A memorable date for medical marijuana users in Alaska – November 3, 1998 – marks the beginning of the removal of state-level criminal penalties on the use, cultivation, as well as possession of marijuana by verified patients in America.
Verified medical marijuana patients own written documentation from a qualified physician confirming that they “might benefit from the use of medical marijuana.”
Effective since March 4, 1999, the pioneering example of legalizing medical marijuana use in Alaska is nowadays followed up by 32 more states in the US.
So, how to buy marijuana in a medical state
Are there particular rules for medical marijuana users that differ from state to state
Are there any milestones you need to be aware of
Then how about the possible benefits of being a verified medical marijuana user
Keeping in mind that we are currently witnessing the very beginning of global marijuana legalization across the US (and, hopefully, in many other countries around the world), it is high time that you learn everything about how to buy marijuana in a medical state.
1. Applying for Medical Marijuana Qualifying Conditions
The first step in being able to legally purchase marijuana in a medical state is to apply for a medical marijuana card.
For this purpose, you need to check if the mental and/or physical ailments you want to treat with medical marijuana use do apply as qualifying conditions. This process is fairly similar to getting access to just about any other form of prescribed medication.
The term “Qualifying conditions” refers to a specific set of disorders that can benefit from medical marijuana treatment – but the list of these disorders can (slightly)differ state-to-state. Each state passes a proposition with a particular record of conditions that are further approved for possible treatment with the use of medical marijuana after the ballot measure becomes officially effective.
Nevertheless, qualifying conditions for medical marijuana patients in different states can be further amended in the foreseeable future.
So when you are checking your medical marijuana qualifying conditions, it is best to always do your research depending on the state you reside in.
ProCon’s organization (abbreviated from Pros and Cons of Current Issues) website provides extensive, up-to-date information regarding medical marijuana policies state-by-state in the category Health & Medicine.
If you’re still trying to figure out whether your qualifying conditions for medical marijuana treatment are applicable and can be approved depending on the state where you live in, here’s a short summary that will be of your best assistance.
Based on states’ reciprocity laws, once your qualifying conditions allow you to get a valid medical marijuana card, you can be or cannot be free to buy medical marijuana from other states with the use of a valid, out-of-state card.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Alaska
Cancer
Glaucoma
HIV or AIDS
Cachexia
Severe pain
Severe nausea
Seizures (including epilepsy-associated seizures)
Persistent muscle spasms (including Multiple Sclerosis-associated spasms)
Last but not least, other conditions may be individually approved by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.
Other states’ registry ID cards are not approved.
Patients (or their caregivers) are allowed to possess up to one ounce of usable marijuana.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Arizona
Cancer
Glaucoma
HIV/AIDS
Hepatitis C
ALS
Crohn’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease
Cachexia/ Wasting syndrome
Severe pain
Chronic pain
Severe nausea
Seizures (including epilepsy-associated seizures)
Severe and/or persistent muscle spasms (including Multiple Sclerosis-induced spasms)
PTSD
Medical marijuana patients or their caregivers can purchase up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana in a 14-day period.
Other states’ registry ID cards are accepted but visiting patients to obtain marijuana from an Arizona dispensary is not.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Arkansas
Cancer
Glaucoma
HIV/AIDS
Hepatitis C
ALS
Tourette’s syndrome
Crohn’s disease
Ulcerative colitis
PTSD
Severe arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Alzheimer’s disease
Cachexia or wasting syndrome
Peripheral neuropathy
Intractable pain (pain that has not responded to ordinary medications, or surgical measures for more than 6 months)
Severe nausea
Seizures (including epilepsy-associated seizures)
Severe and/or persistent muscle spasms (including Multiple Sclerosis-related spasms)
Arkansas’ laws on medical marijuana use allow for the qualification of other medical conditions or their treatment as long as these are further approved by the Department of Health.
Medical marijuana patients or their caregivers are allowed to purchase up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana within a 14-day period.
