What Physicians Need to Know!
Effective July 6, 2009, the Office of Vital Records and Statistics Unit of the Division of Public Health Services in the County of San Diego, Health and Human Services (HHSA) will begin processing applications for the State-mandated “Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC) Program.”
Background
- Voters enacted Prop 215, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996.
- Prohibits physicians from being punished for recommending medical marijuana.
- Allow patients with a medical marijuana recommendation to cultivate and possess marijuana.
- SB 420, which passed in 2003, requires counties to implement the State Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC) program.
- Assists law enforcement to identify persons protected under Prop 215.
- The MMIC program’s sole purpose is to allow qualified patients (and their caregivers, if applicable) to apply for and receive identification cards.
Physician Information Required
As an attending physician and pursuant to Prop. 215, you may “recommend” (not prescribe) the use of medical marijuana for specific serious medical conditions (see list on website [1]). If you have determined that any of these medical conditions would benefit from the use of medical marijuana, you may provide this recommendation in one of two ways:
- Download the State of California Written Documentation of Patient’s Medical Records form CDPH 9044 [2] to fill out for your patient, or …
- Provide a written notice on office letterhead stating that your patient (or their caregiver, if applicable) has a serious medical condition(s) that would benefit from the use of marijuana. (Please do not site any specific medical conditions.)
This form, cited in option #1 above, will serve as the written documentation stating that the patient has been diagnosed with a serious medical condition and that the medical use of marijuana is appropriate. As of June 26, 2009, you may access the HHSA Website [3] to obtain the CDPH 9044 form.
Your patient will need to bring this form, completed and signed by you as the attending physician, or other written medical documentation to their appointment in order to have their application processed. Again, do not identify specific medical condition(s).
Patient Submission of Application to the County
On the day of your patient’s appointment or visit to submit the MMIC application, the CDPH 9044 form (or your written recommendation) along with a Physician Verification sheet will be faxed to you for your signature confirming your recommendation for the Medical Marijuana Identification Card and requesting the beginning and last date the patient was seen in your office. This verification sheet MUST be signed and dated by the attending physician.
Our office cannot proceed with the approval and processing of your patient’s application until we received the signed and dated Physician Verification.
For additional information and questions, please contact 619-692-5723 or click here [3].