How to get medical marijuana approval in your state

Although different states have their own laws, the actual process of obtaining permission is very similar, regardless of where you live. Fatherly.

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Thirty-six states and four territories have decided to break the United States government's cannabis ban and legalize the sale and consumption of marijuana for medical purposes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved only one drug derived from marijuana to treat two rare forms of epilepsy. While there is promising evidence that medical marijuana can also help those suffering from conditions such as chronic pain, cancer, glaucoma, PTSD, 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 governing medical marijuana certification. Therefore, the path to the medical marijuana card involves a few bureaucratic hoop jumps. Although some specifics vary from state to state, the general procedure for obtaining a card follows a fairly similar and understandable path. Here's what you need to know.

Conditions Eligible for Medical Marijuana Card

The qualified diagnosed medical conditions for which medical marijuana can be recommended for treatment varies from state to state, but there are a number of overlapping conditions. The most common (according to Leafly's online cannabis market) 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 only classify “severe” or “intractable” examples of the two conditions.

Some states, such as Florida, include "medical conditions of the same type or class as or comparable to those listed." This gives doctors the discretion to recommend medical marijuana for serious medical conditions that are clearly listed as eligible conditions.

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Medical advice for obtaining a card

If you think your condition is appropriate, the next step is to find a doctor who can recommend cannabis. Prescribing a drug on Schedule 1 (according to federal law) is prohibited, but you can recommend it without restrictions.

Some states require a personal visit to the doctor's office, and some allow telemedicine consultations, especially during a pandemic. Your GP may be willing to provide recommendations, but most states have clinics that market themselves as places to get medical marijuana advice.

How to register for a card

Once you receive a recommendation, you can submit it to your state during the application process. Some states issue a temporary card that can be used at a dispensary when you show your state ID or driver's license. In others, you will be forced to wait to receive your card by mail.

Some states allow one or two carers to be enrolled on your application. They will need to complete some paperwork on their own, but once approved, they can buy medical marijuana for the patient, which is especially useful for people whose conditions make it difficult for them to leave the house.

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What the medical marijuana card gives

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 you to grow a limited amount yourself. Eleven states and Washington, D.C. allow purchases at their dispensaries with out-of-state medical marijuana cardholders, which is a good advantage if you need to buy it away from home.

Among the prohibitions that are universal to all states are that you cannot give medical marijuana to anyone or purchase it anywhere except from a licensed dispensary. Additionally, the federal government still has legal authority over interstate commerce, so transporting marijuana across state lines, even if both states have legalized it, is illegal under federal law.

Dispensary employees are good sources of information because knowledge of their state's laws is a condition of their employment. If you don't know any of them, the best way to familiarize yourself with the 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 state websites (such as ny.gov or mn.us).

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