Thirty-six states and four territories have decided to violate the United States government’s ban on cannabis and legalize the sale and use of marijuana for medical purposes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved only one drug derived from marijuana for the treatment of two rare forms of epilepsy. There is promising evidence that medical marijuana can also help those suffering from conditions such as chronic pain, cancer, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and Parkinson’s disease. More than 4.3 million Americans already have a medical marijuana card. How to join them?
The lack of a federal framework means there are 40 separate sets of rules that govern the certification of medical marijuana. Therefore, the path to the medical marijuana map involves several bureaucratic hoop jumps. While some of the specifics vary from state to state, the general procedure for obtaining a card follows a fairly similar and straightforward path. Here’s what you need to know.
Conditions that qualify for a medical marijuana card
The qualified diagnosable medical conditions for which medical marijuana can be recommended vary by state, but there are a number of overlapping conditions. The most common (according to the online cannabis marketplace Leafly) are epilepsy and seizure disorders, cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, neurodegenerative diseases, cachexia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Nausea and pain are also common qualifying conditions, but some states classify only “severe” or “intractable” examples of the two conditions.
Some states, such as Florida, include “medical conditions of the same type or class as those listed, or comparable to them.” This gives physicians the discretion to recommend medical marijuana for serious medical conditions that are explicitly included in the list of eligible conditions.
Recommendations for obtaining medical marijuana card
If you think your condition is suitable, the next step is to find a doctor who can recommend cannabis. Prescribing a Schedule 1 drug (under federal law) is prohibited, but it can be recommended without restriction.
Some states require in-person doctor visits and some allow telehealth consultations, especially during the pandemic. Your GP may be available to provide advice, but most states have clinics that market themselves as places to get medical marijuana advice.
How to register for medical marijuana card
Once you receive a recommendation, you can provide it in your state during the application process. Some states issue a temporary card that can be used at a dispensary with a state ID or a driver’s license. In others, you will be forced to wait for the card to be mailed.
Some states allow you to have one or two carers on your application. They will need to complete some paperwork on their own, but once approved, they can purchase medical marijuana for a patient, which is especially beneficial for people whose conditions make it difficult for them to leave their homes.
Read Also: Who Is The Health Card Issued To?
What does a medical marijuana card give?
The card will allow you to purchase limited quantities of medical marijuana products from licensed dispensaries in your state, some of which offer home delivery. Some states allow a limited amount of self-growing. Eleven states and Washington DC allow purchases at their dispensaries from out-of-state medical marijuana card holders, which is a nice benefit if you need to buy it away from home.
Among the bans, universal to all states, is not allowed to transfer medical marijuana to anyone and buy it anywhere except in a licensed pharmacy. In addition, the federal government still has legal authority to trade between states, so transporting marijuana across state lines, even if both states have legalized it, is illegal under federal law.
Dispensary staff are good sources of information, as knowing the laws of their state is a condition of their employment. If you don’t know any of them, the best way to learn about marijuana laws in your state is to Google “[state name] medical marijuana qualifying conditions.” Avoid 420.biz style results, and only go to government or official state sites (like ny.gov or mn.us).
