How to get a medical marijuana card in North Carolina

What is an MMJ Card in North Carolina?

A medical marijuana card is a state-issued identification card that allows the holder to purchase medical cannabis for therapeutic purposes. Buying and possessing marijuana is illegal federally and also in the state of North Carolina. Therefore, North Carolina does not issue medical marijuana cards.

Who Can Apply for an MMJ Card in North Carolina?

Nobody in North Carolina can apply for a medical marijuana card, as marijuana use is illegal. However, should the state legalize medical cannabis and allow applications from the public, you can expect the qualifications to mirror the following:

• Applicants must be above 18 years old;
• Applicants must live in North Carolina;
• Applicants may not have a prior felony charge or conviction for drug possession and sale.

Can a Minor Obtain a Medical Marijuana Card in North Carolina?

No, minors cannot obtain medical marijuana cards in North Carolina as the state does not currently allow anyone to purchase or use cannabis for medical or recreational purposes.

What Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Cards in North Carolina?

As North Carolina has not legalized medical marijuana, there are no conditions that qualify a person to apply for medical marijuana cards. However, in many states where medical marijuana is legal, the following physical and mental health conditions allow for medical cannabis treatment:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis;
• Anxiety disorders;
• Damage to the nervous tissue of the central nervous system with an objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity and other associated neuropathies;
• Huntington's disease;
• Inflammatory bowel disease;
• Intractable seizures;
• Multiple sclerosis;
• Neurodegenerative diseases;
• Dyskinetic and spastic movement disorders;
• Epilepsy;
• Glaucoma;
• Sickle cell anemia;
• Terminal illness;
• HIV / AIDS
• Neuropathies;
• Therapy-resistant opioid use disorders;
• Parkinson's disease;
• Post-traumatic stress disorder;
• Autism;
• Cancer, including remission therapy;
• Crohn's disease;
• Severe chronic pain of neuropathic origin;
• Tourette syndrome

How Do I Apply for an MMJ Card in North Carolina?

You cannot apply for a medical marijuana card in North Carolina, as medical marijuana is illegal in the state. However, if and when the state legalizes medical cannabis, the application process will likely involve:

• Ensuring that the medical condition you deal with is on the list of qualifying conditions;
• Visit an approved physician, who will certify that you qualify for medical marijuana treatment;
• With the physician's certification secured, apply for an MMJ card.

Note that this is theoretical, as medical marijuana is illegal in North Carolina.

How does a Primary Caregiver get a North MMIC?

In states that allow residents to buy medical marijuana, a primary caregiver is a person who purchases and administers medical cannabis to patients that cannot perform this task independently. Primary caregivers may be:

• Patient-designated (if the patient is an adult);
• A parent or legal guardian of an underage patient;
• A person that a parent, legal guardian, or spouse designates to be a caregiver.

North Carolina has not legalized medical marijuana. Therefore, there are no primary caregivers for medical marijuana in the state, and nobody can apply to help patients buy or purchase medical cannabis in North Carolina.

How long does it take to get a North Carolina MMIC?

Medical marijuana is currently illegal in North Carolina. Therefore, there is no stipulated waiting period for medical marijuana cards. In most states where medical marijuana is legal, the average wait time for medical marijuana cards is 3 - 6 weeks.

Getting a North Carolina Medical Marijuana Card Online

North Carolina does not currently issue medical cannabis cards, as cannabis use is illegal.

How Much Does a Medical Marijuana Card Cost in North Carolina?

North Carolina does not currently issue medical cannabis cards, as cannabis use is illegal.

What Documents Do I Need to Apply for a Medical Cannabis Card in North Carolina?

Currently, you cannot apply for a medical cannabis card in North Carolina as marijuana is illegal. However, in most states that have legalized medical cannabis, applicants need the following documents to apply for medical cannabis cards:

• A copy of a valid medical recommendation;
• Proof of identity, e.g., a valid driver's license;
• Proof of residency within the state or county.

Are my Details Kept Confidential When I Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in North Carolina?

North Carolina residents cannot apply for medical marijuana cards, as marijuana is illegal in the state. However, most states that have legalized medical cannabis keep applicant details confidential under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

The United States established HIPAA in 1996 as a national standard for protecting sensitive medical details. The public may not access private medical files without a patient's explicit consent.

What information appears on a North Carolina Medical Marijuana Card?

North Carolina does not issue medical marijuana cards, as marijuana is illegal around the state. However, in states where residents can apply for medical marijuana cards, those cards typically display the following information:

• The cardholder's unique 9-digit user identification number ;
• The cardholder's photograph;
• The identification card's issuance and expiry date;
• "Patient" or "Primary Caregiver" to designate the cardholder's status.