Apply for Your Louisiana Medical Marijuana Card
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4 Tips for Applying for a Medical Marijuana Card in Louisiana
For first-timers, applying for a medical marijuana card in Louisiana can be confusing. However, the actual procedure is relatively simple. All prospective patients must have a qualifying condition and consult with a medical marijuana doctor.
Here are four steps to help you successfully complete a perfect application.
Ensure You Have a Qualifying Condition
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry oversees the medical cannabis industry in the state. This department has declared the following conditions as qualifying ones for its medical cannabis program:
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Cachexia
- Crohn’s disease
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Chronic pain/intractable pain
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disorders
- PTSD
- Severe muscle spasms
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Wasting syndrome
- Any debilitating condition not otherwise specified
You should make an appointment with a doctor if you have any of these medical conditions or suspect you do. According to Louisiana’s medical marijuana laws, a licensed healthcare provider must issue an official diagnosis in order for your condition to be approved for cannabis use. Doctors have a lot of leeway when it comes to diagnoses of qualifying conditions, so it’s worth seeing one even if yours isn’t on the state’s list.
Meet with a Medical Marijuana Doctor
Prior to receiving your MMJ card, you must consult a licensed doctor. Fortunately, thanks to streamlined appointment-setting services, consulting a medical marijuana doctor is simple. Keep in mind that in order to legally certify qualifying conditions, your doctor must be registered with the Louisiana State Board.
When you visit the doctor, he or she will inquire about your symptoms and medical history. Bring a copy of your medical records with you to your appointment. Your healthcare practice will send your doctor’s recommendation to a certified dispensary after your doctor identifies and diagnoses you with a qualifying condition.
Get Certified By a Pharmacy
Only qualifying patients may purchase medical marijuana from state-licensed dispensaries, according to Louisiana state law. The state will require the following documents to obtain a valid marijuana ID card.
First, you must present a copy of your completed physician-written certification to the pharmacy.
They will then request to see your Louisiana driver’s license or state ID. Your application’s name and address must match those on your license.
Although there is no way to guarantee that an application will be approved, this will increase your chances. Your application will most likely be approved as long as your doctor’s certification is valid.
Certifications are recorded in a prescription monitoring program that is accessible to any pharmacist. With their medical cannabis cards, registered cardholders can currently only obtain a 30-day supply of tetrahydrocannabinol-containing products. This is defined by state law as two and a half ounces of raw or crude marijuana every 14 days.
Start Visiting Louisiana Dispensaries
Medical marijuana patients who have been certified by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy can purchase medical marijuana products from licensed dispensaries in Louisiana.
State-licensed marijuana dispensaries offer a diverse range of legal products. Tinctures, metered-dose inhalers, edibles, lotions, and distillates are examples of these. They will also have a selection of marijuana flowers. Customers will also be able to find various THC and CBD concentrations at most dispensary locations.
Contact the Sanctuary for Your Louisiana Cannabis Card Needs
The Sanctuary Wellness Institute can help you apply to LA’s program and refer you to a local healthcare provider. We can also assist you in making an appointment with a state-certified doctor. When you’re ready to visit a dispensary and buy cannabis products, we can point you in the right direction.
Furthermore, our staff can assist you with any questions you may have while applying for a card. To learn more, please contact us today.