How To Get An MMJ Card For Your Child? (Guide)

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Adults with medical marijuana cards are well recognised, but children with cancer, epilepsy, and other ailments frequently receive prescriptions for highly addictive pharmaceuticals. It’s crucial to consider why we would forgo a less dangerous and potentially beneficial option for them. For this reason, minors can also receive medical consultations from our doctors.

This article can be useful for parents looking to get medical marijuana for their kids. Regardless of where you live, it offers a general summary of how to get your child a medical marijuana card, while it does not go into detail about each state’s laws.

 

Can Children and Teens Get Medical Cards?

In simple terms, the answer is yes. If your child meets the eligibility requirements in their state, they can apply for the use of medical cannabis. It is necessary for them to have a qualified Caregiver, who typically needs to be at least 21 years old and have significant responsibilities in taking care of the child. In most cases, Caregivers will have to meet additional criteria to qualify for their role.

Due to the vulnerability of minors to the effects of THC, many states have stricter qualifying criteria for medical cannabis. Some states require two certifications/recommendations from physicians and/or the involvement of a pediatric specialist to qualify the patient. In other states, medical cannabis is only permitted for children with severe conditions such as epilepsy, cancer, or terminal illnesses, among others.

 

What is a Caregiver?

A caregiver has the responsibility of overseeing the welfare and administration of cannabis for an individual with a chronic or debilitating medical condition. Being related to the person is not a requirement to fulfill the role of a caregiver, and it should be noted that an attending physician does not serve as a caregiver.

 

How Do I Become a Caregiver?

The requirements for becoming a caregiver vary depending on the state. You will need to provide information about yourself and the person you will be taking care of. Some forms may also inquire about any previous medical training you have received.

In certain states, completing a Caregiver Core Certification Course is mandatory. This course typically includes around 12 hours of basic training that covers the fundamental aspects of working as a caregiver. Additional training may be necessary for caregivers working with conditions like dementia. Additionally, you will need to demonstrate that you have been the primary caregiver for the individual, usually as a parent or legal guardian. The specific requirements may differ depending on the state, but there are some commonalities.

In most states, patients are allowed to have one caregiver who must be at least 21 years old. There are usually other regulations in place for caregivers, such as not having a felony conviction, particularly for offenses involving violence or drug crimes. Caregivers are also typically not allowed to be medical marijuana patients themselves.

 

Do I Have to Be a Caregiver for My Child to Get an MMJ Card for Them?

Indeed, unless the child is legally emancipated, they must have a qualified caregiver in order to obtain a physician’s certification or a recommendation for a medical marijuana card.

 

Does My Child Have to Be On the Physician’s Call for Medical Marijuana?

Indeed, the doctor will have to observe your child engaging in conversation with you and conduct an examination if deemed necessary.

 

Steps to Getting an MMJ Card for Your Child

Applying for medicinal cannabis on behalf of someone else is akin to applying for yourself as a carer. You must fill out the application paperwork for your child, which may contain a form specifically for minors, one for carers, and, if allowed, one for producing medical marijuana. Both you and your child must present identification and documentation of residency. You might need to get two doctor’s certificates or consult a pediatric specialist, depending on the requirements.

 

Below are the general steps to obtain a medical marijuana card through telemedicine, whether it is for yourself or your child:

1. Register online to speak with a doctor. For the video consultation with the doctor, make sure you have proper identification for both you and your child, as well as a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a working camera, speakers, and microphone.

2. After the examination, receive approval from the physician and obtain a certificate or recommendation for medical cannabis. This document will be sent to you via email.

3. Enroll in the medical marijuana program administered by the state’s Department of Health. Complete a minor’s medical marijuana card form for your child and a caregiver’s application form for yourself. Sometimes, the caregiver form may be included in the original application form, while in other cases, a separate caregiver application form is required. The patient’s application form will include the caregiver’s information.

4. Obtain your child’s medical marijuana card as well as your caregiver’s card.

5. You are now able to visit a dispensary in your state to purchase suitable cannabinoid-based medication for your child. Remember to bring a valid photo ID with you, as your child will not be allowed inside the dispensary with you.

 

Costs Associated with Obtaining an MMJ Card for Your Child

It is important to consider the costs involved in obtaining an MMJ card for your child. While the specific fees vary from state to state, here are some common expenses to be aware of:

Physician Consultation: Depending on the telemedicine service or clinic you choose, the consultation fee can range from $50 to $200.

Application Fee: Most states require a fee for processing the application. The cost typically falls between $50 and $200.

Medical Cannabis Certificate: Some states may charge a separate fee for the physician’s medical cannabis certificate or recommendation, ranging from $25 to $100.

State Medical Marijuana Program Fee: States may also require an annual fee to participate in the medical marijuana program. This fee can range from $50 to $200.

 

Also Read: Can a Minor Get a Medical Weed Card in New York?

 

Conclusion

For a child to obtain an MMJ card, several crucial actions must be taken. Each step takes care and adherence to your state’s unique regulations, from speaking with a qualified doctor to signing up for the state’s medical marijuana programme. The accompanying costs, such as doctor visits, application fees, medicinal cannabis certificates, and state programme fees, must also be taken into account. Parents and other adults who are responsible for children can expose them to the possible advantages of medical cannabis while staying within the confines of accepted medical and legal practices.