Who says you’re not qualified to use medical cannabis? Well, a doctor might. So, if you aren’t sure you qualify for any of the conditions in your state’s MMJ program, what can you do? If you’re looking for good excuses for a medical card, we have you covered.
Presently, over two-thirds of the states in the US have a medical marijuana program of some kind. Some states have a pretty crusty, unbending list of qualifying conditions for patients, but many leave some wiggle room for medical marijuana card approval. And this, they leave to the discernment of the physician signing off on your MMJ certification.
In this article, we’ll help you increase your odds of qualifying for an MMJ card in your state, especially if you don’t fall squarely into a condition listed by your state’s health department or cannabis authority. With a little knowledge in your noggin, a strategy for approach, and some polish on your communication skills, you’ll be representing yourself as a qualifying patient in no time.
What to Say to Get a Medical Card
Know before you go. It’s a good idea to brush up on the medical cannabis rules and restrictions for your state before you sprint in for your physician certification. A major part of this will be knowing what your home state’s MMJ program qualifying conditions are.
Be prepared to discuss how your specific symptoms or condition align with the state’s guidelines. This demonstrates your understanding of the program and your potential eligibility. Without knowing this, coming up with good excuses for your medical card may be impossible.
States tend to adopt similar programs, so a lot of these condition lists will look similar. Here’s a typical list of MMJ qualifying conditions. Remember: the list for your state likely varies to some degree. Always take the time to research your state’s MMJ laws.
Common Qualifying Conditions for MMJ Card
- HIV/AID
- Anorexia
- Arthritis
- Cachexia
- Cancer
- Chronic Pain
- Epilepsy/Seizures
- Glaucoma
- Neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc.)
- PTSD
Valid Reasons for Medical Marijuana Card by State
To illustrate the point of common conditions and how state lists vary, here are the qualifying conditions for some of the states Elevate serves. Most of the above conditions are found on these lists. From these, you can effortlessly come up with good excuses for a medical card.
California
- HIV/AIDAnorexia
- Arthritis
- Cachexia (or Wasting Syndrome)
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Glaucoma
- Migraine
- Persistent muscle spasms (including spasms caused by conditions like epilepsy and multiple sclerosis)
- Persistent severe nausea
Florida
- ALS
- Cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Chronic pain
- Epilepsy or Seizures
- Glaucoma
- HIV or AIDS
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Terminal illness with less than 12 months to live
- Other debilitating medical conditions determined by a physician
Georgia
Do note that medical marijuana is illegal in Georgia, but they allow patients suffering from qualifying conditions to use low-THC oil:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Epidermolysis bullosa
- HIV/AIDS
- Those on hospice care
- Intractable pain
- Mitochondrial disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- PTSD
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Seizures
- Sickle cell disease
- Tourette’s syndrome
Maryland
- Cachexia/wasting syndrome
- Anorexia
- Severe pain
- Severe nausea
- Seizures
- Severe or persistent muscle spasms
- Glaucoma
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Chronic pain
- Another chronic medical condition which is severe and for which other treatments have been ineffective
Missouri
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Intractable migraines
- Chronic pain or persistent muscle spasms (including those associated with multiple sclerosis, seizures, Parkinson’s disease, and Tourette syndrome)
- Debilitating psychiatric disorders (including but not limited to PTSD)
- HIV/AIDS
- A medical condition typically treated with prescription drugs that could lead to physical or psychological dependence
- Any terminal illness
- *Any other chronic debilitating medical condition, including but not limited to:
- Hepatitis C
- ALS
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Crohn’s disease
- Huntington’s disease
- Autism
- Neuropathy
- Sickle cell anemia
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Cachexia
- Wasting syndrome
Oklahoma
Application and recommendation must be submitted by a licensed Oklahoma physician. There are currently no specific qualifying conditions. (Recommendations are left up to the discretion of the physician.)