Other states’ registry ID cards are accepted once a visiting patient form is completed and accompanied by a registry identification card from another state.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in California
AIDS
Anorexia
Arthritis
Cachexia
Cancer
Chronic pain
Glaucoma
Migraine
Persistent muscle spasms (including Multiple Sclerosis-associated spasms)
Seizures (including epilepsy-associated seizures)
Severe nausea
Other chronic or persistent medical symptoms
Patients and their caregivers are allowed to possess up to eight ounces of dried marijuana flowers.
Other states’ registry ID cards are not accepted.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Colorado
Cancer
Glaucoma
HIV/AIDS
Cachexia
Severe pain
Severe nausea
Seizures (including epilepsy-associated seizures)
Persistent muscle spasms (including Multiple Sclerosis-associated spasms)
PTSD
Other qualifying conditions need to be individually approved by the Colorado Board of Health.
Patients or their caregivers can possess up to two ounces of usable marijuana flowers.
Other states’ registry ID cards are not accepted.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Connecticut
For Adults:
Cancer
Glaucoma
HIV/AIDS
Parkinson’s Disease
Multiple Sclerosis
Damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord (with the objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity)
Epilepsy
Cachexia
Wasting syndrome
Crohn’s Disease
PTSD
Sickle cell disease
Postlaminectomy syndrome with chronic radiculopathy
Severe psoriasis
Severe psoriatic arthritis
ALS
Ulcerative colitis
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Cerebral palsy
Cystic fibrosis
Irreversible spinal cord injury
Terminal illness requiring end-of-life care
Uncontrolled intractable seizure disorder
Fibromyalgia
Severe arthritis
Postherpetic neuralgia
Hydrocephalus with severe headache
Intractable headache syndromes
Neuropathic facial pain
Muscular dystrophy
Osteogenesis imperfecta
Chronic neuropathic pain (degenerative spinal disorders-related).
For Patients Under 18
Cerebral palsy
Cystic fibrosis
Irreversible spinal cord injury (one with an objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity)
Severe epilepsy
A terminal illness that requires end-of-life care
Uncontrolled intractable seizure disorder
Patients and their caregivers are allowed to purchase up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana monthly.
Other states’ registry ID cards are not accepted.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Delaware
For Adults:
Terminal illness
Cancer
HIV/AIDS
Decompensated cirrhosis
ALS
Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
PTSD
Intractable epilepsy
Autism with self-injurious or aggressive behavior
Cachexia/ Wasting syndrome
Severe pain (pain that has not responded to previously prescribed medication and/or surgical measure for more than 3 months; or when other treatments lead to serious side effects)
Intractable nausea
Seizures
Severe muscle spasms (including Multiple Sclerosis-associated spasms)
For Patients Under 18:
Intractable epilepsy
Cachexia/ Wasting syndrome
Severe nausea
Severe persistent muscle spasms (only in cases when other treatments have failed)
Patients and their caregivers are allowed to possess up to six ounces of marijuana.
Other states’ registry ID cards are not accepted.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Florida
Cancer
Epilepsy
Glaucoma
HIV/AIDS
PTSD
ALS
Crohn’s disease
Parkinson’s disease
Multiple sclerosis
Because of the fact that the rulemaking process regarding medical marijuana laws in Florida is still in progress, there are other medical conditions that are yet to be approved for cannabis treatment. Possession/cultivation laws are still under construction, too.
Other states’ registry ID cards acceptance is also unclear.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Hawaii
ALS
Cancer
Glaucoma
Lupus
Epilepsy
Multiple sclerosis
Rheumatoid arthritis
HIV/AIDS
PTSD
Cachexia/ Wasting syndrome
Severe pain
Severe nausea
Seizures
Severe and persistent muscle spasms (including Multiple Sclerosis and Crohn’s disease-associated spasms)
Medical marijuana users and their caregivers can jointly possess up to four ounces of usable marijuana.
