I'm getting my info from this article and site.. good reading. The other reason to have this ID is that it allows you to have acccess to their dispencery. This ID will also get 4 visits/year to stores in Vancouver, BC (I visit there a bunch) and I believe Compassionate Care Givers in Oregon (where my son lives).. neat little thing to know for Prop 215 people who travel alot.
In California
The Compassionate Use Act of 1996 allows seriously ill people to legally grow and use cannabis as medicine. In order to qualify under California law, a patient must have a doctor’s recommendation. A doctor may make a recommendation for any condition for which cannabis provides relief.
1. Ask your regular doctor for a recommendation:
Be forthright with your doctor. There is nothing wrong with using medical cannabis or discussing it with your doctor. A federal court has ruled that doctors may not be punished for recommending medical cannabis.
§ Be prepared to tell your doctor specifically what condition or symptoms you treat with cannabis. Honestly describe the amount of cannabis you use, how often, and by what delivery method.
§ Ask for a written recommendation. Although an oral one is acceptable, it is difficult to verify. If your doctor will not issue a recommendation, you may need to visit a medical cannabis specialist.
2. Medical cannabis specialists:
There are a number of California physician clinics available for medical cannabis consultations. Patients should already have a documented medical record of diagnosis and treatment or a physician referral. You can find a listing of some at
http://www.canorml.org. Be aware that:
§ You should take your medical records with you to the appointment.
§ It generally costs more than $200 to see a medical cannabis specialist.
§ Paying the money does not guarantee that you will get a recommendation.
3. Get an official ID card:
Under a new law, SB 420, the state health agency is required to set up a voluntary medical cannabis ID system, however this will not be in place before the end of 2004. Although medical cannabis patients are not required by law to have such an ID, it may be helpful in law enforcement encounters. Furthermore, most cannabis dispensaries will not let you join unless you have an ID card. There are 2 places in the Bay Area that issue these cards. It usually takes 24 hours for them to verify your doctor's recommendation and produce the card, and both charge a fee of $25.
§ San Francisco Department of Public Health (only for SF residents)
101 Grove Street, room 105, (415) 554-2890
Hours: Monday - Friday 9 - 4,
§ The Co-op Store (Oakland)
1733 Broadway (between 17th & 19th), (510) 832-5346
Hours M-F 10 - 4:30, Saturday 10 - 2:30
4. Registering at a cannabis dispensary:
Under recent federal court rulings, individual patients and caregivers in California are protected from federal harassment for cultivating their own medical cannabis as long as no money is exchanged, but cannabis dispensaries and members are not afforded that same protection. Joining a co-op or dispensary is a legal risk, though so far patient members have not been prosecuted. Once you have your card, you can sign up at any dispensary that accepts that card. Check
http://www.canorml.org/ for a list of medical cannabis dispensaries.
Americans for Safe Access ~ (510) 486-8083 ~
www.SafeAccessNow.org