Applying for a California Medical Marijuana Card

Do you want to learn how to apply for a medical marijuana card in California? If you do, this article will give you all the information you need.

If you are a resident of California and suffering from chronic pain, for example, you may be wondering whether medical marijuana therapy is right for you. According to Green Health Docs, medical cannabis is an exceptional alternative to traditional and addictive pharmaceuticals. The first thing you need to understand is that medical marijuana is legal in California. It has been legal since 1996. The state was at the forefront of efforts to legalize marijuana in the country.

In 1972, California held the first ballot initiative in the country attempting to legalize marijuana. Although it failed to pass, the state would later become the first in the U.S. to legalize medical marijuana. In late 2016, California legalized the recreational use of cannabis. Consequently, local governments may not prohibit adult residents of the state from using, growing, or transporting cannabis for personal use.

Impact of Cannabis Legalization

To understand how the legalization of marijuana affects the nation, you need to look at how the industry is faring during the coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19 was disastrous for most industries; however, it was somewhat good for others. For the cannabis industry, for example, 2020 was a remarkable year.

Across the nation, legal sales of medical and recreational cannabis hit a record of more than $17 billion. You need to understand that this is an increase of about 46 percent from the previous year. California is the nation’s largest marijuana economy, accounting for almost $3.5 billion in sales in 2020. This is an increase of more than $585 million from 2019. 

The cannabis industry is proving to be remarkably resilient. It is one of a handful of potentially recession-proof sectors. While many sectors saw a massive slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, many states deemed medical marijuana dispensaries essential businesses. 

Being a Medical Marijuana Patient in California 

If you want to learn how to apply for a medical marijuana card in California, you first need to understand that anyone can apply. This issue has been plaguing the state since it legalized the medical use of marijuana in 1996. This is because there is no codified list of approved health/medical conditions from the state’s legislature. 

Furthermore, most doctors in the state embrace marijuana as a feasible substitute for patients who cannot tolerate or do not want prescription drugs. Therefore, according to many people, every Californian is a medical marijuana patient. Also, California lacks a mandatory registry, making it difficult to know the number of MMJ patients.

How to Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in California 

As an adult, you can purchase marijuana just about anywhere in California. However, if you are an MMJ patient with a doctor’s recommendation, you can possess or grow more significant quantities of marijuana than recreational users. This is one of the essential benefits of having a medical marijuana card.

    Medical and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act

This act regulates both recreational and medical marijuana. It allows adults aged 21 years and above to possess up to 28.5 grams, one ounce of flower, up to six cannabis plants in their private residence, and eight grams of concentrate. If you are a qualified medical marijuana patient, you may possess up to 227 grams, or eight ounces, of dried marijuana. You can also cultivate up to 12 immature cannabis plants or six mature ones.

To apply for a medical marijuana card in California, you need a doctor’s recommendation. However, you need to be at least 21 years of age to purchase marijuana. The medical marijuana card will give you a tax exemption on your purchases. Fortunately, finding a medical marijuana doctor is not difficult. You can find one online through authoritative sites, such as Veriheal. 

·     Qualifying Medical Conditions in California 

To get a doctor’s recommendation for a medical marijuana card, you need to have at least one qualifying condition. Some of these conditions include:

· Chronic pain.

· Anorexia.

· Seizures.

· Arthritis.

· Persistent muscle spasms.

· Wasting syndrome, or cachexia.

· Migraines.

· Cancer.

· HIV/AIDS.

· Severe nausea.

· Glaucoma.

· Any other persistent or chronic health symptom that significantly limits your ability to perform a significant life activity.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 defines conditions that limit people’s ability to perform a significant life activity. You also qualify if you suffer from a state that, if not relieved, may cause serious harm to your safety, mental health, or physical health.

·     Application Process

You must get your MMIC card, which means Medical Marijuana Identification Card, through a county program. You need to understand this if you want to learn how to apply for a medical marijuana card in California. You will find information on the MMIC program in your county from the contact information page and county offices. 

You must reside in the county where you submit your application. Counties in the state require proof of identity and a copy of the doctor’s recommendation. Your proof of identity can be your ID card, valid California driver’s license, or any other government-issued 

identification card. When it comes to providing proof of residency, you can give a copy of your mortgage or rental agreement, California DMV vehicle registration, or utility bill.

The application fees required by different county programs vary; however, they cannot exceed $100. If you are a Medi-Cal patient, you will get a 50 percent reduction in the fees. The state also waives fees for low-income patients enrolled in the County Medical Services Program.

When you submit your application, you should not expect to get your medical marijuana card immediately. You need to understand that counties have 30 days to verify and process applications, in addition to five days to make the cards available.

Under certain conditions, minors residing in California can apply for a medical marijuana card as patients or caregivers. Lawfully emancipated minors, however, can use as qualified patients. This also applies to children with a declared self-sufficiency status.

The state also allows non-resident adults with a valid state ID, driver’s license, or federal ID to buy marijuana for recreational purposes. However, to purchase medical marijuana in the state, both non-resident and resident patients require a valid physician’s recommendation. The physician should have a license to practice in California. It is essential to understand that it is illegal for recreational and medical marijuana to cross state borders. This means that you should not take marijuana out of or bring it into California.

Sources:

https://www.veriheal.com/california/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/willyakowicz/2021/03/03/us-cannabis-sales-hit-record-175-billion-as-americans-consume-more-marijuana-than-ever-before/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/california-medical-marijuana-patients_b_5916782