Can You Get a Medical Marijuana Card Without Medical Records?
By Alex M.
Sometimes getting a medical marijuana recommendation/ID card requires more than a doctor’s visit and a plausible excuse, but sometimes it doesn’t.
In the case of the former, you’ll likely need to provide medical records—a detailed timeline of your development, illnesses, allergies, family history, prescribed medications and other detailed info (vaccinations, x-rays, lab results)—that can be obtained from your primary physician or from any practicing medical doctor once they’ve performed an evaluation.
These records are then given to a licensed medical marijuana doc of your choosing, though as mentioned, their importance is dependent on the doc.
Some pot docs will use your personal medical records to help them confirm your ailment and to prove you’ve been receiving, or trying to receive, medical treatment for it. They might even quiz you about them to back-up your story, ultimately helping to make a more informed diagnosis that could determine how long your rec/card will last.
Other doctors, on the other hand, request them as a mere formality, even if they aren’t used. And that’s not to say it’s always a negative indication of the professionalism of the doctor, it may simply mean that they place much more weight on the evaluation itself. After all, the medical benefits of cannabis are widely appreciated through anecdotal evidence, but everyone reacts differently and medical history most certainly won’t paint a full picture of your candidacy for medical marijuana.
So what if you don’t have medical records due to lack of insurance, a doctor, or just don’t want to provide them; can you still get a medical marijuana card without them?
The ease or difficulty of this process varies by state, but if you’re here in California just heed these easy directions on how to get a weed card and you’ll be pain free without providing official records in no time.
The below process can also be used to get a marijuana card renewal, which is necessary at least once every year, depending on how long your recommendation/card is valid for.
STEP 1: HAVE AN EXCUSABLE OR REASONABLE CONDITION
Getting a recommendation/ID card depends on the validity of why you need one, which dictates whom you visit.
If you want to legally acquire quality medical weed in California, for whatever reason, without the hassle, Proposition 215’s broad definition of “illness for which marijuana provides relief” allows you to give almost any generic reason why—insomnia, muscle aches, stress—without much, if any, documented proof and easily get it. After all, who doesn’t suffer from pain every now and again?
But if you suffer from a more chronic, specific problem and are looking for a more effective alternative to traditional medications or to potentially addictive and deadly painkillers, bring some evidence of your condition like a past prescription medication, herbal remedy or anything you’ve used to try to alleviate your pain.
STEP 2: FIND A MEDICAL MARIJUANA DOCTOR WHO DOESN’T REQUIRE MEDICAL RECORD
While any licensed California doctor, like your primary physician, can evaluate your condition and prescribe a rec or medical marijuana card, many will only do so to lessen the pains associated with terminal illnesses like cancer. Plus, not all are informed on the type of cannabis to recommend, the dosage, or simply don’t understand medical cannabis’ healing properties. As a result you’ll have to see a doc who specializes in evaluating conditions that could benefit from using medical marijuana.
Not all mmj doctors have the same prerequisites, so providing your medical records can be avoided once you find one who doesn’t need them. And like mentioned earlier, some don’t require them simply because they themselves perform 420 evaluations and make the final call, not because of any shady dealings or malpractice. It just depends on the doctor’s practice and medical philosophy.
How do you choose this doctor?
- Do some research: Google searches (perhaps for ‘medical marijuana evaluations near me’), Yelp reviews, ask a friend who has a rec or card, check the back of the L.A. Weekly—regardless, you’d prefer someone who’s close, qualified and moderately priced, even if you only have to visit him/her once a year.
- Use your best judgment: If a doctor is located in a sketchy neighborhood, not in a medical office, and charges a significantly lower fee than most, he/she might not care about your excuse, much less your medical records; as long as you pay the fee/s you’ll always get the rec or ID card (why they’re everywhere and profitable). While this is beneficial to those without records, you potentially run the risk of robbery, physical harm, or even identity theft, not to mention a typically uncomfortable and drawn out in-person experience.
- Narrow the search: Find 3 to 5 pot docs that you’d consider, visit their website and/or call (if not already known) to ask if your medical history’s necessary until you find one that meets your criteria. If not, repeat the process. Be sure to ask questions pertaining to their service and read the fine print to avoid any scams or extra charges. When you’ve chosen one you’re comfortable with, book an appointment.
STEP 3: VISIT A MEDICAL MARIJUANA DOCTOR THE OLD WAY
Upon arrival you’ll be asked to fill out a brief medical evaluation form like you would as a new patient at any doctor’s office, providing your standard personal info (name, address, email address, phone number, date of birth, social security number). You’ll also be asked to briefly provide a reason/s or condition/s for why you need medical marijuana.
The doctor will ask questions relating to them, along with recalling your past medical conditions and any prior experience with cannabis, recreational and/or medicinal. A good one should have a comprehensive knowledge of marijuana’s various products, their various forms, and how they interact with various medical conditions. Don’t assume the doc will do all the talking or that it’s simply a formality before getting your rec/ID; get your money’s worth and ask questions.
STEP 4: USE NUGGMD or Dr Weedy (OPTIONAL, BUT RECOMMENDED)
You could deal with the time consuming hassle of above, or you can easily get a fast, affordable, face-to-face online consultation from any computer or mobile device with Wi-Fi and a camera (phone evaluations are also available if you don’t have access to a webcam).
Just visit NuggMD, sign up, fill out a simple medical questionnaire, upload a photo head shot and then meet with a qualified, friendly 420 doctor from the comforts of home in less than ten minutes for only $39. No medical records required! And, for just an extra $20, you can receive a laminated, convenient wallet-sized NuggMD medical cannabis photo ID card.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be a legal California resident to acquire a medical card as long as you’re as U.S. resident, though it’s only valid in California.
But does a medical marijuana card go on your record? It does if you use the state issued program to get one (like if you get a weed card in New York), but not if you go through a private third party service like NuggMD or Dr Weedy.
As with seeing any doctor there’s doctor-patient confidentiality, so your personal information remains private, isn’t shared with anyone (insurance companies, government agencies, employers) without your consent, and is securely stored using a HIPAA compliant server.
Once approved you’ll immediately receive a temporary digital copy of your year-long recommendation (until the official signed and stamped copy arrives via mail a couple of days later) that you can use the same day at any dispensary/collective and get your medical cannabis. Or simply stay home and have it delivered directly to your door by using Getnugg.com, where you can compare prices from several nearby cannabis dispensaries in your vicinity and purchase any type of cannabis products — from flowers to tinctures, oils, rubs, vape cartridges, edibles and more.
Follow these steps to get your cannabis card online without medical records quickly and easily!
Marvin Calvert
Great