Washington State requires potential medical cannabis patients looking to be recognized by the state as such to obtain a medical cannabis authorization from their primary care provider and a recognition card from a certified medical cannabis consultant. Once a patient is registered in the database they will receive certain benefits not afforded to those with just an authorization such as tax breaks on purchases of DOH-compliant products at medically endorsed retail stores. Click here for the Department of Health patient resource page.
Receive your medical cannabis authorization.
First, to get medical cannabis authorization for the medical use of cannabis you must visit your treating physician and they will determine whether you have a qualifying condition (click here for the list of conditions) and meet the criteria for being a qualifying patient. (The Department of Health considers a “treating physician” to be any healthcare provider authorized by you to receive your health records and has discussed your medical situation with you.)
It is recommended to first seek help from a healthcare provider who has been regularly treating you for your qualifying condition, but, for any number of reasons, that healthcare provider (family physician, neurologist, etc.) may be unwilling or unable to provide you with medical cannabis authorization. In that case, it is suggested to speak with another healthcare provider. Referrals from your treating physician may be available. It is always recommended that you communicate with your regular, treating healthcare provider about your medical cannabis use after receiving your authorization if you continue to be treated by them. Appointment costs vary from approximately $200.00 – $300.00 for an initial evaluation. You will want to bring any supporting medical records. Cards are good for 1 year, card renewals may cost less.
Next, turn your authorization into a medical card.
Once a healthcare provider provides you with a signed authorization form for the medical use of cannabis, you can choose to get a recognition card. The cost of receiving a recognition card will be $1. To obtain a recognition card and to be entered into the DOH database contact a Medical Cannabis Consultant. MCC’s are the only people who can enter you into the DOH database and create a card. This will allow you certain privileges which include:
A sales tax discount on DOH-compliant cannabis products purchased from medically endorsed retailers.
Starting June 6th registered patients will also receive a 37% excise tax exemption on DOH-compliant cannabis products purchased from medically endorsed retailers.
The ability to purchase larger quantities of cannabis products from each visit to a retailer.
Higher plant counts – as specifically authorized by your treating physician. If you choose to grow plants, it is recommended to hang a copy of your authorization in the garden.
The ability to appoint a designated provider (DP). A DP is a person who can legally pick up your purchases for you or grow cannabis for you.
Arrest protection.
Important to Know: If you have an authorization card from your medical provider and DO NOT register in the database you are only permitted to grow 4 plants, you do not have arrest protection and you will not receive tax benefits.
Medical cannabis authorizations expire after one year and so will your recognition card. You will need to repeat the process of becoming authorized every year.
Find DOH-Compliant Products
Then, take you’re your card to a store that holds a medical cannabis endorsement to purchase DOH-compliant cannabis products. These stores should be on the DOH list of medically endorsed stores.
Check here to see if your condition qualifies – https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/cannabis/medical-cannabis/patient-information/qualifying-conditions
Questions? Visit the Department of Health website for more information, including patient information, cooperatives, designated providers, possession amounts, qualifying conditions, and more. Click here for the Department of Health patient resource page.