The Details

Researchers looked at data from 1999-2013. They paid special attention to deadly car crashes where the drivers involved testing positive for opioid use. The study looked specifically at drivers between the ages of 21 and 40.

After analyzing all the data, the researchers found some important trends. The most important one was that states with legal medical marijuana had fewer deadly car crashed involving opioids.

Researchers reached two primary conclusions. First, medical marijuana may help to reduce the number of drivers who get in fatal crashes wile using opioids. And second, they said that medical cannabis may also reduce opioid use and abuse in general.”Operational [medical marijuana laws] are associated with reductions in opioid positivity among 21- to 40-year-old fatally injured drivers and may reduce opioid use and overdose,” researchers wrote

Cannabis vs. Opioids

This is the latest study to examine whether or not cannabis could be a safe alternative to prescription opioids. A study published earlier this year reported that opioids are some of the most heavily prescribed drugs in the U.S. Opioid sales in the country has quadrupled in 1999. The rise in opiid prescriptions is contrasted by opioid addiction.

That same study found that there are nearly 2 million Americans currently abusing prescription opioids. About 16,000 people die every year from opioid overdoses. To make matters worse, many people who become addicted to prescription opioids eventually switch to heroin.

The problem is becoming so bad that many people are calling it an “opioid epidemic.” In light of all these problems, there’s an increasing interest in marijuana’s ability to replace opioids. And so far, studies like the one just published by the Mailman School of Public Health suggest that cannabis might be a safer solution.

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In this guide we will go through the basics of how you can qualify for medical marijuana in Maryland, what to expect and the future of MD dispensaries.

How do you apply for a medical cannabis card in Maryland?

On the commission’s website, a patient will need to register by providing their name, address, date of birth, and uploading an image of a government ID. After this, a patient will visit a doctor who is registered with the Commission to obtain their “written certification.”

Who qualifies for the Maryland Medical Marijuana Program?

To qualify for a medical marijuana card in MD, you’re going to need to have one of the approved qualifying medical conditions. The conditions that qualify are:

• Cachexia
• Chronic Pain
• Nausea
• Seizures
• Severe or persistent muscle spams
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Crohn’s disease
• Alzheimer’s
• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Hepatitis C

Maryland has a medium length list of qualifying medical conditions but even those suffering from all these conditions have yet to receive the medicine they can legally possess 3 years after the laws passing.

Can qualifying conditions be added to the list?

The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission may add severe and debilitating medical conditions to the list of qualifying ailments at any point in time.

Where can you find a medical marijuana doctor in Maryland?

Any licensed physician in good standing in MD can register with the Medical Cannabis Commission to issue certifications to qualify patients to obtain and use medical marijuana. You should ask your doctor if he or she is registered and discuss if you would benefit from medical cannabis.

Where are the dispensaries in MD?

Unfortunately, the state’s medical marijuana commission has yet to approve a single grower let alone a dispensing facility. The state’s medical marijuana law only allows for 15 dispensaries within state boundaries and the commission has received over 1,000 applications. The state is working on accepting it’s first state-licensed growers shortly. Since cannabis takes time to cultivate and distribute, the earliest Maryland patients will be able to purchase from state-licensed dispensaries in the summer of 2017.

What can my medical card get me at a Maryland dispensary?

When the MD dispensaries become operational, you will be able to get up to 4 ounces of marijuana. Foods are not on the list of available marijuana products but when dispensary doors open, oils and tinctures should be available to be used to make edibles legally at home.

Are Maryland patients shielded from discrimination?

“Maryland law does not prevent an employer from testing for use of cannabis (for any reason) or taking action against an employee who tests positive for use of cannabis (for any reason)” – Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission

The future of Maryland’s Medical Marijuana Program

First, the state’s medical cannabis commission will need to approve grower applications; then doctors will need to register with the program before patient applications can begin to be processed. Maryland medical marijuana patients should be expecting to be able to go home with legal cannabis by mid to late 2017.

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We’ll have a look at the Medical Marijuana Laws in California and show you if and how you can qualify.

The Medical Marijuana Identification Card Program (MMICP)

The MMICP was established to create a state-authorized Medical Marijuana Identification Card, and a registry database for verification of qualified patients and their caregivers. Participation by both patients and caregivers is voluntary. The Medical Marijuana Program registry allows law enforcement to verify the validity of a qualified patient or caregiver and allows cardholders to possess legally, grow, transport and use medical cannabis within California state lines.

