Medical marijuana can be used to treat a variety of medical conditions, because it's very effective in diminishing pain.  But, only people with medical marijuana cards or permission from a doctor can obtain medicinal marijuana.  So, how do you get medical marijuana? 

How to get Medical Marijuana?
Marijuana is still considered a Schedule 1 drug by the federal government, and possession of marijuana is a crime at the federal level.  Some states, however, have passed laws legalizing the use of medical marijuana.  These states allow doctors to write recommendations for patients to use marijuana for certain conditions. 

Then, patients  take these recommendations to medical marijuana dispensaries to purchase  cannabis.  Some states, including California, require patients to obtain a medical marijuana ID card.  Patients must carry these cards with them at all times in order to get medical marijuana.

Marijuana and Legal Issues
Patients may want to consult a lawyer to explore the legal ramifications of using medical marijuana, as there is some gray territory between enforcement of federal law versus state.  And, in some states, people with criminal backgrounds are not allowed to get medical marijuana.

Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Sell
The uses of medical marijuana cover a wide range of conditions, particularly those that cause pain. Patients have gotten approval to take medical marijuana for everything from menstrual cramps to cancer. It should be noted that doctors cannot prescribe the drug; they can only recommend it.  Patients also cannot buy the drug at a pharmacy; only medical marijuana dispensaries can sell the various strains of medical marijuana that are available from growers.

How to get medical marijuana in a state or country that doesn't allow it legally?  Your best bet may be to change residence, although many states (see light green areas on map) are considering legalizing the drug. Currently, only certain parts of the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, Spain and the Netherlands legally allow patients to use medical marijuana. In California, a network of clinics, called MediCann,  services patients who are interested in self-medicating with marijuana.

If patients cannot get medical marijuana because of a criminal background or because their state does not allow for the sale of it, two other drugs, Nabilone or Marinol, can be substituted.  These are legally prescribed drugs that contain synthetic marijuana.

Photo shows states where medical marijuana is legal in dark green; light green states are considering changing the law to allow medical pot.