FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Is Medical Cannabis Safe?

2. Is Medical Cannabis Addicting?

3. Are there any other ways to medicate with cannabis aside from smoking cannabis?

4. Are there any side effects or dangers from medicating with cannabis?

5. Will cannabis interfere with any of the prescriptions that I currently take?

 

Preparing For The First Visit

Q1. What is the first step to receive a medical cannabis recommendation and how do I make an appointment?

Medical Cannabis of Southern California offers FREE online pre-qualifying. Simply click on Step 1 and answer each question to the best of your ability. You can then call us at 877-721-0047 and our professional staff will make sure you are fully qualified prior to coming in to see the doctor.

Q2. Does Medical Cannabis of Southern California accept insurance?

Medical Cannabis of Southern California does not accept insurance.

Q3. Do I need to be referred to Medical Cannabis of Southern California?

No. Medical Cannabis of Southern California accepts all potential patients for evaluation.

Q4. What happens when I visit a Medical Cannabis of Southern California clinic?

Patients fill out a New Patient History form (if they did not print and fill out at home prior to coming in which is recommended), provide a valid California ID, pay the fee and then receive an evaluation. Patients that qualify receive a physician's recommendation.

Q5. What form of ID do I need to bring to my evaluation?

Patients must provide a valid California state-issued ID. Patients who do not have a California I.D. must bring a picture I.D with a print out from the California DMV.

Q6. What medical documentation should I bring to my evaluation?

Patients should bring written documentation, including their diagnosis, the name, address, phone number and fax number of their primary healthcare provider. Prescription bottles are accepted, but must be current and contain the contact information for the prescribing physician on the label.

 

Physician's Recommendation

Q7. What if I have never seen a physician about my condition?

If you have not been evaluated by a physician for the complaint that you are requesting to be evaluated for then our physicians will require that you see your primary care provider. However because many of our patients are currently self-medicating with cannabis we may temporarily issue you a recommendation so that you can have safe access to medicine until you are evaluated by your primary care provider. Once you receive a diagnosis from your primary care physician we will review your medical records and extend your recommendation for no additional fee.
It is extremely important that our physicians know that you have been evaluated for the condition you are seeking a recommendation for. For example, we treat many patients for chronic headaches. However, if a patient comes to our clinic complaining of headaches and we provide them with a recommendation without first finding out what is causing their headaches we are not practicing medicine responsibly. There are many causes of headaches; everything from grinding your teeth at night to brain tumors. We want to make sure that we know the exact cause so that you do not delay being treated appropriately.

Q8. What do I receive specifically, when I’m issued a physician's recommendation for medicinal marijuana?

Once approved, our patients receive three original recommendations which are signed by the physician. Simply keep one at home, one in your car and one on your person. This is what is required by all dispensaries to obtain medicine. ALL of our patients also receive a Growers Certificate which should be kept in the location where they grow their medicine. We do not provide a separate ID card because the dispensaries nor law enforcement recognize them. They will each require you to provide your doctors signed recommendation. If you show up to a dispensary with just an ID card you will not be allowed to obtain medicine in most cases. Therefore we strongly encourage you to make sure you have your written recommendation with you at all times. Many other clinics claim to have ID cards which are recognized by dispensaries and law enforcement. This is simply not true and your ID card is a false sense of security.

Q9. How long does a physician's recommendation last?

Our recommendations are for 12 months which is the maximum time allowed per California law.

Q10. If I receive a recommendation will I have to return to Medical Cannabis of Southern California after my intial appointment?

Medical Cannabis of Southern California advises qualified patients to contact us for a re-evaluation of their physician's recommendation prior to the expiration of their recommendation.

 

Personal Information, Accessibility and Evaluation

Q11. What happens with the information I give to Medical Cannabis of Southern California?

Our clinics all follow the Federal Doctor-Patient Confidentiality (HIPPA) laws. Information will not be shared with anyone at anytime without the written request by our patients. Our patients names are not put on any lists nor will we speak to any of your current physicians or family members about your recommendation. Every staff member is required to attend HIPPA/privacy training prior to being hired and each patient is provided with a copy of our privacy policy upon arriving at our clinic.

Q12. Are Medical Cannabis of Southern California clinics wheelchair accessible?

All our locations are wheelchair accessible.

Q13. At what age can I get an evaluation at Medical Cannabis of Southern California?

