After Receiving A Medical Marijuana Card, What’s Next For Patients?

At this point, sixteen states plus DC have legalized medical marijuana, despite marijuana being federally illegal. Each state has established conditions for which medical marijuana is allowed. At one extreme is California where medical marijuana has been legalized for pretty much any disease condition physicians approve, while other states such as Delaware have legalized it for less than ten conditions.

In a state such as Arizona, potential patients must first go see a doctor for an in-person evaluation. The doctor reviews up to a year of pertinent medical records regarding the condition, does the comprehensive exam, and then if the patient qualifies the physician writes for the “certification”.

The individual then sends the certification paper into the state and the medical marijuana card is produced – but then what does the patient do? Some states have legalized dispensaries for marijuana, such as Colorado and California. Individuals can then visit the dispensaries and purchase marijuana up to a certain amount for their debilitating condition. Unfortunately the prices may be extortional, but the marijuana has already been grown right? Various types of marijuana such as sativa and indica blends are sold, and dispensaries typically make other mediums like ointments and edibles to go along with the vaporizing or smoking variety.

What are people supposed to do if they are patients and dispensaries are not present? Don’t fret too much. Patients currently can grow their own cannabis. In Arizona for example, people with valid ID cards can grow up to 12 plants for personal use in an enclosed area. Patients learn how to grow without too much difficulty.

Although it may seem like a hassle, pretty much anyone with a green thumb can learn easily. Hydroponics stores are in abundance which teach people to grow medical marijuana just like growing tomatoes.

Another pathway for receiving medical cannabis is from caregivers. In Arizona for instance, registered caregivers may grow for up to 5 people. This means each caregiver could end up growin sixty plants, and if the caregiver is a patient himself another dozen plants can be grown. People may receive their cannabis from a caregiver legally according to what the particular state allows.

Finally, people may get their medical marijuana from other legal patients. In Arizona it’s allowed, other legal states vary on what’s allowed. Even though marijuana remains federally illegal, the feds have made it clear in 2 memos, one in 2009 and another in 2011, that they are not interested in prosecuting patients, only operations like drug cartels.

Learn more about AZ Medical Marijuana. Stop by Arizona MMC’s site where you can find out all about where to get yourmedical marijuana card AZ.