The step to legalize marijuana as medicine is bringing many changes. It may be suitable for patients with chronic diseases, illnesses, and other issues. It has shown promising results for patients even facing mental health conditions, and they report betterment after using medical marijuana.
In the U.S., the permission for using marijuana as a medicine has opened doors to a whole new concept for medication. There are systems to cater to its need in a synchronized manner through medical cards with their possible health benefits.
Therefore, about 64% of U.S. states are looking at various aspects regarding how to get a medical marijuana card?
The medical marijuana card (MMID) is a state-issued I.D. document for patients with medical conditions. The MMID cardholder can possess, grow, or use allowed quantities of cannabis without fear of government charges.
What’s Medical Marijuana and Why Do You Need a Medical Marijuana Card?
Medical marijuana comes from dried marijuana Sativa plants or its chemicals to treat certain diseases or medical conditions, always under strict recommendation from medical experts, doctors, etc. Evolution in medical science has made its use different from being a traditional recreational product to medicine.
Does Medical Marijuana have Benefits?
It may include relieving pain, muscular spasm, anorexia, nausea, etc. You will observe its benefits in the immune system, emotions, and mood besides vascular health and better digestive function.
A medical marijuana card will let you use marijuana for different medical conditions and may get relief for long-suffering patients. This medical marijuana card avoids attracting civil and criminal penalties at the state level, depending on the state. Not to mention, some states still don’t consider giving legal status to marijuana medicine. You can use this card at state-approved pharmacies, dispensaries, and healthcare centers.
Steps for getting a Medical Marijuana Card
You can get a medical marijuana card for marijuana usage by state-listed medical specialists having a cannabis license. After this, you can buy medicinal marijuana from a state-approved dispensary, pharmacy, or you can get medical marijuana treatment from an approved medical healthcare center.
First, patients will need a physician certificate form duly completed by an M.D. or D.O. with some good reputation besides state approval.
Patients for whom a standard 4 oz per month dose is sufficient should use a Standard Physician Certification Form. Other patients looking to consume more than 4 oz per month should take an Alternative Physician Certification Form.
In some cases, patients under 18 years will need to complete and furnish a Parent or Legal Guardian’s Consent Form with the application. It’s a mandatory form.
All such patients looking to receive a medical marijuana card get a license number after their application’s approval.
Doctor’s Recommendation
In 33 U.S. states (64%), you can visit a doctor to certify whether or not you have a medical condition that may need medical marijuana treatment. During such visits, you must show supplementary documents like prescriptions, health records, and other relevant information, helping the attending doctors assess the patient’s condition.
After that, the doctor will complete his examination to be conclusive about the qualifying condition. If so, then the doctor will submit the patient’s application, along with his state form.
Next, your application gets approval from the state department to issue you a medical marijuana card.
It looks easy? It’s not easy to get a doctor’s recommendation for your medical condition leading you to get a medical marijuana card. At times, a doctor or physician in his/her experience may not see your medical condition meet the criteria to bring you a medical marijuana card to alleviate your pain.
Your sequential medical history, relevant reports, and convincing power altogether will eventually make it possible for the doctor to give you a recommendation for getting a medical marijuana card. Nonetheless, extra pushing may put doctors on edge; thus, avoid unnecessary persuasion. Let your documents talk.
Documents accompanying your Application
After getting the doctor’s medical recommendation, you will submit these documents for getting a medical marijuana card.
• State approved Doctor or Physician’s certification form
• Fee payment proof (if applicable)
• A govt. issued photo I.D., valid copy
• Specific caregiver information and caregiver card fee (if any)
State Restrictions and Legislation
In 2018, the U.S. Govt. and the District of Columbia allowed using medical marijuana through medical marijuana cards in different forms for different states. The states are:
• Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona,
• California, Connecticut, Colorado
• Delaware
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts, Montana, Minnesota, Michigan,
• Nevada, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York, New Mexico, North Dakota
• Ohio, Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Vermont, Washington (and Washington, D.C.) and
• West Virginia
You should know your state laws and regulations governing medical marijuana cards. These may vary from state to state regarding application processes, procedures, and methods to determine your medical condition.
For instance, Arizona considers glaucoma, Crohn’s disease, and cancer medical conditions for obtaining a medical marijuana card. In contrast, Connecticut’s state includes ulcer colitis and sickle cell disease in qualifying conditions, which Arizona doesn’t.
Get your Medical Records Together
It’s important you have an updated medical record for obtaining your medical marijuana card.
The state will need your correct medical record to outline any disease, condition, illness, or disability, which may promptly alleviate through the use of medical marijuana. This is for your protection and health safety.
This will automatically lead you to bring a physician statement (duly signed) that will recommend the use of medical marijuana for your medical condition.
Generally, as modus operandi, the physician works directly with the state’s relevant department to file the correct papers.
Proof of Residency
You need to provide documentary evidence for the state you reside in. It may be your property papers, driving license, passport, etc. You may have to show other state residence proof in certain states depending on which state you are in.
You cannot proceed to obtain your medical marijuana card without such documents or proof of your residence.
For more convenience, you must have the following documents as proof of your residency in the state.
• Car Registration in the state
• Utility bills for last one month
• A court or Govt. document like marriage certificate, divorce papers, etc
• Bank Statements
• Notary confirmation of residence
The requirement for documents may vary depending on the state you are applying for a medical marijuana card.
Medical Conditions approved for a Medical Marijuana Card
You may have complete information and knowledge about your state laws that permit what medical conditions allow you to get you a medical marijuana card. These conditions may vary from state to state. Albeit most common conditions or illnesses are cancer, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, cancer, muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, and post-traumatic stress disorder to get you a medical marijuana card.
However, the State of Illinois has apparently listed the maximum number of medical conditions to cover requirements for medical marijuana programs. Other states may vary for medical conditions, but mostly all states with slight variation cover the following.
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
• Complex regional pain syndrome type 2
• Crohn’s Disease
• Dystonia
• Hepatitis C
• HIV/AIDS
• Lupus
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Neurofibromatosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Post-traumatic stress
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Spinal cord disease
• Traumatic brain injury and post-concussion syndrome
Medical cover for Medical Marijuana Card
After all this, this question may pop up whether medical marijuana users can have medical insurance cover? The simple answer is a no; you won’t get any health cover as long as you use medical marijuana.
MMID Cards: Quick Recap
In a nutshell, a medical marijuana card is a state-permitted card backed by a doctor’s recommendation and medical condition.
It allows the MMID cardholder to cultivate and possess cannabis or marijuana for medicinal use. You can use these cards in states where medical cannabis or medical marijuana is recognized for treatment to handle particular medical conditions. These cards come in lieu of certain states or government fees backed by medical evidence.
In many states, the card is valid for a year only, with renewable options depending upon another round of medical evaluation and medical condition assessment.
Conclusion
Medical marijuana and the process for getting it legally is making headways across. More and more marijuana medical programs are popping up, giving rise to its use as a medicine. MMID makes it more convenient for its cultivation, possession, and consumption subject to a medical condition.
In other words, a medical marijuana card is a document that you can get on a physician’s recommendation, depending on your complete medical history and doctor’s medical advice.
Marijuana or cannabis use as a medicine is gaining popularity with all age groups, as people feel comfortable with its methodology and consumption.
Medical marijuana cards may be another method to get registration for receiving medicine, besides proving it a matter of common sense and legality. If some patients are using marijuana as a medicine without an MMID card, then it’s illegal. Thus, it’s better to have an MMID card to have its benefits legally.
