The medical marijuana laws of most states allow patients to get the drug if they have a health condition or symptoms that are not relieved by other medicines. It is most often used to ease pain, control nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy or other treatments for cancer and AIDS, and stimulate appetite in people with wasting syndrome caused by HIV/AIDS. It has not been proven to treat other conditions, such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. The US Food and Drug Administration has only approved two prescription medicines that contain man-made cannabinoids, including Marinol (CBD) and Dronabinol (THC).
To be eligible to buy marijuana, you need a written statement from your health care provider saying it might help with your symptoms or condition. You must also register with the state program to receive a medical marijuana card. The process varies by state. In New York, for example, you must create an account to submit your doctor’s certification and complete the rest of the registration online.
You can get a medical marijuana card if you have one of the following conditions:
The state also lists other symptoms that might be treated with cannabis, including PTSD, fibromyalgia and chronic pain from shingles. There is moderate evidence that marijuana can also improve sleeping problems caused by PTSD or sleep apnea, and it may reduce the seizures of some patients with epilepsy. Marijuana is available in forms you do not smoke, such as pills or oils. You can buy it from licensed dispensaries. New York law allows you to have up to two caregivers who can administer, store and purchase marijuana on your behalf. The caregivers can be your family members or friends. how to get medical marijuana