The County of San Diego is an amazing place to live in and many marijuana patients will agree to this too. Getting an access to medical marijuana in San Diego is quite simple so long as you follow several rules and make sure that you are taking the topic sensitively.
How to Apply
In order to qualify as a medical marijuana patient, your first task is to find yourself a qualified health practitioner or doctor. He or she should be able to properly assess the symptoms you have to give you the correct diagnosis for your illness. By then, he or she will be able to provide you an advice whether you will be entitled to possess medical marijuana card or not.
If your doctor feels that your condition is serious enough to be treated with medical cannabis, he or she will issue you all the things you need to acquire medical marijuana card.
Most doctors in San Diego can release a letter serving as a proof that your condition cannot be managed solely by prescription drugs thus giving you the right to medical marijuana treatment.
You may also be able to receive the medical marijuana card right after. Many doctors in San Diego can make arrangements quickly to ensure that you will be able to purchase medical marijuana in your local medical marijuana dispensaries.
Qualifying Conditions
Your main key to qualify as a medical marijuana patient is your ailment. Depending on the details of your illness or the pain you are experiencing, you may or not receive the card you’re longing for. San Diego lists the qualifying conditions that are applicable for medical marijuana treatment.
- Arthritis
- Anorexia
- AIDS
- Chronic Pain
- Cancer
- Cachexia
- Glaucoma
- Severe nausea
- Seizures
- Severe and persistent muscle spasms
- Any other persistent or chronic medical conditions that can:
- Limit the person’s ability to perform activities of daily living as stated by the American Disability Act of 1990.
- Cause harm to the person’s life if not managed.
Who are qualified to apply?
San Diego’s Medical Marijuana Program is voluntary, which means anyone residing in California can apply as long as your doctor approves the use of medical marijuana for the medical conditions you’re suffering. You can also designate your primary caregiver and apply for their identification card by the time you submit your application.
The Application Process
Before application, you must complete filling up the Application/Renewal Form (CDPH 9042) and be able to provide the following requirements in order to receive medical marijuana card:
- You should be able to provide a valid government-issued ID with your photo such as your driver’s license.
- If you’re a minor and is lacking for a photographic identification, you can submit a copy of your birth certificate as substitute of your photo identification. The same applies when you designate a primary caregiver. He or she may submit a photographic identification or use a certified copy of birth certificate if less than 18 years old and lacks government issued ID card.
- Submit a proof of your residency using either of the following:
- A current vehicle registration that bears your name and your address just within the county.
- A recent utility bill with your name and current address within the county or a current mortgage or rent receipt.
- A letter from your doctor that allows your use of medical marijuana to treat your conditions.
- Your physician can use the Written Documentation of Patient’s Medical Records form (CDPH 9044) and this will serve as their medical documentation. The form is available for download online from the Department of Public Health site : http://www.cdph.ca.gov/pubsforms/forms/CtrldForms/cdph9044.pdf
- This documentation will require your physician’s original signature which must be positioned on your doctor’s business letterhead.
- The administering agency will then review and verify your application. You will also be required to pay corresponding fees for the medical marijuana ID card. Take note that application fees are non-refundable.
- If you submit incomplete requirements during your application or failed to provide the necessary information, your application will likely fail and you may be denied from reapplying for 6 months.
Denials
If your application for medical marijuana card in San Diego gets disapproved, you can still appeal by completing the Denial Appeals Application Form and send this through mail along with the copy of your disapproved application to the State addressed at:
California Department of Public Health
Office of County Health Services
Appeals Desk, Medical Marijuana Program
MS 5203
P.O. Box 997377 Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
You must be able to accomplish the appeals paperwork within 30 days from the date you have received notification regarding the denial of your application. Remember that all completed and signed applications must be submitted personally.
FAQs Regarding Medical Marijuana Card Application
How much is the application fee for MMIC?
- The current fee for application of MMIC is $166 for each of the patient and caregivers. Medi-Cal beneficiaries are entitled to 50% discount of MMIC application fees. You will have to provide a proof of eligibility that you are a participant in the Medi-Cal program and it should be presented at the time of your application. If you qualify for the fee discount, your designated caregiver will also have 50% reduced fees.
How long does a medical marijuana card stay valid?
- Patients and primary caregivers who qualify for a MMIC can have their cards valid for 1 year starting from the date it was issued. If your primary caregiver applies for a medical marijuana card later than you, your primary caregiver will still have the same expiry date as your MMIC.
Does the card allow me to use medical marijuana anytime and anywhere?
- No, a qualified medical marijuana patient is not allowed to use medical cannabis flowing these circumstances:
- If you’re in a place where smoking is not allowed by the law
- If you’re within 1000 feet from a school grounds, youth center, or recreation center unless you are smoking at your residence.
- If you are on a school bus, running a motor vehicle, or boat.
Take note that your participation in the Medical Marijuana Program is optional. If you choose not to take advantage of the said program, you may experience several inconveniences when gaining access to your weed. In addition, you will also be denied of protection from the law in case the law enforcers catch you using the herb.