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Getting Your Medical Marijuana Recommendation

Discussion in 'Medical Marijuana Usage and Applications' started by The Grasscity Post, Jul 23, 2014.

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    Getting your medical marijuana recommendation is easy.
     
    As new information regarding the medicinal value  of marijuana  and its chemical properties comes the public's eyes, law makers are starting to realize the fact that Cannabis is not as big of a threat to society at large as they once imagined.  Our knowledge of the beneficial properties of cannabis grows more and more daily. The once deeply held notion that a cannabis card or recommendation was only reserved for those with life threatening illnesses, is beginning to deteriorate. Another long held myth is that employers and others have access to your medical marijuana records. The truth is that they don't. The state ID card system has safeguards to protect patient privacy. Patient names and addresses are not kept in the state's data base: the only information retained is a personal photo and ID number. The privacy of medical records is protected by federal HIPAA laws. However, if you're drug tested, a medical marijuana recommendation won't protect you .
     
    Cannabis as it turns out, can enhance our lives through the complete eradication of life's little aches and unnecessary discomforts. Along with providing a natural alternative to strong over prescribed pain killers and  sedatives, new research also supports the beneficial impact of cannabis in psychological and neurological disorders as well.
     
    The requirements for getting a medical card or recommendation have drastically lowered in recent times and now access has opened to those that want to pursue a legal cannabis lifestyle. Though laws will vary from state to state and country to country, we will discuss the legal status of California and how I myself have gained my recommendation or  “rec” as it is called.
     
    First and fore most it is very important to be aware of your local laws and guidelines. The laws in California are as follow:
    PROPOSITION 215, the California Compassionate Use Act, was enacted by the voters and took effect on Nov. 6, 1996 as California Health & Safety Code 11362.5. The law makes it legal for patients and their designated primary caregivers to possess and cultivate marijuana for their personal medical use given the recommendation or approval of a California-licensed physician.
     
    SB420, a legislative statute, went into effect on January 1, 2004 as California H&SC 11362.7-.83. This law broadens Prop. 215 to transportation and other offenses in certain circumstances; allows patients to form medical cultivation “cooperatives” or “collectives” ; and establishes a voluntary state ID card system run through county health departments. SB 420 also establishes guidelines or limits as to how much patients can possess and cultivate. Legal patients who stay within the guidelines are supposed to be protected from arrest.
     
    Prop. 215 explicitly covers marijuana possession and cultivation (H&SC 11357 and 11358) for personal medical use. Hashish and concentrated cannabis, including edibles, (HSC 11357a) are also included. Transportation (HSC 11360) has also been allowed by the courts. Within the context of a bona fide collective or caregiver relationship, SB 420 provides protection against charges for possession for sale (11359); transportation, sale, giving away, furnishing, etc. (11360); providing or leasing a place for distribution of a controlled substance (11366.5, 11570).
     
    Now on to the permit.
     
    There are two types open to the general public. One is your  Medical Marijuana Identification card that is issued through your local county and the other one is your Medical Marijuana Recommendation that any licensed physician can give you. A recent increase in Medical Cannabis patients has even generated new business as some doctors have chosen to specialize in the medicine that is cannabis. Generally you can find such practices by using your web browser of choice and simply stating what you are looking for and in what area. As simple as that. Both allow you to  legally cultivate, consume, posses and of course purchase at local dispensaries, coffee shops, bodegas or what ever your local term may be for pot shops.
     
    The difference is that the ID card or county card is recognized by local and state troopers while the recommendation leaves it to the discretion of the officer to pursue the matter forward. This how ever is highly unlikely to be fruitful for “5-O” as the case will most certainly be dismissed by the judge less you were busted with a lb of grass.  I personally have for the last 6 years gone with my medical recommendation. I will say that the wallet sized convenience  of a Medical card is sometimes thought of when toting around the laminated 8X11 piece of paper  that is my recommendation.
     
    Now that you know what type of permit you want, now comes the crucial point. Don't worry its easier than you may think. The next thing to identify is your reason for seeking medical cannabis. In other words what ails you. Seemingly trivial issues such as restlessness at night or even poor appetite can nowadays be a reasonable argument for seeking the medicinal relief that marijuana offers. Here are some other examples cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraine, PMS, post-traumatic stress, depression, and even substance abuse.
    I myself use cannabis to treat an achy shoulder after a long days work. Though it wasn't necessary to show any supporting documents for the basic plant allowance, I used medical records of physical therapy that followed a car accident to validate my higher consumption or dosing rates and thus my higher plant count need.
     
