A Quick Guide to Medical Cannabis in California

Medical Cannabis in California is nothing all that new. Rather, this state has served as the basis for 14 other states in the union to proactively decriminalize marijuana for medicinal usages. Thanks to the progressive medical marijuana program in California, more and more people are starting to understand how many practical medical applications that California offers. For patients who are suffering, now they have another alternative healthcare option that many find to offer the relief that they are seeking but void of side effects, adverse reactions or interactions that are common with many prescription drugs.

Current Laws on California Medical Cannabis

The laws here can be difficult to understand if you are not a lawyer. However, they can be broken down to basic terms to make them easier to digress. The laws ensure that "seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes." They are designed to ensure "that patients and their primary caregivers who obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes upon the recommendation of a physician are not subject to criminal prosecution or sanctions of any kind."

Who Can Legally Use California Medical Cannabis?

As per the law, only patients and their state approved caregivers. According to California law, all patients must be registered with the medical program, which is managed by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). In order to qualify, patients must be examined by a doctor and written a recommendation for cannabis. Then they must submit an application to the health department with that recommendation to be issued a California medical cannabis card.

Where You Can Buy Medical Cannabis in California

Upon receiving your California Medical Cannabis card in the mail, you will be able to purchase cannabis from various dispensaries that are located throughout the state. The dispensaries only allow valid card holders to gain entrance and make purchases (or their primary caregivers who hold valid cards). Each county has its own laws regarding the amount of marijuana that a patient can purchase or possess at any given time.

Qualifying Medical Conditions for Cannabis in California

This state differs greatly from the other states that have legalized cannabis for medicinal usages. This is because Medical Cannabis in California hosts the most liberal medical marijuana program. Currently, there are 166 qualifying conditions. A few are added and removed each year by voters. A marijuana doctor can help you determine if you qualify under state law.

Cannabis Doctors Network is an organization that is committed to aiding patients in finding the licensed, caring and professional doctors that they need to see in order to get approved for a medical marijuana card in their state. We pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service for our clients and stand behind our 100% satisfaction guarantee.
California Medical Cannabis

California Cannabis Law

MMP or the Medical Marijuana Program was established in order to provide a voluntary medical marijuana ID card issuance program for all those patients who qualified and their caregivers as well. In the state of California, the system allows enforcement of laws and verifies validity of qualified patients and their caregivers to possess, grow, use and transport medical marijuana in the state. Medical marijuana use was approved in California on November 5, 1996 via a 56 percent vote. Upon getting a recommendation from a physician for medical marijuana use, a patient and his or her primary caregiver could apply and be issued a medical marijuana card. Senate bill 420 further required that the program be supported fully via the card application processing fees. Both counties and state have the authority to cover the costs they incur through the application fees.

Some of the medical conditions approved for therapeutic marijuana use in California include anorexia, AIDS, arthritis, Cachexia, chronic pain, glaucoma, cancer, migraine, seizures, severe nausea, persistent muscle spasms including those associated with multiple sclerosis, migraine and other persistent or chronic medical symptoms. To register for the MMP card in California, you have to contact your county program and complete an application form. You should also ask your doctor to complete a written documentation of your records and then mail the forms to the California Department of Public Health, with attention to the Medical Marijuana Program Unit. The card fee is $66 for every patient and $33 for every caregiver. These figures are only state administration fees and counties could add administration fees of their own, so make sure to contact your county before you proceed in applying for an MMP card.

The legalization of marijuana use has removed criminal penalties on possession, use and cultivation of marijuana by those who acquired a doctor's written recommendation which states that the person benefits from using medical marijuana. Patients who were diagnosed with debilitating illness where marijuana has been deemed appropriate are given legal protection under the law. The amount that a patient can possess is not more than eight ounces of dried marijuana or six mature plants. Twelve immature marijuana may be allowed as a replacement of the six mature ones. The legislation also allows municipalities and councils to maintain or approve local ordinances that permit patients to possess bigger quantities than normally allowed under the new guidelines of the state of California.

More information about legal marijuana and disease treatment in http://www.cannabiscard.com