How to Get a Medical Marijuana License

Federal Law prohibits possession, sell and use of marijuana despite the laws of 13 states which allow medical marijuana use. Many states have allowed medical marijuana use because marijuana is helpful in relieving chronic pain, such as chronic back pain and pain as a result of cancer treatment. Marijuana also decreases nausea and increases appetite which is helpful for those with cancer and other illnesses. Although some states have compassion on those suffering from illnesses who can be helped by marijuana, these states also want to restrict its use so that rampant overabundant use among the general population does not occur. To advance this goal, the states that do allow marijuana use for medicinal purposes require patients to acquire a medical marijuana card or license.

A prescription from a medical doctor is necessary in order to get a medical marijuana card.

If a recommendation or prescription is not available from the patient’s primary doctor, he will need to seek the services of a doctor comfortable writing a medical marijuana prescription. Many states that allow medical marijuana use have clinics available for patients unable to get prescriptions elsewhere. The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation (www.thc-foundation.org) and The Medical Cannabis Resource Center (www.mercycenters.org/libry/i_Nurses.html) are two websites that provide information on medical cannabis, and The Hemp and Cannabis Resource Center offers clinics in several states where medical marijuana is legal.

In California clinics are numerous, and there are even doctors’ groups that focus specifically on Prop 215 (legal medical marijuana) patients. Other states such as New Mexico are just forming non-profit clinics and medical marijuana dispensaries. Counties and cities have the ability to support or ban medical dispensaries in their communities even though medical marijuana use is permitted by the state.

The cost of medical marijuana cards is prohibitive. Although the cost varies by state it is not less than $150. Usually the cards need to be renewed annually. In addition, the cost of medical grade marijuana is generally more than the cost for the same marijuana sold on the black market. However, medical marijuana cards also allow patients to grow their own marijuana, so this is a possible solution to curtailing the high price of medical grade marijuana.

In states that allow medical marijuana use patients must have an illness that qualifies the patient to receive that type of treatment. Once the qualifying illness is met, and the prescription is secured, the medicinal marijuana can be obtained and used. However it is important to note that use in public places is prohibited. In addition, police officers may confiscate marijuana found during traffic stops although often times the marijuana is returned to the individual after a claim is filed to retrieve the illegally confiscated marijuana. Also, the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency has been known to raid marijuana dispensaries since marijuana is a federally prohibited drug. Medical marijuana cards are a boon to patients who would otherwise suffer needlessly.