How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card From a New York Provider Today

Are you wondering, “How to get a medical marijuana card in NY?” 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

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.

You may be eligible for medical marijuana if you have been diagnosed with one or more of the following severe debilitating or life-threatening conditions:

• cancer
• HIV infection or AIDS, 
• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), 
• Parkinson's disease, 
• multiple sclerosis, 
• spinal cord injury with spasticity, 
• epilepsy, 
• inflammatory bowel disease, 
• neuropathy, 
• Huntington's disease, 
• post-traumatic stress disorder, 
• chronic pain 
• pain that degrades health and functional capability as an alternative to opioid use or substance use disorder.
  

The severe debilitating or life-threatening condition must also be accompanied by one or more of the following associated or complicating conditions: cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, or severe or persistent muscle spasms, PTSD or opioid use disorder.

Thankfully, most patients who apply for a New York 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.

Registering with the Medical Marijuana Data Management System

All applicants for a New York medical marijuana card must first be certified by a medical practitioner and register as a patient and then login into https://my.ny.gov/. Patients must already have an "NY.gov" account to proceed.

The patient will then enter details into the Medical Marijuana Data Management System.

During the registration process, the patient can designate up to two caregivers, who must also register with the Data Management System.

Once the patient and caregiver’s registration is approved, the Department will issue a temporary card accessible through the "My.NY.gov" account. The card can be used with a government-issued photo ID to purchase approved medical marijuana before the marijuana card is delivered. 

The medical marijuana card expires when the certification that was issued by the practitioner expires. 

Patients or caregivers are required to present their registry ID cards and their certifications to a registered dispensing facility to purchase approved medical marijuana products.

Written Certification from a Provider

You also need to obtain a written certification from a medical professional. Many New York marijuana providers can help you with the process.

At CannabisRxHealth, we don’t 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.

Once you arrive at our center, a medical professional will review and examine your medical records. Most appointments take no more than 15 minutes. Your professional will either approve or deny your application after the appointment.

If your application was approved, we can guide you through the rest of the process, including getting your temporary New York medical card. Once you receive your temporary medical card, you can use it, with a photo ID to purchase medical marijuana until your card arrives in the mail.

In the event your application for a medical marijuana card was denied, we’ll refund your application fee in full.

Everything You Need to Know About Medical Marijuana in New York

Unlike in most states where cannabis is only legal for medical reasons, marijuana for recreational activities is legally allowed in New York. On March 30, 2021, both houses of the New York State Legislature approved legislation to legalize marijuana. The bill was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo on March 31, 2021.

There have been multiple amendments passed between the legalization of medical cannabis and the legalisation of recreational cannabis. The most notable is that possession of certain amounts of cannabis has been greatly decriminalised.

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

General Overview

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation permitting the use of cannabis for medical purposes, in 2014.

That heralded an 18-month window for the state Department of Health to enact a medical marijuana program to provide non-smoked methods of cannabis consumption to patients. 

Since then, there have been amendments in 2016, 2018, and most recently, 2021.

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

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

Qualifying Conditions

You need a written certification by a medical practitioner in New York to get a medical marijuana card. 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 New York 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 many licensed dispensaries throughout the State of New York. Approved patients are not limited in the types of products they can purchase for their conditions.

Approved forms include, but are not limited to: solid or semi-solid dosage forms like capsules, tablets, and lozenges; metered liquid or oil preparations (for vaporization or oral administration), metered ground plant preparations, and topicals and transdermal patches. 

Under the law, smoking is not permitted and the regulations prohibit edibles.

Once your application is submitted and approved, and you download your medical card, you can begin making purchases at the dispensary.

Possession Limits

New York has mostly decriminalised cannabis possession.

You may however not transport medical cannabis across state lines, including bringing it in from other states.

Caregiver Laws

A caregiver is a registered individual who can purchase and transport medical cannabis on behalf of a designated patient. Single caregivers may act on behalf of a maximum of five registered patients.

The individual must be designated by the certified patient within the Medical Marijuana Data Management System before the caregiver can register.

The designated caregiver must log in to https://my.ny.gov/, click the "Health Applications" icon, and then click the "Medical Marijuana Data Management System" link to register.

The caregiver pays a $50 application fee and Once a caregiver’s registration is approved, the Department will issue a temporary registry identification card which may be used in conjunction with government-issued photo identification to purchase approved medical marijuana products 

Designated caregivers obtaining medical marijuana on behalf of their patient(s) must bring their caregiver registry identification card and the patient's certification to the dispensing facility.

So who can serve as a caregiver under New York law?

To register with the Department as a designated caregiver, you must

• be a resident of New York State 
• have a valid NYS Driver's License or New York State Non-Driver ID card.
• Must be at least 21
• Must receive Commission approval
• Must pay $50 application fee
  

New York waves the $50 fee for people who can't afford it.

Minor patients can only have a caregiver who’s either a parent or a legal guardian.

New York Medical Marijuana Card FAQs

The situation regarding New York medical cannabis can be confusing. If you’re looking for answers, here are some of the most common questions patients tend to have.

‍

Q. How much does a New York medical card cost?

A. All patients and caregivers must purchase an ID, which costs $50.

‍

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

A. All cards are valid for one year from the date of issuance. Renewal can be done online 

Q. Where can I purchase medical cannabis?

A. Patients may purchase medical cannabis from any licensed New York 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 $159.

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 an 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, we will be able to help you obtain a temporary license until your physical card arrives.

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 New York 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. Fights 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 New York medical marijuana 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.

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 New York 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 New York.