Are you considering using medical marijuana to treat your severe health conditions? If so, then you’re wondering how you can apply for a Marijuana Online Medical Card. If you want one to use for the first time or renew one, you want a quick process. Getting an MMJ card will depend on where you live, but it’s fast and easy to obtain in most states. Almost all the states leave the responsibility of whether you have a qualifying health condition to the physicians.
Most medical marijuana card programs have made the process easier for patients looking to get an MMJ card. And it’s pretty essential as it allows them to purchase cannabis products through a delivery service or a licensed dispensary. It’ll not be easy to visit these facilities without an MMJ card. Read on as we divulge more info on the simplest way to obtain your MMJ card.
What’s a Marijuana Online Medical Card?
It’s an ID card, also known as an MMJ card, used by patients to visit cannabis clubs to purchase the wonder plant. Patients with this ID card can treat symptoms of the one or two medical health conditions ailing them. You’re not allowed to visit the dispensary without the card. Some states even allow patients to appoint caregivers who can administer the cannabis, purchase or even grow some controlled amount at home. The state’s department of health operates and regulates medical marijuana programs. In addition, they set regulations for caregiver application, sale, and cultivation of medical cannabis.
Application Requirements
For you to apply for an online medical marijuana card in your state, you’ll need to ensure that you meet the required qualifications. These include;
- You should have a physician certification from a licensed MD or DO.
- You must be 18 years old. If you’re a minor patient, your parental consent will be required.
- And proof of residency will also be needed, either in the form of your state ID card or driver’s license.
- Your physician diagnoses you with one or more qualifying health conditions from your state.
Qualifying Conditions for Obtaining an MMJ
By now, you must know that there are particular medical conditions that patients must pass to acquire a medical marijuana card. Each state has a separate list, but the following are typically categorized as the preferred diseases that qualify a resident with an MMJ.
- Cancer
- ALS
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Crohn’s disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Terminal Illness
- Severe pain or nausea
- Glaucoma
- Seizures/epilepsy
- Hepatitis C
- Cachexia
- PTSD
- Severe/muscle spasms
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Ulcerative colitis
These are not all there is, but there can be several more. If you have a condition that you believe medical marijuana can give some relief, you better check it out with your state. In certain states, such as California, doctors have a margin element in MMJ evaluations. For instance, any patient with chronic or constant medical symptoms hindering them from carrying out their life activity is highly eligible to get an MMJ card.
Steps of Obtaining an MMJ Card
Most states require the patients to visit the physician with their medical records. And also any other info that will help the doctor to assess their health condition. It’ll enable him to determine if you have a qualifying health condition to be treated with medical cannabis. Then the physician will fill out the form provided by the state and sign a recommendation to allow you to get an online medical marijuana card. And the offer may include consumption methods, prescribed amounts, and the duration.
Where to go for Evaluation
Depending on your state, you’re likely to find an evaluation centre dedicated to medical marijuana. Thanks to technology, you can quickly find an appropriate doctor online. When you go to these websites and enter your address, the search engine will show you the nearest location of your required service. If you’re using particular sites, you can even seek an appointment. So, you have to fill the HIPPA compliant patient-intake form. Later on, your selected provider gets in touch with you to confirm your appointment.
States Without an Evaluation Centre
So, what happens if your state doesn’t have an evaluation centre? You’ll find such states and several more that are coming up, allowing online evaluation. Again, this is the same way that you’ll get an online medical marijuana card.
Otherwise, you may have to drive over 50 miles to find a specified medical marijuana doctor. And this is possible if you’re living in a rural area. Since it’s hard to tell the suitable physicians, we recommend checking the online reviews of these centres. The information you find can help you, especially if it’s coming from people who’ve visited the physician.
Be Cautious When Applying for an MMJ.
Unfortunately, there are crooks and scammers out there taking advantage of patients looking for medical marijuana. These will be holding a fake medical marijuana card. One scenario happened in Maryland where some scammers had alleged to pre-approve patients even before the marijuana program began. And that’s how you spot a red flag, right there.
Steer away from such people or any physician that asserts they can prescribe or recommend medical marijuana.
Only a licensed doctor has a permit to approve your application, and he has to be on your state’s physician registry. And the listed physician has to go through a process. First, they have to complete a training program and send an application to the Department of Health.
Remember, marijuana is still an illegal substance under federal law. So, the only place you can get legalized cannabis is from a licensed dispensary.
What Next After an Application?
Now that you’ve submitted the application and done your part, your state will check if you meet all the requirements. And if you do, you can receive an online medical marijuana card within 14 days. But in case they find crucial missing information, they will send you an email indicating where it’s incomplete. But that’s not a big deal as you can log back into your account, complete the information needed and resubmit.
Once all is done, it’s submitted to the state along with your online application, caregiver form if using one, proof of residency, and the payment. If the state approves your application, they’ll mail you an online medical marijuana card. It contains some personal info, including your name, date of birth, address, license number, and photo.
It’s essential to note that your MMJ card remains valid for one year. So, you’ll be required to repeat the online application to renew it. Usually, you’ll get a reminder to renew your MMJ card sixty days before expiry. And you must pay the renewal fee thirty days before the due date. Failure to do so, your card will be deactivated.
Use an Easy Process
Some physicians employ telehealth services, allowing you to acquire an ID card from the comfort of your home. You no longer need to visit your physician’s office. Instead, you can go online and apply for one. Irrespective of the state that you live in, most of them have similar processes for getting the MMJ cards.
Getting an MMJ Card Provides Legal Protection
Most patients seek medical cannabis to treat several health conditions. They use cannabis as a safer option for their health issues and not necessarily to get high. This wonder plant does not have any harmful side effects for many patients. Your doctor can help you to navigate medical cannabis to be able to put to an end some severe symptoms. And getting an online medical marijuana card gives you the power to use cannabis.
Today, most patients still get disgraced and judged for using the wonder plant. It mainly happens in the place, your doctor’s office, and even from the law enforcers. However, if you have a qualifying health condition, you get the benefit of this plant. Having an MMJ card can prove that and protect you from a possible arrest, more so while driving.
Comparing the Online and In-person Process
Today, physicians and patients can interact with each other through the use of electronic communications. It happens at the comfort of the patient’s home without making an in-person visit to the doctor’s office. In addition, the online process it’s fast and effective and can cut some costs down. Check with your state’s medical marijuana policies to know if they allow online visits.
The Cost
If you have insurance cover, the provider can advise you on the doctor’s fee. But
depending on your state, the cost may vary, and most doctors combine the consultation fee and the doctor’s fee. And the average price will range from $100 to $200, and the state application varies between $50 to $100.
In addition, you might have to pay an MMC state application fee. And these also may differ from one state to another. But the usual range for a standard application is $50 – $100. So, for instance, let’s say a standard application fee for Oklahoma is $100. And in case you provide Medicare proof as a %100 disabled veteran, the only amount you’ll have to pay is $20.
In Conclusion
With over 30 states allowing the use of medical cannabis, you don’t have to suffer from chronic pain. Getting an online medical marijuana card will allow you to visit a dispensary near you to purchase some. In addition, the internet has made the process of acquiring one more accessible. To get started, consult with your physician today to find out if you qualify for one.