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If your doctor has recommended marijuana to you for a medical condition and you have become registered in your state to use it, then you may be wondering where you can obtain marijuana legally. Only a couple states actually address this issue. Here is a guide on how to obtain medical marijuana.
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Medical Marijuana Tips
- Marijuana is illegal according to federal laws.
- Medical conditions that qualify vary from state to state.
- Doctors cannot legally prescribe marijuana except in Arizona.
- Most states make it illegal to sell marijuana even for medical use.
- Patient and advocacy groups are one of the few organizations that may provide information on how to obtain marijuana for medical use.
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Introduction
- In order to obtain marijuana for medical use you must first sift through apparently contradictory levels of legislation before you can even start trying to find some rather hush-hush sources. While individual states may legalize marijuana for medical use, federal law still makes it illegal. Many states have passed laws that make it legal to possess, buy and grow marijuana for medical purposes, but make it illegal to sell marijuana for any reason. States also generally provide little information on how patients can obtain marijuana. Groups who are willing to provide marijuana to needy patients live in fear of being raided by federal law enforcement, and keep the information as secret as possible.
- Before you can even consider getting marijuana for medical use, you need to:
- Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of using marijuana.
- Talk to your attorney about the legal issues using marijuana in your state.
- Register with your state, if necessary. Information about how to register in your state can be found on Mahalo's how to get a medical marijuana card.
- NOTE: This page is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as recommendation by Mahalo for any sort of illegal or unauthorized drug use.
What Conditions Qualify?
- According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, "marijuana has a high potential for abuse, has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and has a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision."U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Inter-Agency Advisory Regarding Claims That Smoked Marijuana Is a Medicine
- States that have legalized the use of medical marijuana usually give some guidelines on what conditions it can be used for. Most states allow it to be used for the following conditions:
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Positive status for HIV or AIDS
- Multiple sclerosis
- Cachexia or a condition that produces wasting syndrome like cachexia
- Severe or chronic pain
- Severe nausea
- Conditions that produce seizures
- Conditions that produce severe and persistent muscle spasticity
- Other conditions approved by the state's department of health.ProCon.org: State Medical Marijuana Laws
Where Can I Buy Medical Marijuana?
- Most states that have legalized marijuana for medical use, often make it illegal to sell it (even for medical use) and offer no guidelines on how patients can obtain it.State of Hawai'i Department of Public Safety: Patient Information for the Authorized Medical Use Also, while it is illegal to sell, it is not necessarily illegal to buy cannabis and plants on the black market. The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation: FAQs
- Some people have reported success purchasing cannabis seeds through online retailers. These dealers are located in countries where selling cannabis is legal. Most reputable retailers will only sell to people who live in areas where it is legal. A few of these retailers include:
- Dr. Chronics: Cannabis Seeds
- Kind Seed: Marijuana Seeds
- Canaseed: Cannabis Seeds
- The Amsterdam Marijuana Seeds: Buy Marijuana Seeds and Cannabis Seeds
- Please note that while purchasing cannabis seeds for medical purposes is legal in some states, it is still illegal under federal law.
Can I Get a Prescription for Marijuana?
- Because Marijuana is listed as a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law and is not approved by the FDA, doctors cannot prescribe it nor can pharmacies dispense it.State of Hawai'i Department of Public Safety: Patient Information for the Authorized Medical Use Instead, doctors "recommend" it for their patients. The one exception to this is the state of Arizona. In 1996, Arizona passed Ballot Proposition 200 which made it legal for doctors to prescribe Schedule I controlled substances, which includes marijuana, to patients. However, because the wording of the proposition used "prescribe" instead of "recommend," the proposition was not enacted in Arizona.ProCon.org: State Medical Marijuana Laws - Arizona
State by State Guide of Patient Support Groups and Dispensaries
- According to The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation, patient support groups often give out or trade plants and medicine.The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation: FAQs The groups may also be known as cannabis clubs or as buyers' club, caregivers' club, collective, cooperative, dispensary, farm, holistic health center, non-profit resource center, pot club, store, or wellness center.ProCon.org: What Are Cannabis Clinics (Clubs)? Also, while it is against patently illegal to sell, it may not necessarily illegal to buy cannabis and plants on the black market depending on where you liev.The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation: FAQs Below, you will find a listing of some advocacy groups for each state that may or may not be able to help a patient obtain marijuana for medical use.
- NOTE: Consult your local and state laws before even considering purchasing from one of retailers listed below. Although one may be located in your state, different areas may still have drastically different regulations in place.
Colorado
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Cannabis.com: Medical Marijuana - Colorado (CO)
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Americans for Safe Access: Becoming a Patient in Colorado
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Patient's Choice of Colorado: Home
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Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: Medical Marijuana in Colorado
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CannaMed: Home
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Pain Management of Colorado: Home
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The Hemp and Cannabis Foundation: Colorado
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Sensible Colorado: Home
California
- California is the only state that has a system for distributing medical marijuana which allows for collectives and cooperatives to dispense medical marijuana.Americans for Safe Access: Becoming a Patient in California Below are lists of dispensaries located in California for medical marijuana:
- Americans for Safe Access: Becoming a Patient in California
- Cannabis.org: Southern California - Cannabis Club / Clubs / Co-Op / Dispensary Directory | Northern California - Cannabis Club / Clubs / Co-Op / Dispensary Directory
- CA NORML: California Dispensary Locator
- 420 Magazine: List of Medical Marijuana Co-ops, Collectives and Dispensaries
New Mexico
- In January 2009, New Mexico passed a law that would allow it to license marijuana dealers in the state.KOB.com: State Gives Nod to Medical Marijuana Dealers (January 9, 2009) Therefore, a list of licensed dealers in New Mexico should be available soon. Until that time, you can contact the New Mexico Department of Health at (505) 827-2321. You can also find information online at:
- New Mexico Department of Health: Medical Marijuana Information
- Americans for Safe Access: Becoming a Patient in New Mexico
- Cannabis.com: Medical Marijuana - New Mexico (NM)
Conclusion
- Because of federal laws, obtaining medical marijuana can be difficult. You will want to contact an attorney before taking some actions in order to better understand what the legal ramifications could be. Remember, that most states require patients and caregivers to register before they can legally possess marijuana. For information on how to register for a medical marijuana card, check out Mahalo's how to get a medical marijuana card.
References for How to Get Medical Marijuana
- | How to Get a Medical Marijuana Prescription in Rhode Island | How to Brew Marijuana Tea | How to Grow Marijuana | How to Get a Medical Marijuana Prescription in Vermont | How to Buy Marijuana Legally | How to Cultivate Marijuana | How to Sell Marijuana Legally | How to Become a Pharmacist | National Weed Day | How to Get a Medical Marijuana Prescription in Maryland | How to Get Rid of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
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