Although medical marijuana is legal in some states it is still illegal under federal laws, pharmacies that dispense traditional medicines are not allowed to supply medical marijuana. Because of this doctors will not prescribe it although those doctors that are of the opinion that medical marijuana may be beneficial to their patient most certainly can recommend it.
The number of states that have passed laws making medical marijuana continues to increase, as of the middle of 2015 there were 23 states plus DC where medical marijuana is available legally. It is not difficult to get a card that allows the dispensary to provide you with marijuana but there are a few guidelines that must be fully understood.
Your doctor can recommend the use of medical marijuana for a number of conditions that include both physical and emotional issues. Although legal marijuana is available in an ever growing number of states the conditions under which you can qualify vary considerably so it is in your best interest to find out if your condition qualifies you to purchase from medical marijuana dispensaries. Lets look at a few examples of how widely the conditions vary. Montana and Wyoming only allow oil and only when it is used to control epileptic seizures. In other states those suffering from HIV/AIDS, MS, glaucoma and chronic pain can access medical marijuana. All that can be said is; if your condition is covered then you can get a card allowing you to purchase medical marijuana.
There is a difference between caregivers and medical marijuana dispensaries. Once again, the distribution of marijuana for medical use varies from state to state.
If your state is one that allows for caregivers, this person must be designated as such by a patient. Caregivers can grow cannabis; it can then be given or sold to the patient.
The dispensary system requires customers to have a valid medical marijuana card which is issued by their state. There are some restrictions such as the distance they are from a school but none of the restrictions have an impact on the card holder.
To get a medical marijuana card you need to have your doctor provide you with a written recommendation to use marijuana. Your doctor will certainly assess your medical condition before making the recommendation, it must be remembered the marijuana is for medical purposes, not recreational purposes although in a couple of states marijuana is available for recreational use
