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California Medical Marijuana Card Qualifying Conditions
California has been at the forefront of medical marijuana legalization in the United States. Because of the reforms initiated in California, many doctors, patients, and researchers have learned about the beneficial effects of cannabis.
Recreational cannabis is legal in California, but eligible Californians can obtain medical marijuana identification cards (MMICs) that increase their possession limits and give them access to higher THC-content products. Medical marijuana patients are also exempt from retail sales taxes in California, according to state law.
Under California’s medical marijuana laws, individuals must have an approved qualifying condition and provide proof of residency (such as a utility bill, mortgage agreement, or motor vehicle registration) to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to get a card. They must also provide proof of identity in the form of government-issued photo identification.
Minors, or patients under 18 years of age, must designate a primary caregiver (typically a legal guardian) to purchase cannabis on their behalf.
Adult-use medicinal cannabis has been used by patients all over the country to treat the debilitating symptoms of a variety of qualifying medical conditions. Many people have regained the ability to go about their daily lives as a result of their cannabis use.
Learning about the serious medical conditions that qualify patients for medical marijuana ID cards in the state of California will allow you to have a productive conversation with a licensed healthcare provider about the use of medical marijuana.
Chronic Pain
Medical marijuana helps patients to tolerate chronic pain caused by physical trauma, degenerative changes, and nerve conditions. THC and CBD, the active compounds in cannabis, bind to the nervous system messaging centers that relay pain signals. Marijuana alleviates chronic pain by blocking this communication.
Cannabis has fewer side effects than opioid medications, which are commonly used to treat pain. Narcotic pain relievers are also extremely addictive. One study published in The Journal of Pain discovered that patients who used medical marijuana had a 65% decrease in self-reported opioid use.
Cancer
Many cancer patients use marijuana to treat their symptoms as well as the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Cannabis’s pain-relieving effect improves their bodily functioning and overall quality of life.
Cannabis can also increase appetite and alleviate nausea, helping cancer patients improve their nutrition and sustain a healthy weight. CBD’s calming effects can also help patients cope with anxiety and stress.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a degenerative disease that causes joint pain. It can be caused by aging, excessive wear and tear, or an underlying disease. It frequently results in pain and functional difficulty. Medical marijuana’s anti-inflammatory effects can alleviate joint irritation, which often limits mobility.
Medical marijuana’s pain-relieving effects can increase patients’ tolerance for exercise, allowing them to resume work or leisure activities that had become difficult due to arthritic pain. Cannabis’s sedative effects can also help patients sleep longer and more soundly.
Migraines
Neurologists and researchers are still trying to figure out what causes and triggers migraines. These debilitating chronic headaches frequently cause nausea, photosensitivity, depression symptoms, and poor sleep quality.
Migraine-related nausea and pain can be managed with medical cannabis, which can help patients deal with the effects of their migraines. After six months, one review of 12 studies found that marijuana reduced the nausea and vomiting caused by migraine attacks. After 30 days of use, patients who used medical cannabis had fewer migraine days per month, according to the researchers.
Seizures
Although research is ongoing, researchers believe CBD may inhibit some of the activity between synapses in the brain that causes seizures. Medical marijuana may reduce the frequency and severity of seizure attacks. A pediatric seizure medication is one of the few FDA-approved forms of medical marijuana.
Cannabis can also help patients sleep better and reduce the anxiety symptoms that may arise as a result of their seizure disorder.
Full List of California Medical Marijuana Card Qualifying Conditions
California residents suffering from the following conditions are eligible for medical marijuana cards:
- AIDS
- Anorexia
- Arthritis
- Cachexia or wasting syndrome
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Migraines
- Persistent muscle spasms (including those associated with multiple sclerosis)
- Seizures
- Severe nausea
- Glaucoma
A doctor’s recommendation can also be issued for any chronic or persistent condition that significantly impairs a patient’s ability to function or would cause physical or mental harm if not treated.
Don’t Have a Qualifying Condition on This List?
The Sanctuary Wellness Institute can assist you if you’d like to join the California medical marijuana program.
Our caring staff can explain the program’s rules and put you in touch with a qualified medical marijuana physician. That physician will examine your medical history and discuss the potential advantages and disadvantages of using medicinal cannabis. They will issue your MMJ certificate if they determine you are a qualified patient.
Following your medical marijuana consultation, we can advise you on the California MMJ card application process, which will allow you to obtain quick approval and begin purchasing marijuana for medical use at California dispensaries.