Researchers are uncovering more about the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, and more people are considering it as a treatment option. However, federal laws and regulations hinder marijuana use, which is why doctors cannot prescribe medical marijuana in the traditional sense of the word.
Certain states in the U.S. have created a loophole in this by providing doctors with the opportunity to ‘recommend’ instead of ‘prescribe’ medical marijuana to their patients. There are cannabis-derived medications doctors are allowed to prescribe, and they include cannabidiol (Epidiolex), nabilone (Cesamet), and dronabinol (Marinol and Syndros).
This step-by-step guide to getting your medical marijuana prescription will provide you with the necessary information you require.
What Is A Medical Marijuana Prescription And How Does It Work?
A medical marijuana prescription is a written order from a licensed medical marijuana doctor authorizing a patient for medical marijuana. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a purified CBD called Epidiolex, used in treating seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), as well as dronabinol (Marinol and Syndros) and nabilone (Cesamet) made from a synthetic or lab-made chemical that mimics THC. Epidiolex treats seizures associated with epilepsy; dronabinol is for treating nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy and anorexia associated with weight loss in AIDS patients, and nabilone for nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy and acts as an appetite stimulant.
To receive a medical cannabis prescription, visit a licensed doctor authorized to prescribe these medications. The doctor evaluates your condition and, if your condition meets the requirements, writes a prescription specifying dosage, frequency, and refills. The doctor then verifies your insurance and prior authorization. A specialty pharmacy dispenses Epidiolex, while local pharmacies can dispense nabilone and dronabinol.
What Are The Eligibility Requirements To Get A Medical Marijuana Prescription?
General Requirements Include:
- Doctors should verify the patient’s use of cannabis, both past and present, to assess dependence and abuse.
- Check the patient’s current and past medications to assess potential interactions that could prove harmful when combined with medical marijuana.
- The doctor should verify the patient’s medical history and conditions (both past and present) to assess the patient’s general health and determine if cannabis will exacerbate or mitigate the condition.
- The patient/doctor must have tried other forms of treatment and concluded that the cannabis treatment is a viable option for the patient.
- Lastly, although research on this is still limited, the doctor should not prescribe cannabis for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, as this may affect the child negatively.
Specific Requirements for Epidiolex
The patient must be 2 years of age or older and have a confirmed diagnosis of the syndrome (Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, or TSC). Before prescribing Epidiolex, the doctor either must have documentation of blood tests done to check liver function (serum transaminases, ALT, and AST) and bilirubin levels, or, if unavailable, must carry out the test.
Specific Requirements for Nabilone
The patient must be undergoing chemotherapy and should be an adult (safety for children under 18 not established). Doctors should not recommend it for individuals with certain medical conditions.
Specific Requirements for Dronabinol
Patients should be undergoing chemotherapy or AIDS-related weight loss. Paediatric use is subject to the doctor’s discretion. Doctors should not prescribe dronabinol to individuals with certain medical conditions, such as substance abuse, allergy to sesame oil (Marinol) or alcohol (Syndros), etc.
How Do You Schedule An Appointment With A Licensed Marijuana Doctor?
Scheduling an appointment with a licensed medical marijuana doctor is a straightforward process if you follow the required guidelines:
- For a medical marijuana(MMJ) card: The first course of action is to verify your state’s laws on medical marijuana, as this varies by state.
For prescription: Visit a reputable clinic, or if for some reason, you are unable to visit, contact them.
- For MMJ card: Next would be to find a licensed medical marijuana doctor.
For prescription: You will need to find a licensed physician or, most advisably, a physician experienced in treating your condition.
- After you find a qualified doctor, you schedule an appointment virtually or in person. The rules of telemedicine vary by state for recommendations, while with prescriptions, in-person appointments might be mandated from 2026.
- During your appointment, the doctor engages you in a discussion about your condition, symptoms, reviews your medical records and history, and assesses the risks and benefits of medical marijuana as a treatment option.
