Advocates of medical marijuana say that the drug can help with everything from chronic pain to glaucoma. It may be used to treat seizure disorders, Crohn’s disease, and nausea from chemotherapy. However, while MD marijuana laws now allow the use of medical marijuana, it is still highly regulated. Prospective cannabusiness customers will need to meet strict eligibility requirements and follow a specific procedure in order to obtain a medical marijuana card.
Understand Limitations and Protections
Before prospective patients visit a Maryland cannabusiness, they should fully understand the ramifications of the new medical marijuana laws and how this legislation might affect them. Marijuana laws officially recognized the legal use of medical marijuana in April of 2013 with the
passage of House Bill 881. The bill allows certain patients to legally possess a 30-day supply of the drug. The amount that constitutes a 30-day supply has yet to be determined. The bill allows card-carrying patients and caregivers to be exempt from prosecution for purchasing and possessing medical marijuana , but only if the drug was acquired from a state-licensed dispensary. Patients and caregivers are not allowed to cultivate marijuana for medicinal purposes. Additionally, the new marijuana laws do not prohibit civil discrimination of patients and caregivers with regard to employment, housing, child custody, and organ transplants.
Fulfill the Eligibility Criteria
To obtain a medical marijuana card, patients must meet strict guidelines. They must be residents of Maryland and they must be able to provide proof of residency. In addition, they must be able to prove with the use of medical records that they have a qualifying medical condition. Qualifying conditions include chronic or debilitating conditions that result in persistent muscle spasms, severe nausea, severe or chronic pain, seizures, anorexia, wasting syndrome, or cachexia.
Obtain a Written Certification
A written certification from a licensed Maryland physician will enable patients to obtain medical marijuana. However, only physicians who have received a special medical marijuana license may prescribe this drug to patients. Additionally, the law emphasizes that patients are encouraged to develop a long-term relationship with the prescribing physician.