Getting a medical marijuana card allows you to buy, possess, use, and grow cannabis legally. It’s important to note that the card isn’t valid forever. In the majority of states, such as California, you need to apply for MMJ card renewal every year. Without a valid card, you can’t access state-licensed dispensaries.
In this blog post, we are going to shed light on how to renew a medical cannabis card, the importance of card renewal, and more.
Why Should You Renew a Medical Marijuana Card?
In more than half of the US states, medical marijuana is legal. But that doesn’t mean that anyone can access it. Only patients who are approved by MMJ doctors can access the herb legally for managing their conditions. An MMJ card shows that you are using cannabis for medical purposes not recreationally.
Monitoring authorities in cannabis legalized states keep on checking that medical marijuana is being used by the right users.
If you notice that cannabis is helping you improve your condition, it’s good to continue using it. And, for that, you must have a valid MMJ card and apply for renewal before it expires.
Related- 5 Most-Commonly Asked Cannabis Questions With Answers
How to Apply For Medical Cannabis Card Renewal?
Applying for an MMJ card renewal is quite the same as getting a new card. You need to talk to a licensed doctor and get approved. If you are seeing the same doctor for renewal, the process will be a bit faster. This is because they already have your medical reports.
However, you can also visit a different MMJ clinic to apply for renewal. You can share your medical history and other details during the consultation process.
Before you schedule a consultation with the medical marijuana doctor, make sure you have the following documents ready-
Government-Issued ID Card
It will prove that you are a resident of the state you are applying for the card. In case you don’t have a state ID, you can use a utility bill with your address on it.
Original Medical Marijuana Card
Bring your original medical marijuana card, which shows that you are already an MMJ user.
Medical History
During the consultation, your doctor may ask you to share your medical records for verification purposes. So, make sure you bring all your prescriptions, disability paperwork, etc.
Now, using telemedicine technology, you can apply for an MMJ card renewal online in less than 10 minutes. Here’s the complete process-
- Sign up for an account providing your personal and medical details
- See a licensed doctor online through the HIPAA-compliant software
- Receive MMJ recs in PDF format via email
Major Benefits of Renewing an MMJ Card
High-Potency Marijuana
With an MMJ card, you can get cannabis products from the medical dispensary, which are more potent than the ones you get from recreational dispensaries.
Save Cannabis Taxes
Medical users are exempted from cannabis sales and use tax while recreational users have to pay it. So, by renewing your card, you can save money.
Age Relaxation
You must be at least 21 years old if you want to use marijuana for recreational purposes. But, the age limit is 18 years for medical users.
Grow Your Own Marijuana Plants at Home
Having an MMJ card allows you to cultivate your own cannabis plants for personal use. But, if your card is expired, you can’t grow marijuana legally.
Key Takeaways
An MMJ card allows you to use medical marijuana legally. In most states, it’s valid for 12 months. To renew your cannabis card, you need to visit a 420 clinic. Before visiting the clinic, make sure you have your government-issued ID card, medical reports, and original MMJ card. Your doctor may ask for these documents for verification purposes.
Renewing your MMJ card is necessary otherwise you will become a recreational user. In other words, you can’t get benefits such as age relaxation, high-potency marijuana, tax saving, and legal permission to grow marijuana plants at home. Using telemedicine technology, you can see a doctor online and get the renewal process finished in just 10 minutes.
Talk to a medical marijuana doctor online to apply for a new or MMJ card renewal today.