State of California Medical Marijuana Law-based FAQS

How do I obtain a medical marijuana card?

Patients are advised to obtain legitimate medical records or documentation from their primary care physician describing the diagnosis of their qualifying condition. Once a patient has obtained a written certification from a physician licensed in the state of California, patients are required to register with the California Department of Public Health, Public Health Policy and Research Branch, Medical Marijuana Program Unit. The state cost of the Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC) application fee is currently set at $66 per card for non Medi-Cal patients, and $33 per card for Medi-Cal patients. There is an additional administration fee, determined by each county individually.   The Adult Use of Marijuana Act (Proposition 64) was passed on November 8th, 2016, legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for adults over the age of 21! As a result of the newfound recreational legality, adults are legally allowed to possess up to one ounce of marijuana at a time, and cultivate up to 6 plants – as long as they are out of public view. Patients are not required to get an ID card to enjoy the protection of Prop. 215, but a state card can provide an extra measure of protection against arrest.  As per California medical marijuana law, the state Department of Public Health established a voluntary medical cannabis ID system, to issue medical marijuana cards (also referred to as cannabis cards, pot cards, or marijuana cards), to qualified patients with a doctor’s recommendation. California’s medical marijuana law was amended with Senate Bill 420, adding additional protections, to the Compassionate Use Act.The Medical Marijuana Program (MMP) provides a voluntary medical marijuana identification card and registry program, to qualified patients and their caregivers. The registry system allows for the validation and verification qualified patient’s or caregiver’s, medical marijuana status. A medical marijuana card authorizes the patient or caregiver to use, possess, cultivate, transport, and/or use, medical marijuana. While it is advisable, it is NOT mandatory for patients to obtain a Medical Marijuana Identification Card, in order to receive the full legal protection, of California’s Medical Marijuana law.

 

How much marijuana am I allowed to purchase?

There is a 2 oz. per day limit at most dispensaries in California. Some dispensaries allow sales up to 8 oz. in accordance with Prop215; this is based on the amount of patients with memberships.

How do I purchase medical marijuana if I have an out of state medical marijuana card?

Prop. 215 arguably applies to anyone with a recommendation from a California physician, regardless of whether they’re a resident, although this has never been tested in court. However, most California physicians and dispensaries refuse to serve out-of-staters. Some other states, such as Arizona, recognize out-of-state patients. Oregon allows out-of-state patients provided they have an Oregon physician’s recommendation. It is advised to apply for a California MMIC if you are planning to purchase medical marijuana in the state of California.

Who is allowed to purchase medical marijuana products?

Legal Prop215 medical marijuana patients – After obtaining your recommendation, you are legally entitled to grow, possess, consume, and transport cannabis as your medicine. This is only a California state law; the federal government does not recognize medical marijuana.

The World of Cannabis Oil & Concentrates

What is the difference between Cannabis concentrates and flower?

The most important distinction to make between Cannabis flower and concentrate is potency. While bud potency tends to range between 10-25% THC, a concentrate typically falls between 50-80% though some exceptional extracts can even push past 90%. Also, with flower, you can smoke it, vaporize it, and roll it, but there’s not much else you can do with it. Concentrates can be administered in many different ways.

Cannabis concentrates are an “umbrella” term that refers to a variety of different cannabis extracts and their monikers and becoming an increasingly popular consumption method.  Many of those new to concentrates can easily feel intimidated by the tolerance adjustment and learning curve because they’re commonly associated with complicated consumption technology. Cannabis concentrates have an overwhelming amount of options however, most of these choices are names for the same product. The names shatter, wax, crumble, sugar, honeycomb, sap and oil all refer to the extract’s consistency but, what is really important to understand is the solvent used and your preferred consumption method.

What are Tinctures? Tinctures are a sublingual concentrate, meaning they’re dropped under the tongue and enter the bloodstream. They act faster than edibles and ingestible oils, though they’re often less potent.