Other states’ registry ID cards are accepted. Out-of-state medical marijuana patients who possess a valid card that was issued by another state can choose to apply for a total of two 60-day terms within a calendar year. The patients must have a condition that is officially approved and listed for medical marijuana use in Hawaii.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Illinois
Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
HIV/AIDS
ALS
Arnold-Chiari malformation
Cancer
Causalgia
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Crohn’s disease
Complex regional pain syndrome Type II
Dystonia
Fibrous Dysplasia
Glaucoma
Hepatitis C
Hydrocephalus
Hydromyelia
Interstitial cystitis
Lupus
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscular Dystrophy
Myasthenia Gravis
Myoclonus
Nail-patella syndrome
Neurofibromatosis
Parkinson’s disease
Post-Concussion Syndrome
PTSD
Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
Residual limb pain
Rheumatoid arthritis
Seizures (including epilepsy-associated ones)
Severe fibromyalgia
Sjogren’s syndrome
Spinal cord disease (not limited to arachnoiditis)
Spinal cord injury with damage to the nervous tissue of uncontrollable spasticity
Spinocerebellar ataxia
Syringomyelia
Tarlov cysts
Tourette syndrome
Traumatic brain injury
Cachexia or wasting syndrome
Opioid treatment alternative
PTSD
Terminal illness (with a diagnosis of fewer than 6 months)
Adults under 18 can be treated with non-smokable forms of cannabis based on the same qualifying conditions as adults once a parent or guardian gets a specific form signed by two doctors.
Patients and their caregivers are allowed to possess up to 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana purchases within a period of a minimum of 14 days.
Other states’ registry ID cards are not accepted.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Louisiana
Cancer
HIV/AIDS
Cachexia or wasting syndrome
Seizure disorders
Epilepsy
Spasticity
Crohn’s disease
Muscular dystrophy
Multiple sclerosis
Glaucoma
Parkinson’s disease
Severe muscle spasms
Intractable pain
PTSD
Autism spectrum disorder (a total of 4 associated conditions)
Patients and their caregivers can possess medical marijuana within a monthly limit which is still unclear.
Other states’ registry ID cards acceptance is yet unclear, too.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Maine
Cancer
Glaucoma
HIV
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
Hepatitis C
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Crohn’s disease
Alzheimer’s
Nail-patella syndrome
Chronic severe pain
Cachexia/ Wasting syndrome
Severe nausea
Seizures (including epilepsy-associated)
Severe and persistent muscle spasms
Multiple sclerosis
PTSD
Patients are allowed to possess up to 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana.
Other states’ registry ID cards are accepted but only once the patient requires a Maine photo ID issues (for instance, driver’s license) and a qualified Maine physician. A letter issued by a physician from another state is only valid within 30 days.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Maryland
Any medical condition that is severe – but only in the case other medical treatments have been ineffective, as well as in the case the symptoms can be relieved through cannabis treatment.
Chronic/ debilitating disease/ condition leading to:
severe loss of appetite, severe/ chronic pain, wasting, severe nausea, seizures, persistent/severe muscle spasms, glaucoma, PTSD.
Patients are allowed to possess up to 120 grams. However, a larger amount can be allowed provided the physician determines so.
Other states’ registry ID cards are not accepted. However, an out-of-state verified marijuana patient can get a written certification allowing him/her to legally purchase the green medication in Maryland.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Massachusetts
Cancer
Glaucoma
Human immunodeficiency virus
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
Hepatitis C
ALS
Crohn’s disease
Parkinson’s disease
Multiple sclerosis
Do mind that the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana in Massachusetts can be further extended by“other conditions as determined in writing by a qualifying patient’s physician.”
Patients are allowed to possess a bi-monthly supply of up to 10 ounces.
