The first stop should be the state Department of Health website . This outlines what applicants need to know: qualifying conditions, directions for finding a participating health provider and other procedures.

After selecting Malie Cannabis Clinic from a list, I sent an email, proposing to apply for a “329” card:

I am a person with occasional acute pain owing to joint problems; currently my chiropractor has things handled, but as a potential patient, I’m thinking access to an alternative form of pain relief could be personally helpful. I do not smoke cannabis recreationally — I’m more your “glass of wine” type — but I acknowledge it has utility in pain relief.

The email reply from the Malie Cannabis Clinic:

When you come to the clinic you will need your photo ID and if you have medical records you can bring them, however they are not required.

So the bar is not set especially high, in that a condition that is currently acute is not a prerequisite. In this case, the 10-business-days wait time for the card to be issued was not a problem.

The provider offers advice, but so do the dispensaries. And signing in requires initialing a list of advisories. Here are a few from the Noa Botanicals intake form:

>> I attest that I will not engage in the diversion of cannabis. I understand that fraudulent distribution or resale of cannabis is a felony.

>> I acknowledge that when under the influence of cannabis, driving is prohibited and machinery should not be operated.

>> I acknowledge that I may not purchase more than 4 ounces of marijuana in a 15-day period from any dispensary.

Note: This is a cash-only business, with one alternative: an electronic account associated with your checking account and an app called CanPay. The dispensaries have application forms.

Those familiar with marijuana street sales may find prices high. The dispensary response: That’s because of expensive testing and growing requirements, among other factors.

But you can sign up for text alerts about discounts. This is business, after all.