You’ve heard about the benefits and now you want to try medical marijuana for yourself. How do you go about doing so? Is a prescription necessary? The short answer is, yes and no. Confusing? We’ll explain.
Inconsistencies between state and federal medical marijuana laws create a bit of a sticky situation for both patients and doctors. Even if your state has legalized medical marijuana, the federal government has not, and still classifies it as a schedule 1 drug. This means that if your doctor prescribed marijuana, they risk breaking federal law.
However, in states where the drug is legal, doctors can write something called a recommendation. After certifying that the patient suffers from one of the conditions warranting medical marijuana under state law, doctors can safely write this recommendation for their patients.
After the physician writes the recommendation for medical marijuana, the patient must obtain a marijuana identification card by registering with their state. Then, medical marijuana can be picked up by the patient from a dispensary.
In most states, the ID card allows a patient to obtain, possess, or grow medicinal marijuana without violating state law. However, you’ll still be vulnerable to federal law for the time being. Legislation that would protect patients in states where medical marijuana is legal is pending.
As legislation continues to shift along with public opinion, it could be that these rules change. For now though, talk with your medical professional about all treatment options available to you in order to make an informed decision. Schedule an appointment with our office today or visit us online to learn more about our services.
