Can Nurse Practitioners Recommend or Prescribe Medical Marijuana?

Can any provider provide a recommendation if you're considering obtaining a medical card for depression or another chronic condition? How about nurse practitioners?

Louisiana's cannabis laws allow nurse practitioners to suggest medical cannabis to patients. In sixteen additional states as well as Washington, D.C., nurse practitioners are permitted to prescribe medical marijuana.

What effect does this have on medical cannabis accessibility in Louisiana and elsewhere? This guide provides prospective patients with a step-by-step guide to obtaining a medical cannabis card online while also examining laws in Louisiana and other states.

Louisiana Law: Who Is Authorized to Recommend Medical Cannabis?

Let's begin in Louisiana, the home state of Online Medical Card. Medical cannabis can be recommended by nurse practitioners, but this wasn't always the case.

Prior to House Bill 190's passage in June 2022, only certified medical professionals were permitted to recommend medical marijuana to patients. Three different categories of medical professionals are now able to recommend medical marijuana in Louisiana thanks to cannabis laws:

• Any medical professional in good standing with the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners and licensed to practice medicine in the state

• Any registered advanced practice nurse (also known as a "nurse practitioner") licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing and authorized by the Board to prescribe

• Any licensed medical psychologist who maintains good standing with the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners

What does this practically mean for Louisiana patients?

• More providers can recommend medical cannabis – House Bill 190 expanded the number of clinicians who are able to recommend medical cannabis due to sheer numbers. This implies that more healthcare professionals are available to assist patients in discovering plant-based remedies.

• Cannabis is more accessible to patients – Patients now have greater access to cannabis because more qualified providers are available and a more competitive market has developed, making it possible for patients to receive medical card recommendations more quickly and more cheaply than in the past.

Other State Laws

What about the states that are not Louisiana? Nurse practitioners are currently permitted to recommend medical cannabis in sixteen states as well as Washington, D.C.

• Hawaii

• Illinois

• Iowa

• Massachusetts

• Maryland

• Maine

• Minnesota

• North Dakota

• New Hampshire

• New Mexico

• New York

• Rhode Island

• Utah

• Virginia

• Vermont

• Washington

You'll see that adult use of marijuana, or "recreational," is permitted in some of these jurisdictions. In a state where adult access is relatively easy without a medical card, why would a patient choose to apply for one?

• To consult a provider – Although patients can discuss cannabis with their providers without a medical card, state medical card programs offer potential patients a vital resource: a current list of providers who are knowledgeable about cannabis and have an open mind. To maximize their plans for health and wellness, many patients decide to seek advice from specialists at every stage of their treatment.

• Decreased cost – Medical cannabis products are less expensive than recreational cannabis products in some states. In Colorado, recreational marijuana is subject to additional fees, while medical marijuana is only subject to the state sales tax.

• Exceptional circumstances – Medical card programs may provide access to medical marijuana in certain situations for patients who are not of legal age for recreational use, have complicated legal histories, or have other extenuating circumstances.

Simply put, patients in the aforementioned states who are seeking medical marijuana cards are in luck because the application process is easy and quick because nurse practitioners are authorized to recommend.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Recommendation in 4 Simple Steps

Considering everything mentioned above, how do patients go about obtaining the recommendation required to begin medical marijuana treatment? The procedure is straightforward in the majority of states, and it's even easier in Louisiana:

#1 Find a Provider

The initial action? Locating a medical professional who is qualified to offer a recommendation and who is open-minded and knowledgeable about cannabis.

The laws of each state vary, but in Louisiana:

• Medical cannabis can be recommended by any healthcare professional, provided that they are a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or psychologist.

• Providers can suggest medical cannabis for any ailment they believe would benefit from cannabis treatment; they are not restricted to a particular list of ailments.

Patients outside of Louisiana should ascertain whether:

• A specific list of providers is authorized by their state to recommend medical marijuana.

• Only patients with specific conditions can receive cannabis recommendations from providers.

• Fortunately, health departments usually keep registries that patients can use to look for nearby clinicians in states with few authorized providers.

The easiest way to locate a provider who is knowledgeable about cannabis? Join forces with Online Medical Card. Because our providers are authorized and licensed to virtually recommend medical cannabis, the medical card process is now more convenient than ever.

#2 Discuss Your Condition and Medical Cannabis Options

It's time to get ready for your visit after you've selected a provider with whom you get along and made your initial appointment.

Prior to your scheduled appointment:

• Collect your thoughts – Making a list of your worries or printing out your symptom journal will help your provider understand your health and make the best recommendation.

• Prepare payment – Medical marijuana care is typically not covered by insurance, though exact costs will vary depending on the provider you choose. Therefore, you must ensure that you have the funds to cover your appointment, any state fees, and your medical marijuana purchases out of pocket.

Ask your provider any questions you may have about medical cannabis during your visit; they are happy to discuss safety, drug interactions, and other subjects.

You will move on to the next phase of the process if you and your healthcare provider determine that medical marijuana treatment is a good fit for you.

#3 Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card (Note: Not Required in Louisiana)

You can go directly to Step 4 if you reside in Louisiana: Medical marijuana cards, either digital or physical, are not issued in Louisiana. Your recommendation will instead be sent directly to the cannabis pharmacy of your choice, where you can pick up your prescription and speak with a budtender.

However, if you reside outside of Louisiana, you will probably need to take an extra administrative step: submitting an application for a medical card to the appropriate state agency.

Although each state has a slightly different procedure, be ready to:

• Complete an application – You will probably need to fill out an application form in addition to receiving a recommendation from a provider. You can locate, fill out, and submit this form with the assistance of your provider.

• Provide identification – A lot of states demand that potential patients include identification with their application, such as a passport or driver's license.

• Pay fees – You will be required to pay fees out of pocket if your state charges a fee for applying for a medical cannabis card. For patients who are in need of financial assistance, some states waive fees.

A physical or digital medical marijuana card will be issued to you by the state agency after your application has been reviewed and your payment and supporting documentation have been received.

#4 Visit a Licensed Dispensary or Pharmacy

You are free to visit a dispensary or pharmacy to select your medical cannabis products after you have received your medical card (or, if you reside in Louisiana, your recommendation has been sent).

See Online Medical Card’s dispensary how-to for additional guidance on navigating your first dispensary visit.

Your visit will probably be brief and easy:

• While you wait in line after a staff member has verified your identity, you will have the opportunity to look over the available products.

• A budtender, a knowledgeable person behind the counter, will assist you in selecting your medical marijuana products when it's your turn.

• Once you have selected your items, you will check out and begin your treatment regimen at home.

Suddenly, you can start using medical cannabis in earnest.

Online Medical Card: Get Your Medical Cannabis Recommendation Today

Although prospective medical cannabis patients can discuss their treatment with licensed nurse practitioners in many states, it's not always easy to find providers who are understanding and knowledgeable about cannabis.

The lengthy process of finding a suitable provider can be avoided with Online Medical Card, as our network of certified cannabis professionals is available to assist you in obtaining your medical card and creating a personalized treatment plan quickly and affordably. Whether you're looking for relief or planning to grow 99 plants in CA, our experts can guide you through the necessary steps and legal requirements.

Are you prepared to locate a provider who understands you? To schedule an appointment, contact us right now.