There are docs in CA who will legitmately write scripts for MJ, and there are those who come to town once a month and do a "clinic" for a hundred dollars or so....a group of maybe thirty sit down and listen to the benifits and effects of MJ. then the doc sees you individually, you bring your med records with you, then you get your recomendation and off to the county you go for your card. Like You said, all over america there are scripts being written for much harder drugs for bogus reasons all the time. It would actually be cheaper just to get a ticket here in calif for holding under an ounce. the whole cost in my county is just under four hundred for the whole enchilada to get a card. and as i have found, starting a grow is kinda spendy too.
good luck to you
inbud