Charleston Medical Marijuana Cards

How To Get A Medical Marijuana Card in Charleston, WV

Medical marijuana is legal in Charleston, West Virginia, and it can be a great treatment option for patients with chronic health conditions. Many patients who are eligible for a medical marijuana card in Charleston, WV don’t get their cards because they aren’t sure how to do so. However, the process of getting your medical marijuana card is fairly simple with the help of Charleston medical marijuana doctors. 

The first step in getting a medical marijuana card is to find a local doctor to certify that you have one of the qualifying conditions. Not every doctor is registered to provide medical marijuana prescriptions. To find one that is, you can search for ‘where to get a medical marijuana card near me’, which should provide you with a list of marijuana doctors in Charleston, WV. 

However, it is much easier to get your medical marijuana card from a telehealth service. Elevate Holistics offers secure online appointments with registered Charleston cannabis doctors. This makes it easy to get your medical marijuana card without having to leave the house.

During the appointment, your doctor will provide you with a patient certification form if they determine that you qualify for a medical marijuana card. After you receive the certification, you will need to go online to the West Virginia government portal and create an account. You’ll need to complete a short application form, which will require you to provide contact and residency details. 

Most patients will then need to pay the registration fee of $50. However, patients who meet low-income requirements can have the fee waived by submitting pay stubs or tax documents proving financial hardship. West Virginia will take 30 to 60 days to process your application. If you are approved, you will receive your card and will be able to visit medical marijuana dispensaries in WV. 

Qualifying Conditions

In order to get a card in West Virginia, you must have one of the state’s designated medical marijuana qualifying conditions. These currently include cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, epilepsy, Huntington’s disease, Crohn’s disease, PTSD, neuropathies, intractable seizures, and sickle cell anemia. 

On top of that, patients may qualify if they have a spinal cord injury that causes intractable spasticity, severe chronic or intractable pain, or a terminal illness with a life expectancy of one year or less. If you think you could benefit from medical marijuana but aren’t sure if you qualify, it may still be worth talking with a doctor to see what your options are. 

What is the cost of a Charleston medical card?

The state of West Virginia charges a $50 fee for medical marijuana card registrations. However, you may qualify to have the fee waived if your total household income is less than 200% of the federal poverty line. You will need to prove your income with pay stubs, tax documents, or other proof of federal aid eligibility. 

Additionally, you will need to pay for your appointment with a medical marijuana doctor. Unfortunately, medical marijuana-related products and services are not yet covered by health insurance. This is because marijuana remains illegal at the federal level. The cost of your doctor’s appointment will vary depending on the provider you see. Some doctors charge as much as $250 for an appointment. With Elevate Holistics, you can schedule telehealth appointments starting at $75. 

How A West Virginia Card Works In Charleston

Once you have your West Virginia medical marijuana card, you will be able to visit any dispensary in Charleston, WV. When you visit, the dispensary will need to see your medical marijuana card and proof of identification before you can browse. Many dispensaries recommend you call ahead before your first visit. Once your card has been verified, you will be able to talk to the staff about what you are looking for, and they can help you find the right products for your needs. 

Medical Marijuana Doctors in Charleston

Where is a doctor that can prescribe medical marijuana near Charleston? While you can see a doctor in person to get your medical marijuana card, the easiest way to do it is online. Telehealth services like Elevate Holistics will connect you with medical marijuana doctors for a secure appointment. This means you can get your medical marijuana card without having to leave your house. 

Charleston Dispensaries

Once you have your medical marijuana card, the next step is to choose a Charleston medical marijuana dispensary. Because West Virginia’s medical marijuana program is still developing, there aren’t many dispensaries in Charleston proper. However, there are more dispensaries in nearby towns if you are looking for a bigger selection of products to choose from at your WV dispensary near me. When you visit a Charleston dispensary, the staff will help you find the products that best suit your unique needs. They can also refer you to any necessary medical supplies in Charleston, WV. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is my medical marijuana card good for? 

Medical marijuana cards in West Virginia are designed to last for one year. However, the state ran a trial program in 2021 that allowed patients to sign up for two years at a time. This trial program is currently closed, but the state could re-launch it again in the future. 

When your medical marijuana card is set to expire, you will need to get another certification from a medical marijuana doctor in order to renew it. The process is very similar to getting a medical marijuana card for the first time. Once you have your certification, you’ll need to go online to the state website to complete the renewal paperwork.  

What are the possession limits in Charleston?

There are marijuana possession limits in the Charleston area, even for patients who have a medical marijuana card. Patients can have no more than a 30 day supply of marijuana at one time. The definition of a 30-day supply is determined by your physician, which means that some patients can have more marijuana than others. 

If you don’t have a medical marijuana card in Charleston, you won’t be able to purchase any cannabis products. Possession of up to 15 grams of cannabis in West Virginia is a misdemeanor, while larger amounts could result in an even more severe sentence. If you are caught defying possession limits in West Virginia, you could end up paying a large fine or even serving jail time. 

Can I have a caregiver?

West Virginia medical marijuana patients can opt to have caregivers if they are under the age of 18 or if they are physically unable to visit the dispensary themselves. Patients can have up to two caregivers, and caregivers cannot serve more than 5 patients at one time. The process to become a caregiver is very similar to the process of getting an individual medical marijuana card. 

Can I grow medical marijuana in Charleston?

Unfortunately, home growing is not allowed in West Virginia, even for patients that have a medical marijuana card. This means that you could face legal penalties for growing your own medical marijuana in Charleston. To get the cannabis products you need, you will have to visit a Charleston, WV medical marijuana dispensary.