New patient

Make sure you check reviews on delivery services. I use them as well myself, but only trust the ones that insist you do paperwork. if you're not signing anything your first time before receiving meds, try another service.

 

yes asking that info is normal they need that info so now they can be your caregiver of sorts. they call in your mmj # to make sure it is real

 

Eh, you have to read the reviews to see if they're what you want. Some are better for meds and some are better for fire, and some are just bs. 
 
Texting is normal, yes, but not usually for a place that won't ask you to meet them out at their car, instead of making a personal delivery. 
 
Overnight deliveries have you email scanned copies or photos. The places that won't text, but take your info over the phone will also take a picture of your docs during delivery, for their records often times. 
 
You are not protected under HIPPA as the dispensaries are not medical facilities, and you are not their patient. You are the patient of your doctor who issued the recommendation. Does it help anyone in court? No. But the cops are very unlikely to go after patients, cuz they're not the ones making money, and that's what they're after. 

 

Hey I recently got my Medical Marijuana Card in CA and I was just wondering am I restricted to what dispensaries I can go to? I went to one and signed up for it, but I'd like to see what other dispensaries have in stock. Can I join another or will I get into trouble with the law err something.

 

OP:
 
1) Kudos on the excellent username.
 
2) Yes, services can and should ask to have member ID/recommendation info on file at all times in case they are audited by law enforcement (less and less likely to happen over the past few years).
 
3) Weedmaps has become overpopulated with pay-per-review lately, especially in my county. We've been in business for 4-5 years and have quite a few devoted members who have reviewed us, but just within the last year there have been close to 10 new delivery services who have opened and they already have 300-500 reviews. Your best bet is Leafly for reviews & strain info, or word-of-mouth and some basic know-how in terms of who to go through. If they have $80 ounces, chances are they are selling you stem/seed with no basic testing at all. The average in my county for top-grade is $15/g for 20%-plus strains. High Times posts a monthly breakdown of popular strains by state as well as average prices for quality bud.