In California, becoming a medical marijuana patient is relatively straightforward. The steps to obtaining a medical marijuana card, also known as a recommendation, are as follows: Consult with a qualified medical professional: In California, a medical professional must be a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. The medical professional will need to evaluate you and determine if you have a qualifying medical condition that would benefit from medical marijuana treatment. Obtain a written certification or recommendation from your physician: Once the medical professional has determined that you have a qualifying condition, they will provide you with a written certification or recommendation for medical marijuana. Register with the state medical marijuana program: California does not have a state-run medical marijuana program, so there is no need to register with the state. Obtain a medical marijuana card (optional): While not required by law, many dispensaries and delivery services will ask for an MMJ ID card as proof of your recommendation. You can obtain an ID card through the county health department or online through a third-party service, but remember that it's not an official government-issued ID, and some dispensaries may not accept it. Purchase medical marijuana from a licensed dispensary or delivery service: Once you have your certification or recommendation, you can purchase medical marijuana from a licensed dispensary or delivery service. You will also need to provide a valid government-issued ID to prove that you are over the age of 18. It is important to note that California laws and regulations regarding medical cannabis are subject to change, and the information provided is based on my knowledge cut off, which is 2021. It is recommended to verify the information with the California Department of Public Health or consult with a medical professional to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.
Howdy Jewel, This information may be accurate, and I have had several recommendations in California over the years - before legalization. At that point almost all dispensaries immediately became retail outlets. Very few 'medical' dispensaries remain. The cruelty of all this was the added taxes and 'handling' costs due to distribution, cash flow and other nightmares that are easy for other types of businesses. Not so in the cannabiz world... no bank accounts, robberies and thefts of products being delivered, etc. It may be that a medical shop exempts you from taxes, which would be a relief.