The benefits of cannabis in treating various medical conditions and their symptoms have not gone unseen. Patients participating in recent studies have experienced relief even shortly after consuming medical marijuana. Anorexia, epilepsy, and chronic pain are only some of the conditions for which doctors may certify a patient for receiving medical marijuana as a treatment.
Those who believe they could benefit from this alternative treatment can get evaluated and apply for a medical marijuana card. In West Virginia, medical marijuana is only available for registered patients or caregivers who can present a valid card.
Who Qualifies for a Medical Marijuana Use
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To apply for a medical marijuana card, you must show proof of residency in the state which will issue your card. Here are the main criteria patients must meet:
- Be at least 18 years old (or have an assigned caregiver)
- Suffer from a qualifiable medical condition
- Present a certification from a state-licensed doctor
Each state that has legalized medical marijuana has a list of medical conditions that are considered qualifiable. West Virginia finds any of the following conditions suitable for receiving medical marijuana treatment:
- cancer
- HIV/AIDS
- epilepsy, neuropathies
- Huntington’s disease
- Crohn’s disease
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- intractable seizures
- ALS
- Parkinson’s disease
- multiple sclerosis
- spinal cord damage
- sickle cell anemia
- severe chronic or intractable pain
If you are unsure whether your symptoms are included in the list, don’t hesitate to contact a doctor and make some inquiries before booking an appointment.
Booking a Medical Evaluation
To become a registered patient, a state-licensed doctor must evaluate your condition and determine if medical marijuana could be beneficial for your case. Moreover, without a written recommendation from a doctor, you won’t be able to apply for a medical card.
Only doctors who are certified to prescribe medical marijuana can issue such documents. If you are a resident of West Virginia, you can easily book a consultation to find out if you qualify for a medical marijuana West Virginia card. To book an appointment, you may need to go for an in-person examination. Nevertheless, many providers offer online consultations that can take as short as 15 minutes.
How Does a Medical Marijuana Evaluation Go?
The evaluation will involve a review of medical history information and a physical assessment. Depending on the condition that is being examined, patients may have to undergo other necessary tests such as blood testing or book an appointment for another visit.
Tampa Medical marijuana evaluations don’t usually last long. Some can last as little as 15 minutes and the entire consultation can be done online. If you are unable to visit one of the locations in (Florida &) West Virginia, telemedicine may be the right solution for you.
When the consultation ends, the doctor must determine whether your condition does indeed qualify for medical marijuana. If it does, the doctor will give you a signed certification which will then have to be submitted to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.
Renewing a Medical Marijuana Certification in WV
A medical marijuana card in West Virginia is valid for one year. Registered patients are required to renew it yearly through the Medical Marijuana Patient Registry. To do so, patients must also get a new certification from a state-licensed doctor. The process will go precisely the same as the first time, starting from booking an evaluation to submitting the new recommendation.
Why Do You Need a Medical Marijuana Card?
In West Virginia, only registered patients and caregivers may enter and purchase medical marijuana products from a dispensary. There are many benefits that come with having a card:
- Patients have access to safe products
- Patients can purchase up to a 30-day supply
- Patients are protected legally
Having a medical marijuana card can also certify you as a caregiver. Patients under 18 are not allowed to purchase from dispensaries on their own, so a caregiver must be assigned to purchase and administer on their behalf. Caregivers or legal guardians must also register and obtain a medical marijuana card to take patients in their care legally.
Caregivers must never purchase more than specified in the patient’s prescription, as well as never distribute or consume the purchased products.
Bottom Line
If you believe that medical marijuana could relieve your symptoms, don’t hesitate to book your first medical marijuana evaluation. You can do that from the comfort of your home, or by visiting a location in West Virginia. Once you are recommended for medical marijuana, you will be able to apply for a card and legally purchase medical marijuana products from licensed dispensaries across the state.
