Using Medical Marijuana Cards Appropriately

Since the day marijuana was legalized for patients in certain states, there have been problems surrounding it.

Fourteen states have enacted laws that legalized medical cards which are; Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

Even though Arizona and Maryland have passed laws that are favorable towards medical marijuana, they didn’t legalize its use.

For those of you who don’t know why medical marijuana is legal, it’s because Proposition 215 was passed in 1996 by a 56% majority of California voters in November 1996.

Prop 215 allows California residents to use cannabis as medicine with a doctor’s recommendation and states that the people of the state of California are ensured and that all seriously ill Californians have the right to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes, where that medical use is deemed appropriate and has been recommended.

Recommendation is obtained through a physician who has determined that a person’s health would benefit from the use of marijuana in the treatment of cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraine, or any other illness for which marijuana provides relief.

By obtaining a medical marijuana card, a patient has the authorization to possess, grow, transport and/or use medical marijuana in California.

What is appalling is that obtaining a medical marijuana card, is quite easily.
1. You must do your research and find a physician who writes medical marijuana cards prescriptions.
2.Make an appointment with the physician, show a state ID and make sure your at least 18 years of age.
3.Describe your symptoms/illness. Conditions which by law, may be treated with medical marijuana. Such as any of the illnesses mentioned above.

If by any chance you are not approved, people are told to try again with any other doctor.

“I think that people that aren’t authorized to receive a medical marijuana card, are going to find any way to receive it.” said Jennifer Perez,18.

There are people in the world who have chronic illnesses and they believe using the drug will help alleviate the illness. There are patients who suffer from nausea, appetite loss, pain and anxiety, which is said to be mitigated by marijuana.

Now I’m not saying I’m in favor of marijuana, if it’s to improve patients health, then I believe that‘s a decision to be made by the patient. But, we shouldn’t be cowards and be using it for non medical reasons, if it doesn’t be apply to us.

“I guess it’s good that they use medical marijuana cards, but just for people who actually need it” said Justice Towner,21. 

In 2009, 202,416 patients were known to have medical marijuana cards in California. 

I believe licensed physicians, should be more aware of which patients it is they’re dealing with, because next thing we know, a patient can be taking advantage of these medical cards in a fun way.

Lyle Franco,19, “Some people are just going to take advantage of it and just use it for recreational use, instead of additional purposes.”

Doctors need to carefully scrutinize and monitor the patients receiving these medical marijuana cards.