- If your condition meets the state’s law of qualifying conditions or FDA-approved conditions, the doctor then writes you a prescription or recommendation. With a prescription, you can get medical marijuana directly from a pharmacy. With a recommendation, you will have to apply for a medical marijuana card, through which you can get medical marijuana from licensed dispensaries.
What Happens During A Medical Marijuana Evaluation?
For a medical marijuana evaluation, you will need to provide your medical records and history, which includes current and past conditions and current and past medications. This will help the doctor determine if you have tried other means of treatment (as medical cannabis is not considered a first-line of treatment), as well as evaluate potential interactions with other medications.
During the evaluation (which could be virtual or in-person), a licensed doctor reviews your medical records and history, assesses your condition thoroughly, and conducts tests (if necessary) to determine if it meets the conditions for an FDA-approved prescription. If satisfied with the results, the doctor then prescribes medical cannabis.
It is advisable to be completely honest with your doctor about your condition. Do not exaggerate or withhold sensitive information, as this could be detrimental.
How Do You Receive and Use Your Medical Marijuana Prescription Safely?
Receiving the Prescription
The doctor typically sends the prescription to a specialty pharmacy for Epidiolex, or a local pharmacy for nabilone and dronabinol. The pharmacy will contact you to verify the details, so you can get it in person or via shipping. Upon arrival, check the medication name, dosage, and instructions to ensure it match the doctor’s orders.
Using the Prescription Safely
These are a few tips to ensure you receive the best treatment from your prescription medication:
- Take the required and specified dosage, and if you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you remember, but if it is close to the next dose, then you can skip it.
- Store in a cool, dry place; do not refrigerate
- Consult with your doctor periodically to monitor side effects and dosage
- When travelling, carry your prescription proof and keep the medication in its labeled container
- Restrain from hard labor or driving until you are sure of how the medications affect you.
- If stolen, report to the authorities and your doctor to understand how to go about with a refill.
READ: What To Do If Your Cannabis Prescription Is Stolen
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any doctor write a medical marijuana prescription?
No, not any doctor can write a medical marijuana recommendation. They must be a licensed medical marijuana doctor to be able to recommend. They do not prescribe.
Is there a difference between a marijuana prescription and a medical marijuana recommendation?
Yes, a medical marijuana recommendation is a doctor’s note stating that a patient may benefit from cannabis and allowing the patient to access it through state programs, while a marijuana prescription is a legal order that specifies dosage and instructions like other controlled substances, but lacks federal recognition. This is because prescribing marijuana (aside from FDA-approved ones) is a federal crime, while recommending is not.
Do I need to live in a legal state to get a medical prescription?
Yes, you must be a resident of a state with a legal medical cannabis program to get a medical marijuana prescription and the associated ID card.
How long does it take to get a medical marijuana prescription after approval?
Once approved, you will receive your MMJ card in an average of 1-3 weeks. It could be more as insurance verification, stock availability, and location usually affect the time.
Can I get a medical marijuana prescription through an online consultation?
Yes, it is possible to get your medical marijuana prescription through an online consultation.
What information should I bring to my marijuana doctor appointment?
You should bring the required documents, such as identity and residency proof, as well as your medical record, which will provide details about your medical condition and medications, both past and current.
Can my prescription be renewed through telemedicine?
Yes, patients can renew their prescription through telemedicine, depending on their state’s telemedicine laws and your insurance coverage.
How much does a medical marijuana prescription appointment cost?
The cost of medical marijuana consultations with Medical Marijuana Doctors ranges from $99-$199, depending on where you are located. This is exclusive of the actual cost of the medication, which depends on factors such as insurance.
Can caregivers or family members help obtain a medical marijuana prescription?
Yes, in many states, approved caregivers or family members can help a patient apply for and manage a medical marijuana prescription or card, especially for minors or patients who can not do it themselves.
Is a medical marijuana prescription valid in other states?
Most states do not honour medical marijuana prescriptions or cards from other states.
A few states offer limited reciprocity, allowing out-of-state patients to possess or sometimes purchase cannabis, but rules vary widely. Always check the laws of the state you are visiting.
Written by Chiagozie Ekemezie