After the state-wide voluntary votation by citizens of the state of Calfornia, the use of marijuana for medical purposes was legalized. The state conducted a vote on whether to legitimize the use of marijuana, specifically for medical treatments. But to obtain the drug, a patient must obtain a marijuana recommendation from their doctors.
For a doctor to grant a patient with legal use of marijuana is what the medical marijuana recommendation, as stated by the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, also known as the California Proposition 215. Marijuana had been the debate of drug advocates and those opposed due to studies and research that the drug possesses medicinal properties. The marijuana recommendation must be considered only by qualifying diagnosis or medical conditions that marijuana is known to alleviate, such as premenstrual syndrome, nausea, anorexia, spasticity and psychomotor disorders among others. But marijuana is known for its side effects, such as causing hallucinations, disorientation, increase of lung infections and causing drug dependency among others. A doctor must issue a marijuana recommendation only if the benefits of the drug use will outweigh the side effects the drug could bring.
The cannabis recommendation must be given by a doctor or physician who has a permit to practice medicine. Though all doctors could issue a marijuana recommendation to qualified patients, most of them will not. These doctors worry about issuing a medical marijuana recommendation and the patients using marijuana, a drug that the Food and Drug Administration doesnot approve of. Also, the concerns regarding the consistent dosage, the purity of the drug
’s contents and the effectiveness of the marijuana can actually apply to the treatment.
Locating a doctor that is willing to issue a medical marijuana recommendation is getting harder. However, providing enough proof, such as documents and records that diagnose a chronic condition of the patient. Obtaining these records is a matter of personal business and you should not use it to obtain a cannabis recommendation. In the event that the doctor doesnot issue a recommendation, asking a second opinion is adivisable and it’s not illegal. When getting an appointment with a different doctor, bring a medical history that will prove that the patient is diagnosed with the condition, and the possibility of obtaining a marijuana recommendation is increased. If not, there are still chances of getting a marijuana recommendation from marijuana clinic that has doctors who expert in these fields. Since the legalization of marijuana, these clinics are now rampant in the states.
After the marijuana recommendation has been issued, the patient may apply for a cannabis card. This card serves as identification for patients undergoing the marijuana program and for the authorities to differentiate the marijuana patients from abusers.
With all the benefits of medicinal marijuana and having a marijuana recommendation, fact still remains: medicinal or not, marijuana is still illegal. The law is still in effect, even with the exemptions. Discipline, self-control and a presence of the law is what patients need to have possess these recommendation to avoid any run-ins with the law.
