Confused About Cannabis? Important Points Of Recent Medical Marijuana Legislation

The use of cannabis for the relief of nausea, pain, and other medical issues commonly associated with many serious medical diseases and conditions, including cancer, is now an accepted practice among many medical practitioners. The recent passing of legislation in Missouri has now brought the total number of states where medical marijuana has been legalized in some form to 32, with other states expected to follow over the next few years. 

Because the legislation can vary widely from state to state, considerable confusion has arisen. If you are among those who are planning to register for a medical cannabis permit to help with a medical issue, the following information can be helpful. 

Learn your state's medical cannabis legislation

The steps to getting approved for a medical cannabis usage permit can have some key differences, depending on the state in which you reside and the length of time their system has been in place, so obtaining a copy of your state's law is the first thing to do. Your state government's website or your local or state health department will be able to provide this information to you. 

Compile your medical file 

Once you have familiarized yourself with your state's law, you will need to work with your medical care provider to compile your medical history and the documentation you will need to support your application for the use of medical cannabis. When putting this information together, it is important to remember to be concise and to ensure that your condition is listed in the specific conditions or illnesses approved by your state for the use of medical marijuana. 

Seek an approved medical recommendation

In some states, only approved medical care professionals are able to recommend a patient for the use of medical marijuana. If your current doctor is not yet on the approved list or if they are reluctant to recommend this type of treatment for their patients, you will need to find an approved medical provider before making application for the permit. 

Be prepared to pay a fee

If your permit application is approved, most states require the payment of an annual permit fee plus a fee for the issuance of the card. For example, in Missouri, successful applicants will pay $25 for the card along with an additional annual fee of $25. 

While the process of obtaining a permit to use medical cannabis can be tiresome, the benefits it may hold for your health will likely be worth the time and trouble. For more information about applying for a medical cannabis permit in your state, contact your local Medical Cannabis Patient Center today.