Although Salinas, Calif., citizens live in a state that lets patients use marijuana as an alternative to standard medicine, you still have to follow the rules set in place. We’re here to help you understand these rules and find a doctor who can help you get started.
California law considers the following diagnoses valid for marijuana medicine:
It also includes any condition that interferes with the patient’s ability to accomplish ADA-defined daily living activities, which are:
You can also qualify if your doctor believes your health problem is dangerous for your health and safety if left untreated.
Instead of directing applicants to a single medical marijuana department, California requires you to work with your county’s department of health to apply for a medical marijuana card. They’ll need:
To get a recommendation from your doctor, schedule an appointment with them to talk about it. If they agree that medical marijuana could be a good path to pursue, they can write a note stating they recommend MMJ for you and that your condition qualifies under the law. Any kind of note that includes those two statements will work, but you can also use the state’s optional form (English version, Spanish version).
Visit a collective or dispensary to buy your new cannabis medicine. Keep in mind that the state only allows you to carry up to one ounce of bud or up to eight grams of concentrate.
Patients from outside of the country, regardless of legal status, are advised to be careful when travelling with their medicine. Some ICE officials have reportedly been deporting patients on the basis that marijuana is federally outlawed.
Although any doctor is allowed to recommend weed to you, not every doctor will. Despite the studies suggesting that marijuana is a valid medicine, some physicians just don’t agree. If your doctor doesn’t want to help you, we have a list of ones who will.
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