Not all doctors are willing to write medical marijuana recommendations in California, but some will. In fact, some “weed doctors” specialize in it. Although marijuana’s reputation over the last century has not been particularly good, more and more people are aware of its medical uses and are more comfortable with it. Every year, more U.S. states and even countries are legalizing medical marijuana.

Navigating the abundance of information out there can be overwhelming for most. How do you even know if using it is the right choice or if medical cannabis would even work for you? Visiting your doctor is the first step. Ask him or her directly. Only through honest conversation with your physician or healthcare provider can you decide if marijuana will help you or not.

Asking your personal doctor for marijuana recommendations may feel confusing, intimidating, and even embarrassing. It is legal to discuss cannabis with your physician, and most have these discussions daily with patients. There is no stigma attached to it and patients have the right to get advice about the treatment that could best help them.

Discussing Marijuana Recommendations with Your Doctor

You should ask your healthcare provider as many questions about cannabis as possible, as the answers he or she gives will help you determine if marijuana is the right option for you, and if it is, then how do you go about becoming a legal medical cannabis patient? Use these questions as a guide when talking about marijuana with your doctor, and personalize a few more according to your medical history:

• Are there health risks associated with marijuana use, and if yes, what are they?
• What conditions does cannabis treat and would it work for your specific ailment?
• What is the most effective method of cannabis consumption between vaping, smoking, and ingesting?
• Will medical marijuana suit my lifestyle?
• Is there more information about medical marijuana, and if so, where can you find it?
• Will you be able to function normally when using medical marijuana during the day?
• Is it safe to use medical cannabis around your children, if applicable?
• Will marijuana interact with any other medicines you may be taking?
• Are there safety rules associated with marijuana use?

You should not rely solely on interrogating your physician for answers to your questions about using cannabis medicinally. Research online to educate yourself further and prepare better for the discussion with your doctor. If he or she does not write letters, then “weed doctors” are available online and at 420 Evaluation Centers. They write most medical marijuana recommendations in California.

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana

During the conversation with your doctor, it is important to discuss the crux of medical cannabis use: In other words, talk about the actual symptoms and illnesses it treats, and if your ailment is one of them. The law recognizes marijuana to treat most common diseases and symptoms, and you instantly qualify for medical patient status if you have any of these medical conditions:

• Parkinson’s Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• HIV/AIDS, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
• Hepatitis C
• Glaucoma
• Crohn’s Disease
• Cancer
• ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Seizures

The law does not only recognize the above health issues as treatable with medical cannabis. It also allows for any condition that your doctor thinks would benefit from marijuana treatment. Researchers already know much about the medicinal value of THC, CBDs, terpenes, and more. Daily science uncovers more evidence of its positive effects on conditions such as these:

• Ulcerative Colitis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Depression
• Chronic Pain
• Chronic Insomnia
• Back Pain
• Anxiety
• Anorexia

If you have any of these health problems and traditional medicine has not helped you, then you have a legitimate right to treat yourself effectively with medical marijuana. Combining its use with your other prescription medications may help boost your appetite, improve your mobility, and manage your pain more effectively.

Getting Medical Marijuana Recommendations in California

To use cannabis legally for medical purposes, you must have a recommendation letter from a doctor. As this is not always easy to find, it may be wise to forgo trying every doctor in town. If, after talking to your physician, he or she refuses, you can visit any 420 Evaluation Center in California and find a doctor who will. If you choose this option, prepare for a long queue and a drive through some dodgy neighborhoods.

The easiest, most convenient way to get authentic marijuana recommendations is to do it online. Many marijuana delivery services can offer patients this option for a small fee. The law allows online health consultations, and after a short video consultation discussing your medical symptoms and history, you will receive your recommendation via email from a marijuana-licensed, legitimate physican.

Medical marijuana law in California enables patients to register voluntarily for a cannabis ID card. The California Department of Public Health issues Medical Marijuana Cards to with a doctor’s letter of recommendation to use it. Senate Bill 420 amended cannabis law to include additional protections for patients, caregivers, and legal dispensaries.

What is the Medical Marijuana Program?

The MMP is a registry program run by the state. Qualified patients, and their caregivers, can register for the right to use, carry, grow, and transport medical cannabis unhindered by federal law. The state issues Medical Marijuana Cards to patients, and its system enables officials to verify and validate the legitimacy of patients and their legal status.

Although experts advise getting a card, it is not compulsory. You do not have to join the MMP, but if you do, then you will have legal protection from the state. Despite widespread media and other efforts to encourage registration, patients only need medical marijuana recommendations from their doctors to use cannabis legally. Registering for a card is a regulatory requirement, but it is not law.

Finding Legal Marijuana Recommendations

It could not be any easier to apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in California. You can be a legal patient in minutes. Finding a doctor to write a recommendation letter for you is the hardest part. Not all physicians are willing or certified to do so. However, it is possible to find cannabis-certified doctors who help patients access their medicine. You need only look online:

Network of Cannabis-Certified Doctors

Most online marijuana dispensaries provide services that connect people with marijuana-recommending doctors. An entire network of them exists across the state. Some will even provide a portal for you to connect directly with one. If your health woes are real, he or she will write a letter for you.

Convenience

Everyone applying for a Medical Marijuana Card in California must have a written letter of recommendation from a qualified physician. You cannot get a card without one. Instead of navigating dodgy areas looking for doctors, you can find one online from the safety and comfort of home.

Virtual Consultations

Physicians consult easily with patients online. There is no need to visit one personally, as video chats are more than sufficient for marijuana recommendations. Patients must renew their Medical Marijuana Cards annually, and you can attend all follow-up consultations online, as well.

Qualified Doctors

Marijuana doctors in California are highly qualified medical professionals. They dedicate their lives to helping patients, instead of poisoning them with dangerous prescription drugs. These cannabis advocates are saving lives and are at the forefront of medical science.

Cost of Medical Marijuana Cards in California

Individual counties administer the MMP as they see fit. For this reason, fees vary by county for Medical Marijuana Cards. However, state-issued cards have set application fees, but counties still determine the actual administration fees you will pay. This is what it costs to get a Medical Marijuana Card from the state of California:

The application fee for Medical Marijuana Identification Cards is currently $66 for patients who are not part of Medi-Cal.
Those belonging to Medi-Cal only pay $33 for their Medical Marijuana Cards.

Your local county program or dispensary can help you find out exactly what you will pay in your specific area. They can probably do it for you in a few minutes or less. If the state denies your application, you have the right to appeal it. There is no charge to appeal. Simply submit an Appeals Form within a month of receiving your denial. Mail it to the Department of Public Health directly.

When you date and sign an Appeals Form, you authorize the county to release your information to the Department of Public Health, where it will undergo analysis. Appeal decisions made by the state Medical Marijuana Program are final and unchallengeable. Grounds for denial can include lack of required information, fraud, or not meeting regulatory requirements.

Cost of Medical Marijuana Recommendations in California

Online cannabis dispensaries offer package services for prospective medical patients. You can get marijuana recommendations alone for approximately $50, including service fees and other charges. Getting a pot recommendation and a Medical Marijuana Card together will cost roughly $70, and if you also want to purchase a growing license for 99 plants, expect to pay approximately $150 per year for it.

Conclusion

Many good reasons exist to get a Medical Marijuana Card, including extra protections, access to legal cannabis, and lawful compliance. However, you do not actually need one. You can join a dispensary community and purchase cannabis with your doctor’s letter of recommendation, but for the law to protect your rights as a medical patient, consider joining the Medical Marijuana Program.