How to Get a Medical Card in Oklahoma
It's hard to believe that Oklahoma, of all states, would manage to pass one of the friendliest cannabis laws in the country, but it's true. Oklahoma has made it possible for anyone who might benefit from medical marijuana to get their card, and now NuggMD can help!
Read on to find out more about how Oklahoma passed such a fantastic law, how the recent legislative and regulatory changes will affect you and what benefits you'll gain by applying for an Oklahoma medical marijuana license today.
First things first: How do I get my medical marijuana license In Oklahoma?
Chances are you clicked on this article to discover how to become a medical marijuana patient, so we'll cut to the chase and then get to the nitty gritty details.
NuggMD is opening their telemedicine services to Oklahoma. They're a telemedicine technology platform that matches potential medical cannabis patients to doctors who can help. All of NuggMD's family of physicians are state-licensed and well-versed in medical marijuana's potential benefits.
Best of all, the cost of your evaluation is only $99, and there's no fee if you don't qualify!
The benefit of having an Oklahoma medical marijuana license
The biggest benefit of having an Oklahoma medical marijuana card is that it's the only way you can use cannabis legally. Cannabis users who can state a medical condition will have lesser penalties for small possession amounts, but only licensed medical cannabis users are entitled to the rights granted by SQ 788. So if you're at least 18 years old (minors can apply for a license with a parent/legal guardian) and need to use cannabis for medical reasons and want to stay out of trouble with the law, it starts by setting an appointment with your doctor to make your patient status official.
Luckily, that process just got easier for Oklahomans thanks to NuggMD.
Get your card from the comfort of your couch
Unlike other states, there are no qualifying conditions in Oklahoma. So whatever condition you're seeking relief for, simply make sure you can provide as much detail as possible. The rest is up to your doctor's judgement.
All you have to do to start your application is go to getnugg.com/md and:
- Choose the state in which you want to apply.*
- Create your NuggMD account.
- Enter your information, including your name, age and current residential address.
- Fill out your medical history with as much detail as possible.
- Provide your payment information while waiting in the NuggMD virtual waiting room.
Once your doctor is available, he or she will use NuggMD's telemedicine platform to begin the medical evaluation process. Be sure to share relevant medical records if you have them and list all medications you're currently taking. Don't forget to ask any questions you might have. This is your chance to find out what to expect when you start your medical cannabis treatment.
Some of the questions you might want to consider are:
- What is the prognosis for those with similar conditions to mine?
- How does medical marijuana interact with other medications I'm taking?
- Would I benefit from CBD as well?
- What methods of ingestion should I consider for my condition?
- What dosage should I start with?
- How often should I consume cannabis, and at what time of day?
- What health risks should I be concerned about while beginning cannabis therapy?
This is your chance to find out everything you need to know, and NuggMD's family of physicians are always happy to help their patients learn as much as possible during their visit.
*NuggMD serves patients in New York, California and Nevada, as well, if you don't live in Oklahoma.
Once you have your recommendation, you're not done yet!
Some states let you buy medical marijuana right away after an application is approved by sending an electronic verification. But Oklahoma requires a short waiting period for processing. It takes up to 14 business days for the state to process your application, so you'll need to be patient with this step.
When your NuggMD doctor approves you for medical cannabis, you'll receive a PDF authorization right away that you can use for your state license application. You may have to wait for approval from the state, but you won't have to wait on NuggMD!
You'll need to apply with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority's online application system within 30 days of receiving your rec, so don't delay this step or you'll have to get a new rec. The cost for the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana License is $100, unless you're a SoonerCare or MediCare patient. SoonerCare and MediCare patient fees will be reduced to $20 if proof of coverage is provided with the state application.
If you're intimidated by paperwork, don't worry. It's easier than it sounds and NuggMD will send you an email walking you through the process.
