Medical Marijuana Doctors in California – How to Get California Medical Marijuana Cards

If you are considering getting California medical marijuana cards – Your first step should be to find prescreened medical marijuana doctors in California.

California medical marijuana cards are regulated by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), which is tasked with managing the medical marijuana program in this state; a path that many other states have followed when implementing their own medical marijuana programs. In order to ensure that the program has minimized abuse and that it’s on the up and up, the CDPH also is the same entity that approves medical marijuana doctors in California for conducting medicinal cannabis evaluations, and also for issuing written and signed recommendations for patients to use cannabis as medicine. If you have ever wondered what to look for in medical marijuana doctors in California, and how to get California medical marijuana cards – the helpful information contained within this article will bring you up to speed.

What to Look for in Medical Marijuana Doctors in California

As with any doctor that you would choose to place your trust in, medical marijuana doctors in California should be no different. There are some things that you want to look for in order to ensure that a physician is reputable, credible and trustworthy. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Medical marijuana doctors in California should be state approved to issue recommendations
• Office should be in a modern and safe location
• Staff should be courteous and friendly
• Doctor should have no outstanding legal issues
• Office should be fully HIPPA compliant
• You should receive a Patient’s Rights pamphlet at the time of your visit
• Your questions about medical marijuana should be answered honestly
• Doctor should be the one to personally sign your recommendation
• Physician should advise you on alternatives to using cannabis, and the risks and dangers associated with using medicinal marijuana

How to Get California Medical Marijuana Cards

Now that you better understand what you should look for with medical marijuana doctors in California, how do you get California medical marijuana cards? The process is not nearly as complex as you might have thought that it was. In fact, it can be outlined in the following simple steps:

1. See medical marijuana doctors in California and get your recommendation.
2. Submit your application to the CDPH with any other required documents and fees.
3. Be issued California medical marijuana cards about 10-12 business days later in the mail.
4. Renew your card every 12 months to ensure that it remains valid.

Marijuana Clinics Victorville Can Get You Approved for your California Medical Marijuana Card

If you live in Victorville and you suffer from medical ailments, see a doctor at marijuana clinics Victorville today to get a medical marijuana evaluation.

The hustle and bustle of daily life is enough to stress any person out. That’s the truth in a nutshell. Then you have to deal with other elements of living, like your mental and physical health. When a persistent medical ailment plagues you, it can really cause much detriment to your overall quality of living. The last thing you want to be dealing with is the stress, anxiety and the pain of a chronic medical condition. The good news is that marijuana clinics Victorville are here to help you if you reside in this city. The caring doctors are expertly trained and state approved to issue recommendations for a California medical marijuana card. If you think that medicinal cannabis may help to improve your life and reduce the severity of your symptoms—your first step should be to make an appointment to see a physician at marijuana clinics Victorville.

Factoids About Marijuana Clinics Victorville

Knowledge is power, and the more you know about medical marijuana the better that you can arrive at your own conclusion as to whether or not it’s a viable treatment option for you. Here are some facts about marijuana clinics Victorville that you may not have known before:

• Marijuana clinics Victorville have been in place since 2003, when the state legalized marijuana for medicinal usages.
• NORML estimates there more than 1.1 million holders of valid California medical marijuana cards.
• More than 166 medical conditions qualify you for cannabis at marijuana clinics Victorville.
• The state health department issues and regulates California medical marijuana cards.
• A marijuana card is valid for 12 months, and then must be renewed.

How to Get your California Medical Marijuana Card in Victorville:

Now that you have a better idea of this program and how it works, do you wonder how you can get California medical marijuana cards from marijuana clinics Victorville? Thankfully, the process is not nearly as complicated as you may think that it might be. Here are some easy steps to get your card today!

1. See a doctor at marijuana clinics Victorville and get a written recommendation.
2. Submit your recommendation and application with any fees to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
3. Be issued California medical marijuana cards by mail within 10-12 business days.

New Bill Allowing Cities to Regulate California Medical Marijuana Heads to Senate

A new bill called AB1300 is headed upstream to senate in the state of California. If passed, the bill would allow individual cities to regulate medical marijuana collectives.