The California Medical Marijuana Identification Card Program is only available to California residents with certain medical conditions. Medical cannabis products are distributed by State approved dispensaries only. If you believe your medical condition(s) qualifies for a Medical Marijuana card, discuss your symptoms and condition with your doctor.

What conditions qualify for the Medical Marijuana Identification Card Program in California?

Patients in California diagnosed with one or more of the following medical conditions qualify for a Medical Marijuana Identification Card:

• AIDS
• Anorexia
• Arthritis
• Cachexia
• Cancer
• Chronic pain
• Glaucoma
• Migraines
• Persistent muscle spasms, including multiple sclerosis
• Seizures, including epilepsy
• Sever nausea

Will additional conditions be added to the list of qualifying conditions?

Other chronic or persistent medical symptoms that are not included on the above list, that either limit a person’s ability to conduct one or more major life activities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, may qualify for the use of medical cannabis.

Where to find a Medical Marijuana Doctor in CA?

California law requires all medical cannabis physicians to be licensed. Given that CA was the first state to legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes, there is a large number of licensed physicians throughout the state. You’ll most likely find a licensed doctor very close to where you’re located.

Where are the legal cannabis dispensaries in California

There are legal cannabis dispensaries in more than 50 cities throughout California. There’s a site that will help you locate a dispensary near you.

What does my medical cannabis card get me at a CA dispensary?

• Eight ounces of dried marijuana.
• Six mature marijuana plants.
• 12 immature marijuana plants.

Where can you smoke?

In California, smoking marijuana is not permitted in the following areas:

• In a no smoking zone.
• Within 1,000 feet of a school or youth center.
• On school buses.
• In a motor vehicle, including a boat, while being operated.

Are patients are caregivers shielded from discrimination?

Yes. As a primary caregiver, you cannot apply for a Medical Marijuana Identification Card. The patient, the caregiver care for, is responsible for applying for a Medical Marijuana Identification Card. On the Application Form, there is a check box the patient must check if they are applying for both themselves and their caregiver. Both the patient and the caregiver need to be present in person at the county program office when the patient applies because both the patient and caregiver will be photographed for their individual Medical Marijuana Identification Card.

What is the future of the Medical Marijuana Program in CA?

The rules and regulations in California regarding medical cannabis are constantly being revised and updated. You can keep up with all of the changes related to medical cannabis rulemaking, rule changes and other updates regarding the Medical Marijuana Identification Card Program.

The post How to Qualify for Medical Marijuana in California appeared first on Pot My.

In this article we will go into detail about the Medical Marijuana laws in AZ and show you if and how you can qualify.

The Arizona Medical Marijuana Program

The Arizona Medical Marijuana Program is available to AZ residents with certain medical conditions. Medical cannabis products are distributed by State approved dispensaries only. If you believe your medical condition qualifies, please discuss it with your doctor.

What conditions qualify for the Medical Marijuana Program in Arizona?

Patients in AZ diagnosed with one or more of the following medical conditions are allowed legal protection under the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act:

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV / AIDS
• Hepatitis C
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Crohn’s Disease
• Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
• Cachexia or wasting syndrome
• Severe and chronic pain
• Severe nausea
• Seizures, including epilepsy
• Severe or persistent muscle spams, including multiple sclerosis
• PTSD

Patients must have their medical records for at least the previous 12 months and provide them to the medical cannabis doctor. The medical records must include the diagnosis of the qualifying medical condition.

Will additional conditions be added to the list of qualifying conditions?

The ADHS accepts petitions to add new medical conditions to the list of qualified medical conditions for the Medical Marijuana Program in January and July of each year. ADHS also holds public hearings to gather public comments about the proposed additions to the list of qualifying medical conditions.

Where to find a Medical Marijuana Doctor in Arizona?

AZ law requires that the physician is licensed in AZ. There are licensed Medical Marijuana doctors throughout the whole state of AZ, so you’ll likely find a doctor close to where you are located.

Where are the illegal cannabis dispensaries in Arizona located

Legal cannabis dispensaries are located all over Arizona. There are currently approximately 100 operating state-licensed dispensaries across the state. You can search for a dispensary close to where you reside.

What can I get with my medical card at an Arizona dispensary?

A qualifying patient may purchase and possess up to 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana every two weeks. If the patient is authorized to grow marijuana they can possess up to 12 plants. An authorized caregiver may possess up to 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana for each of their qualified patients, and up to 12 plants for each patient. The maximum number of patients an authorized caregiver can have is five.

Where can you smoke?

