Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Louisiana

Are you wondering, “How to get a medical marijuana card in Louisiana?” You’ll be happy to learn the process couldn’t be simpler, especially when you work with a team of professionals. We aim to make the process as efficient and painless as possible.

 With that in mind, we’ve created this guide to help you further understand how the process works.

Qualifying

Regarding how to get a medical marijuana card in Louisiana, you must meet several prerequisites before getting approved. According to state law, the only way to qualify for a medical marijuana card is to have a genuine relationship with a provider. This means you must have a relationship with a medical professional who specifically approves medical cannabis as a treatment for a qualifying medical condition.
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There’s significant scope regarding the definition of a qualifying medical condition. Medical marijuana providers in Louisiana ultimately have the final say.
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Some examples of qualifying medical conditions include:

• Anorexia
• Severe/chronic pain
• Seizures
• Persistent muscle spasms
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Insomnia
• Chronic Pain
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Epilepsy
• Arthritis
• Cancer

Thankfully, most patients who apply for a Louisiana medical cannabis card already have a condition where medical marijuana can offer real benefits.

Most applicants to CannabisRxHealth find it’s just a matter of negotiating the state’s bureaucracy. However, we examine all applicants and offer advice and guidance on whether medical marijuana is the right treatment option.

Written Certification from a Provider

You also need to obtain a written certification from a medical professional. Many medical marijuana doctors in Louisiana can help you with the process.

At CannabisRxHealth, we do not believe cost should be a barrier to medical treatment. As such, we offer an affordable service designed to help you meet the state’s requirements.

Just click the “GET STARTED” button on our website and fill out our form. You’ll be able to choose an appointment time that suits you with our online scheduling feature or see a provider immediately.

Once you login, a medical professional will review and examine your medical records if you have them. Most appointments take no more than 15 minutes unless you have concerns. We will take our time to address them. Your professional will either approve or deny your application after the appointment.

If you are approved, we can guide you through the rest of the process, including getting your temporary Louisiana medical card. Once you receive your temporary medical card, you can use it to purchase medical marijuana for up to 90 days.

In the event your application for a medical marijuana card is denied, we will refund your visit fee in full.

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Everything You Need to Know About Medical Marijuana in Louisiana 

Like in most states where cannabis is only legal for medical reasons, marijuana laws in Louisiana can be complex. There have been multiple laws passed between the legalization of medical cannabis in 2013 and the implementation of the medical cannabis program in 2017.

The steps regarding how to get a medical marijuana card in Louisiana can be difficult to complete without experts who know the laws surrounding the program. To obtain a medical marijuana card in Louisiana, individuals must visit one of the physicians registered with the Louisiana Medical Marijuana Program. During the evaluation, the Louisiana medical marijuana doctor will determine if you have a qualifying medical condition as defined by the Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners. Qualifying medical conditions include cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, cachexia, Crohn's disease, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and PTSD. 

If the physician determines that the patient has a qualifying medical condition, they will recommend medical marijuana as part of the patient's overall treatment plan. The recommendation must receive approval from the Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners before the patient can receive a medical marijuana card. Louisiana has many qualified doctors, though it’s essential to choose a physician who is experienced and knowledgeable about the use of medical marijuana to receive the best care possible. It’s also vital to have experts on hand that can help you navigate the complex bureaucratic process concerning how to get a medical marijuana card in Louisiana. 

Marijuana use is allowed strictly for medical purposes in Louisiana, but any other possession, distribution, and cultivation is illegal.

Consumers must be aware of how medical marijuana in Louisiana works to avoid falling foul of the law.

General Overview

Public health and safety are top priorities for the Louisiana Medical Marijuana Program. 

The first law to legalize cannabis for medicinal purposes came into effect in 2015, but the program itself did not reach the implementation stage until 2019.

Medical marijuana has improved the lives of thousands of Louisianians who suffer from chronic pain and crippling medical conditions daily.

Most telling is how support throughout Louisiana has shifted dramatically in favor of increased legalization for cannabis at all levels

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Qualifying Conditions

You cannot get a Louisiana medical marijuana card online without first obtaining a written certification through a medical professional. You can, however, be sure of getting your card if you suffer from a qualifying condition.

According to the Harvard Medical School, cannabis is primarily used for pain relief. It should come as no surprise that the majority of Louisiana medical cannabis cardholders suffer from chronic pain.

There’s a long list of different qualifying conditions, but you can be confident your condition qualifies if you regularly suffer from symptoms like pain, seizures, or nausea.

What Can I Get With My Medical Card?

There are currently nine licensed dispensaries throughout the State of Louisiana. Approved patients are limited in the types of products they can purchase for their conditions.

Some of the products medical cardholders can purchase include: tinctures, creams, distillates, gelatin-based chewable, and metered-dose inhalers.