Other states’ registry ID cards are not accepted.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Michigan
Cancer
Glaucoma
Colitis
HIV/AIDS
Hepatitis C
Autism
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Crohn’s disease
Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
Nail-patella syndrome
Rheumatoid arthritis
Cachexia/ Wasting syndrome
Severe pain
Chronic pain
Parkinson’s
Severe nausea
Ulcerative colitis
Severe seizures
Epilepsy
Severe muscle spasms
Multiple sclerosis
PTSD
Arthritis
Inflammatory bowel disease
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Spinal cord injury
Tourette’s syndrome
Patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana.
Other states’ registry ID cards are accepted.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Minnesota
cancer (only in the case that the underlying condition/treatment leads to severe/chronic pain, nausea, severe vomiting, cachexia/severe wasting)
Glaucoma
Seizures/ epilepsy
HIV/AIDS
ALS
PTSD
Tourette’s syndrome
Persistent/severe muscle spasms
Crohn’s disease
Terminal illness with a life expectancy of under one year
Severe pain
Autism spectrum disorders
Obstructive sleep apnea
Patients are allowed to possess “a maximum of a 30-day marijuana supply based on the determined dosage.”
Other states’ registry ID cards are not accepted.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Missouri
Cancer
Glaucoma
Epilepsy
Severe migraines (unresponsive to conventional treatment)
Severe/persistent pain
Severe/ persistent muscle spasms
Multiple sclerosis Severe seizures
Parkinson’s disease
Tourette’s syndrome
PTSD
HIV/AIDS
Chronic medical conditions that if treated with a prescription medication could lead to physical/psychological dependence
Terminal illness
Hepatitis C
ALS
IBD
Crohn’s disease
Huntington’s disease
Autism
Neuropathies,
Sickle cell anemia
Alzheimer’s
Cachexia/Wasting syndrome
Patients can possess up to a 60-day supply (a 30-day marijuana supply is set not to be less than 4 ounces of usable cannabis). Patients who grow their own marijuana plants can possess up to a 90-day supply.
Rules regarding other states’ registry ID cards are yet unclear.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Montana
Cancer
HIV/AIDS
Glaucoma
Cachexia/ Wasting syndrome
Severe pain
Chronic pain
Severe nausea
Seizures (including epilepsy-associated)
Persistent/severe muscle spasms (including Multiple sclerosis or Crohn’s disease-associated spasms)
Admittance to hospice care
Painful peripheral neuropathy
Any central nervous system disorder resulting in chronic, painful spasticity/muscle spasms
PTSD
Patients are allowed to possess up to 1 ounce of usable marijuana.
Other states’ registry ID cards are not accepted.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Nevada
AIDS
Glaucoma
Cancer
Cachexia
Persistent muscle spasms (including multiple sclerosis-associated)
Seizures (including epilepsy-associated)
Severe pain
PTSD
Severe nausea
Mind that other medical conditions can gain approval by the health division of Nevadas’ Department of Human Resources.
Patients are allowed to possess up to 2.5 ounces within a 14-day time frame.
Other states’ registry ID cards are accepted.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in New Hampshire
Cancer
Human immunodeficiency virus
Hepatitis C (but in the case patient is currently receiving antiviral treatment)
Glaucoma
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Muscular dystrophy
Crohn’s disease
Multiple sclerosis
Chronic pancreatitis
Lupus
Spinal cord injury/disease
Traumatic brain injury
Epilepsy
Parkinson’s disease,
Alzheimer’s disease
One or more injuries that inhibit daily activities significantly
Elevated intraocular pressure
Cachexia/ Wasting
Chemotherapy-induced anorexia
Severe pain (that has not responded to previously prescribed medication) surgical measures or treatment produced serious side effects
Severe nausea
Moderate to vomiting
Seizures
Persistent/ severe muscle spasms
Moderate to severe PTSD
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Patients are allowed to possess up to 2 ounces for a 10-day period.