Medical marijuana cannot be smoked in any public facilities, including schools, parks, buses, etc. However, medical marijuana can be consumed in edible form in these public areas. Adult care facilities in Arizona can control their rules for the use of medical marijuana at their facilities.

Are patients and caregivers shielded from discrimination?

Yes. Designated caregivers must register with the ADHS and been issued a registry identification card. This will allow them to grow and dispense medical cannabis for up to five medical marijuana patients.

What is the future of the Medical Marijuana Program in Arizona?

Arizona medical marijuana laws are continuously being updated and revised. The ADHS also has a live chat available for you to ask questions about medical cannabis laws in Arizona.

The post How to Qualify for Medical Marijuana in Arizona appeared first on Pot My.

Only PA residents with qualifying medical conditions and a doctor’s recommendation can participate in the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program.

To find out if your condition qualifies, you need to schedule an appointment with a state licensed doctor. Your doctor will need to certify that you have a serious medical condition and that you would benefit from the use of cannabis. Once you’ve got the doctor’s recommendation, you can apply for a medical marijuana card from the Pennsylvania Department of health.

What conditions qualify for the Medical Marijuana Program in Pennsylvania?

The list of health conditions that currently qualify for Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program are:

• Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Autism
• Cancer
• Crohn’s Disease
• Damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• HIV / AIDS
• Huntington’s Disease
• Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome
• Intractable Seizures
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Neuropathies
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Sever chronic or intractable pain of neuropathic origin or sever chronic or intractable pain in which conventional therapeutic intervention and opiate therapy is contraindicated or ineffective
• Sickle Cell Anemia

Will additional conditions be added to the list of qualifying conditions?

The Pennsylvania Department of Health may add more conditions to the list at any point in the future.

Where to find a Medical Marijuana Doctor in Pa?

Before doctors can give people recommendations for medical cannabis, they must register with the Department of Health,complete a four-hour course about medical cannabis, and report back to the Department on the status and progress of patients.

Due to the infancy of Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program, there isn’t a full list of medical marijuana doctors available yet. However, the Department of Health said it will explore ways to provide all necessary information on its website.

Where are the legal cannabis dispensaries in Pennsylvania located?

Under the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program, the state will authorize up to 150 dispensaries across the state. Due to the fact that the program is still being implemented, there isn’t a full list of dispensaries yet.

But as with the list of medical marijuana doctors, the Department of Health said it hopes to provide all necessary information on its website as soon as the Program is up and running.

What will my medical marijuana card get me at a Pennsylvania dispensary?

Once you have your medical marijuana card you’ll be able to purchase cannabis pills, oils, gels, creams, ointments, liquids, and non-whole plant forms of cannabis that can be vaporized. Dispensaries will not be allowed to self, and patients will not be allowed to buy, smokable cannabis flowers.

So no smoking?

You technically won’t be allowed to smoke at all. Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program only allows for non-smokable cannabis products and cannabis extracts.

Are patients and caregivers shielded from discrimination?

As soon as a patient has been given an official medical cannabis registration card, they and their caregiver will be protected from legal discrimination. With that said, employers will not be required to accommodate employees’ cannabis use while at work.

What is the future of the Medical Marijuana Program in Pennsylvania?

The biggest problems people have with Pennsylvania’s new Medical Marijuana Program is that it still outlaws smokable forms of cannabis. This could be one of the hot issues the Program will face as it moves forward. And judging by the way other states have begun expanding their lists of qualifying medical conditions, it seems likely that PA will also find itself confronting the question of whether or not it will add new conditions to its list as well.

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The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health Medical Marijuana Program

The Nevada Medical Marijuana Program is administered by the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health.

Patients in NV wishing to participate in the Nevada Medical Marijuana Program must be a resident of NV, have one or more qualifying medical conditions, and register with the Medical Marijuana Patient Cardholder Registry.

There is a $100 fee to apply to the program.

Can out of state visitors buy in Nevada?

The Medical Marijuana dispensaries of the State of Nevada are authorized to sell medical cannabis to cardholders from the following states as long as the patient presents a State issued medical cannabis card:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Delaware
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Montana
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Washington

What conditions qualify for the Medical Marijuana Program in NV

Patients in Nevada diagnosed with one or more of the following medical conditions are allowed legal protection for the use of medical cannabis:

• HIV/AIDS
• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• PTSD
• Cachexia
• Persistent muscle spams, including multiple sclerosis
• Seizures, including Epilepsy
• Sever Nausea
• Severe Pain

Will additional conditions be added to the list of qualifying conditions?

Additional conditions are subject to approval by the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health.

