Medical cannabis cards are issued by most of the states that have legal medical cannabis programs. A card is a license of sorts. It gives the holder the legal right to purchase, possess, and consume cannabis for legitimate medical purposes.
So, what are the requirements for getting a medical cannabis card? That depends on the state in which a person lives. No two state medical cannabis programs are exactly alike. For example, some states require that everything be done online. Others offer both online and in-person options.
Utahmarijuana.org is a Utah organization on a mission to educate people about medical cannabis. They are part of an organization that also operates a number of medical clinics throughout the state. They say that, as a general rule, there are four requirements for getting a medical cannabis card. The requirements are listed below. Just remember that details vary from state to state.
1. State Registration
The requirement to register with one’s state is universal. If you want to consume medical cannabis in Utah, you need to register with the state through their electronic verification system (EVS). All consumers must have a UtahID account before they can register for a card.
Incidentally, even out-of-state visitors need to register if they intend to use medical cannabis while in the Beehive State. Utah visitor cards are good for three weeks at a time. Visitors can apply for up to two cards per year, but they cannot be back-to-back.
2. Medical Consultation
The requirement to consult with a medical provider is also universal. Why? Because it is the medical provider’s responsibility to determine whether or not a patient is eligible to use medical cannabis under state law. Doctors are the most qualified medical professionals to make that decision.
Some states, including Utah, allow any medical professional with state prescribing authority to recommend cannabis. This includes physician assistants and nurse practitioners. However, medical providers still need to be licensed by the state before they can make medical cannabis recommendations.
Utah’s system recognizes two kinds of medical professionals. The first is the qualified medical provider (QMP), a medical provider who has undergone continuing education and obtained a license. QMPs can recommend medical cannabis to more than 1,000 patients at a time. The second type is the limited medical provider (LMP). This individual does not need to be licensed but can only recommend medical cannabis to a total of 15 patients at a time.
3. Providing Documentation
This next requirement, providing documentation, varies quite a bit between the states. At the very least, a person needs to prove residency. Someone applying for a resident card in Utah would have to prove state residency. An out-of-town visitor would have to prove residency in a state that also recognizes medical cannabis.
The UtahID program makes it very easy on state residents. Just having a Utah driver’s license is sufficient for obtaining a UtahID. A UtahID account verifies state residency for the purposes of applying for a medical cannabis card.
4. Annual Fees
Finally, most states attach fees to their medical cannabis cards. The fees are designed to cover the costs of administration. Some states charge very little while others a bit more. State fees are generally paid on an annual basis.
That is really about it in a nutshell. The details of registering for a medical cannabis card are different from one state to the next. But by and large, these are the things most frequently required to get a card. If you have any questions about your state, you can probably find the requirements online.
