Goes like this from what I think i've learned so far:
Problems > doctor > recommendation > potdoc!(physician) > card > dispensary for tha dank

Yes, you have to have the card to get medicinal marijuana. It's not all that bad though, you should look up your state laws concerning medicinal marijuana online. And i'm sure the government already knows way more about you than you want them to know, so don't even worry about being put into a database, you're already in one .