Many people across the country use cannabis for medicinal purposes. Fortunately for those in the state of Colorado, they can now legally seek help without fear of the law. In the November 2000 general election, Colorado residents voted to legalize the use of medical marijuana for individuals suffering from debilitating medical conditions. Amendment 20 allows a patient to possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis and grow up to 6 plants.
What does this mean to you?
If you have any qualifying medical conditions, follow this simple guide to legally apply for your medical cannabis card.
First, you must schedule a medical marijuana evaluation with a state-approved physician. There are many resources for researching and choosing a compassionate doctor throughout Colorado, so be sure to do the proper research to find a trusted source. It is best to provide this doctor with your medical information if possible. While this makes the process easier for everyone, it is not required in many locations.
Your doctor must diagnose you with any of the following conditions to qualify for the official Colorado Medical Marijuana Registry:
- Cancer
- glaucoma
- HIV or AIDS or any medical condition or treatment that causes one or more of the following for this patient and can be alleviated by the medical use of marijuana in the physician’s professional opinion.
- cachexia
- severe pain
- severe nausea
- Seizures (including that characteristic of epilepsy)
- Persistent muscle spasms (including that characteristic of multiple sclerosis)
Once your doctor approves the recommendation, he must complete the doctor’s certification form. Only licensed physicians in good standing with the State of Colorado may sign this form. The following is your official registration application form. This must be signed, dated, and notarized before an official state notary. Then it would help if you enclosed a photocopy of a valid Colorado ID (driver’s license, state ID, etc.). Finally, a $90 non-refundable application fee must be paid with an included check or money order payable to CDPHE.
Medical Marijuana Patient’s Rights
All forms can be downloaded from the Colorado Department of Public Health’s official website. Be sure to make photocopies of everything! Then pack all the material and send it to the registry office within 60 days of the doctor’s signature:
That’s all! Then you will have to play the waiting game, as the registry office is currently way behind approving new applicants. When the registry office receives your application, estimated waiting times can be up to 6 months. The good news is that you can use photocopies of all your documents as temporary proof of registration until you receive your card in the mail.
This article does not endorse the use of marijuana. Cannabis is still a drug, but it is extremely helpful in treating many people with various ailments. I strongly recommend that you read the Colorado Department of Health’s official rules and regulations for the medicinal use of marijuana before deciding on the therapeutic use of cannabis. In the end, the best decisions are well-informed decisions, so be sure to research any health-related topic before taking action thoroughly.
