The growing acceptance of medical marijuana and a rapidly changing regulatory environment have increased the number of individuals turning to marijuana for relief from various medical conditions. Whether you live in one of 33 states with medical marijuana laws or are planning to travel somewhere that will allow you to access cannabis for therapeutic relief legally, the following guide will help you understand the ins and outs of getting a medical marijuana card. Read on to learn the steps of getting medical marijuana cards in Missouri.
Consult Your Doctor About Getting An MMJ Card
To access the medical benefits of medical marijuana, you’ll have to start by informing your physician about your interest. Your doctor will discuss with you the medical benefits of medical marijuana, including the health conditions that qualify you for medical marijuana treatment. Here is a list of some of the medical conditions that the state approves medical marijuana can provide effective relief for:
- Arthritis
- Cancer (including treatment for side effects such as nausea and vomiting)
- HIV
- PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Glaucoma
- Chronic pain (associated with a variety of medical conditions such as cancer, Crohn’s disease, and heart attacks)
- Hepatitis C
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Epilepsy
Obtain A Signed Statement Or Certification From Your Doctor
You will have to get a signed certification form or statement from a licensed medical marijuana doctor. Your doctor may include additional details about your specific condition and why they recommend medical marijuana as an appropriate treatment. To help them fill out the paperwork, you should provide as many details as possible. You can list:
- Past therapies you’ve tried
- The potential side effects of those treatments
- The medical concerns you have
- Other conditions you suffer from
- Medications you currently take
This information will help your doctor get a better picture of how medical marijuana will effectively treat you.
You Can Register Online By Visiting Your State’s Website
The registration process is simple, quick, and confidential. However, you’ll need to ensure you meet your state’s requirements for online medical marijuana registration. Here is an outline of the requirements:
- Proof of residency. This document may include a copy of your identity card, vehicle registration, or driver’s license.
- A signed statement or certification from your doctor
- Your photo ID’s copy that you obtained from a government establishment.
- A consent form from parents or guardians of minors
- Patient authorization form for caregiver registration
Once you have the required documents and medical certification, you can register online by visiting your state’s website, finding the “Patient Information” tab, and following the instructions to create your user account. With your account, you can now fill out the intake information.
The intake information includes your identifying information and medical history.
Application Fees
Once all the requested application information is filled in, the next thing is to pay a non-refundable annual fee of $25 for your initial application. The accepted modes of payment are by credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa, or Discover credit. A debit card payment is also acceptable.
You Will Receive a Permanent ID Card in The Mail
Once you pay the fee and submit your application, the state will review it. Within a timeline, they have stated, you will receive a notification telling you if you are approved to use medical marijuana and when you will receive a permanent medical marijuana id card in the mail. Some states have provisions for temporary medical marijuana cards that you can use until your permanent card comes in.
You Can Obtain Marijuana at a Dispensary If You Present Your Id
A medical marijuana ID card allows you to purchase medical cannabis and related products from licensed dispensaries, as long as they’re in line with your specific ailments. You’ll now be able to enjoy the benefits of medical marijuana without having to worry about breaking the law.
Now that you know how to apply for a medical marijuana card, it’s time to get started. The process can seem daunting, but this guide will walk you through each step. These steps include informing your doctor of your interest in medical marijuana, getting a signed certification form or statement from a licensed marijuana doctor, visiting your state’s online registration site and filling out an application, paying applicable fees, and waiting to receive your permanent ID card in the mail. Once you have your medical marijuana ID card, you’ll be able to purchase medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries and enjoy the benefits of this treatment legally.
