Social-use marijuana is illegal in West Virginia, and laws and regulations regarding the use of medical Marijuana have been constantly changing throughout the US, among many other states. Now, West Virginia has also legalized the use of Marijuana for medical reasons. For those who want to opt for an alternative treatment option, acquiring a medical marijuana card is now possible in West Virginia. This detailed guide will provide all the steps and documentation required in the process of getting a medical marijuana card in highland regions.
Identify the Qualifying Conditions
The state of West Virginia has set eligibility criteria for getting a medical marijuana card. Several health conditions have been identified to qualify for clinical application of marijuana, including cancer (all forms), HIV/AIDS, sickle cell anemia, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder intractable pain, multiple sclerosis, neuropathies, and certain neurological disorders, including epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease with several others. A patient must be diagnosed with one of the qualifying illnesses by a certified physician in the state. Check out your eligibility here.
Consult a Licensed Healthcare Expert
Next, it is required to meet one of the licensed doctors in West Virginia who are registered with the office of medical cannabis in West Virginia; these are the only authorized experts who will issue the marijuana certificates. During the meeting, the medical history of the patient will be evaluated, eligibility for cannabis use will be assessed, and considerations will be made regarding the therapeutic benefits of Cannabis. If the patient qualifies for medical marijuana use, a certificate will be issued that would state the qualifying condition of the patient, details of the dose, and forms of Marijuana that could be purchased.
Register with an Authorized Institution
The next step after acquiring a certification is the submission of an online application, for which the prospective medical Marijuana users register online with the West Virginia Medical Marijuana Program. The application requires information about the patient, like personal details, medical history, a certification from an authorized doctor, and a registration fee that must be paid online.
Complete and Submit the Application
Once registered with the Medical Marijuana Program, a patient will receive an email in which detailed guidance on how to proceed with the application process will be mentioned. The application will require the patient’s personal detailed information, a digital photograph, a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, proof of residency in West Virginia, and an authentic patient certification form. As a part of the application process, the applicants must submit an application fee depending on their chosen duration for the card, whether they want to go for a year or two-year card. The application fee is non-refundable regardless of the status of approval.
Wait for The Approval
Once the application is submitted, the information will be assessed for eligibility by the Medical Marijuana Program. As per eligibility criteria, if the applicant qualifies for medical -marijuana use, permission will be granted for the use and access to marijuana from authorized dispensaries in the region.
Visit Authorized Dispensaries
After receiving medical marijuana cards, patients can have access to legalized Marijuana Dispensaries, which are fully regulated by the state authorities to ensure the quality and safety of the products that they offer for purchase. The staff at these dispensaries are highly trained, and they guide patients to have the best-suited products as per their needs.
Key Considerations in the Use of Marijuana:
- It’s important to stay within the legal limits for the purchase and use of marijuana set by the state to avoid any legal complications.
- It is required to use medical marijuana responsibly to get its therapeutic benefits. Overuse of the drug should be avoided as it could lead to severe side effects.
- To have continual access to medical marijuana, it is necessary to renew the card annually or after two years, depending on the duration of the card made.
Summary
To have legalized access to medical marijuana, a specified procedure needs to be carried out, which starts with determining the eligibility for the medical-marijuana-use, obtaining a patient certificate from a licensed physician, online registration, application submission, and reaching out to authorized dispensaries on receiving the official card for medical-marijuana-use. This detailed guide will assess the residents of West Virginia to get through the legal procedure with confidence.
