What is the process in California on achieving a medicinal marijuana permit?

4 Comments

1. Peachy Perfect says:

   September 15, 2010 at 3:13 am

   Well, first, you need to have glaucoma. They won’t just prescribe medicinal marijuana to you because you want it and you’re a pothead.

2. Nancy C says:

   September 15, 2010 at 5:36 pm

   First, it depends where you live. Different locations have different rules.

   Municipalities and counties in CA have chosen in some cases to create their own guidelines to further clarify the 1996 Compassionate Use Act and SB 420. This listing gives up-to-date guidelines for counties that have implemented them.

   Find the details at

   and then…
   A. How to become a medical marijuana patient in the state of California
   Under California’s medical marijuana law, the state Department of Public Health (the Department) is required to set up a voluntary medical cannabis ID system, however this is not yet in place. Although medical cannabis patients are not required by law to have such an ID, once an ID card becomes available, it may be helpful during law enforcement encounters.

   Under Cal. H&S 11362.715:

   A person who seeks an identification card shall pay the fee, as provided in Section 11362.755, and provide all of the following to the county health department or the county’s designee on a form developed and provided by the Department:
   The name of the person, and proof of his or her residency within the county;
   Written documentation by the attending physician in the person’ s medical records stating that the person has been diagnosed with a serious medical condition and that the medical use of marijuana is helpful or appropriate;
   The name, office address, office telephone number, and California medical license number of the person’s attending physician;
   The name and the duties of the primary caregiver, if one exists; and
   A government-issued photo identification card of the person and of the designated primary caregiver, if any. If the applicant is a person under 18 years of age, a certified copy of a birth certificate shall be deemed sufficient proof of identity;
   If the person applying for an identification card lacks the capacity to make medical decisions, the application may be made by the person’s legal representative, including, but not limited to, any of the following:
   A conservator with authority to make medical decisions;
   An attorney-in-fact under a durable power of attorney for health care or surrogate decision maker authorized under another advanced health care directive; and
   Any other individual authorized by statutory or decisional law to make medical decisions for the person;
   The legal representative described above may also designate in the application an individual, including himself or herself, to serve as a primary caregiver for the person, provided that the individual meets the definition of a primary caregiver;
   The person or legal representative submitting the written information and documentation described above shall retain a copy thereof.
   from

   EDIT –
   Found more
   C. Eligible medical conditions: “Serious Medical Condition”
   “Serious medical condition” means all of the following medical conditions:

   Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS);
   Anorexia;
   Arthritis;
   Cachexia;
   Cancer;
   Chronic pain;
   Glaucoma;
   Migraine;
   Persistent muscle spasms, including, but not limited to, spasms associated with multiple sclerosis;
   Seizures, including, but not limited to, seizures associated with epilepsy;
   Severe nausea;
   Any other chronic or persistent medical symptom that either:
   Substantially limits the ability of the person to conduct one or more major life activities as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-336); and
   If not alleviated, may cause serious harm to the patient’s safety or physical or mental health.

3. Holden says:

   September 18, 2010 at 8:20 am

   You have to go to a “reccomendationist”. You can get it if you have been diagnosed with sleep problems, digestion problems, anxiety problems, mood disorders, or just about anything under the sun. I’ve never known anyone who’s had a problem getting one. In fact, I’ve never known anyone who’s actually needed one. Pretty much everyone just wants to get it for the convenience.

4. Keith says:

   September 20, 2010 at 12:27 pm

   Obtaining a medical marijuana card is very easy. You just need a little bit of money and some made-up medical issue. The whole idea is a joke.