Americans today are facing an epidemic. Over 18 million Americans misused prescription pain medication in 2017. Abuse of prescription pain medication, particularly opioids, is becoming more and more common.

Thankfully, with the passage of State Question 788, Oklahomans have the option to manage pain and anxiety in a safer manner. Medical marijuana is an all-natural, non-addictive option for people who want to steer clear of prescription medication. But how does someone in Oklahoma get access to medical marijuana?

Read on to learn how to get your Oklahoma medical marijuana card.

Find a Physician

The first step you’ll have to take is to find a physician who is willing to write recommendations for medical marijuana. A lot of doctors today are more than willing to write their patients prescriptions for opioid pain medication for minor pain like tendonitis or arthritis. But many doctors aren’t willing to write a prescription for medical marijuana.

For this reason and more, it’s important to do your research on the doctor you’re thinking about seeing to make sure that they’re not a stickler for standard courses of treatment. You want your doctor to look out for your best interests and not their bottom line.

Get a Physician’s Recommendation

Once you find a physician that is open to alternative medication options, you’ll want to book the appointment to get the recommendation.

So what conditions does Oklahoma allow to be treated with medical marijuana?

Thankfully, Oklahoma does not have a defined set of conditions for which they’ll permit residents to get a medical marijuana card. Instead, the state relies on the judgment of the physician to determine whether that course of treatment would be beneficial for the patient.

The most common use of medical marijuana is for the management of chronic, and mild to moderate pain from issues like arthritis, multiple sclerosis, endometriosis, and nerve pain. It is also prescribed for conditions like anxiety, and insomnia, and to stimulate appetite in patients who are receiving chemotherapy and radiation.

File Your Application for an Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Card

Once you have a recommendation from your physician, you’ll need to go through the application process online with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority. The state requests basic information, like your full name, address, date of birth, phone number, and email address. You’ll also need to provide proof of your identity, your physician’s information, and a passport-quality full-face photo.

Provide Documentation

The State of Oklahoma requests each applicant to provide them with proof of residency with a digital, color copy of one of the following items: your Oklahoma driver’s license, both front and back; your Oklahoma identification card, both front and back; your Oklahoma voter identification card; a utility bill for the month immediately preceding your application, with the exclusion of cell phone and internet bills; a residential property deed to property within Oklahoma; or a current lease agreement for a rental property in Oklahoma.

Proof of identity can be demonstrated with a digital color copy of one of the following items: your Oklahoma driver’s license, both front and back; your Oklahoma identification card, both front and back; your U.S. passport; or your tribal identification card approved by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety for identification.

You’ll also need to submit an Adult Patient Physician Recommendation Form within 30 days of the date you submit your application. If you are enrolled in Medicaid through the State of Oklahoma (SoonerCare) or Medicare, you will need to submit a copy of your insurance card or enrollment documentation.

Pay an Application Fee

The State of Oklahoma requires each applicant to pay an application fee for their medical marijuana card. If you carry private insurance or are not insured, you will pay $100 with your application. If you are insured through state Medicaid or through Medicare and have proof of insurance, your application fee is reduced to $20.

Wait for Approval

Once you’ve visited your physician and gotten his or her recommendation, submitted your application and all the required documentation, and paid your application fee, you’ll have to wait for the state to approve your application. Once the state approves your application, they will mail out your Oklahoma medical marijuana card within 14 days.

Each medical marijuana card is valid for two years. Note that it can be revoked by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority if they find that you have abused or misused your card in any way.

Visit a Dispensary

Once you receive your medical marijuana card, you’re free to visit any of the state’s medical marijuana dispensaries to purchase your marijuana.

When you first arrive at a dispensary, you may feel overwhelmed by the selection. They will have a wide variety of strains of medical marijuana, and each strain serves a different function.

At a basic level, there are two main types of marijuana, indica and sativa. Sativa strains are more invigorating and are good for people who struggle with anxiety and focus. Indica strains offer a full-body high and gives users deep relaxation and relief from conditions like insomnia.

You’ll also see a selection of edibles if you don’t want to smoke marijuana, and tinctures of CBD oil. It’s important that you speak with the workers at the dispensary about what conditions you need relief from so they can point you in the right direction.

Don’t Let Pain Rule Your Life, Get Your Medical Marijuana Card Today

Getting an Oklahoma medical marijuana card is a simple and painless process. With a recommendation from a physician and an application fee, you’ll be able to manage your pain and anxiety without having to rely on addictive pain medication. On top of that, there are different strains of marijuana available to help different issues, making it an extremely versatile option.

Are you interested in getting your medical marijuana card? You’ve come to the right place. Contact us today to see how we can help you get relief.