Where to find a Medical Marijuana Doctor in NV?

The Nevada Medical Marijuana Program does not refer patients to doctors. Any Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) who is licensed to practice medicine in NV can recommend a patient to use medical marijuana.

Where are the legal cannabis dispensaries in NV located?

Since licensed physicians cannot prescribe marijuana, pharmacies are not legally allowed to dispense marijuana. Only state-run cannabis dispensaries in Nevada can sell medical cannabis.

There are currently 38 licensed cannabis dispensaries open across the state.

Currently, NV law allows for 60 dispensaries statewide.

What does my medical card get me at a Nevada dispensary?

Qualified patients in NV may buy up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis every two weeks. Medical cannabis must be purchased at a licensed medical marijuana dispensary.

Qualified patients can also grow up to 12 plants if they register the address where they are growing at. Although, if the patient lives within 25 miles of a licensed dispensary, they won’t be allowed to grow their marijuana.

Where can you smoke?

In Nevada, patients with a medical cannabis card cannot smoke in the following places:

• While operating a motorized vehicle, including boats and aircraft
• In a public place
• In a detention facility, county jail, state prison
• While delivering marijuana to another person
• School grounds or property

Are Patients and Caregivers Shielded from Discrimination?

Yes. Patients must add their caregiver to their account once they are registered. The caregiver’s driver’s license or ID card must be uploaded to complete the registration.

What is the future of the Medical Marijuana Program in NV?

The use of medical cannabis became legal in 2000. Since then, the state of NV has continued to update and revised the rules and regulations surrounding the Medical Marijuana Program. The Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health is currently creating a website for Medical Marijuana Cardholders to receive ongoing training and education regarding the Medical Marijuana Program.

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The Hawaii Medical Marijuana Program

There are two medical marijuana programs in HI. One is called the Medical Marijuana Registry Program, and the other is called the Medical Marijuana Dispensary Program. The HI Department of Health administers them both. Both programs aim to ensure medical cannabis is accessible for patients in HI.

The Hawaii Department of Health’s Harm Reduction Services Branch administers the Medical Marijuana Registry Program. HI laws require all qualified patients to be registered with the registry program before then being to use medical cannabis.

The Hawaii Department of Health’s Office of Health Care Assurance administers the Medical Marijuana Dispensary Program. This program ensures the quality of marijuana products and regulates the statewide dispensary system to ensure it is safe and legal.

What conditions qualify for the Medical Marijuana Program in Hawaii?

Patients in HI who wants to obtain medical marijuana must be diagnosed with one or more of the following medical condition:

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• PTSD
• Cachexia or wasting syndrome
• Severe pain
• Severe Nausea
• Seizures, including Epilepsy
• Severe and Persistent Muscle Spasms, including Multiple Sclerosis
• Crohn’s Disease

Where to find a Medical Marijuana Doctor in Hawaii?

The Hawaii Department of Health does not refer patients to physicians. The Hawaii Drug Policy Forum (DPF) is in the process of compiling a third party list of physicians that can assist patients. In the meantime, patients can email info@dpfhi.org with questions regarding finding a licensed physician.

A certifying physician must be a resident of HI and hold a current valid license. They must also be registered with the Department of Public Safety to prescribe controlled substances. In Hawaii, the patient must have an established relationship with the licensed physician.

Where are the legal cannabis dispensaries in Hawaii?

Medical marijuana has been legal in HI since 2000, but access to medical cannabis has been a challenge. The goal of the Medical Marijuana Dispensary Program is to make products easier to purchase. Medical marijuana dispensaries became legal in 2015. Act 241 allow up to 16 dispensaries statewide.

To apply for a dispensary license, there is a non-refundable $5,000 application fee. Only one licensed dispensary can be used, meaning applicants cannot operate multiple dispensaries in various counties.

Dispensaries must be enclosed indoor facilities, and the interior cannot be visible from the outside.

If there is not a dispensary on one of the islands, a qualified patient or primary caregiver is allowed to grow an adequate supply for the qualified patient’s personal use.

Wat does my medical card get me at a dispensary in Hawaii?

In HI, registered patients may legally possess the following:

• Up to four ounces of usable marijuana at any given time.
• No more than seven marijuana plants, whether immature or mature.

Where can you smoke?

All smoke-free laws in Hawaii apply to medical cannabis.

Registered patients and caregivers cannot smoke in the following places:

• All public areas, including parks, beaches, recreation centers, youth centers, school grounds.
• In any moving vehicle

Are patients and caregivers shielded from discrimination?

