Medical cannabis legalization is becoming widespread. The days of reefer madness are in the past. The public has begun to re-educate themselves about the endless potential cannabis has to offer. Cannabis has been considered medicine for a long time. Many civilizations embraced cannabis as a medicine with many uses. The US pharmacopeia even listed cannabis as a medicine up until 1942.
The signing of the 1937 MJ tax Act began decades of prohibition against a plant that could benefit humanity in multiple ways. Cannabis is potent medicine. It is capable of helping reduce and manage symptoms associated with chronic pain, anxiety, stress, depression, loss of appetite, insomnia, and more. Cannabis has helped those with epilepsy, cancer, and those who underwent chemotherapy.
Cannabis also holds endless industrial and agricultural applications. Whether it be building materials, agricultural feed, soil remediation, or medicine, it is evident that cannabis has a place in society. The United States federal government still classifies cannabis as a schedule 1 drug. Most of the nation does not agree with the federal government, and many state representatives have taken the necessary measures to represent the people and passed medical cannabis laws. The research that aging political figures claim is needed on cannabis has begun without their approval. It is out there, and all they have to do is read it.
The National Center for Biotechnological Information (NCBI)is an authoritative source across the medical community. The summary from “Medicinal Cannabis: History, Pharmacology, And Implications for the Acute Care Setting” sums it up beautifully by saying,
“Despite lingering controversy, use of botanical cannabis for medicinal purposes represents the revival of a plant with historical significance reemerging in present-day health care. Legislation governing use of medicinal cannabis continues to evolve rapidly, necessitating that pharmacists and other clinicians keep abreast of new or changing state regulations and institutional implications. Ultimately, as the medicinal cannabis landscape continues to evolve, hospitals, acute care facilities, clinics, hospices, and long-term care centers need to consider the implications, address logistical concerns, and explore the feasibility of permitting patient access to this treatment.”-NCBI
Medical cannabis legalization has taken place in 38 states across the nation. Each state has different laws pertaining to medical cannabis. There are different processes, fees, and other requirements to become a medical cannabis patient and to apply for a medical cannabis card. In the states with legal access to medical cannabis, a person is required to have a medical cannabis recommendation and a medical cannabis card. This leaves some people asking the question, what’s the difference between a medical cannabis recommendation and a medical cannabis card?
What is a Medical Cannabis Recommendation?
Some people are a little bit confused about why it is called a medical cannabis recommendation and not a medical cannabis prescription or a prescription. Prescribing something means you understand how it works and as the authoritative figure (doctor) can prescribe said treatment to a patient. Recommending something means the treatment has been discussed with a doctor and your understanding of it is enough that a recommendation for it can be made.
Technically, a prescription for medical cannabis would be illegal according to United States federal law. If a doctor was to write a prescription for cannabis, in most instances, they could be facing extreme penalties. There is one cannabis-based prescription drug and three synthetic cannabis prescription drugs that doctors can legally prescribe. Medical cannabis, however, must still be recommended. Physicians that recommend medical cannabis have taken on the extra study to learn about the different methods of consumption, treatable/manageable conditions, the endocannabinoid system, and other aspects of cannabis education before becoming certified as a medical marijuana doctor.
After the certification is received, a doctor may start seeing people who are seeking to become medical cannabis patients. Once a person receives a medical cannabis recommendation from their MMJ doctor, they are on their way to becoming an official medical cannabis patient. Having a medical cannabis recommendation does not mean you are a legal, medical cannabis patient yet. There is still another process that you must follow through with in order to receive your MMJ card or medical cannabis card.
What is a Medical Cannabis Card?
A medical cannabis card is a necessary document required to purchase cannabis legally from a medical cannabis dispensary. In order to receive a medical cannabis card, a person must first go through the process of obtaining a medical cannabis recommendation from a certified MMJ doctor. This means that the person and their MMJ doctor have discussed their qualifying condition and how cannabis may potentially be used to help manage or treat it. When the doctor is comfortable that the person has a good understanding of medical cannabis, they receive the doctor’s recommendation, which is then used to request a state-issued medical cannabis card.
In most instances, there is a fee associated with this process. The amount of this fee differs from state to state. Once a person has their medical cannabis recommendation and has been approved by the state as a medical cannabis patient, they will receive their state-issued medical cannabis card. This card is then used as a form of ID to verify they are medical cannabis patients at dispensaries. Some states offer reciprocity, AKA, they honor out-of-state med cards. States like Oklahoma require out-of-state visitors to plan ahead and obtain a temporary medical cannabis card.
With a medical cannabis card, a patient can legally access cannabis dispensaries and make purchases. With a cannabis recommendation, you are still a few steps away from being a patient. If you, like so many others, are living with one or more of many qualifying conditions required to become a legal, medical cannabis patient in your state, then perhaps it’s time for you to see an MMJ doctor. Medical cannabis is working wonders for all kinds of people. Just remember you need more than a medical cannabis recommendation; you also need your MMJ card!
Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained in this article is for informational purposes only. No material from this article is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