What is Dabbing? Dabbing is the process of applying an extract to a hot nail and inhale it through a glass piece. Although the learning curve and equipment demands make it a less accessible option for new users, dabbing is an easy way to get a potent dose of cannabinoids.

What are the options when consuming hash and oils? Hash and oils may be consumed using the some of the same methods as flower such as, vaporizers that are compatible with “loose oils” and even rolling with bud-packed joints. Some portable pens are specially designed to be used with specific cartridges of oil.

What is Ingestible CBD oil? You can ingest CBD oil by mouth instead of smoking it and remain vigilant because the “high” effect is minimal and almost nonexistent. Ingestible oils act like edibles in that they take effect slowly and last much longer due to the way they are metabolized. Ask about dosing tinctures and oil capsules.

What are edibles?
Consumables that are infused with THC or CBD are known as edibles. They come in an endless variety of forms and can be utilized for medicinal uses or recreation.  Other products known as edibles include 

How much/ many should I eat?
This depends on the individual, their body, and the desired effect they which to achieve. Generally, an edible takes in between 30 minutes to 2 hours before the effects can be felt. When using edibles it is important to start off with small doses and wait until the effects are felt before consuming more. In this way you can avoid having an unpleasant experience. Though less THC/CBD is absorbed by ingestion than by inhaling, it is often reported that the effects are stronger and last longer when ingested.

What are the “smoke-free” options of consuming medical Cannabis? 

There are several “smoke-free” options for medicating including topicals, tinctures, ointments, body lotions, salt baths and edibles (ingestible oils, infused food/drink products). These products offer patients the opportunity to receive the health benefits of medical marijuana compounds without the possible harmful respiratory side-effects of smoking. Note that topicals are applied to the skin and not absorbed into the bloodstream like other modes of ingestion, thus there is not psychoactive effect.

What products are typically prescribed for menstrual cramp relief and how do they work?There are many products on the market for menstrual cramp relief including salt baths, suppositories, tinctures, body lotions, sprays, and edibles.

Specifically, Foria Relief suppositories combats inflammation and aims to soothe pain and muscle aches associated with period symptoms. The company claims the product works when the chemical compounds act on the nerve endings of the uterus, cervix, ovaries and surrounding smooth muscle tissues. They supposedly help block pain signals received by the brain and reduce inflammation.

What are the different effects on the body when medicating using Indica vs. Sativa strains?Indicas produce a soothing body high which often results in feelings of relaxation and drowsiness sometimes resulting in “couch-lock”. Indica strains are known to reduce nausea, relieve migraines/headaches, and reduce chronic pain. Due to the sedative effect of this strain, it is most commonly used in the evening hours and sometimes used as a form of sleep aid. (Common ailments treated by this strain include but, are not limited to: Fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis, lupus, insomnia, chronic pain, and muscle spasms.)

Sativas have a stimulating “heady” high effect which causes feelings of well-being and ease on the body. Sativa strains can increase focus, promote creativity and boost imagination resulting in uplifting and cerebral thoughts that are energizing and thought-provoking. For these reasons, Sativa based products are typically used during the day. Common ailments treated by this strain include but, are not limited to depression, ADHD, anorexia, and various forms of cancer.

Hybrid

Take one good thing from this strain and one good trait from another strain and creating that super cannabis plant, and name it your own, now that’s called a hybrid. In order for the plants to multiply first they need to pollinate with each other. Meaning you need to have a male and female plant, choose from your two favourite strains. You need to have one male from your first favourite plant and a female with your second favourite plant. Make sure you have your different room where these two plants can freely pollinate; a good room with a good ventilation system helps the pollen transfer from the male plant and into the pistils of the female plant. After the pollination happens, the female plant would now produce seeds and focuses on producing seeds rather than its bud. If you have heard of the F1 and F2 of plant botany this would make it easier for you to understand. When your two most loved strains pollinate, they would have an offspring. That offspring would become your F1 of the combined strains you love. This F1 generation is the direct descendant of your different cannabis parents, making this generation the purest generation from inter strain breeding. The seeds produced on the pollination of your parent plants would produce the hybrid seeds. Those seeds are then kept and need to be set up for future use. When you interbreed your F1 seeds you would get the F2 generation, this generation would contain some different qualities, every seed would be different from another for this is the rule of genetics. Each and every seed that is under F2 carries different traits from their grandparents. You may not want these traits that suddenly show up so it is better to stick with your F1 generation to keep your strand as pure as possible.

