April 11, 2019 | Top 3 Mistakes
By, Lauraine Kanders, ANP, ACNP-BC
Why Get A Medical Marijuana Card?
Do you struggle with a degenerative disease? Are you experiencing lack of sleep or chronic pain? Do you use marijuana unlawfully and would like to stop risking your freedom and job by not buying drugs from criminals? If you respond YES to any one of these, I can tell you that you are not alone.
The marijuana-for-health initiative has been growing in numbers and it is spreading across the States. Every year, a growing number of states have politicians lobbying for cannabis reform and legislation that brings the healing, health benefits of marijuana to deserving patients. But who deserves to claim this relieving treatment? Can anybody really get a medical marijuana card, or is it only for the truly sick and the terminally ill?
Getting Medical Marijuana – Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
If you are new to using marijuana, or are not aware of cannabis used for legal and medical purposes, know that there are others like you all around. Having said that, everyday more and more folks are becoming informed about the amazing advantages of becoming a legal marijuana patient. The initial step, if you are seeking information about how to get a medical marijuana card, is to take particular note of the top mistakes made by aspiring patients.
1. Lack of AWARENESS of Marijuana Laws and the states that they apply in.
You need to keep in mind that all forms of consumption, possession and sale of marijuana are still illegal in the United States under Federal Law. However, if you were to read the state laws and do proper research, you would know that state laws offer a safe legal haven for those who seek to use cannabis for its medical benefits, and are therefore, protected by the state, if they follow all the proper guidelines.
2. Aspiring patients do not know HOW to go about getting a Medical Marijuana card.
Marijuana itself is one of the largest agricultural industries on the planet. On top of this, the branch of medicinal marijuana is massive in itself. This massive-scale business walks on a very fine tightrope between weighing the needs of the patients and imperatives of the rule makers. Those who do not understand the pressure and needs of this industry are likely to be rejected because of the fact that doctors, marijuana growers, dispensary businesses, and politicians are all very protective of their reputation while promoting this just cause. It would look very bad if a stereotypical marijuana user were to boast to reporters about how smartly they could “cheat the system”. This is why it works the other way too – having a medical marijuana card in your state protects YOU, as per state regulations, since the card is the law in action, working for you.
3. Most folks have no idea WHERE to begin
One of the most difficult parts about how to obtain a medical marijuana card in New York, or anywhere else, is beginning the process in a correct and legal way. Using Google, you can see that a query for medical marijuana brings nothing but a large number of ads for doctors and dispensaries, selling their services and goods. Interspersed in there are political comments, news, opinions over legalization. The medical pages give strict restrictions to their practice and only schedule appointments with those who have met certain qualification guidelines, while the dispensaries lure you with their inviting legal medication! So how do you get this ball rolling?
Becoming a qualified patient
To get a medical marijuana card in New York, or anywhere else, you need to have an approved reason or condition. To get such approval, you need to see a practitioner who is authorized to recommend on the use of cannabis. After the consult, you need to find someone who is legally authorized to “supply” you. This sounds like an easy process, but it can only be done if you remember to not make the 3 most frequent mistakes above!.
Sounds like something worth exploring, right?
The trouble is that people do not research the process well enough, and end up being rejected when they go for their first appointment with an authorized “pot doc”. Practitioners could flat out reject patients who show up simply asking for medicinal marijuana and are unprepared. Hence, it is important that you read up on your medical condition and regulations in your state, and do your research before visiting a qualified provider for your card!.
I wish much luck to all aspiring medical marijuana patients around and offer the assurance that, with proper preparation, you will be able to use marijuana medically. Just be sure to properly educate yourself first.
At Medical Marijuana Recs NY, we provide our visitors with online video chats to become certified for Medical Marijuana in New York State. Our group of NPs and doctors strive towards helping get certified. Click here to see if you qualify!