Yes. As long as the patient is registered and they submit their designated caregiver on their application, both will be shielded from discrimination.

Caregivers can only have one patient at a time. The caregiver must provide a copy of a valid HI state ID or driver’s license. The patient pays for the caregiver’s initial and renewal application fees.

The Future of the Medical Marijuana Program in Hawaii

In 2015 PTSD was added to the list of qualifying medical conditions.This goes to show the Medical Marijuana Program in Hawaii is changing and improving.

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How do I get a Registry Identification card in Vermont?

You must be 18 years or older, otherwise you need your parents (or guardian) to accompany you.  You must have a debilitating condition confirmed by a health care professional. A registered patient must be a resident of VT. You’ll need to fill out the Registered Patient Application, Health Care Professional Verification Form, include an electronic photograph, and a $50 fee. After this, you may have to wait about 30 days before receiving your card in the mail.

Who Qualifies for Medical Marijuana in Vermont?

Only people with debilitating medical conditions qualify in VT. The list of qualifying conditions includes:

• Any patient receiving hospice care
• Cachexia
• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Seizures
• Severe or chronic pain
• Severe nausea

Can Qualifying Conditions Be Added?

Yes, the VT Criminal Information Center can choose to expand the list of qualifying conditions.

Medical Marijuana Doctors in Vermont

Any Health Care Professional can register a patient with the state’s medical marijuana program. Accepted Health Care Professional types include:

• Physician (M.D. or D.O.)
• Physician Assistant (P.A. or PA-C)
• VT Naturopathic Physician (N.D.)
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

Information regarding health care professionals is confidential. So you will have to find out on your own which doctors will or won’t complete a Health Care Professional Verification Form for you.

Dispensaries In Vermont

The state laws only allow for four dispensaries to be operational at a time. VT is entirely functional with a dispensary in Burlington, Brandon, Brattleboro, and Montpelier.

Marijuana Products Available in Vermont Dispensaries

VT patients will have access to marijuana in the following forms:

• Flower
• Edibles
• Tintures
• CO2 extracts

Consumption of Medical Marijuana

You may not use marijuana in public, while operating a motor vehicle, in a workplace, or while operating heavy machinery.

Protection Against Discrimination

According to the VT Crime Information Center, the medical marijuana legislation in VT “exempts all criminal penalties for the use of marijuana to alleviate the symptoms or effects of a debilitating medical condition.” However, you cannot use marijuana in the workplace and employers are not required to accommodate employees working under the influence.

The Future of VT’s Medical Marijuana Program

Vermont already has all four of its dispensaries opened. The program may see an expanded list of qualifying conditions for more research on marijuana surfaces.

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The Colorado Medical Marijuana Registry Program

The CO Department of Public Health and Environment administers the Colorado Medical Marijuana Registry Program. For a patient in CO to obtain a medical cannabis card they must be a CO resident. They must have one or more debilitating medical condition. And they must obtain a recommendation from a licensed doctor.

Medical marijuana patients in Colorado can legally obtain marijuana from a licensed dispensary, a registered primary caregiver, or self-grow.

What Conditions Qualify for the Medical Marijuana Program in Colorado?

Per the CO constitution, medical cannabis may be recommended to patients who have one or more of the following medical conditions:

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Cachexia
• Persistent muscle spasms
• Seizures
• Severe nausea
• Severe pain

Will Conditions be Added to the List of Qualifying Conditions?

Since the Medical Marijuana Registry Program started, no new conditions have been added. There are currently no conditions pending approval.

Where are the legal cannabis dispensaries in Colorado?

As of August 1, 2016, there is 531 state licensed medical marijuana centers. The majority of licensed dispensaries are located in Denver.

What does a medical card get you at a CO dispensary?

A registered patient can obtain no more than two ounces of usable marijuana, and no more than six marijuana plants, three of which can be mature.

Where can you smoke?

Registered patients cannot smoke in the following places:

• Public transportation facilities
• Schools
• Amusement/sporting/music venues
• Parks
• Playgrounds
• Bars
• Restaurants
• Licensed dispensaries
  • While operating a motorized vehicle. (you may carry medical cannabis in your car, but it may not be in an open container or cross state boundaries)
• Airports

Are patients and caregivers shielded from discrimination?

Yes, the Colorado Medical Marijuana Registry protects patients and caregivers from discrimination. The patient must specify their primary caregiver on their application.

What is the future of the Medical Marijuana in Colorado?

