At last count, there were 18 legal medical marijuana states and the
District of Columbia. If your state offers this alternative therapy
program, you can easily access it by following just a few simple steps
that will teach you how to prepare and what to do in order to get a
medical marijuana ID card.
Steps
Familiarizing Yourself with the Guidelines
1
Find out if your condition is covered. Each state has a list of
conditions that are approved for the use of medical marijuana. Check
your state's listing to see if you qualify. If you don't, learn whether
or not you can submit a request to the health department for an
exception.
2
Understand the registry system. Most states
with a medical marijuana program have a registry system that allows law
enforcement agents (and in some cases, the public) to verify that an
individual is authorized to possess, grow, transport and/or use medical
marijuana. This can prevent you from incurring a state-level criminal
penalty if you are found using or in possession of marijuana. Keep in
mind, use and possession of marijuana is still a criminal act under
federal law.
3
Get clear about dispensaries vs caregivers.
Most states have a system by which a qualified person can choose to
have another person help them grow, acquire or use the marijuana--these
people are called caregivers. A few states have authorized dispensaries
that sell medical marijuana to people who have been approved to use it
and who've named the dispensary as their caregiver.
In some
states, a caregiver refers to a person who has been designated by or
agreed to assist with a qualified patient's medical use of marijuana.
This person must be 18 years of age or older and may need to meet
certain guidelines. For example, in some states a caregiver is
disqualified if he or she has ever been convicted of a felony drug
offense.
States limit the number of caregivers a patient can
have and also limit the number of patients a caregiver can serve. Check
with your state to learn the relevant guidelines about caregivers.
4
Know your limits. Each state sets limits for how much marijuana a
qualified individual or caregiver can possess or grow. For example,
Oregon allows for the possession of 24 usable ounces of marijuana and
six mature and 18 immature plants. At the other end of the spectrum,
Alaska allows for just one useable ounce of marijuana and three mature
and three immature plants. Some states prohibit home cultivation of
marijuana.
5
Investigate reciprocity agreements. Your
medical marijuana ID card is valid in your state only unless the state
you are visiting accepts your state's ID card. At present, only Arizona,
Delaware, Maine, Michigan and Rhode Island will accept out-of-state
medical marijuana cards.
Securing Your ID Card
1
Start with a government-issued piece of identification. You may use
your driver's license, Social Security card or your passport. If you are
under age, you must bring your birth certificate and a consent letter
from your parents stating that they allow you to obtain medical ID card
for your medical condition.
2
Provide proof of your
county residency. Medical marijuana ID cards are typically issued at the
county level; therefore, you must show proof of residence in your
county. You can use your driver's license if the address is current or a
current mortgage payment receipt or any personal bill under your name
that bears the address of the county.
3
Get written
documentation from your doctor. This is the most important thing you
have to secure before you can get a medicinal marijuana ID card. In some
cases, your doctor must write a letter attesting to your medical
condition and recommending that the use of marijuana would be
appropriate for treatment. In other cases, your physician will have to
complete and sign a short medical records form to be submitted to the
county.
4
Complete an application form. You may need
to complete a basic application form to enroll or renew your enrollment
in a medical marijuana program. Minors or those who are unable to make
their own medical decisions must have the form completed by a parent,
guardian or conservator. Primary caregivers may also receive a card;
there will be a section of the application for them to complete.
5
Prepare payment. There are fees associated with obtaining a medical
marijuana card; typically, you must pay administrative fees to both the
county and the state. Some states will charge a reduced fee to patients
if they receive Medicaid benefits, Social Security Disability, or other
supplemental income or are part of other state-aid programs. Full fees
can range from $100 to $250. Check the guidelines for your area to learn
the exact costs.
6
Submit your materials. In some
cases you can bring your documentation and fee to your county health
department. In other cases, you must mail everything off to your state's
health department. In other states still, the application process is
done entirely online. Whatever the case, double check that you have
filled out all of the paperwork completely and accurately, provided
copies or originals of all necessary documentation and made your check
or money order payable to the appropriate government office.
7
Wait for your card to arrive. It could take a matter of days (Arizona
says applicants will receive their card in approximately 10 days)[4] to
several weeks (Colorado lists a four- to six-week waiting period to
receive a card). You must present your ID card at a dispensary to
purchase medical marijuana.
Warnings
Check what
Federal law says about this alternative medicine - The use of this
alternative medicine in Sacramento is already legal but under Federal
law, medicinal marijuana can be considered illegal so before you decide
to get an ID card, you better check the parameters set by Federal law
under this circumstances.
Medicinal Marijuana must be used
according to your medical needs. You must have known that this medical
cannabis can really help you out with your medical needs but state laws
don't tolerate patients to use marijuana for personal use only. You must
purchase this legally through dispensaries. You must follow certain
guidelines set by state law before you can use marijuana.
Try to only smoke marijuana when you're actually ill, not just for fun.
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