    Wondering what kind of doctor can issue a recommendation or card? 
Prop. 215 applies to physicians, osteopaths and surgeons who are licensed to practice in California. It does not apply to chiropractors, herbal therapists, etc. Prop. 215 requires physicians to state that they approve or recommend marijuana. Physicians are protected from federal prosecution for recommending marijuana by the Conant U.S. court decision.
     
    Talking to the doctor…
 Lets assume you don't have a life threatening illness nor any documentation to support your claim that cannabis is your remedy for head aches. The best choice would be to go to one of those green friendly practices. On the other hand if you have a lingering injury or some sort of alteration to your way of life due to an injury or illness, with the proper documentation, your quest for a card or rec through a conventional doctor or a green doctor will be a simple breeze. The best argument is the quest to eliminate pain killers (opiates and other pharmaceuticals) all together and replace it with the natural pain killer that is marijuana, or CBD's to be exact.
     
    Back to the first scenario. 
You find the “420 Doc”, now what? Again keep it simple. The doctor knows why you are there and his/her business depends solely on the patronage of people just like you and the thousands that are getting theirs daily. He or she, will  not grill you any more than what is necessary. Don't try and lie to them just be honest and state your claim.  In the six years I've renewed my recommendation I've been to 5 different places and the general feel was that so long as you were 21, not issues at all. As the age started to dip below that, the more stringent the requirements became. 18 and no supporting medical records? Forget about it.
     
    Once you do get your recommendation, with out exaggerating, a whole new world opens up to you. Most dispensaries will have a first time patient deal with freebies ranging from pipes, edibles, herb and sometimes free on the spot samples of concentrates and top shelf that'll have you asking for two grams of what ever that was that just demolished you. The only draw back to the “grade A” is the “grade A price”. Really good grass can retail as much as $20 per gram. A severe blow to the pocket regardless of your economic standing, let alone a patient on disability or retired.Luckily you can cultivate your own.
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    Under Prop. 215, patients are entitled to whatever amount of marijuana is necessary for their personal medical use. However, patients are likely to be arrested if they exceed the SB 420 guidelines. SB420 sets a baseline statewide guideline of 6 mature or 12 immature plants, and 1/2 pound (8 oz.) processed cannabis per patient. Individual cities and counties are allowed to enact higher, but not lower, limits than the state standard. Patients can be exempted from the limits if their physician specifically states that they need more for their own personal use. 
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    Though plant count is regulated, you may be surprised that plant size is not. Obviously with all good neighborly discretions in mind such as not growing 8 foot ganja monsters in the from yard. Cultivating can be a positive activity both on your mind and your pocket.
 
     
    By getting you card or recommendation you are taking full use of other little known benefits about the law and its allowances. You can actually legally grow and sell your excess pot.
  
 
     
    Under state law,  the California Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (Prop. 215) patients and their "primary caregivers" are protected from criminal prosecution under state law for personal possession and cultivation of marijuana, but NOT for distribution or sale to others.  State law was  expanded in 2004 by a new law, Senate Bill 420 (Health & Safety Code 11362.7-8). Among other things, SB 420 authorized patient "cooperatives" or "collectives" to grow, distribute and/or sell medical marijuana on a non-profit basis to their members. It also allows duly designated primary caregivers who consistently attend to patients' needs and collective members to charge for their labor and services in providing marijuana.
     
    But remember all cities and countries have different laws. Always stay on top of all the changes and amendments made to your local medical marijuana guidelines. You can still be federally charged if you do not have all your ducks in a row or are just excessive in your Marijuana lifestyle.
I truly recommend the acquisition of a medical card or permit. The liberation can be compared to turning 21. Just like all the bars opened up to you so will all the dispensaries. You will no longer have to worry about the ounce or two in your trunk. Nor will you have to risk life and limb by taking your chances on street deals. The only tough choice is which permit to get.
     
    By Abner Perez
     

     
  2. Good post.....

    If anyone in Nevada has any questions or looking for help ..  we can help...  we don't claim to be doctors but we are lawyers. We have been at this a while in Nevada ... 
     
  3. I implore everyone to use this as your information source, on mmj. Also if you fall into (do i qualify for mmj?) use this as source too. Lot of people make threads on this issue and have no idea what their talking about. Or the ramifications of considering it as medicinal only drug. It is a recreational drug with mild if any negative side affects, numerous medical benefits. Lets be real here


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