Getting or renewing a medical marijuana card in Colorado has never been easier. The advent of the internet has made almost anything possible, including getting your hands on an application (or renewal application) for your medical marijuana card! Long gone are the days of having to schedule a consultation in person with your doctor! The online application process is fast, easy, and the most efficient way of getting your card.
In order to reapply or even apply for a medical marijuana card in Colorado, you have to meet certain criteria. The criteria could include anything from filling out a form, to updating your patient information, and so on. Follow along with this article to see how you can apply or reapply.
Qualifying Conditions
In the state of Colorado, qualifying debilitating medical conditions for the ability to use medical marijuana include: cancer, glaucoma, HIV or AIDS, cachexia, persistent muscle spasms, seizures, severe nausea, and severe pain. Other qualifying disabling medical conditions include: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and any condition for which a physician could prescribe an opioid.
Eligibility
For adults, in order to be eligible for a medical marijuana card or renewal you must: be a Colorado resident, be 18 years or older, and have a qualifying medical condition.
In order for minors to be eligible for a medical marijuana card they must: (minor and the primary parent) be Colorado residents, the minor has a qualifying medical condition, and all minor patients must see two providers and submit two provider certifications.
Tips for Those Applying for a Medical Card in Colorado
In order to guarantee a smooth and steady process, it is recommended that you gather all required documents before applying. Review this list to be sure you have everything you need before you begin the application process. Be sure you have a PDF or JPEG copy of your valid Colorado ID or driver’s license as Invalid ID’s, expired ID’s and un-certified documents will not be accepted.
After you do this, you will want to choose a username and password that is easy to remember. If your account is locked, you can use the reset password feature to create a new password and unlock your account. After 3 incorrect password attempts your account will be locked, so be sure to write down this information somewhere.
Once your account is created, you will need to submit the correct information. During your appointment, ask your provider to verify that all information on your provider certification is correct. Providers can make updates to information on physician certifications at any time.
Double-check that all the information on your application is correct before clicking “submit.” You can correct your information until you add your physician certification.
Tips for Applying on Behalf of a Minor or Another Person as a Legal Representative
1. Create the online account under the primary parent or legal representative’s name. The email and username on the applicant’s online account should be created under the primary parent or legal representative’s name.
2. Have the primary parent or legal representative sign their name on the application. Make sure the primary parent or legal representative signs or types their own name on the “signature” line on the application. Minors are not able to sign their applications.
3. Upload a copy of the notarized minor consent form. Only parents of minors should complete this form. If the secondary parent lives in Colorado, make sure he or she signs this form as well. Download the minor consent form
4. Make sure that all of your documents, including birth certificates and court orders establishing custody, are certified copies. Before you upload the minor’s birth certificate make sure: The birth certificate is certified, all four corners of the document are visible, and all information can be easily read. Note: If you are unsure if your document is certified, contact the issuing state’s vital records office. Before you upload a certified court order proving custody, such as a parenting plan, make sure: Your court order is certified, You have included all pages of the court order, all four corners each page are visible, all information can be easily read. Note: If you are unsure if your document is certified, contact the court directly.
Physician Qualifications
Your physician must meet the following requirements to recommend medical marijuana to you as a patient: The physician must be in good standing and licensed to practice in Colorado. The physician must be an MD or a DO. Physician is able to submit certifications online on behalf of patients. We recommend contacting the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies for more information regarding physician licenses.
During your appointment, ask your doctor to verify that all information on your provider certification is correct. This will ensure that you won’t run into any problems in this particular department. Providers can make updates to information on physician certifications at any time.
All minor patients are required to see two physicians and submit two physician certifications. Minor patients diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder no longer need to provide a physician certification from a physician who is a board-certified pediatrician, child and adolescent psychiatrist, or family physician who attests to being part of the patient’s primary care team.
If the minor patient has a qualifying disabling medical condition, which includes Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorders, and any condition in which a physician could prescribe an opioid, and the recommending physician is not the patient’s primary care physician, the physician should review the records of a diagnosing physician or a licensed mental health provider acting within his or her scope of practice. For more information please refer to C.R.S. 25-1.5-106 and House Bill 19-1028.
All the Needed Documents for a Medical Card in Colorado
Adult applicants should be sure to have a valid Colorado ID or driver’s license. (If you are applying online, make sure to have a JPEG or PDF copy of your valid Colorado driver’s license or ID. You will upload this to your registration.) You will also need your social security number, and finally a credit card or bank account with a routing number to pay the $25 application processing fee. You will also need a caregiver’s registration ID if you are applying with a caregiver.
Parents and legal representatives of minor applicants should be sure to have the primary parent’s Colorado driver’s license or ID, the minor’s social security number, the primary parent’s social security number, a certified copy of the minor’s state-issued birth certificate, a caregiver’s registration ID if parent is not the caregiver, a credit card or bank account and routing number to pay the $25 application processing fee, along with;
Documentation to prove secondary parent status, such as a secondary parent’s out of state ID if parent lives out of state, or a copy of secondary parent’s certified death certificate if parent is deceased, or a copy of a certified court-issued sole custody order if the secondary parent does not have any custody.
Legal representatives of adults will need: Patient’s Colorado driver’s license or ID, the legal representative’s Colorado driver’s license or ID, the patient’s social security number, the legal representative’s social security number, copies of certified legal representative documentation (medical power of attorney documents or certified court orders), the caregiver’s registration ID if the legal representative is not the caregiver, and finally a credit card or bank account and routing number with which to pay the $25 application processing fee. If you are applying online, make sure to have JPEG or PDF copies of all required documents. You will upload the documents to your registration.
Now What?
2. Enter patient information. If you do not see your name, click “new” to enter your patient information. Your application will be processed as a renewal if you have applied by mail in the past. If you see your name, click on it to start the renewal process.
3. Add physician certification. Click the “Provider certification” tab. Click “new”. Choose your provider certification from the drop-down menu. Click “save”.
4. Enter cultivation information. Click the “Cultivation information” tab. Click “new”. Select your cultivation option and complete required fields. Click “save”
You will be able to change your cultivation option once your card is active.
5. Pay. Use a credit card, debit card or electronic check to pay the $25 application processing fee. This fee is non-refundable and is required each time you submit an application.
After you apply for Your Medical Card
Check your email! You should receive a message telling you to log into your account. Once you have that, log into your account. Click the “Notifications” tab to read messages. The final thing you will want to do is print (or display) your card. Click the “print card” button to print your card or display it from a mobile device after you have been approved. If you applied online you will not receive a card in the mail.
Apply for your medical card by mail
While this resource is reserved for applicants who do not have access to any internet, you are still free to. This might be up to an 8 week process, but it is possible! Applicants who apply by mail in Colorado will be mailed a medical card, and will not have access to their online account.
Additional Resources:
At The Weed Blog we strive to produce the latest online news resources regarding marijuana. We also review various strains of cannabis or other edible counterparts. We are committed to helping you find valuable information about marijuana on our website. With marijuana laws constantly changing, learn from us what you can do to promote activism in your area. Otherwise, consider these other top-tier articles regarding cannabis:
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