Medical Marijuana: One Student’s Experience
May 16, 2016
Turning 18 is a very important part of people’s lives. It means becoming an adult and, in many cultures, it earns rites of passage. Due to a new law that was passed, buying legal marijuana is added to the list of rites. You are now able to obtain a medical marijuana card which makes it legal to purchase and consume marijuana from distributors.
How does one obtain a card? Obtain medical marijuana recommendation from local physician. Fill out application. Submit to your county health department.
What is needed? Governmentissued photo ID, proof of county residence, written recommendation from physician, money to pay application fee ($33 in California).
Can a patient be arrested? Yes, many patients are raided or arrested for possessing or growing excessive amounts of marijuana. A medical card holder is NOT protected on federal park or forest land.
Where can one not smoke? No smoking zones, within 1,000 feet of school or youth centers (with exception of private residences) school buses, or motor vehicle being operated.
Can anyone sell? Legal caregivers and cooperative members are authorized to sell on a non profit basis.
Can someone be fired for being under the influence of marijuana? Your employer holds the right to drug test you and fire you if you test positive for marijuana regardless of medical use.
Can a medical card holder bring marijuana on a plane? Some airports respect patients’ rights, others don’t. If marijuana is found in luggage, procedure is to turn it over to local law enforcement.
Q&A with Kennan Hussain
Senior Kennan Hussain, who has attended Northgate for most of his high school years and is currently finishing out the year on independent study, is a medical marijuana card holder. He shared his experience with The Sentinel.
Q. When did you obtain your card?
A. First got my medical card on the day of my 18th birthday.
Q. How has it affected your life?
A. It has allowed me to legally medicate and lessened my paranoia when smoking.
Q. Why do you have a medical marijuana card?
A. I have anxiety and insomnia so medical marijuana has helped to cure it.
Q. Has having a card caused any issues for you?
A. No, if anything it resolved issues.
Q. How long is your card valid?
A. Cards are good for one year before they need to be renewed by a doctor.
Q. How do you think marijuana positively contributes to society?
A. Many collectives are nonprofit which means they give back to the community in the form
of donations or services.