Enacted on November 5, 1996, Proposition 215, (also referred to as the Compassionate Act), allows for Californians (over 18 years of age) the legal right to use marijuana solely for medicinal purposes. California was the first state to use cannabis for this purpose. Now with a State of California Identification Card one can readily get marijuana and marijuana products (concentrates and edibles). A California Medical Marijuana Card is all that is needed to go into a dispensary.

How do I get a Medical Marijuana Card in California?

English: Man holding a California state-issued card authorizing him to obtain medical cannabis (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To obtain a marijuana card one has to have a medical reason. A doctor’s signature of authorization is then needed to issue the card. California permits a patient to have hold and to cultivate plants, which are to be used strictly for medicinal treatment, and under doctor’s orders. A Medical marijuana card allows the patient 12 months before a having to renew.

Medical marijuana for medical use is easy to get from dispensaries. This is not necessarily true for medical reasons in all cases. Sometimes the patients are not sick at all, they just want a safe environment in which to purchase the marijuana. More and more people are requesting a card from their doctor. With a doctor’s authorization, people can finally get medical grade A marijuana. As a rule, medical marijuana cards are relatively easy to obtain, after a check up with the doctor and a small fee. The cards are pretty easy to get and are issued on a regular basis.

Also, people like the security of the card as a “get out of jail free” ticket in case they are apprehended for possession. Simply having a place to purchase quality buds is a relaxing thought. No more back alley deals. And – there are the growers who bring in an amazing array to the clubs. One is guaranteed variety and a clean product when choosing their purchase.

The Marijuana Patient Database

Medical Cannabis Growing Operation in Oakland, California (Photo credit: Rusty Blazenhoff)

California has a patient cannabis database program list. The medical patient cannabis database program requires all counties to keep track of who has a card on file and how often they frequent clubs. The program moved forward in 2003 as a way to protect medical patients from the law if caught with marijuana in their possession. This system was seen as a way to ensure a measure of control for the voter-approved medical marijuana program,

The true reality is that California is still under federal jurisdiction regarding holding a medical marijuana card. This still remains to be seen as to how everything pans out. For now, the movement persists for full legalization, which may overshadow the entire medical business if this comes to pass.