The Ultimate Guide to Obtaining a Medical Marijuana Card
If you live in Alabama and have a medical condition that can benefit from cannabis, you should apply for a card. However, it’s essential to understand the process and requirements before you can do so.
The law requires that a patient has a qualifying health condition and proof of conventional treatment. It also requires a physician to recommend the use of cannabis.
What Are the Requirements?
Many people wonder how to obtain a medical marijuana card in Alabama and other states. According to experts, before applying for a medical marijuana card, you must get a recommendation from a qualified physician. Some conditions qualify for medical cannabis use in the state. If a patient is under 19, they will also need a caregiver registered with the Alabama Cannabis Commission. These caregivers must be 21 or older and a resident of the state. Once patients receive their medical marijuana card, they must renew it annually no less than 14 days before its expiration date. The renewal process is similar to the initial application and includes a re-certification by a physician and payment of a yearly fee. Medical cannabis is a non-psychoactive form of marijuana that can be prescribed for various conditions. These include chronic pain, nausea from chemotherapy, muscle spasticity, depression, and panic disorder. Once a patient is approved, they will be able to purchase a variety of products at licensed dispensaries. These include marijuana tablets, capsules, gelatins, oils, gels, creams, suppositories, transdermal patches, and inhaler-based oils.
Who Can Apply for a Card?
Patients with a qualifying medical condition and a certified physician can apply for an Alabama medical card. This includes patients with chronic pain, HIV/AIDS-related nausea or weight loss, glaucoma, cancer-related cachexia, epilepsy, and other conditions that are not responsive to conventional therapies. It’s also possible for patients to hire a caregiver to purchase and transport cannabis on their behalf, but they must be 21+, have a registry card, and receive approval from the state. They must provide written attestations from the patient and physicians and other relevant documentation. Caregivers can have more than one registered patient, but they must pay for a registry card for each individual. They must renew their registration yearly, no less than 14 days before the expiration date on their card. A medical marijuana card allows patients to buy and possess up to a 60-supply of medical cannabis from a licensed dispensary. They can consume up to 50 milligrams of THC daily for the first three months, pending a doctor’s recommendation, then increase to 75 milligrams per day.
How to Apply for a Card
If you’ve been diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition in Alabama, you’re likely wondering how to apply for a medical marijuana card. This guide will help you get started and understand the process.
The first step is to schedule an appointment with a licensed doctor in the state who will ask you about your health and verify that you have a qualifying medical condition. The doctor must also certify that traditional therapy and treatments have failed to improve your symptoms and that you’d benefit from a medical cannabis recommendation. Once your doctor approves you for a card, you’ll be given a physical MMJ card via mail a few weeks later. This will allow you to purchase cannabis legally at 12 dispensaries across the state. Patients with approved medical conditions in Alabama can legally buy a daily dosage of up to 50 milligrams of THC, which can be increased to 75 mg after three months on the doctor’s recommendation. However, it is still illegal to grow or cultivate marijuana in the state. The AMCC (Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission) is preparing for a licensing process in 2021 that will award licenses to cultivation, processing, and distribution companies. The state hopes to have the earliest possible legal MMJ sales available in late 2023.
Where Can I Apply for a Card?
If you’re looking to get a medical marijuana card in Alabama, there are a few steps you should take to ensure you’re qualified and ready to apply. First, you should get a doctor’s appointment with a licensed physician to evaluate your condition and determine whether or not you qualify for a medical marijuana certification. Once assessed, you must complete an electronic application within 60 days of your evaluation. You must submit your government-issued ID, a recent digital color photograph, and written “attestation” from your certified physician that you’ve received risk and benefits education and consented to cannabis treatment.
You’ll also need to provide a copy of your physician’s recommendation and pay fees for the first year. Afterward, you’ll need to renew your application yearly by providing a new physician’s advice, paying fees again, and submitting all documents and documentation at least two weeks before the expiration date on your card.
Once you’ve been approved for a medical marijuana card, you can purchase and consume up to 70 daily dosages of cannabis from a medical dispensary in Alabama. However, you can only purchase products containing less than 3% THC and can’t access cannabis products like smokable flowers or vapes.
