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Schedule an Appointment with a Doctor
If you want to try medical marijuana to help treat your condition or symptoms, you need a doctor’s approval. Almost all states require that you see a licensed physician to confirm that your condition qualifies for treatment with marijuana. The list of qualifying conditions may differ from state to state, but some examples include cancer, HIV, and PTSD.
The doctor will ask you standard questions and discuss your medical history with you to make sure that marijuana is the right treatment for your condition. In addition, the doctor will discuss with you your preferred method of administration and THC: CBD ratio so that they can make recommendations for you on what type of medication to get.
Fill Out the Online Application
Once you’ve talked with your healthcare practitioner, the next step is to get certified as a patient. The practitioner must be registered with the state’s medical marijuana program and licensed as an MD (Medical Doctor), DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine), APRN (Advanced Practice RN), or PA (Physician Assistant).
Your healthcare practitioner will examine you, determine if your condition qualifies you for medical marijuana, and evaluate whether or not your use of marijuana will benefit your health-related conditions. After determining that you meet the criteria, your practitioner will complete the certification and upload it to the state’s online medical marijuana database.
If you’re under 18, you must designate a caregiver on your application, who must be an adult 21 or older. This person may be your parent, legal guardian, an OCM-approved representative, or a designated caregiver facility employee.
Pay the Fee
Suppose you’re lucky enough to live in a state that allows medical marijuana. In that case, your doctor should provide you with all the necessary documentation to apply for your Louisiana medical marijuana card. This will usually include a written recommendation, a copy of your state-issued ID or a passport, and possibly other forms of proof of residency, like utility bills.
Depending on your state’s regulations, you might also need to pay an application or renewal fee for your card. Your doctor should let you know what kind of fees to expect.
Once you’ve paid the applicable fee, your state should send you a confirmation email that they received the payment. Then you’ll need to follow the next steps to get your medical marijuana card. Once your card is approved, you can purchase medical cannabis from a licensed dispensary. Just remember that you can only buy medical marijuana for your personal use, and you cannot redistribute it to other people. Also, your card might not work in other states where recreational marijuana is legal. You might have to go through the same process again if you move.
Wait for the State to Approve Your Application
Currently, 21 medical conditions qualify patients to receive a card in New York. This includes chronic pain, nausea, seizures, and other serious conditions. However, the state may add additional conditions in the future.
The process of getting a medical marijuana evaluation is relatively simple and can be completed online through a qualified healthcare practitioner who is registered with the NYSMMRP. This provider can be a physician, nurse practitioner, podiatrist, dentist, or doctor of osteopathic medicine. Additionally, a patient must submit proof of residency. This can be done by providing a valid state-issued driver’s license or identification card, a current bank statement, or a utility bill with the patient’s name and address written on it.
Once the application has been approved, a medical marijuana certificate will be sent to the patient within five to seven business days. Patients can then use this certificate to purchase cannabis from any state’s registered dispensaries. The medical marijuana certificate will expire after two years, and patients must re-certify with their healthcare provider to get another one.
Receive Your Medical Marijuana Card
Once approved, the state will send you your medical marijuana card. You can use this to purchase legal marijuana at a registered dispensary. Your card will arrive 2-4 weeks after you receive your approval email.
If you have any questions about the process, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor. They’re used to working with patients on their journey toward medical cannabis and understand many people’s apprehension when discussing this treatment option.
Being upfront about your intentions and honest about your symptoms is important. Remember, marijuana is a safe and effective treatment for your condition, and it’s much safer than many prescription drugs on the market. The physician you choose is also important; make sure to work with one familiar with your medical history and feel comfortable evaluating medical marijuana patients. In addition, your doctor should be a member of the state’s registry, which means they’re trained to handle this type of application. Depending on your state’s program, you may need to pay initial registration and annual renewal fees.
