Important Facts You Need To Know About California's Medical Marijuana Program: How To Get Your Medical Marijuana Recommendation

Medical marijuana is being used by many Californians to treat a multitude of ailments. However many residents are unaware, don't know where to begin and want to know how to get your medical marijuana recommendation. Getting approved for a medical marijuana recommendation should be no different than visiting your physician for treatment of any other ailment.

The process is relatively simple for California residents 18 and older that have a medical condition or aliment that they believe cannabis may be of benefit. A consultation with a licensed medical doctor, MD, or doctor of osteopathy, DO, to approve your medical marijuana use is required by the California Medical Board.

A government issued photo ID is a standard requirement. A driver's license or state ID card are your best bet to proving state residency, but your passport and a current utility bill also works.

There are many conditions and ailments that cannabis may provide a cure or relief. The most common and widely known are for HIV / Aids patients, chemotherapy patients for nausea relief, and appetite stimulation for patients afflicted with anorexia. Cannabis has been proven effective for a multitude of other aliments including chronic pain, MS, glaucoma, PTSD, and a host of other age related ailments.

The California Medical Board requires a licensed MD or DO to approve medical marijuana usage. Your primary care physician can issue you a medical marijuana recommendation, provided he or she is a licensed MD or DO, however in many instances they are unaware of the state's guidelines and/or requirements or unwilling to support cannabis as medicine and therefore reluctant to grant your approval. Attending physicians providing medical marijuana approvals can readily be found via the internet. These physicians are versed in the guidelines and can provide you the necessary documentation and support that will give you access to medical marijuana from a local collective or dispensary.

It has been almost 14 years since the voters of California passed Propostion 215, the Compassionate Use Act, allowing seriously ill patients the right to safe access to medical marijuana. How to get your medical marijuana recommendation by now should be common knowledge. Hopefully with increasing scientific study and research, cannabis will regain acceptance in the medical community as it once was before prohibition.