Other states’ registry ID cards are accepted.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in New Jersey
Multiple Sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Crohn’s disease
Terminal cancer
Terminal illness (if expectancy of under 1 month of life is determined by the physician)
Muscular dystrophy
Migraines
Inflammatory bowel disease
Chronic pain
Anxiety
Tourette’s Syndrome
HIV/AIDS
In the cases of seizure disorder, epilepsy, intractable skeletal muscular spasticity, PTSD and/or glaucoma, patients can qualify for medical marijuana only when conventional treatment is not effective.
Any medical conditions that cause severe/chronic pain, severe nausea/vomiting, cachexia/ wasting syndrome can also qualify for medical marijuana treatment.
Patients are allowed to possess a maximum of 2 ounces within a 30-day period.
Other states’ registry ID cards are not accepted.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in New Mexico
Cancer
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Crohn’s disease
Glaucoma
Epilepsy
Hepatitis C (that is receiving antiviral treatment)
HIV/AIDS
Hospice care
Huntington’s Disease
Inclusion body myositis
Severe nausea/ vomiting
Inflammatory autoimmune-mediated arthritis
Multiple sclerosis
Ulcerative colitis
Nervous tissue of the spinal cord damage
Painful peripheral neuropathy
PTSD
Parkinson’s disease
Severe chronic pain
Severe anorexia/cachexia
Spasmodic torticollis
Patients are allowed to possess up to eight ounces of usable cannabis within a 90-day period.
Other states’ registry ID cards are not accepted.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in New York
Cancer
HIV/AIDS
ALS
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson’s disease
Epilepsy
Spinal cord injury (with spasticity)
Inflammatory bowel disease
Neuropathy
Huntington’s disease
Cachexia/ wasting syndrome
Severe/ chronic pain
Seizures
Severe nausea
Severe/ persistent muscle spasms
Opioid treatment (when marijuana is seen as an alternative treatment)
Patients are allowed to possess a 30-day supply.
Other states’ registry ID cards are not accepted.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in North Dakota
Hepatitis C
Cancer
ALS
HIV/AIDS
PTSD
Alzheimer’s disease
Crohn’s disease
Dementia
Glaucoma
Fibromyalgia
Spinal stenosis/ chronic back pain
Neuropathy/ damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord (with intractable spasticity)
Epilepsy
Cachexia/ Wasting syndrome
Severe pain (not responding to previously prescribed medication/ surgical measures for more than 3 months; or when conventional treatment has caused serious side effects)
Severe nausea
Seizures
Persistent/ severe muscle spasms (including Multiple sclerosis-associated spasms)
The list of qualifying conditions may also include “any other medical condition/ treatment added by the North Dakota Department of Health.”
Patients are allowed to possess up to three ounces of usable cannabis within a 14-day period.
Othe states’ registry ID cards are not accepted.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Ohio
Cancer
AIDS/HIV
ALS
Alzheimer’s disease
Glaucoma
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
Epilepsy
Crohn’s disease
Fibromyalgia
Hepatitis C
Inflammatory bowel disease
Multiple sclerosis
PTSD
Chronic/severe pain
Parkinson’s disease
Sickle cell anemia
Spinal cord disease/ injury
Tourette’s syndrome
Ulcerative colitis
Traumatic brain injury
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Oklahoma
Oklahoma laws regarding qualifying conditions for medical marijuana state that license can be recommended by a physician based on standards that “a reasonable and prudent physician would follow when recommending or approving any medication.” With this in mind, there is no particular list of approved conditions.
Patients are allowed to possess up to three ounces of cannabis in-person and up to eight ounces of marijuana in their residence.
Other states’ registry ID cards are accepted by applying for a 30-day temporary Oklahoma license.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Oregon
Cancer
Glaucoma
Degenerative/ pervasive neurological condition
HIV/AIDS
Cachexia
Severe pain
Severe nausea
Seizures/ persistent muscle spasms (including epilepsy- and Multiple sclerosis-associated)
Nonetheless, other medical conditions can receive approval for medical marijuana treatment by the Health Division of the Oregon Department of Human Resources.
