Are you curious about how to qualify for a medical marijuana card? Whether you are exploring relief for chronic pain, anxiety, or another qualifying condition, a medical marijuana card can open the door to legal access to cannabis-based treatments in your state, but navigating the process of getting the card can feel overwhelming, especially with laws varying by state.
Fortunately, once you understand the steps required, it becomes quite clear and straightforward. The trick is to check in with your state’s medical marijuana program website frequently and research the process on credible platforms.
What Are The Basic Requirements To Qualify For A Medical Marijuana Card?
To qualify for a medical marijuana card, there are basic requirements to fulfill. They include:
- The individual must have a condition approved by their state’s medical marijuana program or by a licensed physician.
- A licensed medical marijuana doctor must certify that medical marijuana is appropriate for the condition through a process of evaluation.
- You need to provide proof of identity and residency, and medical records (if applicable)
- Depending on the state, minors can have access to medical marijuana through their caregivers (parents/guardians), but only a legally recognized adult can apply for a medical marijuana card.
Which Medical Conditions Make You Eligible For A Medical Marijuana Card?
Studies prove that the common reasons people use marijuana are for insomnia, anxiety, pain, and depression. Medical marijuana is not limited to these conditions and instead offers therapeutic relief to various conditions, although the conditions differ by state. Visit your state’s website to know the medical marijuana qualifying conditions. Here are a few states and some of their qualifying conditions.
Arkansas
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome
- Hepatitis C
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Tourette’s syndrome
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Severe arthritis
- Fibromyalgia`
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Cachexia or wasting syndrome
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Intractable pain, which is pain that has not responded to ordinary medications, treatment, or surgical measures for more than six (6) months
- Severe nausea
- Seizures, including, without limitation, those characteristic of epilepsy
- Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including, without limitation, those characteristic of multiple sclerosis
Illinois
- Autism
- Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Anorexia nervosa
- Arnold-Chiari malformation
- Cancer
- Cachexia/wasting syndrome
- Causalgia
- Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
- Chronic pain
- Crohn’s disease
- CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome Type II)
- Dystonia
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Endometriosis
- Female orgasmic disorder
- Fibrous dysplasia
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- Hydrocephalus
- Hydromyelia
- Interstitial cystitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Lupus
- Migraines
- Multiple sclerosis
- Muscular dystrophy
- Myasthenia gravis
- Myoclonus
- Nail-patella syndrome
- Neuro-Bechet’s autoimmune disease
- Neurofibromatosis
- Neuropathy
- Osteoarthritis
- Ovarian cysts
- Parkinson’s disease
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
- Post-concussion syndrome
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
- Residual limb pain
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Seizures (including those characteristic of epilepsy)
- Severe fibromyalgia
- Sjögren’s syndrome
- Spinal cord disease (including but not limited to arachnoiditis)
- Spinal cord injury is damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
- Spinocerebellar ataxia
- Superior canal dehiscence syndrome
- Syringomyelia
- Tarlov cysts
- Tourette syndrome
- Traumatic brain injury
- Ulcerative colitis
- Uterine Fibroids
Michigan
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- HIV Positive
- AIDS
- Hepatitis C
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Crohn’s Disease
- Agitation of Alzheimer’s Disease
- Nail Patella
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Arthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Colitis
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Tourette’s Disease
- Autism
- Chronic Pain
- Cerebral Palsy
- A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces 1 or more of the following:
- Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome
- Severe and Chronic Pain
- Severe Nausea
- Seizures (Including but not limited to those characteristic of epilepsy)
- Severe and Persistent Muscle Spasms (Including but not limited to those characteristic of multiple sclerosis)
Montana
- AIDS/HIV
- Cachexia
- Cancer
- Severe or chronic pain
- Crohn’s disease
- Epilepsy and other conditions characterized by seizures
- Severe nausea
- Hospice care admittance
- Multiple Sclerosis and other muscle
- Spasticity disorders
- Painful peripheral neuropathy
- PTSD
Washington
- Cancer
- Chronic Renal Failure Requiring Hemodialysis
- Crohn’s Disease; Epilepsy/Other Seizure Disorder
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- HIV
- Intractable Pain
- Multiple Sclerosis
- PTSD
- Spasticity Disorder
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- A disease that results in nausea, vomiting, wasting, appetite loss, cramping, seizures, muscle spasms, or spasticity
Do Qualification Rules For Medical Marijuana Cards Differ By State?
