There are a lot of great reasons to want a medical marijuana card. 
Perhaps you want easier access to a steady marijuana supply for therapeutic reasons. Or maybe you just like to have a smoke at the end of the day.
Either way, with most states legalizing cannabis for medicinal reasons, you typically need to only follow a few steps to make it happen. Not sure what those are? That’s what we’re here for!
Here are the steps to take to get a medical marijuana card.
1. Know Where Your State Stands
First and foremost, it’s essential that you understand if medical marijuana is even legal in your state.
If your state has not yet legalized medical marijuana, then it’s a waiting game at this point.
If your state does, then please proceed to step two …
2. Qualifying Conditions
Every state that has legalized the use of medical marijuana has done so with specific ordinances in place.
So you must have an existing medical condition in place that a doctor can verify and that falls within your state’s parameters.
If you live in New York and you want to find a medical marijuana doctor, you can look online to find the best option near you.
Additionally, you can qualify for a medical marijuana card in Illinois if you meet such conditions as:
- You have PTSD
- You have IBS
- You suffer seizures
- You’re in the state’s opioid alternative program
- You’re NOT a CDL or school bus permit holder
While every state has different qualifying medical reasons, they all tend to include pain management and mental disorder treatment.
3. Check and Double Check for Red Tape
Besides having a qualifying medical condition, you must ensure that your state does not have restrictions that may trip you up down the road.
The main issues that may catch you off guard are:
- Residency restrictions
- Age restrictions (some states let minors qualify for medical marijuana depending on their health needs and with the supervision of a parent or guardian.)
- Learn the quantity and timeframe parameters set up by your state, as in how much you can purchase at one time.
4. Talk to Your Doctor
Once you know your state’s rules and regulations, it’s time to enlist the help of your doctor.
Explain to them that you’re interested in obtaining a medical marijuana ID card. Depending on your health history, they may not be too surprised at the request. If your doctor isn’t comfortable prescribing medical marijuana, ask them for a doctor who can.
You can also search online for qualified marijuana doctors. They will no doubt be well versed in your state’s laws and restrictions and can coach you on the cannabis strains best for your needs.
You will need a signed doctor’s letter as well as any forms your state requires a doctor to submit.
5. It’s Time to Apply Yourself
At this point, you have everything you need to apply for your medical card online. You can utilize the technology, privacy, and convenience of obtaining the card from home.
All you need to do now is, well, apply!
This is another area in which your state may require different forms than others, so always check your state’s latest information.
For the most part, though, you will need to submit:
- A form of state identification to prove your age and residency status.
- Medical records that illustrate you qualify under your state’s listed reasons for obtaining legal marijuana.
- The signed statement from your doctor
Find your state’s application system online, fill out the form, and upload your supporting documents. You will have to pay any application fee at this point.
You will get a letter either informing you of your application success or failure. Odds are, if your application is approved, you will receive a medical marijuana identification for your state.
All that leaves is finding your local dispensary, like a dispensary in washington dc, and getting your state-approved medical marijuana!
Conclusion
Getting a medical marijuana card isn’t necessarily difficult. It really just depends on your state laws, your doctor’s compliance, and having a bit of patience.
Once you have your medical marijuana card in hand, don’t forget to make a mental note of when you need to renew it!
You certainly do not want to risk a lapse in pain management treatment because you forget to renew your card.
After all, knowledge is everything when it comes to getting a medical marijuana card, and keeping it.
