“Do I need a California medical cannabis card? A New York one?”

These and similar questions are all over the news and the blogosphere. States are passing laws giving people access to medical marijuana and, in some states, recreational cannabis. However, just because the states have relaxed the rules doesn’t mean you can march into your doctor’s office and ask him or her for a medical cannabis prescription.

Qualifying for a Medical Cannabis Card

Despite its overwhelming healing properties, medical marijuana still falls under the federal classification of a schedule 1 drug, which specifies that these substances have no medical benefits.

In most states that’ve given the thumbs up, you’ll need to find a licensed medical marijuana doctor commissioned by the state to get certified based on your condition(s).

Medical conditions vary by state and the list of qualifying conditions can be updated at any time. An occasional headache isn’t enough for a recommendation; you must have a debilitating or chronic condition such as Multiple Sclerosis, Cancer, AIDS & HIV to be considered.

In New York, chronic pain was recently added to the list, which has been on California’s since the beginning. This less specific condition gives doctors some leeway in their diagnosis.

Finding a Cannabis Doctor

Finding medical marijuana consultations can be challenging. It’s possible your primary physician may know some legit cannabis doctors, but this isn’t always the case. States won’t make it publicly known which doctors are permitted to recommend marijuana, for fear these docs would get inundated with people claiming phony conditions.

The laws in both New York and California mark major breakthroughs for sufferers of several serious, chronic conditions. Before instant online access was available, you had to spend time searching “medical cannabis certifications near me.” Plus you had to make an appointment, travel, wait, and pay a hefty fee to get certified–and if you weren’t, you might still have to pay for the visit.

Luckily in New York and California you can get direct access to these California and New York medical cannabis doctors online with NuggMD’s telemedicine service. Consult with a live doctor via phone or video chat then become approved in minutes. It doesn’t get much easier than this.

The NuggMD Process Slightly Differs in Each State

The process of obtaining medical marijuana is faster and cheaper in California than it is in New York. Plus, in both states, you’re only charged if approved!

While a visit to a NY state-licensed pot doctor would cost an average of $250, a NuggMD MMJ certification is just $199 and $99 for annual renewals. But before you New Yorkers ask, “Can I buy cannabis in California with my New York certification?,” know that it’s only valid in your home state.

In California, the recommendation costs much cheaper, only $39 and $59 for the rec and a picture ID card.

Acquiring Medical Cannabis Differs in Each State

Once you become a cannabis patient, the next step is to obtain your medication. Yet you can’t just go to a pharmacist and get vape oil cartridges ; you’ll need to use a state-approved marijuana dispensary.

Californians can order cannabis from several dispensaries immediately after your rec is issued using Nugg, the state’s biggest online delivery platform. You don’t have to register with the state. Golden State MMJ patients can also cultivate as many medical plants as necessary within 100 square feet.

Prior to searching “medical cannabis dispensaries near me,” New Yorkers must register with the Department of Health after being approved; once you do, you can only obtain medical weed from certain state-approved dispensaries. Another bummer: Empire State patients can’t grow any medicinal plants.

Attitudes about medical cannabis and marijuana itself are changing. This could eventually lead to relaxing federal laws allowing for more testing in the field. No matter what happens, rest assured that NuggMD is your go-to resource in helping you improve your life with medical marijuana.