How to Get a Medical Marijuana ID Card

A lot of people are wondering how to get a medical marijuana ID card, more commonly known as a cannabis card. The reality is, these state-issued cards are not something you can simply apply for by just walking into a government office. These cards are only issued by local public health departments, which require the fulfillment of certain procedures during the application process.

The good news is that 18 states plus Washington DC have enacted laws to legalize cannabis for medical patients. However, they have also put into place rigid regulatory programs to ensure that only those who are in need can benefit. If you don't have a card, that means your use of cannabis is illegal and you can be prosecuted for it, even if you can prove that the uses are medicinal.

To get a cannabis card, first, you need to make an appointment with a cannabis doctor. Be sure to bring your medical history and other necessary documents to the appointment. If you qualify, get a signed medical marijuana recommendation. Next, submit this recommendation along with the necessary documents and fees to your local public health department. If everything is in order, your public health department will approve your application and issue you your very own medical marijuana ID card. Medicinal cannabis can be obtained from a medical marijuana dispensary.

Basic Facts about Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

With the legalization of medical marijuana in many states across the US, the question of where they may be legally available inevitably comes up. A medical marijuana dispensary is basically where the sale of the medical product is allowed, under certain conditions.

The first requirement is that you need to actually be suffering from ailments which may vary according to the listings by states that have legalized medicinal marijuana. Consult your doctor if medical cannabis is acceptable as part of the treatment for your condition, or check your state's regulations on whether your diagnosis allows the use of the product.

Take note, though, that while there are several well-documented benefits to the medical use of cannabis, the risks of using this herbal medicine are still highly debated. Take extra precautions to make sure you are taking the remedy within the prescribed dosage for your condition. Also, avoid being charged with a federal offense by taking it only within the bounds and protection of the state's laws.

Official studies on the numerous health benefits to using medicinal marijuana abound. For instance, cannabis is said to relieve asthma attacks, glaucoma, arthritis, and nausea. Its reputation as an effective pain analgesic is already well-known. Nevertheless, while the legal fabric surrounding its use is quite new, the medical community's guard is up against potential abuses.

Medical ID and Prescription Required to Obtain Marijuana

Stories of marijuana smoking swarm the tabloid pages of celebrity columns. Just recently, former Nickelodeon child star Amanda Bynes was arrested for smoking pot and throwing the bong (a tube pipe) out of her window. And before her, singer Justin Bieber, and actors Kristen Stewart and Elijah Wood were caught smoking weed.

Despite the noticeable benefits of marijuana use in the medical field, cannabis, even for medicinal purposes, is still illegal in some US states. Arguments against its legalization vary from the notion that the drug has a high potential for abuse, to the perception that legitimatizing marijuana equates to government going “soft” on drugs.

In many medical establishments, marijuana is, in fact, being used as a controlled substance to relieve pain. It has been proven effective with little known adverse effects on the kidneys and the liver compared to more expensive prescription drugs. Its analgesic effects are quick and desirable especially for those undergoing pain management therapy—patients in treatment for cancer, multiple sclerosis, and chronic diseases. For patients with fierce migraines and seizures,cannabis has shown to be an effective muscle relaxant.

Doctors in some US hospitals prescribe or recommend certain types and dosage of cannabis, depending on the patient's ailment. To purchase the required dosage, patients keep with them a letter from their doctor. In San Francisco, patients are given ID cards, instead of letters. These cards can be used in medical marijuana dispensaries, which are secure locations where marijuana can be obtained once your identification and prescription are checked out.

Legal Marijuana Dispensaries: Enabling Safe and Regulated Use of Medical Cannabis

Technology can be a boon or a bane, depending on how well you use it. Modern gadgets like computers help people perform their tasks faster. At the same time, however, a heavy dependence on machines may prove dangerous to a certain degree. One only has to look at rampant Internet and social media addiction among today's generation to realize this danger.

Having said that, the ability to accomplish more tasks in less time and with a higher degree of accuracy is certainly not something to belittle. Certain innovations also enable better control over variables and leave little room for error or security breaches. Such benefits are essential to production and distribution, which must be as precise as possible.

Take, for example, the sale and use of cannabis, a medicinal herb that must be dispensed safely and securely for the benefit of patients. This drug is known to have varying degrees of efficacy for patients suffering from arthritis, chronic pain, epilepsy, glaucoma, ad even cancer. In certain states where the medical use of cannabis is permitted, patients may obtain this drug under prescription through accredited legal marijuana dispensaries.

These facilities are equipped with a special apparatus accessible only to authorized personnel that releases precise doses of marijuana for medical use. Notwithstanding its perceived dangers, technology can indeed be used to improve one's quality of life.

The Benefits of Medical Marijuana for Arthritis Pain Sufferers

The fact that many U.S. states have legalized the use of medical marijuana means they have acknowledged its numerous medical benefits. Unfortunately, whether or not it is indeed effective in treating symptoms of arthritis remains a hot topic for debate. Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more joints, resulting in pain, swelling, and restricted movement. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the United States, affecting more than 21 million adults.

The belief that medical marijuana helps relieve arthritic symptoms is nothing new, although it has certainly garnered a lot of attention in recent years. A Chinese text ca. 2000 BC documented the use of cannabis to treat rheumatism. Thousands of years later, numerous modern studies have established medical marijuana's benefits for people who suffer from arthritic pain.

A January 2006 article published in the journal Rheumatology reported that based on research conducted by D.R. Blake and his group, cannabis-based medicine improved patients' sleep quality and enhanced their movements. For arthritis sufferers who wish to explore their treatment options with medical marijuana, it's best to consult with a qualified doctor first and find out about the laws governing medical marijuana use in each state.

Curative Cannabis: A Brief Overview

Cannabis, more popularly known as marijuana, is a plant that's perhaps well known (or infamous) as a recreational drug. While the plant itself can be used as a viable alternative to cotton fibers for textiles or as a foodstuff, cannabis can also induce a euphoric “high”, which can make it quite addictive. Such effects have led to widespread regulation and outright bans on this herb.

However, using cannabis isn't all just about getting stoned and seeing pretty colors; its feasibility as a medicinal drug has in fact been explored multiple times, with generally positive results. Medical marijuana has been known to relieve the symptoms of glaucoma, neuropathic pain, nausea, anorexia, muscles spasms, and others. Synthesized forms of the plant can be taken orally, like a pill, which can induce the drug's effects without forcing the patient to ingest smoke.

Despite the drug's promising potential as a medicinal substance, it has certainly met a lot of resistance. Lately, however, several states across America have legalized cannabis in an effort to curb illegal distribution as well as spread word about its benefits. Perhaps someday, when the world could overlook the negative stereotypes associated marijuana, it will soon be a drug that helps improve lives.