Another medical marijuana showdown has been seen in the Sunshine State – where medical marijuana was first made legal by voters and by the state, when they decriminalized it back in 2003 with the passage of a now famous bill called SB420.

In the eight years since that bill passed, the state has seen a flurry of medical marijuana collectives, growers, caregivers and dispensaries open. The cities were only required to issue permits at first, but over the past several years they have been at odds with the collectives over several issues, and some cities, like Long Beach, have been shutting them down, raiding them or revoking permits.

Now the ominous battle has reached a climax as the cities push for the state to allow them to self regulate the medical marijuana program inside of their borders. As opposed to relying upon state laws and guidelines, the cities want to be held to their own ordinances and laws for the operation of collectives, compassion clubs and dispensaries.

Democratic state Assemblyman, Bob Blumenfield, has introduced a bill called AB1300, which would allow for cities to regulate these medical marijuana entities at their discretion.

Proponents view it as the city stepping on state laws. Pundits say that the state is already stepping on federal laws, as marijuana is still a Schedule 1 drug.

The bill was cleared for a senate vote by 53-1, and now will be voted upon next week.

California hosts the largest medical marijuana program in the US. There are currently more than 1.1 million people who have valid California Medical Marijuana Cards.

The medical marijuana industry in California brings in more than $4.5 billion in taxable annual revenues.

Golden Rain Foundation Trying to Weed out California Medical Marijuana Card Holders from Growing Their Own Medicine Onsite

Forbes reports that valid holders of California Medical Marijuana Cards living in Laguna Woods Village retirement community are now being forced to grow their medicine offsite after the home owner’s association banned growing in community.

A recent article that was published by Forbes tells the saga of a 2-year old medical marijuana collective of senior citizens who live in the middle of the Laguna Woods Village retirement community in one of the most affluent and conservative areas of Southern California. Collective members are encouraged to grow medical marijuana from some 40 varieties of experimental designer-seeds, such as “Sour Tsunami,” which purportedly posses anti-inflammatory properties designed to better meet the medical needs of seniors.

The 150 seniors who belong to the collective (each of whom has a state issued California medical marijuana card) represent a tiny minority (less than 1% (0.8333%)) of the total 18,000 senior citizens living in Laguna Woods Village – one of the largest retirement communities in the country.

While the federal government poses a constant threat to the collective, the collective’s president says that their biggest problems come from the members of the volunteer board of the Golden Rain Foundation (GRF), which governs the retirement community and maintains all of the community property, facilities, and amenities within the 3 square-mile area of Laguna Woods Village.

Although community residents with California medical marijuana cards are still permitted to grow the state legal limit of 6 seedlings or mature marijuana plants per person in their private residence, GRF adopted a new policy last year banning cultivation of marijuana on all community property in Laguna Woods Village, including the community garden.

The vote empowered GRF’s Community Activities Committee's Garden Center Advisory Group to shut down the public pot-plots operated by resident members of the collective – forcing the collective’s resident-growers to rip out dozens of over-6-foot-high pot plants they had been growing on their 800-square-foot plot in the Laguna Woods Village community garden.

After several disastrous attempts to find an alternative growing site, one resident member of the collective has reportedly started an organic growing operation in two off-site greenhouses to supply the medical marijuana needed by collective members. Cost is on a sliding scale: members pay between $35 and $200 per ounce, depending on need and financial ability.

Read Full Forbes Article Here

San Bernardino Shuts Down 7 Medical Marijuana Dispensaries & Collectives

Medical marijuana dispensaries and collectives are being shut down by police in San Bernardino, preventing California medical marijuana cards holders from accessing their medicine legally.  

In San Bernardino, holders of California medical marijuana cards are currently pitted in a battle with the city over it’s non-issuance of the necessary permits for medical marijuana collectives and dispensaries to operate within the borders of the city. Earlier in the month, the police served seven different dispensaries and collective with warrants, citing them for violating the city’s municipal codes.

