As long as you can prove you are a resident you can get you mmj card. I got mine less than a week after moving to CO. Go to DMV, get new ID, go to MMJ dr. fill out paper work, get card, GO SHOPPING! Now in CO there is a 35 day wait (after submitting application and $90 to state) before you can purchase meds. That gives the state 30 days to reject you, and 5 days for mail... if you dont get rejected, you are approved with your temporary card until your official one comes. Make sure to send certified mail with certified funds or check!!! That gives you a postmarked date, and you can track when/if they cash your check- so if they say "we never got it" you can slam it in their face- Thats what I did... Thieving gov. pricks
A little different rules in each state. Mostly the amount you can buy, the qualifying conditions, etc. Some states accept out of state MMJ licenses, so you can travel with your mmj there too. very few tho, but maine is one i love to go to.
And ya, just because it is "legal" doesnt mean a cop wont be a pig and harass you anyway. Its like those telemarketers who get paid to sign ppl up, and sign you up even when u say you arent interested and hang up... They get paid, and you deal with the aftermath... I want to find a cop that does his job like i do mine. If I did mine like they do theirs, Id be fired in a day...