Medical Marijuana Card In DC – Is it advisable to obtain a medical card if you reside in Washington DC? Although recreational or adult-use cannabis has been approved through a voter initiative, it will still take some time before non-medical cardholders can make purchases from recreational dispensaries. Furthermore, while the regulations are yet to be finalized, individuals without a medical card in the District of Columbia might not be permitted to cultivate their own cannabis.
Another benefit for patients with qualifying health conditions in DC is related to taxation. Presently, medical marijuana products in Washington DC are subject to a 5.75% tax rate. However, producers and retailers face an average tax rate of approximately 60%, making medical marijuana in DC considerably expensive for cultivators to sell and for patients with medical cards to purchase.
Once the legal pathway is established for recreational dispensaries to commence selling cannabis in DC, the tax rate is expected to rise even further. Adult-use customers typically encounter substantially higher sales taxes on all products compared to medicinal users or registered patients.
Overview Of Medical Marijuana In Washington DC
Residents of the District of Columbia (DC) who possess a medical card and are part of the DC Department of Health Medical Cannabis Program are legally permitted to purchase, possess, use, home cultivate, and transport cannabis.
While there are dispensaries in DC, the current state law prohibits the sale of cannabis to non-cardholders. Therefore, individuals will not face trouble for buying, possessing, or using cannabis, but the company selling it to them could potentially face criminal charges if the buyer does not possess a medical card.
The government of the District of Columbia is overseen by the United States Congress, and a significant portion of DC, approximately 30%, is designated as federal land. This has added complexity to the situation. However, the proposed legislation aims to resolve the legal contradiction caused by Initiative 71, commonly known as the “Harris Rider.”
At present, dispensaries in Washington DC are able to “gift” marijuana to customers with the purchase of another item, but direct sales of marijuana are prohibited. As a result, visiting a smoke shop might involve buying a $75 t-shirt and receiving an eighth of cannabis as a complimentary “gift” with the purchase.
The U.S. House of Representatives recently approved a “minibus” package that includes funding for various initiatives, including a precursor to the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act. Additionally, certain provisions within the package may lead to the legalization of recreational cannabis sales by dispensaries in DC.
Who Qualifies For Medical Marijuana In Washington DC?
Initially, when medical marijuana was first legalized in Washington DC, there existed a specific list of qualifying health conditions. Patients were required to have one of these conditions in order to be eligible for a DC medical card.
However, the current regulations have evolved, granting physicians the authority to exercise discretion in recommending medical cannabis for their patients. Any doctor can now assess a patient under their care and determine whether medical marijuana can provide benefits for symptom management while ensuring the patient’s safety.
Physicians commonly approve the use of medical cannabis for a variety of frequently diagnosed health conditions, which may include:
- Cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Chronic intractable pain
- Glaucoma
- Terminal illness
- Epilepsy and persistent involuntary muscle spasms
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and physicians may consider other conditions as well based on their professional judgment and assessment of individual patient needs.
Still required is a medical health assessment for the DC marijuana doctor who referred you. This includes examining recent symptoms, medications, chronic conditions, way of life, and family medical history.
What Medical Marijuana Are Available In DC?
Residents have access to the complete range of THC-infused goods because both adult-use (recreational) and medical cannabis are legal in their respective jurisdictions. In Washington, DC, dispensaries sell everything from whole flowers to edibles, tinctures, topical lotions and ointments, capsules, and vape cartridges. Since 2014, DC patients have had the legal right to possess up to six cannabis plants for home growing, including seeds or seedlings.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Get A Washington DC Medical Card?
To apply for a medical marijuana card in Washington, DC, individuals must be at least eighteen (18) years old. However, if they are minors below the age of eighteen, they are required to obtain a letter of parental consent.
Do I Need To Create My Own MMJ Patient Profile In DC?
Certainly! Once you have obtained the certification from your physician, you will be required to complete the application process. While you have the option to mail in your application, it should be noted that processing times tend to be longer in such cases. Alternatively, if you choose to apply online through the DC Department of Health Medical Cannabis Program, the process is faster.
During the application, you will need to submit an electronic copy of your physician certification letter, along with two different types of identification documents that serve as proof of your residency in the District of Columbia. Additionally, there is a $100 application fee that must be paid online.
It’s important to note that the DC Department of Health Medical Cannabis Program mandates patients to fill out a specific form depending on the type of specialty practitioner who provided the health evaluation and certification letter. The patient application requirements may vary based on the type of practitioner involved in the certification process.
Here are the pages and forms for each sort of practitioner’s application:
Additionally, patients must select a licensed dispensary. This will be the only location where you may use your DC medical card to purchase cannabis goods, making it your designated dispensary.
Can I Register My Child For Medical Marijuana?
If you are the parent or legal guardian of a child who has a debilitating health condition, you have the option to become a caregiver. The process involves the child being certified and registered as a member of the DC medical marijuana program, after which the caregiver can apply and be designated by the patient.
Caregivers play a crucial role by collaborating with physicians to develop treatment plans involving medical cannabis. They are authorized to visit dispensaries and purchase cannabis products or administration devices. Additionally, as a medical marijuana caregiver in DC, you can responsibly store, prepare, and administer cannabis doses in accordance with the physician’s recommendations.
How Can I Become A Caregiver For MMJ In DC?
In Washington DC, caregivers who wish to assist a minor patient must fulfill specific criteria. They are required to submit a separate application and obtain their own caregiver card, which will include the name of the patient they assist. Caregivers are registered on the statewide medical cannabis registry.
To qualify as a caregiver for the medical cannabis program in Washington DC, the following requirements must be met:
- The caregiver must be at least eighteen (18) years old.
- They must be designated by the patient as the authorized individual responsible for purchasing, possessing, dispensing, and administering cannabis products to the minor patient.
- The caregiver cannot be responsible for another patient simultaneously.
A caregiver must have a clear background and should not have any prior convictions related to controlled substance crimes. However, if the conviction occurred after July 2010, following the passing of the Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Initiative Amendment Act of 2010 (D.C. Bill 18-622), the caregiver may still be considered eligible for assistance.
How Do I Renew My DC Medical Card?
One year is the duration of the Washington, DC, medical card. Prior to the card expiring, patients must renew their medical cards. You won’t be able to buy marijuana from a dispensary after your DC medical card expires.
You can purchase medicinal marijuana if you reside in Washington, DC, or if you are just visiting there, and a physician in your home state has issued you a medical card. The medicinal marijuana program in the District of Columbia accepts identification documents from thirty-four (34) states as long as the document was issued following a referral from a private practice physician. Not a medical card referral company.’
What If I Lose My Medical Card In DC?
You must notify ABRA of any loss, destruction, or theft of your DC medical marijuana card within twenty-four hours of losing it. To obtain a new card, patients must submit an online Medical Cannabis Patient Card Replacement Form.
Where Can You Get Medical Marijuana In DC?
In Washington, DC, authorized dispensaries sell medical marijuana. However, patients are limited to buying marijuana from the dispensary they selected when submitting their applications.
Four (4) ounces of cannabis may be purchased by patients or designated caregivers once every thirty days. However, only two ounces can ever be in the possession of medical cardholders and caretakers. And all forms of medical marijuana, including flowers, edibles, and extracts, are subject to this restriction.