In 2010, the city banned collectives and dispensaries due to complaints from citizens, effectively rejecting all active permits and refusing to issue new ones.

“Our own citizens are calling and are concerned about their neighborhood.” City Attorney, Jolena Grider, told The Sun.

 Of the seven that have been cited by police, one has already been closed.

The passage of Proposition 215 in 2003 effectively decriminalized medical marijuana in the state of California and created the medical marijuana program, managed by the California Department of Public Health, which is tasked with managing and regulating California medical marijuana cards.

The prop also allowed for dispensaries and collectives to operate throughout the state to provide patients with medicinal marijuana, operating as nonprofit entities.

Several cities still refuse to allow dispensaries or collectives, and cite the federal Controlled Substances Act, which places marijuana as a Schedule 1 controlled substance.

The collectives and dispensaries in question are planning to file a suit with state supreme court in the near future to get an official ruling.

Holders of California medical marijuana cards are still protected under state laws, they just have to travel further now to get their medicine.

Press Release: Cannabis Doctors Network Now Connecting Patients to Verified & Prescreened California Medical Marijuana Doctors in Nine Different Cities

The leader in prequalifying patients for medicinal cannabis & matching them to verified & prescreened California medical marijuana doctors announces nine new locations.

LOS ANGELES, CA – (JUNE 3rd, 2011) – Cannabis Doctors Network – an online service that prequalifies patients for California medical marijuana cards and matches them to prescreened and verified California medical marijuana doctors – is pleased to announce they now have nine locations to offer patients who are seeking to get approved for their marijuana card in California.

“We are constantly adding new California medical marijuana doctor locations every day to better assist patients who are seeking to get a medical marijuana evaluation,” said Srii Srinivasan, company spokesperson. “We are very pleased to announce that we now have nine convenient locations in this state to better serve the needs of our patients.”

As of June, 2011, the network is now offering doctor referrals to patients who reside in these following cities: Los Angeles, North Hollywood, Pasadena, Venice Beach, Victorville, Santa Monica, Riverside, Temecula and City of Industry.

“Our goal is to connect patients in need to the medicine that they require in order to find effective, natural relief,” Srinivasan says. “By vigilantly prescreening doctors and ensuring that they meet the very highest standards of medical practitioners, we can more expeditiously expand our locations and better serve patients who live in this region that could benefit from using medicinal cannabis.”

According to NORML estimates, as of June 1st there were currently more than 1.1 million approved holders of California medical marijuana cards. The medical marijuana industry in California generates an estimated $4.5 billion in taxable annual revenue for the state. Doctor and state approved medical marijuana users only account for fewer than 3% of the population.

About: Cannabis Doctors Network is the leader in providing a reliable and trusted source for medical marijuana recommendations. Excellence in service is our #1 priority. Our expert call center associates and friendly staff provide you with a convenient means of connecting with trustworthy, knowledgeable and respected doctors that can evaluate and approve you for a medical marijuana card.

To learn how you can get California medical marijuana card today by prequalifying online in minutes and getting matched with caring and knowledgeable California medical marijuana doctors in your location. To get started today, please visit: http://www.cannabisdoctorsnetwork.com.

Press Contact:

Company Spokesperson

Srii Srinivasan

Email: PR@cannabisdoctorsnetwork.com

Online: http://www.cannabisdoctorsnetwork.com  

Phone: (800) 568-9333

New Zealand Takes Next Step Towards Medical Marijuana Cards with Medicinal Cannabis Trials

New Zealand has signed off on new clinical trials for testing the medicinal benefits of marijuana. In the future they plan in issuing medical marijuana cards to qualified patients.

In an unusual turn of events, New Zealand, which has generally been opposed to legalizing medical marijuana, has actually taken the first steps towards making it legal. On June 1^st (2011), NZ signed off on approval for clinical trials of medicinal cannabis with Auckland Greencross.

Unlike in the United States, where only the federal government can allow research on marijuana, as it is considered somehow to be a Schedule 1 drug, in NZ they allow marijuana research in order to better determine its medicinal benefits to patients.

