The studies are clear on cannabis, and many patients all over are taking advantage of its many medical benefits. However, this might be easier said than done for some people depending on where they live.
Medical and recreational cannabis are state-by-state issues, which is why you need to learn your state’s laws. Thankfully, Oklahoma residents are legally able to purchase cannabis as long as they have a medical card.
But what should you know about getting one of these cards? Here’s what you should know about getting a medical marijuana card in Oklahoma.
Do You Need a Medical Marijuana Prescription To Use Cannabis in Oklahoma?
Yes. Unlike some other states, such as California, Nevada, and Colorado, Oklahoma is a purely medical cannabis state. This means that you’ll need a doctor to sign off before you can purchase or consume the plant in any form.
If you purchase or consume cannabis outside of medical parameters, the state considers it an illegal act.
Make no mistake about it — the penalties for illegal cannabis possession are strict in Oklahoma. If you don’t have a medical card, you can get sent to jail for as much as a year and fined $1,000, even if you have no prior offenses and no criminal record.
What Are the Prerequisites for Getting a Medical Marijuana Card in Oklahoma?
First and foremost, you need to be 18 years of age or older. You have to also be a resident of the state. This means that you can’t be a purchase traveling to Oklahoma hoping to pick up some cannabis while you’re on vacation.
You’ll need to prove proof of residence, such as in the form of a utility bill and your Oklahoma driver’s license. From there, you’ll need to get a doctor’s recommendation. The doctor will indicate that you have a condition that medical cannabis can treat.
What Are the Medical Conditions That Doctor’s Prescribe Cannabis For?
You should also get to know the conditions that cannabis treats so that you can get a prescription. There are many. In fact, cannabis is such an all-encompassing plant that everyone has a condition that would benefit from its use.
Cannabis helps with pain relief, anti-inflammation, can help you get to sleep if you suffer from insomnia, triggers a hunger response for people having trouble eating, eases nausea, helps with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), assists with anxiety, and so much more.
The reason that this plant is so helpful to human beings is because we all have an endocannabinoid system. The plant interacts with this system and gives you the medical results that you are looking for.
How Can I Get My Medical Cannabis Card?
Now that you know the prerequisites and what can be treated, it’s up to you to take the steps to get your cannabis card. Reach out to a medical professional that can assist you with this.
Book an appointment so that they have the time to go through the symptoms with you and to find out if cannabis will help you. You’ll also have to register with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) via the web and pay the fees that come with the territory.
This puts you in the state database and lets you move forward with the process. Registering with this database, along with your doctor’s recommendation, will qualify you for the card. From there, expect to get it in the mail within 14 days or so.
After this, you are legally able to purchase cannabis in the state of Oklahoma.
Once I Get It, Can I Buy as Much Cannabis as I’d Like?
Not quite.
While you’re legally able to purchase cannabis, there are limitations to how much you can carry and how you can use it. When you have your medical card, you’re allowed to keep upward of 8 ounces in your house. You’re allowed to carry upward of 3 ounces on you or in your vehicle at any given time.
Keep in mind that you can only use cannabis inside your house, and not in any public place — including outdoor areas. You’re also not allowed to smoke when you drive and receive a driving under the influence (DUI) penalty by doing so.
How Long Does My Cannabis Card Last?
Your medical cannabis card is valid for 2 years. Once you’ve reached the 2-year mark you will need to renew your medical card.
Do this in advance so that you’re not without your medicine when you need it.
Where Can I Purchase Medical Cannabis?
You can only legally purchase medical cannabis from state-licensed cannabis dispensaries. These dispensaries are registered and you can look them up to verify them.
A medical cannabis dispensary will also point you toward the best strains to try to treat your ailments. This lets you explore your options and choose the indicas, sativa strains, or hybrids that are best for your conditions.
Am I Allowed To Grow My Own?
Absolutely. In fact, the state of Oklahoma says that you can grow up to six plants.
Growing your own plants can be a labor of love that saves you money and helps you to appreciate cannabis even more.
Get Legal Cannabis in Oklahoma
Now that you know more about getting a medical marijuana card in Oklahoma, there’s nothing stopping you from making it a reality. Cannabis is legal in Oklahoma as long as you make the right decisions and operate within the letter of the law.
Our professionals will happily help you make this happen. Contact us to schedule an appointment with our doctors today!
