How to Get a Medical Marijuana ID Card

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.

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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.