Patients are limited to a 30-day supply of non-smokable marijuana

Smoking of marijuana is not allowed in Louisiana 

It’s also important to mention that unlike in other states, a medical marijuana card doesn’t also give you the right to cultivate marijuana. Cultivation remains strictly illegal for ordinary citizens, regardless of whether they possess a medical marijuana ID. Only two growers in Louisiana are licensed to grow cannabis: Louisiana State University and Southern University.

Possession Limits

Possessing marijuana less than 60 pounds is an unclassified offense. Possession of any quantity more than 60 pounds is a felony. The maximum penalty on a first offense is 15 days in jail and $300 in fines when the amount is less than 14 grams. For first-time offenders possessing between 14 grams and 2.5 pounds, the maximum penalty is six months in jail and $500 in fines.

Any possession of more than 60 pounds of cannabis is a felony. For amounts of between 60 and 2,000 pounds, the mandatory minimum is five years, the maximum possible sentence is 30 years, and a top fine of $100,000 applies.

Possession of between 2,000 and 10,000 pounds is punishable by a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 40, and fines of up to $400,000. And finally, when the amount exceeds 10,000 pounds, the penalty includes a mandatory minimum of 25 years, a maximum sentence of 40 years, and fines of no more than $1,000,000.

The only exception to these possession limits is if your physician determines that the 30-day possession limits are inadequate for your condition.

If you believe you may fall into this category, speak to us at CannabisRxHealth, and we can help you get the necessary exemption.

Caregiver Laws

Caregivers are not allowed to handle medical marijuana prescriptions.

Louisiana Medical Marijuana Card FAQs

The situation regarding Louisiana medical marijuana can be confusing. If you’re looking for answers about how to get a medical MJ card in Louisiana and what it can do, here are some of the most common questions patients tend to have.

Q. How long is my medical marijuana card valid for?

A. All cards are valid for one year from the date of issuance.

Q. Where can I purchase medical cannabis?

A. Patients may purchase medical cannabis from any licensed Louisiana dispensary.

Q. How much does it cost to get certified with CannabisRxHealth?

A. The initial consultation costs just $169 and includes everything you need to get certified. We also offer discounts on renewals of just $129.

Q. Will insurance cover the cost of my visit?

A. Health insurance providers are not required to cover costs relating to medical marijuana. It all depends on your policy.

Q. What should I bring to my appointment with CannabisRxHealth?

A. Proof of state residence and proof of your medical condition. For the latter, this can be your medical records, proof of disability, or the bottles of your prescription medication.

Q. How long do appointments last?

A. Most appointments take no longer than 15 minutes. However, this is average, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to rush through your appointment. Our medical professionals are always willing to stay and answer any questions you might have.

Q. Can I purchase medical marijuana immediately, if approved?

A. Yes

Q. What if my application is denied?

A. We will refund your application fee in full because we don’t believe in putting up barriers to healthcare.

Benefits of Obtaining a Louisiana Medical Marijuana Card

There has been a wave of research into the medical benefits of marijuana. The results have been stunning, which is why it should come as no surprise that cannabidiol (CBD) has been legalized in the vast majority of states.

Some of the scientifically proven benefits of medical marijuana include:

1. Ability to treat pain

2. Prevents seizures

3. Treats nausea

4. Improves appetite

5. Mitigates the symptoms of PTSD

It’s highly likely that this list will continue to grow as more and more research is conducted into the benefits of the cannabis plant.

All of these benefits come without the negative effects of prescription opioids, including dependency, the potential for overdose, and nausea.

So, why should you get your Louisiana medical marijuanas card online with CannabisRxHealth?

• Access to marijuana dispensaries statewide.
  

• Ability to purchase medical marijuana at a relatively low cost.
  

• Legal protection to purchase more than the decriminalized possession limit.
  

• Access to higher potency marijuana than is available even in many recreational states.
  

Do be aware that the cultivation of marijuana in Louisiana remains illegal, including for patients who hold a medical card.

Why You Should Choose CannabisRxHealth for Your Medical Marijuana Card

Healthcare is expensive, even for those in the most urgent need. CannabisRxHealth believes in breaking down barriers to healthcare. That’s why we offer the lowest consultations in the region, starting at just $169. Plus, if you don’t get approved for medical marijuana, we’ll refund the cost of your visit.

Our medical professionals provide our patients with all the information they need to make informed choices about their health. You’re free to ask any questions you might have.

If you’re sure that a Louisiana medical marijuana card is the right course of action for you, we can approve you in just 15 minutes. Not only that, but we’ll help you navigate the state registration system so you can get your temporary medical marijuana license as soon as possible.

Contact us today to learn more about getting your medical cannabis card in Louisiana.