How To Obtain A Medical Marijuana Card

Despite the simple fact that marijuana remains federally illegal, 17 jurisdictions in the US have made it legal for medicinal usage. How do patients know if they are eligible for a medical marijuana ID card and then go about getting one?

Arizona represents a good example for the process. Medical Marijuana in AZ was passed with Prop 203 in 2010 for 12 conditions and diseases. They include cancer, vomiting, nausea, spasms, chronic pain, HIV, and others. the legal disease states and conditions are not consistent between the legal states, so the first step is to understand whether your condition qualifies.

The next step in the process is to see a doctor to examine you and go over your case. The types of acceptable doctors vary between the legal jurisdiction. For example. AZ offers the option for MD, DO, Naturopathic Doctors, or Homeopathic Doctors.

During the visit with the doctor, a history and physical exam is completed. In numerous states including AZ, doctors must review medical records for the qualifying condition for the previous year.

If the patient is ok for a medical marijuana card after the exam, the doctor writes a “certification”. That word essentially means a recommendation, since the word “prescription” is not used since marijuana is illegal federally.

The person then submits the paperwork to the agency in charge of producing the marijuana ID card. In AZ, that is the AZ Dept of Health SErvices with an online only process. Other states have walk up windows for paperwork submission. Patients typically need to sign a paper stating they will not divert marijuana to an unauthorized person(s).

Within a few weeks, the medical marijuana ID card is received. Patients in some states may grow their own marijuana for personal use up to a certain amount of plants, and in other states there are legal medical marijuana dispensaries where patients may obtain marijuana up to a certain amount. In Arizona that amount is 2.5 ounces every two weeks. The medical marijuana ID card needs to be renewed every year with another “certification” occurring.

Want to find out more about Medical marijuana Arizona, then visit Arizona MMC’s site on how to the best Arizona Medical Marijuana Doctor.

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