After you see the doctor he signs a letter recommending MMJ for you. No need to deal with the county, just take the letter to the dispensary. The doctors’ offices will sell you a photo id card for $10, but only the letter passes muster with the cops and the dispensaries (so I’m told).
Letter and driver’s license in hand you can go to a dispensary and are good to go. If you chose a delivery service they will have you email or fax the letter and lics before they arrange to stop by.
It used to be that without some type of medical record the letter was only good for a month or two.