California Medical Marijuana Program

The Medical Marijuana Program, within the California Department of Health Services, was established in 2004 to facilitate the registration of qualified patients and their caregivers, through a statewide identification system. Participation in the program is voluntary for patients and the patient’s primary caregiver. Through their county of residence, qualified patients and their caregivers may apply for and be issued an identification card. This card will be used to verify those patients and caregivers that have authorization to possess, grow, transport and/or use medical marijuana in California.

For further information on the Medical Marijuana Program, please e-mail us at: mmpinfo@dhs.ca.gov , or you may write:

California Department of Public Health
Office of County Health Services
Attention: Medical Marijuana Program Unit
MS 5203
P.O. Box 997377
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377

LOS ANGELES COUNTY MEDICAL MARIJUANA ID PROGRAM

The county of Los Angeles has a very simple medical marijuana ID program.

To schedule an appointment, call 1-866-621-2204 (within LA County only).

Walk-ins at downtown location are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis: 241 N. Figueroa St., 1st Floor Lobby, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Before Your Appointment

You must obtain the following before coming to apply for a card:

A written recommendation from your physician and make sure there is a copy in your medical file.

Give your physician a signed “Authorization for Release of Medical Records” for your medical file.

A Medical Marijuana Program Application/Renewal form (English/Spanish).
Call to schedule your appointment at 1-866-621-2204. Walk-ins are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

What to Bring to Your Appointment

The original written recommendation from your physician on official letterhead, prescription pad, or Written Documentation of Patient's Medical Record (English/Spanish).

A completed original MMIC Application/Renewal Form (English/Spanish).

A government-issued photo identification (i.e. California State Driver's License, a California State ID Card, United States Passport, Veteran's Administration ID Card).

Proof that you live in Los Angeles County, for example, the current photo ID's listed above, current utility bill, California motor vehicle registration with your current address in Los Angeles County, or mortgage payment receipt. P.O. Box address is not acceptable for address verification.

Fees (Non-MediCal: $153.00 ; qualified MediCal participants will receive a 50% reduction in fee: $76.50). Payments can be made by cash, check, or money order. Please make checks out to: Los Angeles County Dept of Public Health. If you choose to pay by cash, exact change is appreciated. Application fees are non-refundable.

After Submitting Your Application

You can choose to pick-up your ID card, or to have it mailed to a designated address. It can take up to 35 days to receive your MMIC if the application is complete. If a MMIC gets lost in the mail, you will need to reapply.

The physician's license will be verified with the Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California.

The physician's recommendation will be verified with the physician's office.

Edibles

With the recent bust of Tainted, there's been a lot of talk about medical marijuana edibles. One of our favorite sites Americans for Safe Access has a monthly Legal Tip for California residents. The Legal Tip for June was about edibles so I thought I'd share it.

Medical Marijuana Edibles and the Law

Americans for Safe Access has received many reports from patients and dispensaries that law enforcement considers edible medical marijuana products to be illegal. Unfortunately, this is an incorrect interpretation of the law. California Health & Safety Code Section 11018 defines "marijuana" as "all parts of the plant Cannabis Sativa L., whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds or resin." (emphasis added.) In 2003, in order to clear up confusion around the legality of concentrated cannabis, the California Attorney General (AG) issued a legal opinion on the matter. The AG concluded that Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, included concentrated cannabis within the definition of marijuana, and that patients and providers should be protected from criminal sanctions.

In addition, with the passage of SB 420, the Medical Marijuana Program Act, by the California legislature, patients and caregivers are explicitly protected from criminal liability. One of the criminal statutes exempted in SB 420 for patients and caregivers, Health & Safety Code Section 11357, includes reference to concentrated cannabis. Problematic interactions with law enforcement may not be avoidable, but things to can do to lessen that likelihood include ensuring all edibles in your possession are well wrapped and clearly labeled "for medical use." If you produce edibles yourself, ensure that: a) the ingredients and finished product are out-of-reach of children and people who are neither patients not caregivers; b) the facility and tools used to produce the edibles are clean and sanitary (consider compliance with local and/or state clean room requirements); and c) the packaging of edibles does not violate copyright laws nor unduly attract the attention of youth.

