Pharmaceuticals come up with a whole plethora of drugs to try and address various health conditions. But sometimes, even the best companies fail in this noble attempt. Thankfully, mother nature steps in to fill the void: cue, medical marijuana. In the U.S, 33 states allow the use of medical marijuana to help patients cope with conditions such as cancer, chronic pain or Crohn's disease. The state of Maryland joined the club in 2014, and now, with a Maryland medical marijuana card, you can legally purchase medical marijuana within the state. Here is a five-step breakdown on how to obtain your Maryland medical marijuana card.
Have a Qualifying Condition
In order for a patient to qualify for a Maryland medical marijuana card, the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) lists a given set of ailments and conditions. Some of these health issues include chronic pain, wasting syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), glaucoma, and cachexia, to name a few. Another possible consideration would be any severe condition for which other medical interventions have been unsuccessful.Register with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC)
Once a person presents with any of the MMCC's mentioned conditions, they may begin the registration process. For patients over 18 years, an online registration form is available for self-filling. For minor patients, a parent or legal guardian over the age of 21 years may be eligible to apply for registration. Additionally, in the case of minors, the parent/legal guardian must first register with the MMCC. The caregiver must prove their relationship to the patient, present a notarized minor patient form, and purchase a caregiver ID for dispensary visits.Acquire a Written Certification from a Commission-Registered Provider
The MMCC requires that the patient must acquire a plausibly written certificate from a registered provider. The state has a database with all the registered doctors, one of whom must recommend medical cannabis as a possible treatment option. This certification has a 120-day validity after the date of issue and must be used within that period.Drop by a Licensed Maryland Dispensary
After obtaining the written certification, the patient or his/her legal guardian may print a temporary MMCC patient ID card. This allows the patient to visit a licensed Maryland dispensary to buy medical marijuana. The dispensary agent verifies the patient's certification in the MMCC's database before facilitating any transaction. There are several apps, such as Leafly or Weedmaps, as well as websites that can help patients easily locate the best-rated dispensaries around. Also, Read: How is Medical Marijuana Beneficial to Senior Citizens?Product Selection
Depending on the patient's condition, there are a variety of products that could work. A patient needs to know their condition and, as such, do diligent research to find out which products work best for them. There are several resources that patients may opt to use to find out more about the effects and side effects of different strains. Also, interaction with the budtenders could prove very useful, given their profound knowledge with the products. Getting a Maryland medical marijuana card can be a bit of a hassle, and that's why you need a helping hand. Veri Heal bridges the gap between patients and medical cannabis doctors to help patients get easier access to medical marijuana cards. Through their network of licensed doctors, Veri Heal makes the medical marijuana process a lot simpler for you.
Reviewed by