Marijuana use has skyrocketed among people of all ages in the United States, which is contrary to how things used to be in years past. The use of marijuana for medical purposes accounts for the vast majority of all marijuana consumption. This is true even though several states have recently passed laws that legalize recreational marijuana use in their entirety.

Marijuana is not consumed to experience pleasure; instead, it is used in the medical field to treat various illnesses and conditions, ranging from persistent pain to anxiety. However, unless you live in a state with fully legalized marijuana for recreational use, you will need to obtain a medical marijuana card to use the drug legally.

To obtain one of these, people in the United States only make a trip to their primary care physician and make the appropriate request. If you have a condition that meets the requirements, you have a chance of being approved.

 

How Do People Typically Obtain a Card to Use Marijuana for Medical Purposes?

To get the complete picture of how a non-citizen of the United States can obtain a medical marijuana card, it is necessary first to understand how a US citizen or resident receives one.

Nevertheless, as is the case with virtually every aspect of the legal system or health concerns in the United States, the specifics change depending on where you are in those countries.

Because of the significant distance between the federal government and the states, each state is free to establish its own set of mandatory legal guidelines. Suppose you want to get a medical marijuana card. In that case, you are going to need to have a legitimate condition that the state acknowledges as deserving of receiving a medical marijuana card. This is the case in the majority of cases.

There is a widespread misunderstanding that obtaining a medical marijuana card is equivalent to merely receiving a prescription from a physician. Regrettably, because marijuana is still technically illegal on a federal level, you must obtain special permission from a physician to use it.

To begin, you must ensure that you have all your documentation in order. This includes your medical, legal, and personal documents that detail the existence of your condition, as well as the severity of it.

Once you have all of that information, the next step is to get it approved by a registered physician. This step is more complex than you might think because many physicians are older and come from a different generation; it is possible that they do not believe in the curative effects of marijuana. If this is the case, you may have difficulty persuading your doctor to write you a prescription for it.

It varies from state to state, but in certain states like California, you can say whatever you want, and you will likely be prescribed a medical marijuana card. However, if you are fortunate enough to get an understanding doctor, you only need to have an approved condition. This varies from state to state, but it is true that in certain states like California, this is the case. 

If you are a resident of the United States, obtaining a medical marijuana card is not difficult at all; the only requirements are that you live in a state that allows it and that you have a physician recommend it. Now that we better understand the actual procedure, we need to figure out how a non-citizen can obtain one. However, the term “foreigner” can refer to many different things. Each has considerations you need to make if you want to apply for a medical marijuana card.

 

How to Obtain a Medical Card If You Are Not a Resident?

A person is considered a non-resident of the United States if they are not physically present in the country and do not have permission to reside there under any circumstances. This is a necessary clarification because it is impossible to be granted permission to be in the United States while at the same time residing there.

Your options for obtaining a medical marijuana card are highly restricted because you do not live in the state. If you want to be eligible for a medical marijuana card, the laws of most states require you to be a registered resident of the state in question, which is a prerequisite for getting the card. What steps should you take if you wish to obtain a medical card from a condition in which you do not currently reside?

To our great relief, several states, including Oregon and California, do not adhere to this rule. To qualify for a medical marijuana card in these states, you don’t need to present any identification or proof that you are a state resident to meet the state’s residency requirements.

Suppose you are a citizen of the United States and have a driver’s license that is valid in the United States. In that case, you are eligible to receive a prescription from a licensed doctor in California. If you are only using your passport, you should also be able to use this method.

Because each state’s government is responsible for issuing and administering driver’s licenses in the United States, US citizens who do not reside in the country must rely on the ability to use their passports to operate a motor vehicle within the country legally. Even though you continue to be a citizen of the United States, if you do not have official residency in a particular state, you will never be able to obtain a valid driver’s license in the United States.

Suppose you are interested in obtaining some medical marijuana, but you are located outside the United States. In that case, you should travel to a state that allows medical marijuana, such as Oregon, California, or Hawaii, and inquire about getting a prescription there.

You should ensure you don’t do anything stupid with your legal weed, like traveling across state borders. Just because it might be permitted to possess and used in one state does not mean it will be legal in another.

 

How to Obtain a Card to Use Marijuana for Medical Purposes if You Are an Immigrant?

In the United States of America, the concept of being an immigrant can stir up a lot of heated debate. Many people see the United States of America as a haven to escape their impoverished lives and seek something better for themselves and their families because it has a high GDP and an excellent standard of living.

Unfortunately, becoming a legal resident of the United States and a citizen of the country can be highly challenging. This indicates that a large number of people attempt to cross the border illegally so that they can live and work in the United States. 

Nothing can prevent you from obtaining a medical marijuana prescription if you are an immigrant in the United States, regardless of whether or not you are here legally. Because there are no laws that specifically require you to be a full citizen of the United States to be able to purchase medical marijuana, the only thing you are required to be able to show is proof of residency in the form of a Green Card or similar document.

However, even though the situation is legal, there is a reason why you should not get a medical marijuana card. There is something significant that you should keep in mind: you should never use marijuana if you are an immigrant.

Even though you have the legal right to use marijuana as a Green Card holder, you are strongly recommended not to do so. This is because the requirements for entry into the United States and the essentials you need to meet to become a full-fledged citizen of the United States are highly stringent and draconian.

Suppose you admit to a border or immigration officer that you have used marijuana. In that case, you have a very high risk of revoking your Green Card or citizenship in the United States. This is because many immigration officials are looking for any excuse to reduce the number of immigrants accepted into the United States. If you ever admit to using marijuana, you run this risk.

You might think this is completely insane, but that’s because… well, it is. Despite the ever-changing political landscape and the gradual acceptance of marijuana in the United States, those who man the nation’s borders are still woefully behind the times when it comes to an understanding and accepting marijuana. This is especially the case at the southern edge of the country.

Although obtaining a medical marijuana card legally is possible, you should not use it unless you are fully aware of and willing to accept the risks involved.

If you use it, you should never discuss it or carry it outside because doing so could jeopardize your livelihood.

 

Conclusion

The only way you’d be able to get your hands on a medical marijuana prescription is if you scheduled an appointment with a physician who didn’t check your identification and waved you through the process without asking any questions.

However, even if you successfully obtained it at that time, you still won’t be able to buy marijuana because virtually all stores selling medical marijuana will check your prescription and identification. Even if you successfully obtained it, you still wouldn’t be able to buy marijuana.

It isn’t much you can do to get your medical marijuana card if you don’t legally reside in the United States and have some proof to back up your claim, which unfortunately limits your options. You should still steer clear of it even if you have a Green Card because you risk screwing up your residency status.