New York is one of the states where adult use of both recreational and medical marijuana is legal. You can get your marijuana from any dispensary without an MMJ card. However, getting a medical marijuana card in New York or any other rec state is still quite beneficial due to the vast differences between medical and recreational marijuana. Some of the most notable benefits include relatively favorable costs, access to medical-only dispensaries, more potent marijuana products, robust legal protections, and higher quantities of marijuana, among others.
If you’re in New York or any other state allowing the use of medical marijuana, below is all you need to know about applying and getting an MMJ card.
Marijuana as Medicine
Although the FDA is yet to recognize and approve marijuana as medicine, a growing body of scientific research on some marijuana components has shown promising results. For instance, THC has proven remarkably beneficial in treating nausea and boosting appetite in patients with cancer and AIDS. CBD (which has sparked the most interest due to its non-psychoactive nature), on the other hand, has a high potential for therapeutic use. It is known for antiepileptic, antipsychotic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. The anti-inflammatory effects of CBD on the body produce the multiple benefits associated with its use.
Marijuana is generally used for pain management by patients with chronic conditions and is an excellent alternative to opioids due to their relatively low addictive qualities. However, just like most synthetic drugs, marijuana isn’t a one size fits all solution and should be used under close guidance from your physician.
General Qualifying Conditions for an MMJ Card
Various studies have shown positive effects of marijuana use on several chronic conditions. Laws governing the use of medical marijuana under these conditions vary from state to state. It’s always crucial to check your state’s regulations if you’re keen on getting an MMJ card. Most states that allow the use of medical marijuana recognize the conditions below as a qualification;
- Cancer
- HIV and AIDS
- Glaucoma
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis and muscle spasms
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Epilepsy and seizures
- Severe chronic pain
- Severe nausea or vomiting caused by cancer treatment
- Parkinson’s disease
- Anorexia
- Migraines
- Fibromyalgia
How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card
The first and most crucial step to getting an MMJ card is getting a doctor’s assessment and recommendation. Your doctor will assess your condition to determine if it’s one of the qualifying conditions and whether medical marijuana will help mitigate the negative symptoms. You should be as detailed as possible during your consultation with the doctor. This will help the doctor prescribe the best cannabis products and their dosage. They will also discuss potential side effects or negative implications of medical marijuana use with you before approval. A doctor’s approval is a prerequisite to moving forward with your registration process. The good news is that more and more doctors are willing to recommend medical marijuana for their patients, so finding one should not be daunting.
Finding a qualified physician to approve your medical marijuana needs varies from state to state. In New York, your doctor of choice should be registered with the state’s medical-marijuana program. The New York State Medical Marijuana Program maintains a list of all participating healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants from all the 62 counties.
Once a qualified healthcare practitioner has approved your condition, they will prepare your cannabis certification and email it to you. It’s vital that you go through it to ensure no errors and have them make any corrections in case you find any. The certificate will have your personal information and clearly state the condition you want to manage with the medical marijuana.
You’ll then be required to complete your application by signing up for a New York state government account via their official website. Remember to keep your username and password safe to access more state services. You’ll be asked to provide details, including the practitioner certification number. Ensure to provide all information correctly and avoid typos. Any discrepancies with your information could easily lead to delays spanning weeks or even months.
Once your application is completed and approved, you’ll get a temporary cannabis card as you wait for a hard copy to be processed. You can print this temporary digital cannabis card which can be used for up to 30 days. You’ll receive the permanent one through the mail between 7-10 days of a successful application process. The official card will last for 1 year before requiring renewal. Always remember to carry your government-issued ID and your MMJ card on your visits to any state-licensed dispensary.
