Consumption of cannabis for recreational purposes is legalized in many parts of the country, including Washington, too. But, folks can only get it through the unusual “gifting economy.”

The drug can be used legitimately but it should be purchased from an authorized medical store or pharmacy. In case you buy any other thing, for example, a bumper sticker, or a t-shirt, you get marijuana that is donated by the salesperson instead of being vented.

Having a medical marijuana card is very important and it has numerous benefits, as well. First and foremost, you get a portion of legitimate security from feverish law enforcement, and you have the right to purchase the drug from authorized pharmacies. Besides this, you can even take cannabis medications as you reach the age of 18 years. Those who are below 18 can only apply for the card with guardianship.

Marijuana for recreational usage is only obtainable to folks who are above 21 years of age. Read further to know more benefits of medical marijuana and MMJ card.

Steps Involved In the Application Procedure

1. Recommendation

This is among the most vital steps. You must have a doctor’s recommendation prior to applying for the card. You can move further once you get a green signal from your doctor.

2. Application

As soon as you have the recommendation of a doctor, you can submit an application for your MMJ card in Washington. All the MMJ card applications are dependent upon the doctor who gave you your medical recommendation.

3. Card attainment

After the submission of your marijuana card application and it is accepted, you’ll then get an online acceptance letter right away and a physical MMJ card via email in just a couple of weeks.

Once you have your online acceptance letter, you can start going to the pharmacies or medical stores for buying the stuff. No need to feel hesitant while shopping for medications.

Qualifying Conditions for an MMJ Card

The medical professionals consult the list given below for figuring out whether one’s medical ailment complies with the state criteria for an MMJ card. If a person’s condition complies with the state criteria, the doctor submits approval that the patient can use at a medical store selling marijuana medications.

Following the presentation of the approval to the certified medical marijuana expert behind the counter and paying a fee to be listed within the record, the patient will get an MMJ card.

1. Hepatitis C
2. Crohn’s disease
3. Glaucoma
4. Intractable pain
5. PTSD ( Post-traumatic stress disorder)
6. HIV
7. Epilepsy
8. Cancer
9. Multiple sclerosis
10. Chronic renal failure needing hemodialysis

Who Can Grow Medical Cannabis?

The registered MMJ cardholders and medical approval letter holders can grow medical cannabis. In situations where the approval does not state a quantity and patients do not list their approval, the cultivation restriction is 4 weed plants. Those who list their approval in the state record and get a license are authorized to cultivate a maximum of 6 plants.

A medical professional can suggest growing about 15 crops. But, for the cultivation of this many plants, state authority needs the patients to enlist their approval.

Finding a destination that sells cannabis products can be quite difficult. There are also chances of getting marijuana online. The patients can even go to other states to buy the plants and return to Washington.

Generally, the retail stores in eastern Washington medical dealing in cannabis no longer have cannabis plants. Rather, a majority of stores refer patients to marijuana cultivators, generally people at the west of the state. There are cultivators who’ll not sell straight to people, choosing to not handle the additional paperwork or the possible dangers to their plants from insects or pathogens brought in by mistake by patrons going to their storerooms to purchase the crops.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Washington, D.C.: Length of the Process

The whole process of attaining an MMJ card can take a minimum of 30 days to complete. A majority of medical marijuana patients claim that they have got their MMJ card via mail within 3 to 4 weeks.

Note: The time for processing the application can increase in case of submission of an incomplete application.

It is expected that the process will be quite easier for you and you’ll receive your MMJ card without any hassle. But, there are patients who might want more explanation. Therefore, we have mentioned some

FAQs:

1. How much can be cultivated at home?

The MMJ patients are allowed to grow not more than 6 crops even if they can only possess 3 mature crops at home at a particular time. The maximum production is 8 ounces of consumable cannabis harvested from the crops. This limitation solely applies to a person registered in the MMJ authorization record.

2. Where to consume medical cannabis?

Medical cannabis can solely be consumed in private. If you consume it publically, you’ll get in detention. Be very cautious of where you are while consuming medical cannabis in Washington.

About 29 percent of the region’s landmass is under the control of the Federal government. The Federal government stringently imposed a marijuana ban on their property. These can be national parks, military land, national malls, and Rock Creek Park.

People who are caught having marijuana in such places will have to undergo many penalties. Possession of a medical marijuana card will also not be going to save you in this situation.

3. Where to buy Medical Cannabis?

Following are the popular authorized medical stores/pharmacies in Washington to buy medical cannabis:

· Rise
· National Holistic Healing Center
· Kinfolk Dispensary
· HerbaFi
· Capital City Care
· Takoma Wellness Center
· Anacostia Organics

4. How to enroll as a caregiver?

In case you want back taking or getting cannabis for medicinal purposes, you can select a caregiver. You must ensure that the caregiver is 18 years or above. They can just provide assistance for a patient and buy marijuana medication from a licensed pharmacy. The procedure entails the following:
· Completion of the caregiver application form
· Going through a background check
· Submission of two distinct pieces of evidence of Washington D.C residency
· Pay 100 dollars as an application fee

The caregivers can purchase not more than 4 ounces of cannabis with a 1-month rolling period and have a maximum of 2 ounces.

