Medical marijuana was first legalized in Washington DC in 1998 after 69% of Washington DC voters approved Initiative 59. Despite the voters’ effort, the US Congress passed the Barr Amendment, that prohibited Washington from using the state’s funds for implementing its medical marijuana program.

In 2009 the congress was able to change things; however, it took three more years until a medical marijuana patient was able to buy cannabis in the state. Now, the use of marijuana for both recreational and medical use is decriminalized in the state.

On this article, we will show you how to get your medical marijuana card in Washington and how can you buy medical marijuana there as well.

How to Become a Medical Marijuana Patient?

The first step for you to become a medical marijuana patient is that you get a medical marijuana recommendation from a healthcare or practitioner who is authorized by the state to recommend medical cannabis.

Who is an Eligible Patient to Get a Medical Cannabis Recommendation?

If you are a Washington DC resident (you must give two proofs of residency) and need marijuana for medical purposes, you are an eligible patient for the state’s program. You must also have one of the program’s qualifying conditions and be at least 18 years old. If you’re not a DC resident, there’s the reciprocity law and you can check about it here.

What are the Medical Qualifying Conditions of Washington’s MMJ Program?

If you have one or more of the following medical conditions you are eligible to participate in the state’s medical cannabis program. The medical conditions are:

• Cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), multiple sclerosis, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, or spasticity disorders.
• Intractable pain limited for the purpose of pain unrelieved by standard medical treatments and medications.
• Glaucoma limited for increased intraocular pressure unrelieved by standard treatments and medications.
• Crohn’s disease with debilitating symptoms unrelieved by standard treatments or medications.
• Hepatitis C with debilitating nausea or intractable pain unrelieved by standard treatments or medications.
• Diseases, which result in nausea (anorexia included), vomiting, wasting, appetite loss, cramping, seizures, muscle spasms, or spasticity, when these symptoms are unrelieved by standard treatments or medications.
• Chronic renal failure requiring hemodialysis, post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injury.

How to Proceed After You Got Your Recommendation?

After you receive your MMJ authorization, you can be registered in the database to become a cardholder. A cardholder in Washington has many benefits such as possessing and growing more plants, purchasing products from retail stores tax-free, purchasing high-THC products and more that you can check here.

How Do I Register in the Database?

The first thing you will need to do is to take your recommendation and give to a consultant in any licensed medical marijuana dispensary which is authorized to work with medical cannabis patients. Then, the consultant will take your authorization form of MMJ patient and he will enter your information into the database, take a picture of you and create your card. There’s a $1 fee to create your card, and the endorsed dispensary will collect it and pay to the Department of Health.

After you’re done doing all the previous steps, you will be able to get medical cannabis in Washington. But wait, didn’t we said I’d be easier? And it is. MetroXMD can help you with this whole process, making it a lot simpler and easier for you.

How MetroXMD Can Help You Getting Your Card in Washington

MetroXMD has a team of qualified professionals that will walk you through the entire process of getting your card, including licensed practitioners that can get your Medical Marijuana authorization.

The first thing you’ll need to do is register from this link and book an appointment with a MetroXMD doctor who will review your ailments and medical condition. Once you are evaluated and approved online, you’ll receive your medical cannabis authorization from our licensed MMJ doctor.

The fee for the marijuana card, 24/7 online verification, physician medical CoPay, marijuana Consultation, online medical cannabis certificate for new Patients and renewals is of $199. There’s also a combo package for two MMJ cards and all the services commented above for $379.

After you are approved for medical marijuana in DC, you can buy MMJ at any Washington D.C. dispensary.

In case you have any more doubts about this process, feel free to reach us that we’ll be opened to solve all your questions.