Iowa Medical Cannabis Card: Everything You Need to Know

Over the past decade, legal marijuana in the United States has transformed dramatically; most states have acknowledged the use of medical marijuana as a legitimate treatment for specific medical conditions. Iowa is not an exception. The Iowa Medical Cannabidiol Program provides access to cannabis for eligible residents to obtain a medical marijuana card to use cannabis therapeutically. If you are thinking of applying for a medical marijuana card in Iowa, here's all you need to know.

What is a Medical Marijuana Card?

A medical marijuana card is a state-issued identification card that enables people to possess and use a qualifying amount of medical cannabis to treat their medical condition. These patients come from a defined list of conditions that have been determined by Iowa's legislature, and such identification would prove to the rest of the world that these patients are using medical marijuana legally.

This is a program that guarantees that patients can acquire cannabis products in a safe and legal manner in the state of Iowa.

Eligibility Requirements

To obtain a medical marijuana card in Iowa, a patient must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Age: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Those who are under 18 can apply with parental or guardian consent.

Qualifying Conditions: Iowa accepts several qualifying medical conditions that would stand to benefit through the use of medical cannabis. These include but are not limited to:

• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Multiple sclerosis
• Crohn's disease
• Parkinson's disease
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Severe chronic pain
• Terminal illness

Medical Evaluation: Before any action can be taken, a licensed healthcare professional authorized to prescribe medical marijuana must have assessed your medical history and condition. This would serve to ascertain whether, in effect, you benefit from medical marijuana treatment.

Application Process

The Iowa administration conducts its application process for a medical marijuana card based on the following procedures:

Get Written Recommendation: After you have been evaluated by a qualified provider of healthcare, he/she will write a recommendation based upon the fact that medical marijuana would be appropriate for what ails you. This is the application.

Fill out Application: You can complete an application online by accessing the Iowa Department of Public Health's site. There, you'll be asked to input personal data, proof of residency, and, naturally, that written recommendation from your healthcare provider.

Pay Application Fee: The application fee to obtain a medical marijuana card in Iowa costs one hundred dollars, but with receipt of SNAP, he or she has an opportunity to have this fee reduced down to $25. The charge is non-refundable, which ensures that every application material meets the requirements before it is submitted.

Submit Your Application: Once prepared, apply online with supporting documentation and the fee. The state will review your application after receipt.