MS patient confused about obtaining a card

[Pingles]

Greetings. I've spent a month or so trying to figure this out.

I have been an MS patient for three years or so and would like to get a card. My Neurologist is a family friend so would like to leave him out of getting a card.

I just received a copy of my medical records and am ready to go get a card but have no idea where. The CANORML Doctor links are broken for Santa Cruz, CA.

So I have some questions.

- Can I get a card in another County or are the cards County-specific?
- I see services like Medicann and MMEC give cards but are these their own for their dispensaries or will their cards work with any dispensary?

This forum is a great resource and I have been visiting it often. Thanks.

Pingles Reviewed by Pingles on 11-14-2010. MS patient confused about obtaining a card Greetings. I've spent a month or so trying to figure this out. I have been an MS patient for three years or so and would like to get a card. My Neurologist is a family friend so would like to leave him out of getting a card. I just received a copy of my medical records and am ready to go get a card but have no idea where. The CANORML Doctor links are broken for Santa Cruz, CA. So I have some questions. - Can I get a card in another County or are the cards County-specific? - I Rating: 5

[StoneMeadow]

I too am going through this sometimes confusing process, but maybe I can shed a little light for you.

First, you are not required to get a county-issued or state-issued card. All you really need is the recommendation of your doctor. Nowadays that recommendation is always written (although the law (Prop 215) actually permits a verbal recommendation). In January of this year the California Supreme Court ruled that you don't have to register with your county, nor do you have to get the recommendation from a doctor in your county. You can go to any MD or OD with a California license to practice medicine. Your doctor will need copies of your medical records, and will register his/her recommendation with the State, along with the number of the letter he/she issues to you. That way if you are stopped, show the recommendation to the LEO who can check its validity by radio in seconds, and let you go your way if it checks out okay. It's the same process they use to check to see if your driver's license is valid. The downside to having only the recommendation is that an LEO can still arrest you if he/she thinks you have too much mmj on you, and thereby force you to defend yourself in court.

Second, if you wish you may VOLUNTARILY register your recommendation with your county health dept, and get issued a card by them. This card is separate from your doctor's recommendation. The practical effect of a county-issued card is two-fold. First, if the mmj you have on you (or at your grow location) is within your county's limits, you cannot be arrested for possession or cultivation by any state or local LEO. Second, if you get a county-issued card, you are volunteering to abide by the restrictions of your county. The minimum restriction is 8 oz of dried mmj, PLUS 12 immature or 6 mature plants, but some counties allow higher limits. You can see your county's limits here.

In any case, the doctor who issues the recommendation may require that your primary care physician be notified of the recommendation, so be sure to get this question answered if you don't want your family friend/doctor to know. The mmj doc isn't being a dick about this...it's to protect him and you from mixing mmj in with potentially hazardous combinations of prescription medications.

Hope that helps...and good luck!

[Pingles]

Fantastic! Thank you so much!

[StoneMeadow]

You're welcome, Pingles, but I should clarify a few points...

You wrote, "Can I get a card in another County or are the cards County-specific?" The simple answer is that while you can get the recommendation from any doctor in California, you can ONLY get the card (as distinct from the recommendation) from your county of legal residence. Since your original post mentions Santa Cruz, here is a handy link.

Like I said above, the card is NOT legally required...just the recommendation.

You also asked, "I see services like Medicann and MMEC give cards but are these their own for their dispensaries or will their cards work with any dispensary?"

Dispensaries (and anyone else for that matter) can easily check with the State to determine if your mmj card is valid (website), and once a dispensary confirms yours is, they generally will be happy to sell you mmj. Some are strictly cooperatives, though, and may require you to join them for a fee before they will do business with you. Just ask them on the phone if you have any questions about this.

Finally, I am not an attorney. If you have legal questions you really owe it to yourself to talk to an attorney with expertise in medical marijuana.

[anotherjeff]

StoneMeadow: Good advice, with an exception. You say,

You can go to any MD or OD with a California license to practice medicine. Your doctor will need copies of your medical records, and will register his/her recommendation with the State, along with the number of the letter he/she issues to you.

imo, This is not true. The ONLY State registration is the the optional county program.

And you say,

Dispensaries (and anyone else for that matter) can easily check with the State to determine if your mmj card is valid...

Again, no. The website only validates the optional State ID. There is no reason (that I know of) to obtain a State card.

[StoneMeadow]

StoneMeadow: Good advice, with an exception. You say, "You can go to any MD or OD with a California license to practice medicine. Your doctor will need copies of your medical records, and will register his/her recommendation with the State, along with the number of the letter he/she issues to you."

imo, This is not true. The ONLY State registration is the the optional county programs.

And you say, "Dispensaries (and anyone else for that matter) can easily check with the State to determine if your mmj card is valid...". Again, no. The website only validates the optional State "card".

There is no reason (that I know of) to obtain a State card.

Thank you...in re-reading my post I did make an error. The doctor will not register you with the state. You must do that yourself through your county health dept if you want to get an mmj "card"

I think the second part I wrote is correct. Notice that I wrote "...determine if your mmj card is valid..." The only "mmj card" is the state card issued through county health depts, so I think you and I are saying the same thing.

This highlights an subtle but important distinction that is often lost on newbies. The recommendation from your doctor and the mmj card are completely distinct. In 1996 Prop 215 created the recommendation provision, which provides for a verbal or written recommendation (ALWAYS get the written recommendation!). Keep the original in a safe place and keep copies in your grow room(s), car(s) and in your wallet.

In 2003 SB 420 was signed into law creating California's "Medical Marijuana Program", a voluntary parallel program that issues the "mmj card".

The two programs overlap somewhat, but are legally distinct.

I do agree with you in that I can see no real reason to get the "card", unless maybe you are flying a lot and carry mmj with you, as the TSA accepts the card to permit you to carry mmj with you on domestic flights. (DON'T think the card gives you immunity outside of California, though! As far as I know, ONLY Arizona recognizes out-of-state mmj cards.)

[StoneMeadow]

I need to add one additional reason for getting the card. If for whatever reason you cannot grow your own mmj, and instead buy it at dispensaries and/or cooperatives, you may find that as a practical manner you have to get the card or they won't do business with you.

Maybe those with more experience can chime in on this.

[budlover13]

I've been to 4 different dispensaries and have never had a problem with just my rec. Our dispensary says that you can get a Medicann card or not, they verify directly with the prescribing doctor. The card looks more professional and I believe it allows for 24/7 verification as opposed to calling the Dr. since he is only open during normal business hours.

[StoneMeadow]

Good to know...thanks! Like I said, I'm a newbie too...

[Pingles]

Thanks to all for the advice, especially Stonemeadow.

I received my recommendation from Medicann in Santa Cruz and then, a few days later, ordered my items from CapitolaHealers who delivered it within an hour. I was shocked by how quick it was, was pleased by the gifts with my order and a little taken aback by how pretty the girl who delivered it was.

Thanks again.