With a West Virginia medical marijuana card, patients with qualifying conditions can legally purchase and possess medical cannabis, using medical marijuana as an alternative medicine.
For many people, the stigmas around medical marijuana may make them hesitant to apply for a card, or perhaps the thought of a being on a state registry might scare them away.
While there are many benefits to becoming a medical marijuana patient, the consequences for getting a medical marijuana card are a point of concern for some patients.
In this article, we’ll cover what it means to be a medical marijuana patient in West Virginia, what the downsides are to applying for a medical marijuana certification, and how a medical marijuana card can affect your life as a West Virginia resident.
How Getting a Medical Marijuana Card Can Affect Your Life
Myth #1: A Medical Marijuana Card Puts You on a List
There are a few misnomers about medical marijuana cards that we need to get out of the way.
For starters, when you become a medical marijuana patient, you aren’t entered onto some shared list that the State or any other authority checks, double checks, or even looks at.
Your status as a medical marijuana patient will not be detectable by any background checks, and your privacy as a medical patient remains intact under HIPAA laws.
In rare cases where information concerning your status as a medical marijuana patient might be shared, such as with generalized studies or use-case research, it’s done so anonymously and your name and personal information are not provided to anyone.
Myth #2: You Can’t Own Guns & Be a Medical Marijuana Patient
Another common myth is that being a medical marijuana patient prevents you from owning firearms, which is not entirely true.
In order to legally purchase or sell firearms, you’re required to fill out a form from the ATF that will ask whether you consume marijuana (legally or not), and if you’re a medical marijuana patient, the answer will be yes.
This would effectively prevent you from buying or selling firearms, and even though it would be very difficult to determine that you weren’t telling the truth, the consequences for lying on this form is a hefty penalty of a fine of $10,000 and jail time up to 5 years.
That’s for purchasing or selling firearms, though, and it may not apply to owning firearms.
There is currently no law that prevents you from being a medical marijuana patient and owning a firearm.The only restriction that is in place is from the federal government, concerning the purchase or sale of firearms.
Some States even outrightly express that you can have a concealed weapons permit and be a medical marijuana patient. There’s some legal grounds for this federally that make sense, but it’s best to consult with an attorney to be certain.
How Being a Medical Marijuana Patient Can Change Your Life
There Are Employment Protections for Medical Marijuana Patients in West Virginia
In addition to the fact that there is no organization that will share your private health information, there are also State-based employment protections for medical marijuana patients in West Virginia.
In West Virginia, you can’t be fired or considered not hirable solely because of your status as a medical marijuana patient, and the fact that you are a medical marijuana patient can’t be used against you in terms of employment.
While there are certain positions that medical marijuana patients aren’t able to perform, such as as safety-sensitive positions where motor vehicles, dangerous chemicals, or hazardous work environments are involved, medical marijuana patients are otherwise free to be employed wherever they like.
The Pros of Getting a Medical Marijuana Certification in West Virginia
Getting a medical marijuana certification does come with significant benefits that can significantly change your life.
For one, the medicinal and therapeutic benefits from medical cannabis can provide life-altering improvements that can result in an incredible improvement in quality of life.
If you’re suffering because of symptoms that are debilitating, the improvement of those symptoms can drastically improve your feelings, perceptions, and even your outlook on life.
And for chronic and terminal illnesses like those on West Virginia’s list of approved conditions for medical cannabis, relief with medical cannabis may be an important option in your list of treatment options.
Another pro for getting a medical marijuana certification is the simple legal benefits that come with a card. A medical marijuana certification gives you the legal right to purchase, possess, and transport your cannabis, and it can keep you from getting fines or worse, jail time.
A medical marijuana certification doesn’t have to come with huge negative downsides, and it’s the only way to legally access cannabis in West Virginia.
Get Your Medical Marijuana Certification in
West Virginia
A West Virginia medical marijuana card can be obtained by first being diagnosed with a qualifying condition for medical marijuana. After receiving your diagnosis, patients can consult with one of our highly qualified physicians who can walk you through the process of getting medical cannabis in West Virginia today!
To get access to medical marijuana in West Virginia, patients must first obtain a medical marijuana certification from a qualified physician.
Take the steps to schedule your medical marijuana evaluation appointment today and get access to legal marijuana products available at dispensaries!
Being a West Virginia medical marijuana patient allows you the freedom to take your medication the right way for you. We’re dedicated to helping patients every step of the way! Feel free to give us a call at 877-303-8424, and we can answer your questions about getting a medical marijuana card in West Virginia.
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
West Virginia Marijuana Card’s mission is to help everyone achieve
wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana.
Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for
our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
If you have any questions, call us at 877-303-8424, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out West Virginia Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in West Virginia.