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How to Get Medical Marijuana Card CT

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Connecticut residents have had access to medical marijuana for a decade now. The state's Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) oversees an effective medical marijuana program that ensures patients’ safety and enforces standards for the quality of cannabis sold at state dispensaries.

As with any legislation, the state updates its laws as politicians learn more about the program's effectiveness, cannabis's therapeutic value, and evolving societal norms.

A valid card is the only legal way to obtain cannabis in Connecticut. Any resident of Connecticut with a qualifying medical condition can seek approval from a licensed doctor to obtain a medical marijuana card. Better yet, the application process is simple and relatively quick, especially if you prepare for it ahead of time.

Patient Requirements for Medical Marijuanas CT

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Connecticut dispensaries can only be visited by cardholders registered with the state, and you must be a Connecticut resident to apply for a card. Only a Connecticut-licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse treating you for a debilitating medical condition can certify you for cannabis.

Medical marijuana patients can be any age. However, the applicable qualifying medical conditions are more limited for patients under 18. Those patients must obtain their own cards and have designated caregivers who apply separately. Minors also must get certification from two physicians to apply for a card.

Finally, qualifying patients cannot apply for a card if they’re confined in a correctional facility or under the supervision of the Connecticut Department of Corrections.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Connecticut

getting your Connecticut medical marijuana card

medical marijuana in ct
  • register for medical marijuana connecticut

    Call the Sanctuary to schedule a visit with a certified doctor.

    Our friendly staff will arrange your appointment and explain the steps you need to take to obtain a medical marijuana card in Connecticut.

  • medical marijuana doctor appointment

    Meet with your Connecticut cannabis doctor via phone or computer.

    Your appointment will take about 15 minutes. During your evaluation, your doctor will examine your condition and issue a certificate to the DCP to notify the agency that you are approved for the program. Make sure to provide a valid email address!

  • register with ct state for medical marijuana

    Complete your registration on the DCP website.

    After receiving your certification, the DCP will send you an email with additional application instructions. You will need to complete your application online by submitting proof of Connecticut residency (such as a utility bill or rent statement), uploading a copy of your government-issued ID, and pay a $100 fee.

  • marijuana doctor penssylvania

    Receive your card and purchase medical marijuana.

    If the DCP approves your application, you will receive a temporary medical marijuana card via email within 48 hours. Your actual card will arrive via email within a few weeks. With these cards, you can visit any licensed dispensary to purchase medical marijuana.



Seeing a Medical Marijuana Doctor in CT


Cannabis is a powerful palliative care measure for many people suffering from chronic and life-altering conditions. The clinical evidence backing the therapeutic value of medical marijuana is only growing as more states permit its use and more patients enjoy its benefits.

Currently, over 1,500 providers are registered to recommend cannabis in Connecticut. However, the DCP does not maintain a public directory of doctors who certify patients for marijuana. The state also does not require providers to issue certificates for marijuana.

If you believe you would benefit from medical marijuana, speak to your primary care provider or the specialist managing your condition. If they disagree or are not registered to certify patients, ask for a referral to a medical marijuana specialist.

Always look for board-certified providers, and ask about their experience recommending medical marijuana. It's important to work with a doctor who understands what cannabis can and cannot accomplish.

A qualified cannabis doctor will review your medical history, discuss marijuana's health risks, establish a treatment plan, determine the delivery mechanism for your marijuana, and answer your questions. Be forthcoming and open with them to minimize your risk of side effects and adverse interactions with medications.

About Medical Marijuana in Connecticut

Medical Marijuana Card in CT

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The Connecticut medical marijuana program continually reviews and revises its policies. As common knowledge about medical cannabis grows, new conditions are added to the state’s list of qualifying conditions.

The state of Connecticut’s qualifying conditions include:

The full list of conditions is available on the DCP website, including allowable conditions for minors

Call (959) 245-1716 with any questions and to schedule your evaluation

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana Card

  • Cancer
  • Damage to the nervous tissue
  • Glaucoma
  • Post-herpetic neuralgia
  • Post-laminectomy syndrome
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Muscular dystrophy
  • Neuropathic facial pain
  • Psoriatic arthritis
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Uncontrolled intractable seizure disorder
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Epilepsy
  • Wasting syndrome
  • Spinal cord and nerve damage
  • Sickle cell disease
  • Severe psoriasis
  • Severe rheumatoid arthritis
  • Degenerative spinal disorders
  • Irreversible spinal cord injury
  • Interstitial cystitis
  • Chronic radiculopathy
  • Cachexia
  • Terminal illness
  • Chronic pain that lasts for at least six months with a specified underlying chronic condition that resists other treatment methods
  • Objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
  • Osteogenesis imperfecta
  • Tourette’s syndrome
  • Severe epilepsy
  • HIV
  • AIDS
  • Complex regional pain syndrome
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • Terminal illness requiring end-of-life care
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Intractable headache syndromes
  • Spasticity or neuropathic pain from fibromyalgia
  • Chronic neuropathic pain/Intractable neuropathic pain that persists despite treatment

TESTIMONIALS

What Our Clients Are Saying About Our Cannabis Doctors.

