these specialists can be found at the California NORML website.

A current record of medical diagnosis or a referral from another physician may be necessary and the cost of a visit can cost as much as $200, without a guarantee. After you are recommended for the use of marijuana as treatment, ask them to put this in a signed, written document. Make sure the document describe your specific medical condition and it should clearly state that the licensed physician has recommended marijuana as treatment of this condition.

After obtaining a written recommendation from your doctor, contact the Medical Management Professional for instructions on how to apply for your identification card or contact the California Department of Public Health. Although you can legally use marijuana if you have a doctor's recommendation, you must still observe all laws when doing so.

California is the only state in which eligible residents and their certified caregivers can legally obtain marijuana through medical marijuana clinics and dispensaries. To find out more about the dispensary regulations, visit Americans for Safe Access to see a compiled list of local California Dispensary Regulations.

NOTE: This page is provided for informational purposes only and it is not intended as the replacement of legal advise. Illegal or unauthorized drug use is not encouraged.  Under federal law; marijuana is illegal to possess, sell or grow without expressed written consent from a qualified party.

References;

* www.cdph.ca.gov

* www.justice.gov

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