Patients with chronic illnesses need to learn how to get medical marijuana in West Virginia. This is because if the doctor approves their condition, they can access marijuana with the help of a card. This guide will help you understand how to get medical marijuana in West Virginia and all the primary guidelines.
Legalizing medical marijuana in West Virginia has been a slow road. However, the legislation is passed in 2017 and went to effect in July 2019. Therefore, you can now register online for a medical cannabis card. There are some steps that you need to follow to get a medical card in West Virginia, and these include;
How to Get Medical Marijuana in West Virginia
The West Virginia state has not allowed medical marijuana sales until late this year or early 2022. In May 2020, the West Virginia office of medical cannabis said that it would ensure that qualified patients would get medical marijuana in two years. First, you need to be at least 18 years old and have a qualifying condition to get this card. But if you are underage, you will need a caregiver to apply for the program.
Register with the Bureau
This is the first step of getting medical marijuana in West Virginia. Therefore, if you believe in having a severe illness that qualifies you for the card, make sure to register with the state Bureau of Public Health. This functions as part of the West Virginia Medical cannabis commission. You will need to have a good relationship with a medical cannabis doctor for at least six months before you like them to recommend you.
Get the Certification from the Physician
The certificate needs to be issued by a doctor registered by the bureau and has finished a mandatory four-hour course. If your family doctor is not registered with the bureau, you will need to find a certified medical cannabis doctor and wait six months before asking for a recommendation.
The doctor will access your medical history correctly, and they will also conduct a complete physical examination to prove that you have a qualifying condition. During the consultation, you need to know that the physician will take the test seriously. If the doctor certifies someone who does not qualify for the medication knowingly, they can face felony charges and spend six months in prison.
Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card
After the doctor’s approval, you will now send your application with the signed certification. You need to note that the physician will continue monitoring your condition to see if you are still required to use cannabis. If they decide that you do not need the medication, they will report to the bureau and tell them that you are no longer required to use the drug to treat your condition.
When the doctor provides you with the certification, they must inform the bureau that you can get therapeutic benefits by using medical marijuana. They also require that treatments like opioids have proven not to be effective for your condition.
Buy Medical Marijuana from a Licensed Dispensary
After getting approved for the card, you can purchase medical marijuana from authorized dispensaries. The state says that it will give ten cultivators, ten manufacturer licenses, and thirty dispensary licenses. But some reports say that up to 100 dispensaries have already been handed out. You will then use this card to purchase medical cannabis in a dispensary near you.
Medical Cannabis Qualifying Conditions
To qualify for medical cannabis in West Virginia, you need to have any of the following conditions;
ALS, Cancer, Neuropathies, Multiple sclerosis, Sickle cell anemia, Severe pain that is neuropathic in origin, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s Disease, PTSD, HIV/AIDS, Spinal cord damage, Seizures, Epilepsy
Medical Marijuana Cost in West Virginia
You can pay $50 like other states. But this fee can also be free if you prove to have financial difficulties. The consultation fee ranges between $200 to $300, depending on the physician. To grow or process medical marijuana, you will need to pay $5000 and $2500 to apply for a dispensary.
Forms Needed When You are Applying for a Medical Cannabis Card
You will need to have the following documents when you are applying for a medical cannabis card;
Application form, A complete written certification from a doctor, A photocopy of your ID or the driver’s license. You need to know that your address and name on the application form match the ones listed on your West Virginia driver’s license or ID. and You will also need to pay $50, which is nonrefundable.
How to Find a Medical Marijuana Doctor in West Virginia
West Virginia medical marijuana will launch in a few months, and many people are exploring how to get the dispensaries and become patients. To get medical marijuana in West Virginia, you must find a licensed doctor to evaluate you. To get approved quickly by the doctor, bring enough information regarding your condition during the consultation.
Conclusion
Learning how to get medical marijuana in West Virginia will enable you to get the card quickly. There are many benefits of getting this card, and getting this card will give you access to all dispensaries across the state. The card is sometimes called affirmative defense and resembles other identification cards that you might have.
