- Determining if a Patient is Qualified
- Qualifying Conditions for a Medical Card in Missouri
- How to Get a Medical Card in Missouri: 3 Steps
- When, Where, and How Can I Buy Medical Cannabis?
- Can You Grow Your Own Cannabis?
- Start The Process Today
In this article, you will find out if you qualify for medical marijuana. In late 2018, Missourians overwhelmingly voted to pass Amendment 2, which legalized medical cannabis in the Show-Me State. Although dispensaries in Missouri didn’t open until 2020, thousands of applications for medical cannabis cards were already been approved by the end of 2019. Since the new law’s announcement, people immediately started to wonder how to get a Missouri medical card and a Missouri patient cultivation card to grow their own medical cannabis.
Determining if a Patient Is Qualified
Missouri Residency and Age Requirements
You need to know a few requirements before learning how to get your card. First, to apply for a medical cannabis card, you must be considered a Missouri resident and be at least 18 years of age. However, if a patient is under 18, a parent or legal guardian can submit a consent form and apply for a Caregiver card instead. There is a separate process you must go through to get a Missouri patient cultivation card.
Qualifying Conditions for a Missouri medical marijuana card online
Next, a licensed doctor must diagnose you with a “qualifying condition” for a medical card in Missouri. Finding out if you meet the Missouri medical card requirements is a crucial step. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS), the conditions which qualify you to get a medical card in Missouri include:
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Severe migraines
- Certain chronic medical conditions that cause severe pain
- Debilitating psychiatric disorders, such as PTSD
- HIV/AIDS
- A terminal illness
- Other ailments as prescribed by a physician, who can help you learn about the process
However, even if you don’t see your condition on this list, don’t lose hope yet. Any chronic, debilitating illness, or ailment commonly treated with prescription medication, could also lead to dependence. After receiving a diagnosis for one of the above conditions, you will need to take your paperwork to a physician. Visiting the physician is a crucial step in meeting Missouri medical card requirements. This physician should be willing to write you a recommendation for medical cannabis use. He/she may or may not be the same doctor that diagnosed you.
How to Get a Medical Card in Missouri: 3 Steps
Step 1: Find a Doctor
Unfortunately, not all doctors are willing to recommend medical cannabis, making the process for how to get a medical card in Missouri more challenging. Sometimes, the physician who diagnosed you with a qualifying condition may be unwilling to prescribe cannabis, which means you may need to find another doctor willing to help you get your certification. Because of this, it may seem difficult at first to determine how to get your card. Luckily, Heally makes it easy to get your Missouri medical card online.
Step 2: The Consultation
After scheduling an appointment, you are ready for your consultation. During the consultation, your physician will discuss:
- How cannabis works to relieve your symptoms
- Any side effects you may experience
- Cannabis types, dosage, and methods
The consultation is the perfect time to ask how to get your card. While speaking with the doctor, you will have an opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns about cannabis use. Afterward, your doctor will complete a digital physician certification for medical cannabis form to take part in your application process.
Step 3: Apply Online through MDHSS
Once your provider has uploaded the digital certification form to the state MMP, you have your certification form completed by a doctor, you can apply for your Missouri medical marijuana card online. If successful, you will have completed one of the last steps in your journey of learning how to get your card. Please note that your physician certification must be less than 30 days old by the time that you apply. Additionally, all applications must be submitted through the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ online registry. If you’re wondering how to get your card, you should realize that this is a Missouri medical card requirement.
Besides the physician certification, you will also need the following identifying information:
- Patient name
- Date of birth
- Social security number
- Mailing address
- Proof of Missouri residency
Once you’ve learned how to get your card and have gone through the steps, you need to pay for the card itself. The cost of a card is $25, and the fee renews annually. You will receive your card within 30 days if your application is approved!
When, Where, and How Can I Buy Missouri Medical Cannabis?
Whether you want to know how to get your card, a license to sell it, or a Missouri patient cultivation card to grow it, you’ll need to do your research and go through the proper channels. After determining Missouri medical card requirements, you might want to know where the actual dispensaries will be located. Each of Missouri’s eight congressional districts will grant 24 licenses. Curious about the exact location? Missouri has released a list of dispensaries here.
Can You Grow Your Own Cannabis?
The state is also granting Missouri patient cultivation cards. The cultivation cards allow patients to grow up to six cannabis plants. Patients must apply for this license and the medical cannabis card and pay a $100 fee.
Start the Process Today
Getting started is easy, especially when medical marijuana doctors are available right now to discuss the qualifying conditions for a medical card in Missouri. Talk to a medical marijuana doctor now and find effective relief for your symptoms sooner.