Required paperwork for your state application
When filling out your state application paperwork, be sure to have:
- A digital, color copy of your proof of state residency, such as your OK driver's license or I.D., voter I.D. card, a utility bill (like electric, gas or water, not a cell bill or internet bill), a deed to your residential property or a current residential rental agreement
- A digital, color copy of your proof of identity such as your OK driver's license or I.D., U.S. passport, Tribal I.D. card or U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs I.D. card
- A digital, full color photograph of your full face with a neutral expression on a white, or an off-white background
- Your NuggMD Physician Recommendation Form signed and dated within 30 days of your online state registration application (NuggMD will provide you with that form)
- Your SoonerCare or MediCare card or enrollment documentation if you'd like to apply for the discounted registration fee of $20
Now that you know the basics, you can read on to learn more about Oklahoma's medical marijuana laws while you wait in their virtual waiting room for your new doctor.
SQ 788: The best legalization initiative ever?
Oklahoma has always been a tough place to be a medical marijuana user. They had very harsh penalties for possession and a shockingly large prison population to prove they mean business. In fact, Oklahoma doesn't just have the highest incarceration rate in the United States, they now have the highest in the world, according to data from the Prison Policy Initiative; and nearly 1 in 5 prisoners are there for drug possession.
Needless to say, Oklahomans got tired of being thrown in jail for weed.
So a group of very brave activists got together and qualified SQ 788 for the ballot. What is so remarkable about the initiative they qualified is that it:
- Doesn't require patients to fit a specific "qualifying condition"
- Provides employment protection for MMJ patients
- Allows larger possession limits than most other states
- Forbids local governments from banning pot shops
- Places no limit on the number of dispensaries
But changes are coming
Because SQ 788 was passed as a statute, and not a constitutional amendment, the legislature can make changes that will supersede the ballot measure. And they have already done so.
- The state now has 14 business days, instead of 14 calendar days to process patient applications due to a change made by SB 162.
- 100% disabled veterans will now be qualified for the reduced patient licensing fee of $20, along with MediCare and SoonerCare patients.
- Starting August 29, employers can dismiss people who are in "safety sensitive" jobs if they have a drug test positive for marijuana.
- The Unity Bill made it clear that the possession amounts listed in SQ 788 are cumulative. This means that patients can have:
- three ounces of flower
- six mature plants, six seedlings
- one ounce of concentrate
- 72 ounces of edibles
- AND eight ounces of marijuana at home
You can possess all of these amounts at the same time if you have a medical marijuana card.
What you can't do with your medical marijuana license
Remember, Oklahoma still has very harsh laws when it comes to illegal cannabis activities, and there are still many restrictions you should be aware of:
- Don't drive while high — you can still get arrested and possibly lose your license.
- You can't sell or donate your excess marijuana — not even to other patients.
- You can't possess more than the state limits.
- You can't keep excess cannabis if you cultivate too much. You'll need to process or completely dispose of your excess.
- But you can't use butane for processing. You'll need to use non-volatile extraction methods.
- You can't "try before you buy." Dispensaries are prohibited from letting customers take samples.
- You can't smoke or vape anywhere that tobacco smoking is restricted.
- You can't use your credit card for purchases because of federal banking laws. Most dispensaries are cash only.
- You definitely can't take marijuana across state lines — not even to other legal states.
Cannabis is still illegal federally, and the police in surrounding states are watching out for people who want to carry cannabis across state lines. Remember that Kansas and Texas have some of the harshest penalties for possession in the nation.
You also can't order cannabis delivery from a dispensary. Unfortunately, Oklahoma doesn't allow convenient delivery services like California's Nugg Club in Oklahoma. If you're in need of delivery because you're unable to travel to a dispensary, you can designate a caregiver in your state application paperwork who can pick up and deliver cannabis for you. You can learn more about this process and other details of the state application process here.
Why use NuggMD?
NuggMD is the trusted source for telemedicine in California, New York and Nevada, and they're bringing that same great service to Oklahoma. They have now matched over half a million patients to their new medical marijuana doctors, making them one of the nation's largest providers of telemedicine. Their streamlined platform includes video service for real-time, one-on-one communications with your physician. And they offer all of this for the low price of just $99 in Oklahoma. That's pretty hard to beat!
If you're a licensed physician who would like to join the NuggMD family, you can contact them today at providers@nuggmd.com.
Members of the editorial and news staff of the USA TODAY Network were not involved in the creation of this content.
How to Get a Medical Card in Oklahoma
Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sponsor-story/nuggmd/2019/09/17/learn-how-get-medical-marijuana-card-oklahoma/2312475001/