Stephen McIntyre, the spokesman for the medical cannabis users, said in a statement to the press that, “Sixty five percent of submissions to this report – a figure consistent with online polling – favored the establishment of a scheme allowing people suffering from chronic, debilitating or terminal conditions to legally access and use herbal cannabis.”

He further added, “Most medical users of cannabis, alongside the serious condition they’re forced to cope with on a daily basis, have the added stress of finding reliable access to quality medicine from a trustworthy source, compounded by fear of being caught by the police.”

 “Auckland Greencross wants to see an exemption for both arrest and prosecution given to all bona fide patients once they have been given the approval of their doctor or specialist to use cannabis therapeutically,” McIntyre said.

Once the program is in place it will be managed by Auckland Greencross, New Zealand’s equivalent to a Public Health Department. Much like in, say, Los Angeles, where a person must receive a doctor examination to get approved for California Medical Marijuana Cards, the same will be true in the future in NZ.

“A national database could be established along similar lines allowing patients to possess ID that proving that they legitimately possess cannabis for their own use and are accordingly free from criminalization,” McIntyre said.

The country anticipates positive results from the clinical trials, which will further speed along passage of laws in US states that don’t currently allow medicinal cannabis.

“We know that for our members, cannabis is the best medicine around – preferable in both efficacy and absence of unwanted side-effects to the opiates and other drugs they’re prescribed – and that many of them would be willing to participate in trials to establish that,” McIntyre said.

He concluded that, “Ultimately Auckland Greencross welcomes the day when cannabis is available on prescription in New Zealand and medical grade crops are licensed and regulated in the same way as other controlled drugs.”

Read Full News Article Here

NORML Says There Are More Than 1 Million California Medical Marijuana Cards

According to the nationwide marijuana activist organization, NORML, as of 2011 there are more than 1 million patients who hold valid California medical marijuana cards.

The leader in pioneering the medical marijuana movement, and the most proactive state in the union amongst the 15 others and DC that have decriminalized marijuana for medicinal usages, California, also tops the list for most active holders of a California medical marijuana cards, too. When you really break down the numbers, however, the spectrum of abuse is virtually nonexistent. Proponents of California medical marijuana cards would have you believe otherwise; that people are rampantly abusing this drug and that it should be illegal.

Pundits and the real numbers tell a different story, however.

According to a recent news report that was published in late May by the San Francisco Weekly, there are 1.1 million California medical marijuana cards that are active and that are currently being used by patients, according to NORML; a pro marijuana activist organization that has goal to see the drug legalized nationwide. To offer more perspective on this matter, the state has a staggering population of more than 37 million persons, and according to recent census data, this number reflects not even 3% of the population that holds California medical marijuana cards.

Some say that the numbers are not accurate, as all California medical marijuana cards information is kept strictly confidential and not recorded on any database so as to best protect a patient’s identity and freedom, and the same is true for doctors who recommend California medical marijuana cards to patients … it’s all very hush-hush. But at last estimates, the number has grown from 75,000 in 2003, when marijuana was first made legal to use as medicine in this state, and then from 350,000 in 2007 to nearly triple that amount of California medical marijuana cards in 2011.

Let’s also keep in mind that over the past several years more than 150 different ailments and medical conditions have been approved by state lawmakers and added as treatable conditions that would warrant the issuance of California medical marijuana cards. So it’s not all about people lying to get a card. Furthermore, marijuana doctors view it as medicine, the same as a painkiller, and they don’t hand out California medical marijuana cards recommendations like candy, either.

NORML Director, Dale Gieringer, issued a statement to the press recently, stating that, “The data shows that medical marijuana users are becoming an increasingly important constituency. It is time for the federal government to stop ignoring the facts and recognize their right to medicine.”

Medicinal marijuana in California and California medical marijuana cards brings in more than $4.5 billion in taxable revenue annually, a number that has steadily increased since 2003, and one that helps to pay for public services like a fire department, police department, new roads, trash, sewer and official salaries.

California medical marijuana cards are issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), which manages and regulates the medical marijuana program in this state.

Read Full News Article Here