Patients under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Q14. Can Medical Cannabis of Southern California evaluate me to become a medical marijuana caregiver?

Yes. Patients must have disabilities that require care giving and bring their designated caregivers with them to their evaluation.

Q15. What happens if I do not pass my Medical Cannabis of Southern California evaluation?

If patients do not qualify under Proposition 215 for a medical cannabis recommendation they will not be charged our fee.

Q16. Why get your recommendation in a card form from Medical Cannabis of Southern California?

Medical Cannabis of Southern California is Orange County's most respected cannabis clinic by physicians, dispensaries, law enforcement and patients. Choosing a doctor is on of the most important decisions you can make and we want you to consider the following when deciding where to make an appointment:
1. Professional staff: Every member of our staff is required to attend Oaksterdam University which is the only formal educational curriculum offered in the industry. We pride ourselves in our ability to educate patients on every aspect of being a cannabis patient. Our office manager (Angie) will spend as much time as you need on the phone and at your appointment to make sure you have every question answered.

2. Our physicians: Dr. Breen is recognized as an expert in cannabis medicine. He is known and loved for his incredible bedside manner and ability to help patients feel at ease during their visit.

3. Our clinics: We understand that patient privacy is your number one concern. Our clinics are located in a very private and safe location so that you do not have to worry about your privacy being violated. Our office is set up just like any doctors office with a reception area, a waiting room and a doctors office. We require our staff to adhere to a strict dress code to include lab coats and professional attire. We demand nothing less than the best when it comes to your office experience!

4. 24/7 Online Verification: Many clinics are horrible when it comes to verifying patients for dispensaries and law enforcement. Our clinics offer 24/7 online verification which means you will never be turned away by a dispensary because they can not get a hold of our staff. We also have a special phone number in the event that you need to be verified by law enforcement at all hours of the night.

5. Patient privacy: All our our staff members receive HIPPA (privacy) training and we make your privacy our #1 goal!

6. Longevity: Here today gone tomorrow. That is the case for the majority of doctors offices offering cannabis recommendations. If you pay for and receive a recommendation from a doctor who is no longer practicing in 7 months then your recommendation is no longer valid because it can not be verified. Medical Cannabis of Southern California is the #1 clinic in Orange County and will be expanding the number of clinics it operates for years to come. You WILL NOT have to worry about your recommendation becoming invalid!

7. Best Price Guaranteed: If you can find a clinic in Orange County that offers a FULL 12 month recommendation for cheaper than we offer we will match that price. Many clinics offer deceiving "teaser" rates for a recommendations and only tell patients that their recommendation for $100 is only good for 6 months. Their patients then have to schedule another visit and pay for an additional 6 months! Our clinics offer a full 12 month recommendation and we never deceive our patients.

8. Referral Program: Every patient receives 15 referral cards to hand out to friends and family. For each person you refer you receive 10% off your renewal. For example if you refer 5 people your annual renewal is 50% off! refer 10 patients and receive your recommendation for FREE!

9. Military/Veterans and Disability Discounts! Dr. Breen was a United States Navy physician and received his Combat Action Ribbon while serving as the Battalion Surgeon for 1st Battalion 4th marines during Operation Iraqi Freedom from January-September 2003. He is extremely patriotic and loves taking care of our veterans!

 

Legal Issues

Q18. What laws allow the use of medicinal marijuana in California?

Proposition 215 Compassionate Use Act of 1996, also known as the Health and Safety Code Section 11362.5 and State Bill 420, passed in 2003.

Q19. Can a physician legally recommend marijuana in California?

Yes. Physicians are legally allowed to recommend, but not prescribe, medicinal marijuana to qualified patients, as specified under Prop 215 and SB 420. As stated by Chief Judge Walters in Conant vs. Walters, in Opinion, Section II, Second paragraph:
"...a physician may not aid and abet in ‘. . .the purchase,cultivation, or possession of marijuana . . .’"

Q20. Is it legal if I have a physician's recommendation to use/carry/smoke medicinal marijuana?

SB 420 states: "(e) No person or designated primary caregiver in possession of a valid identification card shall be subject to arrest for possession, transportation, delivery, or cultivation of medical marijuana in an amount established pursuant to this article, unless there is reasonable cause to believe that the information contained in the card is false or falsified, the card has been obtained by means of fraud, or the person is otherwise in violation of the provisions of this article."
"However, under federal law possession of medicinal marijuana is a misdemeanor."

