The scope of Medical cannabis has been rising over the years. California was the very first state in America to acknowledge the therapeutic potential of cannabis and hence started its legalization trend all over the country. Following the footsteps of California and considering the herbaceous effects of cannabis, more and more American states legalized marijuana for both medicinal and recreational purposes.

Many patients started using it to treat an array of ailments including anxiety. Although you can get a California medical marijuana recommendation for some debilitating medical conditions, getting a doctor’s approval to use cannabis for anxiety has been a vague scene. Well, you can get a California medical marijuana recommendation for anxiety but it too depends on various factors. Well, we’ll discuss all of that a bit later, let us first know how medical marijuana can help manage anxiety. Let’s go.

Medical Marijuana for Anxiety 

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health disorders affecting more than 275 million individuals worldwide, which is 4 % of the global population. Daily-life stress, responsibilities, trauma, addiction, etc can make a person feel sad, empty, anxious, worthless, etc.

In medical terms, the state is called anxiety. Although the disorder is treatable, many patients have started taking medical marijuana as an alternative treatment to traditional antidepressants used for anxiety treatment. Now one may wonder – how exactly does medical cannabis help with anxiety?

Well, here’s how.

CBD or cannabidiol is one of the most prevalent cannabinoids found in cannabis, THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) being the second one. CBD has been widely consumed for different medical conditions and is also seen as a potential treatment for anxiety due to its anxiolytic effects.

Preclinical studies conducted on CBD and anxiety also suggest that the cannabinoid interacts with endocannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) which are present in the nervous system and influence different functions such as pain, pleasure, mood, etc.

Though the scientific community acknowledges the potential of cannabis in the treatment of anxiety, it also emphasizes the fact that not enough research has been done on this subject to study marijuana’s long-term effects on patients with anxiety.

Can I Get a California MMJ Recommendation for Anxiety? 

Yes, you can get a California MMJ recommendation for anxiety. Though California’s qualifying medical conditions for cannabis treatment don’t directly include anxiety, a doctor can recommend medical cannabis for anxiety treatment depending on the severity of the disorder. Below are the types of anxiety disorders one can get an MMJ card for:

• Social anxiety disorder
• Panic disorder
• Specific phobias
• Separation anxiety
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
• Selective mutism

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card Online? 

Getting a medical marijuana card online in California is easy and quick. Below are two main steps you need to follow in order to get your MMJ card :

• Register online and get a doctor’s recommendation
• Apply for your MMIC card

Let us walk you through the steps one by one-

Register Online And Get a Doctor’s Recommendation 

The first and foremost step to get an online medical card is online registration with a legitimate medical marijuana program in your state. Once you successfully register, you’ll get connected with a licensed medical marijuana doctor via video call where you can discuss your medical condition and specify the ‘why’ you need cannabis treatment.

After the evaluation, if you get the doctor’s approval, he will provide you with an MMJ recommendation. An MMJ recommendation letter is evidence stating that you have the permission of a licensed doctor to use marijuana for a certain type of medical condition. Once you get the recommendation letter, half of your work is done.

Now, it’s important to learn the difference between a medical marijuana recommendation letter and an MMIC card. A medical marijuana recommendation is a letter with a doctor’s signature certifying the medical use of cannabis while an MMIC card or medical marijuana ID card is a plastic card with your picture and details on it. Having an MMIC card is important as some of the states and dispensaries don’t sell cannabis products with just a rec letter.

Benefits of MMIC Card: 

• Buy more cannabis if needed for your medical condition
• Buy cannabis products with more percentage of THC
• Access to high-quality and potent cannabis products
• Can possess and cultivate marijuana in higher quantities
• Exemption from sales taxes on the purchase of medical cannabis

Also Read: Benefits of Getting a Medical Marijuana Card In California

Apply for Your MMIC Card 

Well, now that you have your MMJ recommendation letter, getting your MMIC card becomes easy. To start the process, you have to register in person at the health department of the county in which you live. You will need some documents to submit during the registration process.

 Documents You Need

• A copy of your MMJ letter
• A valid government-issued photo ID such as a California driver’s license, etc
• A photograph was taken at the county office
• A residential proof

Note: Check-in with your state’s county office and see what documents they accept for MMIC card registrations.

What Information Does My MMIC Card Include? 

Below is the information which will appear on your medical marijuana identification card:

• Unique user identification number
• The expiry date of the card
• Details of the county office
• Your photograph
• Information whether you are a primary caregiver or a patient

Note that your card will not reveal any personal information such as your phone number or address.

How Long Will it Take to Get My MMIC Card? 

Following all the necessary documentation and other formalities, your county would take 30 days to verify your application. Any other changes or missing information would be conveyed to you within that 30-days period. Once your application has been verified, it will take another five days in which you will get your MMIC card at your residence.