Medical Marijuana Laws

The term "medical marijuana" refers to the use, possession, and/or cultivation of marijuana for medical purposes. People who are terminally ill, or suffer from painful or long-term symptoms associated with certain diseases, such as epilepsy, AIDS, glaucoma, and cancer, often request medical marijuana as a form of treatment and/or pain relief. As a general principle, medical marijuana is no different than standard marijuana (or cannabis). Medical Marijuana: State vs. A growing number of states have legalized medical cannabis within their borders. Has a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug under medical supervision. As such, there is a growing debate concerning the personal medical use of marijuana and its legality. Medical marijuana laws are constantly changing and vary among geographical locations. Both federal and state laws make it a crime to use, grow, sell, or possess marijuana. The federal Supreme Court, for example, has stated that it is illegal to use, sell or possess marijuana, even for medical use (in the 2005 case of Gonzales v. Raich).

A growing number of states have legalized marijuana for medical (and even recreational) purposes, thereby removing any criminal penalties from doctors who prescribe the drug or from patients who use it within the bounds set by state law. California was the first to legalize medical marijuana in 1996 when it passed Proposition 215, also called the Compassionate Use Act. The law allows the possession and cultivation of marijuana for medical purposes upon a doctor's recommendation. State medical marijuana laws typically set the boundaries under which the herb may be recommended, cultivated, possessed, and used. For instance, states may require written documentation from a person's doctor affirming that the person suffers from a debilitating condition and might benefit from the medical use of marijuana. Also, states may require people to present this documentation, or "marijuana ID card" prior to an arrest. Learn about state-specific laws on our drug and alcohol violations legal answers page.

Other provisions may include limits on the type of conditions, such as HIV and AIDS, and the amount of marijuana that a person may possess, use, or grow. Finally, some states have other specific provisions, such as employee restrictions on the medical use of marijuana at work and certain ID card requirements and fees. Penalties for medical marijuana violations may include prison time, fines, or both, depending on the nature of the offense and the state where the occurrence took place. In states that have not legalized the medical use of marijuana, the charges are treated as general misdemeanor or felony drug charges. In states which have decriminalized medical marijuana, penalties in the form of prison or fines may still apply, yet offenses are often treated as minor civil infractions. Possession of marijuana paraphernalia. Patients who are arrested on drug charges might use their medical status as a defense, before or during the trial, to help reduce any penalties. In addition, a patient may show a doctor's recommendation for marijuana to reduce penalties and help avoid jail time or fines altogether. Finally, a patient may want to claim the defense of medical necessity based on the clinical nature of his or her health condition. It's important to check with a lawyer who specializes in medical marijuana cases to learn of your rights and responsibilities concerning the use and/or charges of medical marijuana. Understanding the ramifications of state and federal marijuana convictions and other criminal sentences can be the key to your financial and personal freedom. For this reason, your best move is to speak with a criminal defense attorney if you've been charged with a drug crime.

Cannabis, also known as Marijuana, has been used extensively as a medicinal product since the dawn of time. Archeological evidence supports the use of cannabis going back over 12,000 years. Ancient pharmaceutical texts have been found that document the use of medical marijuana as much as 2,000 years ago. Recent advances in medicine and pharmacology have demonstrated that medical cannabis is fast becoming the adjuvant treatment of choice a growing list of disorders. These disorders are often left under medicated and the patient has to live with suffering and an impaired quality of life. These disorders include multiple sclerosis, chronic pain syndromes, arthritis, and bipolar disorder, as well as many others. Much research is underway about the benefits that medical cannabis can provide, and the list of treatable conditions is rapidly expanding. A word of warning is in store for the patient, though. Cannabis is a medicinal supplement and cannot be used as a primary medication to treat the underlying disease or disorder. Even so, it is extremely effective in symptomatic management and improving the quality of life of extremely ill patients.

These patients have chronic dehabilitating illnesses and a loss of hope of ever living a normal life again. These patients have learned to count on medical cannabis for relief of their symptoms. The legal systems in Canada and Western Europe are rapidly changing to allow for the treatment of patients with medical cannabis and cannabinoid derived pharmaceuticals. The political climate in the United States still favors complete prohibition in many areas. Thankfully, the tide is turning and the American people have become enlightened to the possibilities that traditional plant-based remedies, such as medical marijuana, can provide in addition to traditional allopathic medicine. In California, S.O.C.C.A provides the highest quality medical cannabis to its members. S.O.C.C.A. members are often homebound due to the severity of their illnesses. They do not share the luxury that the rest of us have in being able to travel personally to a cannabis dispensary. Due to these patients' hardships, S.O.C.C.A. Our working members at S.O.C.C.A. We understand your impaired quality of life that comes with living with a chronic disease or disorder. We understand your need for relief and desire to live a fuller and happier life.