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  • Sanctuary wellness institute medical marijuana card review
    The Sanctuary Wellness Institute Reviewed by Ingrid C. - Medical Marijuana Card Evaluation review
    February 19 2020


    "... I highly recommend them!"


    "Very friendly and helpful in getting your card and are there to always answer any questions you may have. I felt very comfortable speaking with the Connecticut medical marijuana doctor through my computer! I highly recommend them!*"

    Rating: 5


CT Medical Marijuanas Card Renewal


Your certification is valid for 12 months from the date the physician issued the certificate (not from the date you obtained your card). The DCP begins accepting card renewals 30 days before cards’ expiration.

Renewals are completed online, and that process is very similar to the original registration process. You will need your provider to issue a new certification to confirm you're under their care, still have a patient-provider relationship, and still would benefit from medical marijuana.

You will then upload proofs of your identity and residency. Remember to confirm that your address is correct with your physician before they issue your renewal certificate. Otherwise, you will need to make corrections with the DCP, which will delay your application. Renewals are $100 for patients and $25 for caregivers.


CT Medical Marijuana Card Online


In response to the pandemic, Connecticut passed legislation temporarily legalizing telemedicine services for medical marijuana patients. Providers can certify patients and provide follow-up information related to recertification via the internet until June 30, 2023.

All other requirements regarding eligibility and the doctor-patient relationship must still be met.

The entire process for obtaining a medical marijuana card can now be completed online. Still, it’s important to remember that Connecticut still requires proof of a bonafide doctor-patient relationship.

Be sure to seek out a provider with a background in medical marijuana. They can properly assess your condition, medical history, medications, and hopes for treatment using telemedicine.

Treat your telehealth appointment the same as you would an in-person office visit. Be sure to disclose all relevant health information and voice any questions or concerns.


FAQs


How much does it cost to get a medical card in Connecticut?

New cards and renewals cost $100 for patients and $25 for caregivers.

How long does it take to get an MMJ card in CT?

The DCP takes up to 30 days from receipt of your application to process your approval. Giving your address and email to your marijuana doctor when you first visit them will expedite the approval process by eliminating the need for corrections to your application.

Where do you go to get a medical marijuana card?

The application for a Connecticut medical marijuana card can be completed and submitted online, though you must visit a medical marijuana doctor, which can be done in-person or online. The card itself is then emailed as an electronic document, which you print out or present using your smartphone whenever you visit a dispensary.

Can I go to a dispensary without a card in CT?

No—only patients and caregivers with MMJ cards can enter dispensaries. Regardless of changes to state possession laws, the only way to legally obtain cannabis in Connecticut is with a valid medical marijuana card.

What is the medical marijuana possession limit in CT?

In 2021, the DCP increased the legal monthly possession limit for medical marijuana patients to 3.5 ounces. However, a dispensary can only provide up to 2.5 ounces at one time.

How do I become a caregiver in Connecticut?

Any legal guardian of a qualifying minor or a qualifying incapacitated adult can become a caregiver. In addition, a physician can authorize a caregiver if they document their patient's need for a caregiver with the DCP and that patient affirms it.
Once the patient establishes an account and names you as their caregiver, you can create your own account and complete the same application process.

Can I grow my own cannabis in Connecticut once I get my medical marijuana card?

As of October 1, 2021, medical marijuana cardholders 18 years and older may grow up to three mature and three immature plants. Only 12 plants can be present in one household, regardless of how many card-holding residents live there. The plants must be kept indoors and cannot be visible outside the home.
Plants can only be grown within each cardholder's primary residence and cannot be accessed by individuals under 21 years of age.

Can I use my Connecticut medical cannabis card outside of the state?

Today, Arkansas, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Utah, and Washington D.C. allow Connecticut cardholders to visit their dispensaries.
That being said, be sure to research states’ local laws before traveling through them since possession policies vary by state and are frequently updated.