You should check out the Legal Tip of the Month and stay informed!

Donate to Americans for Safe Access

ASA is a growing, multifaceted organization and we need equipment and supplies of various types to keep running smoothly.

Here is a sample wish-list:
Digital video cameras and still cameras
Laptop and Desktop computers
Office Furniture
Office supplies
Floor and desk lamps
Frequent Flyer Vouchers
Restaurant and Hotel vouchers
Artwork
Graphic Design
Reliable automobile

For additional information about making a tax-deductible, in-kind donation to ASA please contact Nica at 1-888-929-4367 x301 or send an e-mail to nica@safeaccessnow.org.

Support Norml

Indica VS Sativa

indica

VS

sativa

The good Dr. has been away celebrating his birthday and gathering new information for the book I'm currently penning, Indica VS Sativa. I figured I'd share some of the information I've gathered thus far.

Fat Leaves and Short Bush = INDICA

Thin Leaves and Tall Bush = SATIVA

Sativas are just about the opposite of Indicas. They are tall, thin plants, with much narrower leaves and grow a lighter green in color. They grow very quickly and can reach heights of 20 feet in a single season. They originally come from Colombia, Mexico, Thailand and Southeast Asia. Once flowering has begun, they can take anywhere from 10 to 16 weeks to fully mature. Flavors range from earthy to sweet and fruity. Sativa's higher THC than CBD equals cerebral, soaring type of high, more energetic which can stimulate brain activity and may produce hallucinations.

Sativa plants are taller, take longer to mature, have less chlorophyll and more accessory pigments (accessory pigments protect the plant from excessive sunlight). As Sativa strains have less chlorophyll than Indica they take longer to grow, mature, and require more light.
Sativa typically takes longer to germinate and flower also, and grows more gangly then Indica breeds.

Yield is usually lower than Indica, but is very potent. Thai Sativa grows taller and has a longer flowering period, so they are better suited for outdoors.

Indicas originally come from the hash producing countries of the world like Afghanistan, Morocco, and Tibet. They are short dense plants, with broad leaves and often grow a darker green. After flowering starts they will be mature in 6 to 8 weeks.

The buds will be thick and dense, with flavors and aromas ranging from pungent skunk to sweet and fruity. The smoke from an Indica is generally a body type stone, relaxing and laid back. Indica's higher CBD than THC equals a much heavier, sleepy type of high. Indica plants have a heavy, stony high that is relaxing and can help different medical problems.
Indica yield is usually higher than Sativa, and shorter growing season. Better for indoor growing, because they don't get as tall.

Indica plants are short, bushy, mature early, have more chlorophyll and less accessory pigments (accessory pigments protect the plant from excessive sunlight). As Indica strains have more chlorophyll than sativa they grow and mature faster.

Combining different indicas, different sativas or a combination thereof creates hybrids. The resulting hybrid strains will grow, mature and smoke in relationship to the indica/sativa percentages they end up containing.

60 minutes Medical marijuana part 2

60 Minutes Medical Marijuana part 1

60 Minutes

The Dr. has been receiving phone calls all day about the report on 60 Minutes last night. I, unfortunately, missed it BUT a little Googling and it turned up on everyone's favorite youtube...I've posted them here in case you missed them too...Remember to keep yourself informed...

Happy Birthday To Dr. Ingleweed

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR. INGLEWEED!!

Mary Cup of Jane Body Butter by myEmagine

myEmagine aromatherapy makes all natural, synthetic and preservative free skin care for the entire family. Most of the products are lickable: the sugar scrubs and the body butters.

They carry a full line of aromatherapy products which include scrubs, masks, body dew, oils, salts, candles, soaps, incense and so much more. The products are 100% free of perservatives and come in a variety of scents and smells which include favorites like coconut and a line of their own scents. They even have scents specific to the zodiac. They also make a special body butter for the good Dr. called Mary Cup of Jane. Their website has the most convenient schedule for local LA deliveries. They also have more than a few aromatherapy locations around the neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Inglewood, Crenshaw District, Fairfax District, Altadena and other local places. Check them out. They have a full line of natural products highly recommended by the Dr.

