How do I get my medical marijuana card?

Medical MarijuanaIt's probably one of the questions we hear most at Oregon NORML.

Basically, in Oregon a doctor can recommend medical marijuana in Oregon for treatment of one or more of these following conditions (or treatment of these conditions caused by medication to treat another condition):

  • cancer
  • glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • severe chronic pain
  • severe chronic nausea
  • cachexia [loss of weight, muscle wasting, fatigue, weakness and decrease of appetite]
  • gastrointestinal disorders [such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, irratible bowel syndrome, and Crohn's Disease]
  • seizures [including but not limited to seizures caused by epilepsy]
  • persistent muscle spasms [including but not limited to spasms caused by multiple sclerosis]
  • agitation due to Alzheimer's disease

Although marijuana may be an effective treatment for other conditions, and although other states, such as California, may allow marijuana as a treatment for other conditions, in Oregon the use of medical marijuana IS NOT allowed for any other condition other than those listed above, including:

  • depression
  • anxiety
  • post-traumatic stress disorder

The doctor does not write a prescription for marijuana (which would be a federal drug trafficking offense); it is merely a recommendation to use marijuana (which is a doctor's free speech right). The law provides no mechanism for acquiring marijuana and the state provides no references to doctors who will recommend marijuana.

If your doctor will not recommend marijuana, then gather your medical records from the past three years that detail your treatment by medical doctors for one or more of the qualifying conditions. Some clinics, like The Hemp & Cannabis Foundation, will then have their doctor review your documentation, examine you, and write a recommendation for you if you qualify.

Once you have the doctor's recommendation, you will then need to register with the state. Registration is $100/year (or $20/year if on SSI or OHP). Learn more at the OMMP Website.

After you have turned in your paperwork and gotten your receipt, you may join Oregon NORML and attend our Monthly Cardholders Meetings, where you can meet other patients and caregivers, learn about the medical marijuana law, get your own marijuana plant starts and ask questions of master marijuana growers.