Anxiety, depression, insomnia, and lack of appetite are common mental problems that afflict many people. All these conditions can be alleviated using medical marijuana. Marijuana can also relieve pain and nausea in people with cancer. It can even help treat glaucoma. If you're ready to see what medical marijuana can do for you, follow these four steps.

1. Find out if your medical condition is grounds to receive a medical marijuana card in your state.

Medical marijuana laws vary by state. Some states are more permissive than others, while other states tightly regulate access to medical marijuana. If you're interested in obtaining a medical marijuana card, do some preliminary research before starting the process. This can save you time and money if it turns out that you're ineligible. Look up the medical marijuana laws in your state and find out if the medical condition you have entitles you to use marijuana as a remedy.

2. Fill out an application.

Some states require patients to fill out an application which will then be submitted to the relevant government office. This application helps government agencies add patients to their registry. In most cases, you will need to fill out and submit this application before seeing your doctor. There may be a fee associated with the application, so make sure to budget for the cost when figuring out how much a medical marijuana card will cost you.

3. Schedule an appointment with a doctor.

You'll also need a doctor's note to get your medical marijuana card. A doctor will need to assess you and sign a letter that states that you have a medical condition that can be treated using medical marijuana. Some people feel uncomfortable asking their regular doctors for this type of prescription. Fortunately, there are marijuana clinics that specialize in helping people who need doctors' notes. These clinics are staffed by licensed doctors who can legally prescribe treatments, including medical marijuana.

4. Remember to renew your card when the time comes.

In most states, your medical marijuana card will expire after a year or two. In order to keep using it to access marijuana dispensaries, you will need to keep it up to date. In order to avoid a lapse in your treatment, make sure you schedule an appointment with your doctor before your card expires. Your second appointment with a doctor in a marijuana clinic will likely be faster than the first one. They will already have your information and records on file, so obtaining a doctor's note to renew your card will be a simple process.

For more information, contact a few marijuana doctors.