What is Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) and the common uses of these chemical compounds?

Sativas have a higher THC:CBD ratio; THC has a stimulating effect on the body and studies show THC can be used for reducing symptoms of chronic pain and Glaucoma, relieving PTSD symptoms, nausea and vomiting relief and as an appetite stimulant, . Indicas have a higher CBD:THC ratio; CBD doesn’t produce a psychoactive “high” and has a anti-epileptic, anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant effect(s).

CBD oil is used for symptom reversing effects of epilepsy in children, reducing chronic pain, combats inflammatory diseases, skin conditions, reduces nausea and vomiting, combats neurodegenerative disorders and combats cancer and tumor cells among many other medical properties and effects.  

Cultivation Methods & Techniques

Indoor

Indoor plants are commonly seen as the superior product in the medical marijuana field due to the pristine conditions of the flowers. the ability to control the environment protects the flowers from possible harmful weather conditions, promotes bud growth, and enables THC levels that are hard to achieve with an outdoor grow. Also, the discrete nature of growing indoors is also a factor of indoor grow operations as federal law does not recognize medical marijuana.

 Outdoor

Considered the most natural and simple cultivation method outdoor grows replicate the way marijuana has been grown in the wild for thousands of years. Growing marijuana outdoors provides many of the expensive essentials that need to be paid for when growing indoors, free of charge. The sun provides the equivalent of 2000 watts of light per square foot and natural air provides a level of CO2 that is extremely difficult to manufacture indoors. Plants grown outdoors receive far more light which helps develop the buds growing at the bottom of the plant as much as those at the top. Although you don’t have the control of an indoor grower, successfully growing marijuana outdoors provides you with a much larger yield due to the amount of space allowed outdoors.

Greenhouse

A Greenhouse is one of the best methods to cultivation of medicinal marijuana. Greenhouse growing combines the best part of a typical outdoor grow, natural sunlight, with the control of growing indoors. Depending on the design, greenhouse cultivators are able to control important variables, such as: temperature, humidity, soil, air circulation and light. Greenhouses allow light through the roof, but keep the thermal energy it produces from escaping. This “greenhouse effect” helps maintain a stable temperature, as fluctuations can stress the plants and stunt growth. In addition to temperature, the airtight covering on greenhouses can contribute to humidity, and have great benefits on plant growth. Low humidity levels can cause valuable water, which is needed during photosynthesis, to evaporate more rapidly. Too much humidity can cause poor growth and even fungal disease. Ideally, relative humidity should be around 60% for optimum growth.

One of the best advantages of greenhouse growing, over outdoor, is the ability to manipulate lighting. Many large-scale greenhouses are equipped with supplemental lighting fixtures, which allow the facility to be used more throughout the year. As we know, seedlings and plants in the vegetative growth stage require longer periods of light; additional lights make it possible to grow in the winter, when days are short. Conversely, greenhouse growers can use a technique called light deprivation to reduce the amount of time plants are exposed to light. Many people use the technique to harvest earlier in the year (traditional harvest time is mid-fall). With light deprivation, growers can force plants to start flowering during the summer when the sun is out for more than 12 hours each day.

Another major benefit of greenhouse growing is that it greatly reduces the amount of power used, in comparison to an indoor facility. The need for more “green” growing practices continues to increase as medical marijuana becomes more prevalent across the nation. According to Scott Reach, founder of the seed company Rare Dankness, “greenhouses are the future of growing.” According to Scott, greenhouse cultivation “can offset a $15,000-$20,000 electricity bill”, which can and already has trickled down to savings of the consumer.