*Mary Cup of Jane Body Butter available at All American Healing Group.

Stonerware for the Baker in All of Us

You know the good Dr. likes his baked goods so in my search of all things marijuana related I've discovered these baking pans from Stonerware which are great for cannabutter recipes.



The baking pan above is around $15 and the cookie cutter is around $9. Both are great for baking cookies or brownies. I heard that they should be available at All American Healing's online store and their dispensary soon.

It's Just A Plant

The Dr. believes in education and the SAFE promotion of marijuana. When I discovered this children's book, It's Just a Plant, I was as very pleased.

It's Just a Plant is an illustrated children's book about marijuana. It follows the journey of a young girl as she learns about the plant from a diverse cast of characters including her parents, a local farmer, a doctor, and a police officer.

Marijuana can be difficult to talk about.

Many parents have tried marijuana, some still use it. Neither feel great about disclosing such histories (many duck the question), for fear that telling their kids might encourage them to experiment on their own.

Unfortunately, most "drug facts" that children learn in school are more frightening than educational, blaming pot for everything from teenage pregnancy to terrorism. A child's first awareness of drugs should come from a better source.

It's Just a Plant is a book for parents who want to educate their children about the complexities of pot in a thoughtful, fact-oriented manner.

This book in no way promotes children using marijuana. It just helps us adults who do use marijuana once we get caught and it makes sure that our children are properly educated. The book will soon be available at a dispensary near you.

The Cannabis Flower Fragrance Collection

Dr. Ingleweed always finds the hot products for his patients. This time the good Dr. has found a new scent at Demeter. Demeter has always been innovative when it comes to smells. In the past I used to purchase Grass but NOW they have a Cannibis Flower Frangrance Collection.

From a medicinal perspective, Cannabis is reputed to alleviate asthma and glaucoma, and lower blood pressure. Today in the United States hemp, which is defined as the roots, stalk, and stems of the cannabis plant, is legal to possess. The Cannabis Flower, however, which is at the heart of this fragrance, is used to make Marijuana, and is illegal to possess. At Demeter, we do not involve ourselves with the politics, but the beautiful scent of the Cannabis Flower. Slightly floral, slightly spicy, but unmistakably Cannabis, this fragrance has a deep and penetrating beauty.

It includes Cologne Spray, Bath & Body Oil, Calming Lotion, Room Spray and a lot more. Pick them up where ever Demeter is sold.

Aleda Wraps

My current wrap of choice is the Aleda Cellulose Wrap. They are "non-plastic, biodegradable film of a vegetal origin"..."They have no odor and they do not interfere with the characteristics of the...material wrapped within". In other words they are healthier and they do NOT interfere with the taste of your smoke. The Dr. definitely recommends them. Available at fine smoking establishments everywhere.

New Dispensary Opening in Mid-City Area

The Dr. just got word of a new dispensary that just opened up in the Mid-City area.

Compassionate & Caring Collective Caregivers

5013 San Vincente

Los Angeles, CA 90019

(major cross street La Brea Ave.)

Their hours are from 11am - 7pm Monday thru Saturday, Noon-5pm Sunday.

For more information you can call 310.289.5420.

Dr. Ingleweed has Found Someone Open on Sundays!!!

Dr. Ingleweed has found someone open on Sundays!! All American Healing Group. They are located in the heart of downtown Inglewood one block south of Manchester @ 126 1/2 Market Street. Their hours are from 11am - 7pm Monday thru Saturday AND NOW 10am-4pm Sundays!! You should do like the good Dr. does and drive over there on a Sunday at about 11am. Pick up a Latte on the way and for brunch get some of the Banana Nut Bread they sell. I usually finish mine on the way home so it doesn’t make it to brunch but that’s besides the point. The main thing is that they are open on Sundays and that is rare. For more information you can call 310-412-0557.

Hi. I'm Dr. Ingleweed

This is the first blog post so let’s take a little bit time to learn about the doc:

Name: Dr. Ingleweed
Born: 4/20/1975
BA: Botany
MA: Biology
PHD: Horticulture

The good Dr. is here to spread the news about medical marijuana and related topics so join the doctor and help spread the word and let's take this journey together.