Patients and their caregivers are allowed to possess up to twenty-four ounces of usable cannabis.
Other states’ registry ID cards are not accepted.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Pennsylvania
Cancer
ALS
Parkinson’s disease
HIV/AIDS
Epilepsy
Glaucoma
Multiple sclerosis,
Nervous tissue of the spinal cord damage (with intractable spasticity)
Inflammatory bowel disease
Neuropathies
Crohn’s disease
Huntington’s disease
PTSD
Intractable seizures
Sickle cell anemia
Autism
Severe chronic pain of neuropathic origin
Severe chronic/ uncontrollable pain (in the cases when conventional therapy and/or opiate therapy is ineffective or contraindicative)
Patients are allowed to possess up to a 30-day medical marijuana supply.
Pennsylvania’s policy regarding other states’ registry ID cards is still unclear.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Rhode Island
Cancer
HIV/AIDS
Glaucoma
Hepatitis C
Cachexia/ wasting syndrome
Severe/ chronic pain
Severe nausea
Seizures (including epilepsy-associated)
Severe/ persistent muscle spasms (including multiple sclerosis or Crohn’s disease-associated)
Alzheimer’s Disease
Also, other medical conditions may receive approval from the state Department of Health.
Patients are allowed to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cultivated cannabis.
Other states’ registry ID cards are accepted but only in the case, the medical condition of the patient falls into the category of qualifying conditions approved by the state of Rhode Island.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Utah
HIV/AIDS
ALS
Cancer
Alzheimer’s disease
Cachexia
Epilepsy
Severe nausea (but only if it is not responsive to conventional treatment) Crohn’s disease
Ulcerative colitis
Multiple sclerosis
Autism
Severe/ persistent muscle spasms
PTSD (but only under specific conditions) Pain (but only under specific conditions)
Terminal illness (only in the case the patient’s life expectancy is less than six months)
A condition related to receiving hospice care
Rare condition/ disease that affects fewer than 200,000 individuals in the US
Patients are allowed to possess up to 113 grams of unprocessed cannabis.
Rules regarding other states’ registry ID cards are yet unclear in the state of Utah.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Vermont
AIDS/HIV
Multiple sclerosis
Glaucoma
Cancer
Crohn’s disease
Parkinson’s disease
PTSD
Mind that any medical condition/ treatment that is chronic/debilitating and produces “severe, persistent, intractable symptoms” such as cachexia, wasting syndrome, chronic pain, nausea or seizures can be also approved for medical marijuana therapy.
Patients and their caregivers are allowed to collectively possess up to two ounces of usable cannabis.
Other states’ registry ID cards are not accepted.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Washington
Cancer
HIV
Multiple sclerosis
Epilepsy
Seizure disorders/ spasticity disorders
Severe pain (but limited to the pain that has remained unrelieved by conventional medical treatments/ medications)
Glaucoma (but limited to mean increased intraocular pressure that has remained unrelieved by conventional treatments/ medications)
Crohn’s disease (but only in the case of debilitating symptoms that have remained unrelieved by conventional treatments/ medications)
Hepatitis C (only in cases of severe nausea/ pain that remained unrelieved by standard treatments/ medications)
Any disease resulting in nausea/wasting/vomiting/appetite loss/ seizures/cramping/muscle spasms/spasticity (but only in the case these symptoms have remained unrelieved by conventional treatments/medications)
Chronic renal failure requiring hemodialysis
PTSD
Traumatic brain injury
Patients are allowed to possess up to three ounces of usable marijuana.