Ohio
- AIDS
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Cachexia
- Cancer
- Chronic, severe, or intractable pain
- Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
- Crohn’s disease
- Epilepsy or another seizure disorder
- Fibromyalgia
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- HIV
- Huntington’s disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBS)
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Sickle cell anemia
- Spasticity
- Spinal cord disease or injury
- Terminal illness
- Tourette syndrome
- Traumatic brain injury
- Ulcerative colitis
Pennsylvania
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Anxiety disorder
- Autism
- Cancer, including remission therapy
- Crohn’s disease
- Damage to the nervous tissue of the central nervous system (brain-spinal cord) with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity, and other associated neuropathies
- Dyskinetic and spastic movement disorders
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Huntington’s disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Intractable seizures
- Multiple sclerosis
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Neuropathies
- Opioid use disorder for which conventional therapeutic interventions are contraindicated or ineffective, or for which adjunctive therapy is indicated in combination with primary therapeutic interventions
- Parkinson’s disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Severe chronic or intractable pain of neuropathic origin or severe chronic or intractable pain
- Sickle cell anemia
- Terminal illness
- Tourette Syndrome
This is an excellent sample of state lists. Oklahoma is obviously the least restrictive about qualifying, but this is not an excuse for going in unprepared! Doctors will still take their role in certification seriously. Missouri gives the doctors a nice margin for interpretation, while Maryland’s list is punctuated with a sliver of interpretation. Finally, Pennsylvania has a lengthy but very specific list with seemingly little chance for loopholes — but they are there, e.g., anxiety disorders and medical marijuana for chronic pain.
How to Discuss Medical Marijuana with Your Doctor
It’s likely that, in most states, we’re all qualifying to some degree. But a licensed physician like our compassionate cannabis doctors at Elevate Holistics is going to need something substantial enough to base a medical record upon. If you’re going to a family practitioner who has little-to-no experience with cannabis medicine, they’re likely to be even more rigorous in their questioning.
Remember, you have every right to ask your doctor about medical marijuana. If they don’t seem on board, there are many services Elevate offers that specialize in medical marijuana patients. Just be sure you choose an online clinic that has licensed doctors and practices safety and security.
Can You Get a Med Card for Anxiety and Depression?
Many of us suffer from anxiety or sleep disorders to some degree. But are these good excuses for getting a medical card? If they disrupt your life, we say yes. Some of the conditions that fall into the gray area of qualifying but could be a good excuse to go for that MMJ card might include:
- Anxiety and depression
- Chronic pain, muscle spasms, inflammation
- Migraines
- Nausea
- Insomnia and poor sleep
- Agoraphobia
- ADHD/ADD
Now, how do you turn those shades of gray into certain certifications? It’s all about approach and communication. You don’t have to be an Ocean’s Eleven member: just have a regular conversation about your condition.
How to Prepare for MMJ Certification Appointment
To prepare for your appointment, gather medical records or proof of prior treatment. This is evidence that will strengthen your chances. You don’t have to have a previous diagnosis, but if you do have a record of your condition, it may certainly seal the deal.
Do some legwork on the condition. If you want to qualify because of anxiety, research how MMJ may help.
Prepare talking points. People who regularly suffer from a condition are usually well-versed in explaining it. Don’t look like you’ve never talked about it before, or Doc might interpret it as “seeking” behavior.
What to Say to Your Doctor to Get a Medical Card
When discussing your interest in a medical marijuana program with your certified physician, consider the following:
- Clearly articulate your condition’s impact. Explain how your condition (be it anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, etc.) affects your daily life, activities, and overall well-being. Describe how it interferes with your work, family dynamics, and sense of wellness. This helps the physician understand the seriousness of your condition and your genuine need for relief.
- Discuss past treatment failures. Share your experiences with previous treatments that haven’t worked for you. For instance, if sleep aids left you groggy or anxiety medications made you feel sluggish and affected your speech, mention these specific examples. Highlighting these experiences can strengthen your case for considering medical marijuana as an alternative treatment.
- Show your awareness and research. Demonstrate that you have done some preliminary research about medical marijuana and its potential benefits for your condition. This shows your physician that you are making an informed decision and not merely seeking cannabis for recreational use.
- Engage in a dialogue about medical marijuana. Treat the conversation with your physician as you would for any other medical treatment. Ask informed questions about how medical marijuana might benefit your specific condition. Showing a genuine interest in understanding and exploring this treatment option can help establish your sincerity in seeking it for medical reasons.
- Be honest and open. It’s important to be genuine and transparent in your conversation. Avoid exaggerating symptoms or pretending to know less than you do about your condition. Honesty helps in building trust and can lead to a more productive discussion about whether medical marijuana is a suitable treatment for you.
Remember, the goal is to help your physician understand that your interest in a medical marijuana program is based on genuine medical needs and is informed by your past experiences and research.
Medcards Made Easy with Elevate Holistics
Our compassionate cannabis doctors are ready to hear your need for a medical weed card. You can book a same-day appointment and have a telehealth visit right from your own home. Trust us, we understand that the MMJ process may seem a bit intimidating. But, that’s exactly why we’re here. Elevate is dedicated to providing you with an anxiety-free medical marijuana appointment. From start to finish, no matter how tech-savvy you are or aren’t, Elevate has the most helpful MMJ doctors on the market.
So, what’re you waiting for? Come up with your good excuses for a medical card and book your safe and secure appointment today!
