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November marked a rather important milestone since my recent move to California. My state driver's license arrived in the mail, and I bought weed legally for the first time.
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Before relocating from New York to the Golden State, I heard it was inconceivably easy to get cannabis here (though admittedly, it's now even more convenient in places like Washington and Oregon). All you had to do was tell a doctor you suffer from back pain, and voilà, the stoner-fairy godmothers would descend and grant you a medicinal marijuana ID card, allowing you to possess quantities pursuant with California law.
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Thanks to startups like Eaze and Meadow, you can get a prescription online in minutes and have the product delivered to your doorstep.
As a frequent sufferer of anxiety and migraines, both conditions that are alleviated by medicinal marijuana use, I decided to try these services for myself. Turns out, it is easy.
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Under California Prop 215, also known as the Compassionate Use Act, patients may obtain and use marijuana for medicinal treatment if they have a letter from a physician.
So, one day during my lunch break two weeks ago, I headed over to Eaze.com.
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Eaze launched in 2014 as a medicinal marijuana delivery service, earning it the nickname "Uber for weed."
Earlier this year, the startup began offering a video conference service so prospective patients could register for a card via the website.
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Typically, you have to make an appointment at a clinic, cough up $100 or more, and wait for your ID card to arrive in the mail.
With EazeMD, which taps available third-party doctors to meet with patients, I could get started right away.
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First, I filled out some basic patient history forms.
Eaze asked about my self-diagnosis and substance use. I had heard from friends that honesty was the best policy, so I admitted to smoking marijuana occasionally.
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The company charged my credit card $30 for the medical consultation and $10 for a mailed copy of the recommendation letter from my physician, which I opted into.
A doctor would be with me shortly! Still at the office, I scrambled to find a quiet place to chat.
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Twenty-three minutes and one missed call later, and I received a text prompting me to check back on EazeMD's website.
I accepted the call and met my physician, who wore scrubs, was surrounded by human anatomy posters, and seemed to me like a very real doctor.
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He asked me about my anxiety and migraines. The doctor also asked how cannabis has helped me with those issues, which I explained, reluctantly.
Less than five minutes later, he rattled off warnings about the use of marijuana and announced I'd been approved. Hurrah!
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My letter of recommendation was ready to be downloaded instantly. It ensures that my possession and use of marijuana for medicinal purposes exempts me from criminal prosecution in California.
With the click of a button, EazeMD routed me to Eaze's home menu. Time to shop.
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After filling up my cart with flower and edibles, I tried and tried to check out. But the wait time kept getting pushed back due to a surge in demand. Eaze deliveries take 15 minutes on average, so my experience was atypical.
I bailed once my wait time reached into the next day and hopped over to Meadow. It's the other "Uber for weed," founded in 2014.
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I created an account.
And I uploaded the letter of recommendation from my EazeMD physician, which allowed me to instantly buy weed from Meadow.
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Meadow partners with nearby dispensaries to source product. The website sorts inventory by strain and type, such as flowers, pre-rolls, edibles, and concentrates.
Auntie Dolores' chocolate brownie bite had me drooling. The product description listed the strain, THC level, and recommended dosage.
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The Blackberry Beret caught my attention because its description promised a high level of mental clarity when smoked.
I filled my shopping cart with both marijuana brownie bites and the Blackberry Beret to meet the rather high $80 delivery minimum.
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Just a few clicks later, my weed delivery courier was en route!
Meadow requires cash payment, so I darted to the nearest ATM and took out $100.
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The receptionist called to say I had a delivery at the desk, and I raced to meet my courier. He carried a small blue gift bag.
In a single afternoon at the office, I acquired a medicinal marijuana card and had weed delivered to my doorstep. Had there not been a demand surge, I could have gotten it done in an hour.
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