The rules and regulations regarding the CO Medical Marijuana Registry Program are always changing.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is currently in the process of making an online application available to patients. This is expected to be available in January 2017. Also, rules regarding the prohibition on edible marijuana products in the shape of human, animal or fruit are currently being formulated and will be effective October 1, 2017.

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The Alaska Medical Marijuana Program

The AK Department of Health and Social Services Division of Public Health administers the AK Medical Marijuana Program. A patient applying for a medical marijuana card must provide the department the original completed copy of the application form, driver’s license or Alaska identification card, the originally signed recommendation from the physician, and pay an application fee of $25. All patients must enroll in the state patient registry and possess a valid identification card to be legally protected.

Qualifying conditions for the AK Medical Marijuana Program:

Patients in AK wishing to obtain medical marijuana must be diagnosed with one or more of the following medical conditions:

• Cachexia
• Cancer
• Chronic Pain
• HIV/AIDS
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Nausea
• Seizures

Will additional conditions be added to the list of qualifying conditions?

Yes, the Marijuana Control Board has a process in place that allow for the petition for new conditions to be added to the list.

Where to find a Medical Marijuana Doctor in Alaska?

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services does not refer to patients to physicians. However, any licensed physician can recommend marijuana to their patient if they are diagnosed with any of the qualifying conditions.

In AK, the patients must have an established relationship with their physician before applying for a medical marijuana card.

Where are the legal cannabis dispensaries in Alaska?

Most marijuana products are available to patients at AK dispensaries. There are dispensaries located across the state. The majority are located in Fairbanks,which is the second most populous city in Alaska. With about ten dispensaries in Fairbanks, it has become Alaska’s medical marijuana hub.

What does my medical card get me at an Alaskan dispensary?

Between the patient and their caregiver, they may possess six marijuana plants, three of which may be mature and one ounce of usable marijuana.

Where are you allowed to smoke?

Registered patients cannot smoke in the following places:

• While operating a motorized vehicle
• In a public place
• Within 500 feet of school grounds
• Within 500 feet of a recreation or youth center
• On a school bus

Are patients and caregivers shielded from discrimination?

Yes, as long as the patient and the designated caregiver are registered, they are both shielded from discrimination. The caregiver must be 21 years of age, and can never have been convicted of a controlled substances felony. The patient must list the caregiver as either the primary caregiver or the alternate caregiver. Only one primary caregiver and one alternate caregiver is allowed per patient.

What is the future of the Medical Marijuana Program in Alaska?

The medical marijuana laws have already changed since medical marijuana became legal in 2014, and they will likely change in the future. To stay up-to-date with proposed regulation changes you can register with the Alaska Marijuana Control Board.

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How do I get a Medical Marijuana Card in Minnesota?

First, you’ll need to be a resident of Minnesota and have one of the qualifying conditions. Then you’ll need a doctor to certify that and finally you will need to register with the Department of Health in MN.

Who Qualifies for Medical Marijuana in Minnesota?

Only patients with certain debilitating conditions can qualify for medical marijuana in Minnesota. The state’s list of qualifying conditions includes:

• Cancer associated with severe/chronic pain, nausea, or severe vomiting, or cachexia or severe wasting.
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Tourette Syndrome
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Seizures, including those characteristic of Epilepsy
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis
• Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s Disease
• Terminal illness, with a probably life expectancy of less than one year
• Intractable Pain

Can the List of Qualifying Conditions be Added to?

Yes. The MDOH added intractable pain to the list of qualifying conditions earlier this year.

Where can I find a Medical Marijuana Doctor in Minnesota?

The state’s DOH website has search tools for you to find a practitioner.

Where are the dispensaries in MN?

Minnesota state laws currently allow for up to 8 dispensaries to be operating at a time. There are 5 operational dispensaries in the state.

What can a Medical Marijuana Card get me at a Minnesota Dispensary?

A medical card will only grant MN medical marijuana patients access to marijuana products. This does not include marijuana edibles or flowers. Patients will be able to get oil cartridges for vaporization or marijuana-infused pills.

Are Minnesota Patients Shielded from Discrimination?

MN patients carrying less than a 30 day supply of medical marijuana will be protected from prosecution. This only goes for packaged non-smokeable preparations of marijuana. Employees are protected against discrimination for medical cannabis use.

The Future of Minnesota’s Medical marijuana Program

The law does not allow marijuana to be smoked. There are benefits like the “entourage effect” patients may be missing out on by not having marijuana in it’s smokeable form the state’s program may benefit from allowing actual marijuana in its plant form to be regulated and sold. There are currently only five out of the allowed eight dispensaries opened to Minnesota will be expecting another 3 in the near future. The program has only been operational for a year and the list of qualifying conditions may continue to be expanded.