Other states registry ID cards are not accepted.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Washington, DC
HIV/AIDS
Glaucoma
Cancer
Severe/ persistent muscle spasms (including multiple sclerosis-associated)Chemotherapy/ Radiotherapy (in cases when medical marijuana can substitute the use of azidothymidine or protease inhibitors)
Decompensated cirrhosis
Lou Gehrig’s disease
Cachexia/ wasting syndrome
Alzheimer’s Disease
Seizure disorders
Patients are allowed to purchase up to two ounces of usable marijuana monthly.
Other states’ registry ID cards are not accepted.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in West Virginia
Chronic/ debilitating diseases/conditions that result in a patient’s admission into Hospice or palliative care
Cachexia/ wasting syndrome
Anorexia
Severe/ chronic pain (but only in the case conventional medications fail to provide effective relief)
Severe nausea
Seizures
Severe/ persistent muscle spasms
Refractory generalized anxiety disorder
PTSD
Do mind that the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana treatment in Vermont is still subject to further approval by the commission. Until July 1. 2019, the Bureau for Public Health may not issue patients and their caregiver’s identification cards needed to obtain medical marijuana.
Patients may possess up to a 30-day supply of usable marijuana (the exact amount is yet to be determined).
Other states’ registry ID cards rule is still under construction.
Finally, in the case that you need to get all the latest, tiny details regarding each state’s medical marijuana policy, qualifying conditions, price listings, as well as qualified physicians that can give you a recommendation for a valid medical marijuana card – check out each state’s official government website.
Undoubtedly, there are many ways medical marijuana can be used for the treatment of various disease, even though more research is yet to be done – which only means that the future of medical marijuana use is bound to become brighter.
2. Getting your Verified Medical Marijuana Card
The next step in buying marijuana in a medical state once you have already determined that you are able to qualify for cannabis authorization based on your state laws is to find a physician who is permitted to prescribe marijuana.
Indeed, not all medical professionals are allowed to issue cannabis authorizations but locating a qualified doctor who does possess the required permissions is not a difficult task.
A doctor-written authorization will let you obtain a valid medical marijuana card that grants you full access to legal medical marijuana purchases in authorized dispensaries.
Benefits of Possessing an Authorized Medical Marijuana Card
Taking into consideration the on-going legalization of marijuana for recreational use, many of you might be wondering if there are any benefits of possessing an authorized medical marijuana card.
Check out the full list of advantages for patients with a valid medical marijuana card when it comes to buying marijuana in a medical state below.
Most noteworthy, remember that as an authorized marijuana patient who can legitimately buy marijuana in a medical state, you must always know your rights.
#1 –More affordable and accessible healthcare
Different states provide different benefits for medical marijuana users in terms of lower costs and taxes.
States that offer tax breaks for those who possess an authorized medical marijuana card include Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
States that provide tax-free benefits for medical marijuana patients include Delaware, Washington D.C., New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia.
#2 –The right to obtain marijuana products that feature higher potency
Since medical marijuana patients may be faced with treating issues that are associated with very high levels of pain and/or complexity (such as a number of accompanying qualifying conditions), high-strength cannabis products might be needed.
With this in mind, those who possess an authorized medical marijuana card may gain access to cannabis products of higher potency, as opposed to possible potency restrictions for recreational marijuana users.
However, the rights of medical marijuana patients when it comes to purchasing cannabis products that feature higher potency do vary from state to state.
Up-to-date, California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and Colorado do allow higher potency limits of medical marijuana products.
#3 – The higher number of marijuana plants one can grow
Although then again dependable on state-by-state laws, most medical marijuana users are allowed to grow more marijuana plants than recreational users.
That’s a significant rule because, after all, medical marijuana users do depend on cannabis plants in ways that differ much from recreational marijuana consumption.
#4 –Accessible medical cannabis treatment for minors
Those who want to purchase marijuana in a recreational state simply need to be over 21 years old.
However, it would be impossible for minors who are dependable on cannabis treatment to obtain green medication from a recreational dispensary.