Q21. For what medical conditions can medicinal marijuana be legally recommended in California?

According to Prop 215 Compassionate Use Act of 1996 Health and Safety Code Section 11362.5:
"...Physicians may legally recommend to qualifying patients, medicinal ‘. . . marijuana in the treatment of cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraine, or any other serious illness for which marijuana provides relief . . .’"

 

Accessing Medical Marijuana

Q22. Can physicians provide medicinal marijuana for patients?

No. Physicians may legally recommend medicinal marijuana for qualifying patients, but they may not prescribe nor provide it.

Q23. Can I grow my own marijuana if I have a physician's recommendation?

SB 420, Section 11362.77 states:
"... that qualified patients and primary caregivers may. . . maintain no more than six mature or 12 immature marijuana plants . . . Counties and cities may set guidelines exceeding, but not reducing, the state limits."

Q24. If I have a physician's recommendation, can I sell or distribute marijuana?

No. Patients and caregivers may be legally arrested and prosecuted by state officers for selling and/or distributing marijuana.

Q25. Is a physician's recommendation legal throughout California?

Yes. It is legal under Prop. 215 and SB420. However different cities and counties have their own guidelines regarding dispensaries and the maximum amount of medicinal marijuana patients may possess and cultivate. Medicinal marijuana is not legal under federal law.

Q26. Is a California physician's recommendation legal in other states?

Medical Cannabis of Southern California’s recommendations are only valid in California. However, Montana is the only state that will accept an out of state recommendation.

Q27. Where can I legally ingest medicinal marijuana?

SB 420, section 11362.79 states that patients may not ingest medicinal marijuana:
(a) In any place where smoking is prohibited by law.
(b) In or within 1,000 feet of the grounds of a school, recreation center, or youth center, unless the medical use occurs within a residence.
(c) On a school bus.
(d) While in a motor vehicle that is being operated.
(e) While operating a boat.

 

Effects of Using Medicinal Marijuana

Q28. What are the primary effects of using medicinal marijuana?

The most obvious effects of marijuana can be seen in the brain and nervous system. The immediate effect is a dulling of the senses, blunting of memory and concentration, and changes in behavior. Pain perception is altered, nausea is calmed, and appetite is stimulated. There is no current data concluding that permanent changes or actual changes occur in the brain with regular use.

Q29. What are the benefits of using medicinal marijuana?

The National Institute of Health has come up with a list of conditions that marijuana appears to be of benefit.
1. Stimulate appetite and relieve cachexia (the physical wasting away of AIDS and cancer sufferers).
2. Control nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy.
3. Decrease intraocular pressure inside the eyeball for relief of glaucoma.
4. Analgesia for pain management for a variety of conditions.
5. Neurological and movement disorders, such as muscle spasticity and seizures.
6. Temporarily alleviates anxiety.

Q30. What are the side effects of using medicinal marijuana?

The intoxication and effects on the nervous system lead to slowed reaction time and loss of coordination, which last for hours after ingestion. These effects make driving a car or operating machinery hazardous, and these activities should be avoided while under the influence of marijuana.
Cannabinoids and THC also produce cardiovascular effects. Immediately after inhalation the heart begins to beat faster, the blood vessels dilate and blood pressure drops. This can cause dizziness and the sensation of palpitations in some people. Smoking marijuana is the most common form of ingestion, but is not the only one. There are hundreds of chemical compounds in the marijuana plant, and smoking delivers all of them along with the desired ones. The airways of the lungs are lined with tissues that have microscopic cilia, or little fingerlike extensions that ‘wave’ upwards from the lungs, to the mouth and nose. The purpose is to push mucus filled with foreign toxins back up and out of the lungs to the mouth and nose, where they can be swallowed or sneezed out. These cilia stop working with any kind of smoking, which means that the toxins (or organisms) trapped in the mucus have no way of escaping the lung.
The risks of using marijuana during pregnancy are unknown.

Q31. What are the long term effects of using medicinal marijuana?

There is a documented, but mild withdrawal syndrome associated with the cessation of marijuana use after as little as a week. However this is not a common reaction and does not occur in the majority of users. The body does not become physically dependent.
The symptoms of the withdrawal syndrome include: irritability, insomnia, mood swings, and mild depression.
A ‘drug holiday’ of at 1-3 weeks every 3-4 months is a good idea. This can help the patient differentiate side effects of marijuana from the possible symptoms of an illness.