Getting a Medical Marijuana in California in 2019

Cannabis has been legal for just over a year now in California. Many were expecting a “green rush” and, although some did well in the move to legalization, the rush has so far not been truly realized. Confusion over where and which outlets can operate, high taxes, product recalls due to new testing requirements being implemented, banks being unwilling to trade with federally illegal trades, the inability to ship products to other states and new rules and regulations being made and implemented without much warning or foresight have tempered the marijuana market somewhat. This means legal sales are not what was necessarily projected, and the black market still thrives somewhat in California.

This means that, even in a legal landscape, there is still some value in obtaining a physician’s recommendation and medical marijuana identification card (MMIC) in California. Advantages include:

1. Exemption from the sales tax portion of the total cost of whichever cannabinoid-containing product (e.g. flowers/buds, hashish and other such extracts, topicals, tinctures, edibles) you decide to buy from a legal dispensary. Please note: you will need a medical marijuana card to get an exemption from the Sales portion of the tax – a recommendation alone is not enough. Sales taxes can make up between 5-10% of the total cost of cannabis, depending upon the county. Excise taxes are still applicable.

2. Greater possession limits – medical cannabis patients can carry up to 8 ounces of flower/bud on their persons, compared to 1 ounce for recreational users.
3. Access to a wider range of dispensaries – not all towns, cities, and counties in California are welcoming legalized recreational cannabis!
4. Greater precedence with regards to protections in law for medical cannabis patients.
5. Some reciprocity with other US states, meaning they recognize a Californian medical marijuana card as valid. Arizona, Delaware, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island all have reciprocity policies. However, this means that the state recognizes the card as valid, and does not guarantee the ability to enter a dispensary in any of these states.

Fortunately, qualifying for an MMJ card is now easier than ever. Thanks to telehealth, you can now qualify for a doctor’s recommendation letter and medical marijuana card online. All you have to do is:

1. Go to the Leafwell Medical Marijuana Card page.
2. Click on the “Get A Rec” button. If you want to know more about Leafwell.co and want some questions answered, scroll down and peruse through our FAQs.
3. Once you’ve clicked on the “Get A Rec” button, you’ll be taken to our virtual clinic.
4. In order to join the virtual waiting room, you’ll need to set up an account by giving a name, valid email address, and password.

Once you’ve done all the above, you’ll have created a profile. To fully complete your profile, all you need to do is take or upload a picture of yourself and complete a quick one-minute questionnaire. Once completed, you’ll enter the waiting room and be seen by a doctor within a few minutes. Once approved, your recommendation letter will be sent to you via email, and if requested your MMIC will be delivered to you in 5 working days.

With the above in mind, should you wish to speak to one of the doctors at Leafwell and qualify for a medical marijuana card, please ensure you have the following:

• A smartphone, tablet, desktop or laptop with a working camera, microphone, speakers, and reliable internet connection.
• Photographic ID (e.g. driver’s license, passport).
• Proof of California address (e.g. utility bill, rent/mortgage agreement).
• Helpful but not essential: medical notes/records explaining your condition/s.

As for which conditions will qualify you for medical marijuana in California, they include:

• Anorexia
• Anxiety
• Arthritis
• Cachexia
• Cancer
• Chemotherapy Side-Effects
• Chronic Pain
• Depression
• Fibromyalgia
• HIV/AIDS
• Irritable Bowel Diseases (IBD, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Coeliac Disease)
• Glaucoma
• Migraine
• Persistent Muscle Spasms and Muscle Cramps arising from Conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS),
• Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Radiation Therapy Side-Effects
• Severe Nausea
• Seizures and conditions that cause seizures (e.g. Epilepsy)
• Any chronic or persistent condition/symptom limits the ability for the sufferer to conduct one or more major life activities (e.g. eating, movement).

If you’d like to know more about the Cannabis laws in California, dosing cannabinoid-based medications and the science behind cannabis, check out the Leafwell blog today, and feel free to send us any questions.