Fortunately, a total of 29 states have already issued medical marijuana programs that allow for minors to proceed with their treatment through the assistance of a caregiver (either a parent or a guardian) who is legitimate to obtain cannabis by possessing a valid card.
https://www.youtube.com/watchv=YM5eX1qcPJ8
Video by CNN – Toddler’s seizures treated with medical marijuana
Source: youtube.com
3. Entering a Cannabis Dispensary
Verified medical marijuana patients must always bring their medical marijuana card during each dispensary visit.
In most cases, it is only during their first dispensary visit that medical marijuana users should also bring a copy of the signed doctor’s recommendation for cannabis treatment that was used for obtaining a valid medical marijuana card.
After their first dispensary visit, patients get their authorization on file.
Regardless of that, most dispensaries do check patients’ valid medical marijuana cards at the very entrance, so bringing your card with you every time you shop at a dispensary remains a must.
Some dispensaries offer only one-on-one consultations which means you might be asked to wait in the waiting room until you are invited by the staff. However, that’s not the case with all medical marijuana dispensaries.
If you prefer a more private experience and/or are shy off from interacting with other medical marijuana patients, look for a dispensary that is dedicated to one-on-one consultations only. Simply browse the existing dispensaries in your state and check out their website and/or give the dispensary staff a call for more details.
Before you are already about to enter a dispensary (and especially if this is your first time), it is highly advisable to check out the pricing menu, too. It will help you gain a better understanding of the existing cannabis products available, as well as the competitive price range.
4. Selecting the Best Cannabis Products for your Condition
Before you enter any dispensary, it’s a wise idea to research the available options you have nearby.
Every patient out there is unique, and so is the marijuana treatment that one should be able to opt for. Although most dispensaries will be able to cater to your most basic needs, without any doubt, not all dispensaries are created equal.
With a different team of experts, different approach towards marijuana patients, and different cannabis products available on the shelves – it might take some time and patience before you find the dispensary, as well as the treatment options that suit you best.
As a rule of thumb, don’t ever feel obliged to purchase anything during your dispensary visit. If you feel that the atmosphere, attitude, or professional guidelines you receive are not what you expected, don’t hesitate to visit another dispensary.
Selecting the best cannabis products for your medical condition/s is a process that gets better with time.
For those who are a newbie to medical marijuana treatment, respiratory methods of consumption might be a good option. That’s because the high is more easily manageable and the dosing is easier to control. But depending on the state where you reside in, smoking marijuana may not be among the approved methods for treatment.
Edibles can offer long-lasting relief and are not associated with inhaling any smoke – but their effect can be hard to predict and control at times.
Modern-day methods of oral consumption such as tinctures and capsules, among others, make it far more manageable to maintain an appropriate dosage.
Above all, don’t be afraid to experiment and listen to the way your body responds to different cannabis products available.
It does take some proper research, as well as getting acquainted with the most basic cannabis terms such as Indica vs. Sativa vs. hybrid strains, dry flowers vs. concentrates, differences between medical benefits of high-THC vs. high-CBD strains, the different ways of cannabis consumption – and the list can go on, especially since the cannabis industry is rapidly developing literally every single hour.
https://www.youtube.com/watchv=3bZb10ZxpBk
Video byAMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare – The Inside Story of Cannabidiol – What are the Benefits of CBD
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How to Buy Marijuana in a Medical State: Key Takeaways
With more upcoming letups on laws regarding medical marijuana use, expected expansion of the list of qualifying conditions, as well as expected growth of states that accept other states’ registry ID cards for legitimate medical cannabis purchase, the world of advanced cannabis treatment is steadily shaping the increased ease of accessibility of the green medication.
It is not only about knowing how to buy marijuana in a medical state anymore. We all share a collective responsibility for gaining a better awareness and deeper understanding over the benefits of marijuana – so that more people can be finally able to treat otherwise hard-to-approach and relieve symptoms and conditions with the help of an all-natural remedy. Stay tuned for the latest news in cannabis education, advancements and know-how by subscribing to our newsletter.