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Michigan is one of the few states that allows for home cultivation of marijuana. There can be no more than 12 marijuana plants kept in an enclosed, locked, facility, or, outdoor plants must not be “visible to the unaided eye from an adjacent property.”

Who Qualifies for Medical Marijuana in Michigan?

Only people with severely debilitating medical conditions qualify for the use of medical cannabis in MI. The list of qualifying conditions includes:

• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome
• Cancer
• Chronic Pain
• Crohn’s Disease
• Glaucoma
• HIV or AIDS
• Hepatitis C
• Nail Patella
• Nausea
• PTSD
• Seizures
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms

Can the list of Qualifying Conditions be Added to?

Yes. The Michigan Medical Marijuana Review Panel can add to the list of qualifying conditions allowed under MI law. In 2014, the panel voted in favor of adding PTSD to the list of qualifying conditions.

How do I get a Medical Marijuana Card in Michigan?

If you have one of the of the qualifying conditions, you’ll need to fill ou the application form for a Registry Identification Card. Your Physician will need to complete a certification form that statess you qualify for medical marijuana in the state if MI. You will also need to provide a copy of a Valid Photo ID abd pay the $60 fee.

Where can I find a Medical Marijuana Doctor in Michigan?

Any licensed MI physician can complete a Physician Certification Form.

Are there any Dispensaries in Michigan?

The MI Medical Marijuana Act does not include any-state licensed dispensaries. However there are nearly a dozen dispensaries that are licensed by local governments. Patients not near any of these dispensaries have to cultivate their own marijuana or register with a primary caregiver. Primary caregivers can have up to 5 qualifying patients. Caregivers are state-qualified and must not have been convicted of any felony within the last ten years, or any violent felony ever.

Where can I Smoke Medical Marijuana in Michigan?

You will nee to be on private property. Smoking on public transportation or any public area will lead to consequences.

Are Michigan Medical Marijuana Patients Shielded from Discrimination?

The “MI Medical Marihuana Act” allows registered patients to carry up to two and a half ounces of usable marijuana. The act does not require that private employers allow an employee to use medical marijuana at or outside of work. Do so at your own risk.

Future of Michigan’s Medical Marijuana Program:

The program may expand the list of qualifying conditions in the future. It may also benefit from implementing state-licensed dispensaries. MI has failed to legalize state-licensed dispensaries. The state has tried but failed several years in a row to approve legislation that would add legal medical marijuana dispensaries to the “Michigan Medical Marihuana Act.”

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he announcement follows a report issued earlier this month by the New York Department of Health recommending that the state increase access to the program, seen by experts as one of the most restricting of its kind in the United States.

“We are constantly evaluating the program to make it more effective for patients and practitioners, and we believe that the implementation of these recommendations will do just that,” Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said in a statement.

New York opened its firs medical cannabis dispensaries in January, joining 22 other states and Washington, D.C., with medical cannabis programs.

It’s program, which has 7,000 certified patients and 20 dispensaries, is a far cry from California,which has hundreds of dispensaries and more than 750,000 medical marijuana card holders.

Initially, the program allowed only doctors with special training to prescribe cannabis to patients with very serious and terminal illnesses, including cancer, HIV and AIDS, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.

Patients or their caretakers were required to visit the state’s small handful of of dispensaries to purchase cannabis products, including tinctures and capsules. Unlike all the other states that allow medical marijuana except Minnesota, medical marijuana patients in New York cannot smoke the plant.

Under the new measures, the state will allow nurse practitioners to qualify patients for medical marijuana use and allow home delivery of the drug to patients too ill to visit a clinic.

It will also expand financial aid and consider a proposal to allow those suffering from chronic pain to receive prescription.

In the longer term,New york will review additional medical cannabis to manufacture and distribute the drug. The current number of companies is limited to five.

New York will also expand research into the drug’s uses and medical benefits, according to the health department.

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The medical marijuana laws go into effect on September 8th in OH. However, dispensaries will not be open for another year or two. While Ohio patients wait for dispensaries to open up, there’s a chance they can get marijuana from neighboring states with medical marijuana laws. Three different government agencies will run the marijuana program created under these statutes.

How to obtain a Medical Marijuana Card in Ohio

So far the application progress has to begin but you will need a debilitating medical condition that qualifies. You will also need a doctor to confirm that you have one of the conditions that qualifies for the states medical marijuana program.

