While New York state has a population of over 8 million people, only around 55,000 people have been able to get a medical marijuana card.
New York has a very particular procedure for giving out medical marijuana cards, and because of this, many people who apply aren’t approved. You should not let this dissuade you from applying; you could still be eligible.
If you suffer from a condition or ailment that no medicine has been able to help, or you’ve been leaning on opioids for relief, you may be eligible for a medical marijuana card. Keep reading to learn how to get a medical marijuana card in NY!
1. Prove Your Residence in New York
Before you can even start the application, you’ll need to prove that you’re a resident in New York.
There’s a residency criterion that must be met for anyone in New York to be able to receive a medical marijuana card. Here’s how you can prove your residence in the state of New York:
Driver’s License
To verify your New York state residence, you’ll need to present your driver’s license or state ID.
You’ll need to provide your ID number as well as your address showing that you’re a resident of the state.
Copy of a Bill that Proves Residency
The bill will have to have been issued within the past two months.
Many people choose to present a utility. However, any bill that you’ve received in the past two months proving your residency will work. The utility bill you select must have your name and New York address on it to be eligible.
Copy of Your Current Lease
If you’re living in an apartment, you’ll need to present your lease to prove that you live in New York.
This lease must have your name and address on it. If you own a house, you’ll need to show proof of your address as well.
If you’re a temporary resident who is staying in New York for an extended period, you can still apply for a medical marijuana card. Many patients who are staying in New York hospitals or who are receiving treatment want to use cannabis during their stay.
All you’ll need to be approved for a temporary medical marijuana license is a hospital bill with your name and address on it, a current lease, or any other documentation approved by the Department of Health.
2. Are You Eligible?
To receive a medical marijuana card, you’ll need to have a proven medical condition that warrants the medical recommendation.
There are only certain conditions that qualify, so your medical condition isn’t guaranteed to be approved. You may be a candidate for a medical marijuana card if you have any of these medical conditions:
- PTSD
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Chronic pain
- Neuropathy
- Epilepsy
- Huntington’s Disease
- HIV/AIDs
- Any cancer
- ALS
- Spinal cord injury
- Multiple Sclerosis
Additionally, if you experience any conditions that require opioids to treat, you could still be eligible. These conditions include:
- Wasting Syndrome
- Opioid Abuse
- Chronic pain that you’re treating with painkillers
- Extreme nausea
- Frequent muscle spasms
- Frequent seizures
Along with the previously listed health conditions, new conditions are always being added to the qualifying list.
3. Obtain a Patient Certification
If you’ve been able to prove your New York residency and you do have a condition that qualifies for a card, the next step is obtaining a patient certification.
You can obtain this certification from the comfort of your own home with PrestoDoctor! When you have your appointment with us, the physician that you see will go over some of your health conditions and then decide if medical marijuana is the right choice for you.
Additionally, they’ll want to know why you feel medical marijuana will help your condition, and they will also help you discuss a treatment plan upon approval.
Keep in mind that only your doctor can approve you for a patient certification. The dispensary you are trying to use is not eligible.
4. Complete the Patient Application
Once you’ve been approved for a patient certification, you can move onto the application.
This application is completed online. The process is pretty simple; just go to the New York State Medical Marijuana Program’s website: https://www.health.ny.gov/regulations/medical_marijuana/. Once there, click “Patients Click Here” to get started on the registration process.
If your application does get approved, you’ll receive a temporary medical card via email and then your medical marijuana card by mail in about 5 to 7 business days, depending on how many applications the state has received.
5. Using Your Medical Marijuana Card
You can begin using your medical marijuana card once your application has been approved immediately.
Even if your card hasn’t come in the mail yet, you can print off a temporary card. This card should be emailed to you along with your approval email.
Once you have your card, you can appoint two caregivers. These caregivers can make purchases on your behalf at the dispensary. Your caregivers will need to register through the online platform before they can begin buying for you.
Keep in mind that you should highly trust the caregivers that you choose. Abusing the use of medical marijuana recreationally can result in jail time or a fine.
Once you’ve decided which dispensary you are going to buy from, it would be helpful to pre-register online before your first visit. This will cut down the time you spend at your appointment. If you have any questions about buying medical marijuana, the staff should be able to help you.
Now You Know How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in NY
Now that you know how to get a medical marijuana card in NY, you can begin the process successfully.
If you would like to start the process of getting approved for a New York State Medical Marijuana Card, please go to https://prestodoctor.com and fill out your profile.
For more information on using medical marijuana, check out our blog!