Qualification rules for medical marijuana cards vary significantly by state. Each has its own laws regarding qualifying for a medical cannabis card, leading to differences in age limits, qualifying conditions, application processes, and so on. Here is a breakdown of key areas where rules differ:
Age: The legal age in states may differ, as it could be from 18 to 21. Some states allow minors to qualify for a medical marijuana card, but only through their caregivers.
Qualifying Medical Conditions: State’s approvals for medical conditions vary. There are states with broader lists (California, New York), some with stricter lists (Texas), and some that classify it under ‘debilitating conditions’ or the doctor’s discretion.
Reciprocity Laws: This tackles the qualification for temporal residents or out-of-state patients. States may recognize already given medical cards or provide temporary access licenses. Verify what the state allows. Note that there is no federal recognition of medical marijuana as a medication option, so a medical marijuana card does not offer protection from federal law.
Application Process: It could be online, in-person, or a combination of both. While some states may allow for online applications, others may prefer in-person visits. Online applications typically have faster approval rates than mail applications.
READ: Top 5 Reasons Medical Cards Are Denied
How Can A Doctor Help You Qualify For A Medical Marijuana Card?
A licensed medical cannabis doctor can help you qualify for a medical marijuana card by providing you with a certification or recommendation that allows you to apply for one. The doctor evaluates your medical condition and determines if you have a qualifying condition according to your state’s laws.
During a medical marijuana evaluation, there is an extensive discussion on symptoms, assessment of medical records and history, and a risk-benefit analysis. This is necessary to ensure that medical cannabis is a viable option for the patient.
Can You Qualify For A Medical Marijuana Card Through An Online Evaluation?
Online or telemedicine evaluations depend on the state’s laws and regulations. The following states allow you to acquire medical cannabis online: Arkansas, Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Washington D.C.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age do you need to be to qualify for a medical marijuana card?
Age limits vary by state, but generally, you must be of legal age in order to apply for a medical marijuana card; however, all ages may qualify as long as there is a qualifying medical condition.
Can minors or caregivers qualify for a medical marijuana card?
Minors (below legal age) can qualify but cannot apply for a medical marijuana card. States allow for caregivers within or above the legal age to apply on behalf of said minor. Check your state’s medical program website to stay updated on state requirements.
What documents are required when applying for a medical marijuana card?
Medical marijuana card requirements vary by state, but here is a general list of what you will likely need: proof of identity, proof of residency, a medical cannabis doctor’s recommendation, medical records, passports, and caregiver documents (if applicable).
Can I qualify for a medical marijuana card if I take prescription medications?
Yes, you can qualify for a medical marijuana card if you take prescription medications, although it is wise to do so after consultation and with the guidance of a medical cannabis doctor.
Do I need a specific diagnosis to qualify for medical marijuana treatment?
No, while most states may require an approved medical condition, other states allow for a recommendation based on the doctor’s discretion.
Can I get approved for a medical marijuana card through telemedicine?
Yes, telemedicine is a means through which you can get a medical marijuana card. Ensure you check in with your state’s requirements on how to apply for a medical marijuana card online and follow the steps required.
How long does the approval process take for a medical marijuana card?
The approval process varies with states such as Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York and Washington D.C having the fastest approval rate of 1-5 business days; states such as Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania having an approval rate of 7-10 business days, and states such as California, Illinois, Maryland, Oklahoma and Oregon taking up to a month.
Do qualifications differ between medical and recreational marijuana states?
Yes, they do differ significantly. Medical marijuana states require marijuana use with qualifying medical conditions, a licensed doctor’s recommendation, offer state-level protection from prosecution, and can be available for minors under strict conditions.
Recreational marijuana states do not require a medical condition or a doctor’s recommendation, do not have any possession protection, and are used by individuals within the legal age of 21.
What should I expect during my medical marijuana evaluation appointment?
You should expect a thorough discussion on medical history and symptoms; current treatments; dosage, strain, and consumption methods; physical assessment (for in-person visits), and risk-benefit analysis.
Can a temporary resident or out-of-state patient qualify for a medical marijuana card?
Yes, however, qualification depends on the reciprocity laws of each state. States may recognize out-of-state medical cards or provide out-of-state temporary licenses for such individuals.
Written by Chiagozie Ekemezie