Which Condition Qualifies for Medical Marijuana?

The list of qualifying conditions in Ohio includes:

• AIDS/HIV
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Cancer
• Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
• Crohn’s Disease
• Epilepsy or another seizure disorder
• Fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Chronic or Intractable Pain
• Parkinson’s Disease
• PTSD
• Sick Cell Anemia
• Spinal Cord Disease or injury
• Tourette’s Syndrome
• Traumatic brain injury
• Ulcerative Colitis

Can the List of Qualifying Conditions be Added to?

Any other disease or condition can be added by the state medical board under section 4731.302 of the Revised Code.

Where can Ohio Patients get Medical Marijuana?

Until dispensaries actually open their door in OH, patients will have to try neighboring states like Michigan for a legal selection of marijuana products. Michigan has no dispensaries, just many caregivers who can all have up to five patients. If there are enough caregivers in Michigan, there is a chance Ohio patients will be able to receive their medicine there and bring it back.

There is, however, a loophole in Ohio’s marijuana laws which could make it easier to access marijuana but not safer. According to Sen. Dave burke, a Marysville Republican who fought for the OH medical marijuana laws to pass, patients can get their marijuana from any source. This includes buying marijuana from drug dealers as well. The state law intentionally neglects to mention where patients can obtain their marijuana in order to receive it sooner. This law only applies to patients who have already received a certificate to smoke medical marijuana from their doctor. After the dispensaries open in OH, after 60 days, patients will no longer be allowed to receive their marijuana from any source.

Future of Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Program

Ohio’s marijuana program is still in the process of being set up by the State Board of Pharmacy. It will take some time to set up what marijuana products will be sold in the state of Ohio. Until the program is fully functional, it is unlikely that doctors will recommend marijuana to their patients.

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What is Cachexia?

The syndrome withe with weight loss, muscle loss, fatigue, weakness, and loss of appetite. The patient has cachexia when reversing his or her weight loss becomes virtually impossible without treating the underlying cause.

The causes of cachexia are serious illnesses. These include:

• Cancer
• AIDS
• Celiac disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Congestive heart failure
• Tuberculosis
• Familial amyloid polyneuropathy
• Mercury poisoning
• Hormone deficiency

Of all these conditions, wasting syndrome is most often found in the first two cases: end-stage cancel patients, and HIV/AIDS patients. When someone is affected by the syndrome, the risk of death in increases dramatically. As a result, treating both the wasting syndrome and the underlying cause are of grave importance.

Traditional Treatment Methods

It has been noted by experts that standard treatment for cachexia is is not very effective in and of itself. As the condition is secondary to another illness, treatment for cachexia usually revolves around treating the underlying cause.

As of June, a metabolite called HMB is recommended by professionals. Apparently it helps to reduce the loss of muscle mass in patients with the disorder. Additionally, physicians recommend a high protein diet for patients. Beyond that, doctors subscribe appetite stimulants to encourage patients to eat more to increase body weight.

Cannabis and Cachexia

In the Netherlands, physicians have already caught on tho the fact that marijuana helps with the disease. A study shows that the Dutch doctors, of various specialties, prescribe the use of medical cannabis for an array of ailments. One of these is anorexia and cachexia associated with cancer. The study also notes that smoke marijuana was perceived as being more effective than oral administration. Regardless, the medication was used with the aim of stimulating appetite and increasing body weight.

Another notes that dronabinol, a cannabis-based medicine, and cannabis cigarettes have numerous benefits in the treatment of wasting syndrome as a result of HIV. They that cannabis was significantly superior to placebo. Over the course of the study, those patients taking the medication did not lose any weight; the placebo group, on the other hand, did. They add that cannabinoids, the active chemical compounds in cannabis, were effective in treating both a lack of appetite and weight loss in wasting syndrome.

In a similar study, researchers looked at ailments for which marijuana may be useful as a treatment. On the subject of cachexia, they state that cannabis may be helpful in stimulating appetite and increasing body weight. The study also says that dronabinol has been shown to increase appetite and weight gain in AIDS patients who suffer from cachexia. Weight loss is the primary indicator and danger in those who have the wasting syndrome, so the effectiveness of cannabis to counteract that effect is a huge is a huge benefit.

Moving Forward

Cachexia is a complex disorder that in all likelihood will never be adequately treated by marijuana alone. However, the plant and its extracts seem to have cemented their place among those medications which are beneficial to sufferers of the disease. By increasing appetite and, more importantly, body weight, cannabis can improve the quality of life of patients and slow or halt the deterioration of the ailment.

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