5. Can non-D.C citizens buy medical marijuana?

The short answer is yes. Washington D.C. has extensive reciprocity approval. It lets patients from nearly all states have a wholly operational medical marijuana program for buying cannabis in D.C.

Prospective Benefits of Medical Cannabis

The key reason that people take cannabis is for alleviating pain. Actually, there are studies recommending rightly used cannabis might contribute to the following:
1. Managing disruptive symptoms
2. Enhancement of overall life quality
3. Lowered stress and anxiety level

Cost of Obtaining an MMJ Card in D.C.

In case you are suffering from any qualifying condition and you want to apply for an MMJ card, the fee is expected to be anywhere around 70 dollars.

The Initial visit to the medical practitioner will differ on the basis of the insurance of the patient and many other things.

There are costs linked to the variety of products obtainable at licensed pharmacies along with the other major costs entailed.

MMJ Card Renewal in D.C.

An MMJ card granted in Washington D.C. has a validity of only 1 year following the date of issuing. To renew your MMJ card, you will have to be reassessed.

You must have a strong, valid reason to carry on using cannabis medications, you will repeat the procedure and issue a novel application form.

Submit the application for card renewal at least one month prior to the termination of your current card. This can help in lowering the risk of having a delay in coverage.

Is Medical Cannabis Approved By FDA?

In the year 2018, cannabidiol Epidiolex was accepted for the treatment of seizures linked to two uncommon types of epilepsy. These are Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Also, the FDA has authorized two synthetic cannabinoid medications for curing vomiting and nausea with chemotherapy.

Methods to Take Medical Cannabis

1. Eat it
2. Simply smoke it
3. Put some drops of fluid under your tongue
4. Inhale it with a vaporizer
5. Apply it on your skin in a cream, spray oil, or a lotion

Every method for taking marijuana in a person’s body works differently. If one vape or smoke the drug, they may feel the effects too swiftly. If the person eats the drug as a brownie, the effects may take longer to feel, probably around 1 to 2 hours.

Side Effects of Cannabis

Possible side effects include:
1. Hallucinations
2. Dizziness, fainting
3. Bloodshot eyes
4. Depression
5. Heart beating rapidly
6. Low blood pressure
7. Short-term lowered attention span

Cognitive side effects include weakened:

1. Reaction time
2. Problem-solving
3. Reaction time
4. Motor control
5. Memory
6. Sensory perception
7. Sense of time

Other potential side effects:

1. Dry eyes
2. Drowsiness
3. Anxiety
4. Reduced blood sugar levels
5. Dry mouth
6. Negative contact with other drugs or herbs

Being aware of all the above-mentioned side effects of medical marijuana is vital. It is also vital to know that the occurrence of these side effects depends upon the dosage. Moreover, they are possible to arise with heavy doses and with new marijuana consumers.

Those having emotional or psychological ailments might feel hallucinations or fear.

How Can Medical Cannabis Help In Sleep Management?

The soothing effects of cannabis might aid in alleviating the signs of sleep disorders. Improved sleep might too take place while pain is relieved with weed consumption.

How Can Medical Cannabis Help In Managing Neurological And Mental Ailments?

Since marijuana impacts our limbic system, medical experts, at times, recommend this drug for the treatment of these neurological and psychological disorders:

1. Multiple sclerosis
2. Tourette syndrome
3. Epilepsy
4. PTSD
5. Parkinson’s disease

Doctor’s Responses on the Effects of Medical Marijuana

As per a survey, many medical practitioners responded positively on the effects of medicinal marijuana:
1. About 69 percent said that medical marijuana can aid with numerous life-threatening conditions.
2. About 56 percent were in support of making it legalized all over the world.
3. About 50 percent of US doctors said that it must be legalized in their states.
4. Nearly 67 percent said it must be a medicinal choice for patients

The disparity in support among medical practitioners who claim that it must be a medical choice for patients versus the doctors who were in support of making it legal could stem from their opinions towards regional or national control. As well, the practitioners might fancy that the consumption of cannabis should be driven by FDA rules.

Support for cannabis varied by field, too. Specialists like hematologists and oncologists indicated the utmost level, with nearly 82 percent mentioning that cannabis brings about real benefits for patients. They even stated that medical cannabis must be a medical choice for patients. Cannabis is utilized for curing nausea associated with chemotherapy, and cancer pain, and for stimulating hunger.

Neurologists reported the maximum percentage of patients asking whether cannabis may aid them, which is 70 percent. Medicinal cannabis might aid in treating conditions like severe seizure disorders, and multiple sclerosis.

Only 54 percent of Rheumatologists said that medical cannabis helps, and this was the lowest out of all. Medical cannabis might provide relief from arthritis pain and swelling. However, it is not widely employed by doctors.

Summing Up

That was everything about the steps involved in the application process of medical marijuana card, and other relevant things. We expect that you found the above write-up worth reading. Explore more to get further info on medical marijuana and its benefits and side effects.