The Medical Marijuana Program was created as a voluntary means for people to inform the state that they are in need of marijuana for medical purposes.

In order to purchase marijuana from a dispensary all one needs is a doctor's referral, but some people may feel more comfortable with a state-issued I.D. card.

This is how someone can get a medical marijuana I.D.

Step One: First, you must qualify for an I.D. card. The California Department of Public Health states that you will qualify if you have: AIDS, anorexia, arthritis, cachexia, cancer, chronic pain, glaucoma, migraine, persistent muscle spasms, seizures, severe nausea and other chronic illnesses.

Step Two: Find a doctor that will write you a referral. There are a number of doctors that will write a referral and they can be found with a little research on the Internet. Websites like Yelp.com allow you to search nearby cities for a doctor while also giving past patients the ability to write reviews that can be useful if determining which doctor to choose.

Step Three: Get your referral. Costs for visiting a doctor may vary, but expect to pay around $100 to $150. There are discounts, though, that can be found by searching the Internet. For instance, some doctors give a $50 discount if you mention that you heard about them on Yelp. Do your research beforehand.

Step Four: Apply for your I.D. card. After downloading and filling out an application from Department of Public Health's website, just photocopy the doctor's referral, mail the copy, the application, and a check for $66 for the I.D. to the Department of Public Health.

Step Five: Wait for your I.D. to come in the mail. Once you do receive the I.D. make sure to register it at the Department of Public Health's website.