For many, the thought of getting a medical marijuana card and using it to get quality cannabis and its products is exciting. With this card, they no longer have to worry about the legal implications of possessing cannabis, as long as the quantity held at any given point doesn’t exceed the state’s limit. 

Although marijuana has been legalized at the federal level, not all states have approved its use. So it would be best if you made sure to check with your state’s departments of health before trying to get a medical marijuana card. In states that have legalized its use, medical marijuana patients must follow the process put in place by their state’s health departments to receive their cards. So if you live in a state like Ohio and you are thinking of using cannabis medicinally, you should reach out to the medical cannabis doctors at Ohio Green Team – Columbus. They can guide you on what steps to take to get your card. 

Nevertheless, in this article, you will learn about the common ways to get qualified for a medical marijuana card.

Marijuana as Medicine

Marijuana is a plant that has been used for thousands of years as a medicine. It has been used to treat pain, inflammation, and insomnia. More recently, marijuana has been used to treat glaucoma, Parkinson’s disease, and breast cancer.

Although marijuana can be consumed in different ways, smoking is the most common way of consuming it today. Another option is vaporizing or cooking with marijuana. There are also edibles, such as gummies, that have been infused with THC or CBD. THC produces a high that lasts about two hours; CBD does not produce a psychoactive effect but does have pain-relieving properties.

Conditions That Qualify the Use of Marijuana

In some states in the United States, marijuana is legal for certain medical conditions. However, it’s best to confirm with your primary care physician if your medical condition qualifies you for a medical marijuana card. At the moment, there are about 25 conditions that qualify the use of marijuana; below are some of these conditions:

  • Cancer: Cancer patients may use medical marijuana to relieve pain and appetite loss caused by the disease.
  • Glaucoma: Glaucoma patients may use medical marijuana to treat eye pressure, redness, and irritation.
  • HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS patients may use medical marijuana to relieve nausea and vomiting that are caused by this disease.
  • Lupus: Lupus patients may use medical marijuana to reduce inflammation caused by this autoimmune disease.
  • Multiple Sclerosis: Multiple Sclerosis patients may use medical marijuana to alleviate pain and inflammation due to this autoimmune disease, which primarily affects muscle tissue throughout the body over time.

Other conditions are:

  • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Spasticity
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  • Chronic pain
  • Epilepsy

Getting a Medical Marijuana Card

The requirements for getting a medical marijuana card differ from state to state, however in Ohio, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must be at least 18 years old.
  • If you’re below 18 years old, you must provide a caregiver who is 21 years old and above.
  • It would be best if you were affected by any of the qualifying conditions.
  • It would be best if you resided in Ohio.
  • You must consult a certified marijuana card doctor in Ohio.

Once you satisfy the above requirements, you can proceed with the processes. The major thing is to book an appointment with a specialized marijuana doctor. You can also get your marijuana card from the comfort of your home by using the telemedicine practice for medical marijuana.

Once you have booked an appointment with a marijuana doctor, you can then proceed with the following steps:

  • Fill out the digital intake forms
  • Provide your previous medical records
  • Go for telemed consultation
  • Make your payment
  • Receive recommendation

Once you complete the above processes, you can expect to get your medical marijuana card within two to three weeks. Afterward, you can visit any approved dispensary in your state with your card to purchase marijuana.

Benefits of Having a Medical Marijuana Card

Having a medical marijuana card means that you can buy and consume marijuana for medical purposes. 

Getting a medical marijuana card will make the process of getting marijuana legally in any state where it is legal easy. You will also have access to all kinds of information on how best to use THC, the active ingredient in cannabis, and which strains perform best for different conditions. 

The best advice for a patient wondering about getting a medical marijuana card is to talk to their doctor about their condition and see if it qualifies for medicinal marijuana use.

By Manali