How Long Does It Take to Get a Medical Marijuana Card?

The Medical Marijuana Card Process

Getting your medical marijuana card involves a three-step process that can be done online without visiting a doctor or going to a physical office to file your application.

Across all weed-legal states, a typical medical marijuana card process for first-time registration involves three steps:

1. Booking an appointment for your medical marijuana evaluation

Here, a state-licensed physician will examine and confirm that you have a qualifying medical condition. Upon confirmation, they’ll approve or certify you for medical marijuana.

2. Completing your state registration and paying the state fees

The state-licensed physician or your MMJ card service provider will arrange your documents, including the certification, and submit them online to your state’s medical marijuana registry. You can choose to complete the registration by yourself.

3. Receiving your MMJ card

Once the state approves your registration, they’ll send your MMJ card to your email. You can then download and use it to purchase medical marijuana at any state-authorized dispensary.

Some states, such as Massachusetts, offer a temporary MMJ card, which you can use to purchase medical marijuana until the state sends your plastic ID.

Note that in some states, such as Pennsylvania and Illinois, you can first register with the state’s medical marijuana program before booking an appointment for your medical marijuana evaluation.

Usually, the documents you need to complete your MMJ card process include a state ID, health record, and MMJ evaluation certificate. Some states require more or less documentation; talk to your telehealth provider to confirm what you’ll need.

Renewals

In most states, the medical marijuana card process for renewals is slightly similar to first-time registrations.

The major difference is that the MMJ program will notify you 60 days prior to your card’s expiration and would usually request you complete your application 30 days before the expiration.

This does not mean that you won’t be able to renew your card after the 30-day window. Also, fees for renewal are less than what you pay for new registrations.

In all these, how long does it take to get a medical card in Missouri, Illinois, or Oklahoma? Well, now you understand that the process varies; also, first-time registrations and renewals are not the only things to consider.

Minor, VA, Caregiver, and Other Forms of MMJ Card Applications

Other types of MMJ card applications vastly differ across the weed-legal states. The processes include:

• • Minor application: This is an MMJ application for patients younger than the authorized age for medical marijuana access in the given state. This type of application is usually completed with the assistance and supervision of a caregiver, usually the parent of the child.
  • Terminal patient application: An MMJ application for patients with terminal illness.
  • Veteran application: Some states provide a special portal for veterans to complete their applications while enjoying some added benefits.
  • Patient-caregiver application: States provide options for patients to assign or include a caregiver during their application process. This option applies to patients who need a caregiver.

The rules guiding how you complete any of these types of applications greatly differ across states. Feel free to ask us all questions you may have about any of these applications in your state.