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<p>Talk about EASY!! The whole process took 15 minutes, including the call with the Doctor!!! Amazing!</p>


<p>Me encanta lo f&aacute;cil que nos lo ponen. No se necesita mucho tiempo ni esfuerzo y ahora ya puedo ir a cualquier tienda que quiera.</p>


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<p>There are technically no laws that actively require someone to be a fully-fledged U.S. citizen to purchase medical marijuana. Most legalized states ask for proof of residency as a part of the application process, so those with an in-state address should be able to apply for a medical marijuana card.</p>
<p>However, because c<a href="https://leafwell.com/cannabis-marijuana-laws/">annabis is federally illegal</a>, your status as a medical marijuana patient could complicate your ability to enter the United States or reside there as a foreign citizen. Whether you&rsquo;re a temporary visitor or here on a visa, here&rsquo;s what you need to know about residency and <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/ultimate-guide-getting-medical-marijuana-card/">accessing medical cannabis</a>.</p>
<h2 id="who-can-get-a-medical-marijuana-card-in-the-united-states">Who Can Get a Medical Marijuana Card in the United States?</h2>
<p>Thanks to <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/what-are-schedule-1-drugs/">cannabis&rsquo; FDA status as a Schedule I illegal substance</a>, no regulations dictate who can or cannot get a medical marijuana card. This is because, under federal law, there&rsquo;s no such program. Cannabis is regulated at the <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/five-cannabis-laws-that-apply-to-most-us-states/">state</a> level, with many U.S. states operating a unique medical cannabis program that varies by region.</p>
<p>Many states require residency proof to apply for a medical marijuana card. If you have a physical address in the legalized state, you can meet with a qualifying physician, obtain a recommendation, and apply for your medical marijuana card.</p>
<p>However, this becomes trickier if you don&rsquo;t have a physical resident address in the legalized state. Some states, such as <a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-card/california/">California</a>, allow non-residents to apply for and obtain a medical marijuana card, but most require proof of residency.</p>
<p>You also usually need a copy of a state-issued I.D. to apply for a medical card. Either a driver&rsquo;s license or regular state ID will do the trick.</p>
<h2 id="can-non-u-s-residents-get-medical-cards">Can Non-U.S. Residents Get Medical Cards?</h2>
<p>Non-U.S. residents can apply for medical marijuana cards if they have a physical address and are registered residents in a legalized state. Some state laws require individuals to have lived in the state for a certain amount of time before applying, while others, like California, don&rsquo;t require a physical address at all and only need an ID.</p>
<p>However, <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/cannabis/">cannabis</a> use can disqualify a person from entering the U.S. or the immigration process if that individual is applying for a green card or citizenship. A medical marijuana card serves as ample proof of drug use, which may or may not be worth the risks to future citizenship.</p>
<h2 id="what-to-do-if-you-need-to-use-medical-cannabis-while-traveling-in-the-u-s">What to Do If You Need to Use Medical Cannabis While Traveling in the U.S.</h2>
<h3><b>Opt to Travel to a State with Recreational Cannabis</b></h3>
<p>If you travel to or reside in a state with <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/is-there-a-difference-between-medical-cannabis-flower-recreational/">recreational (adult-use) cannabis</a>, there&rsquo;s no need to apply for a medical marijuana card to purchase it. Recreational/adult-use marijuana programs don&rsquo;t require the same application process or costs as a medical program. They can save you the trouble of needing a residence in a legalized state. You simply need proof of ID stating that you&rsquo;re 21 or older.</p>
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<h6>Download Our Guide To Your Cannabis Rights</h6>
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<h3><b>Don&rsquo;t Travel with Cannabis Across State Lines</b></h3>
<p>Marijuana is federally illegal, and as soon as you <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/can-you-travel-with-medical-marijuana/">transport your weed</a> from one state to another, you forfeit the legal protections that that state&rsquo;s program affords. Ensure you stay on the law&rsquo;s good side by not carrying your cannabis across state lines. If you&rsquo;re going from one state to another, get rid of your cannabis beforehand.</p>
<h2 id="the-bottom-line">The Bottom Line</h2>
<p>Unfortunately, unless you legally reside in a state with a medical marijuana program, you won&rsquo;t be able to get a card or purchase cannabis for medical use from a medical <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/first-dispensary-visit/">dispensary</a>. Visiting a <a href="https://leafwell.com/blog/get-medical-marijuana-card-recreational-state/">recreationally </a>legalized state sidesteps this issue, as long as you don&rsquo;t bring cannabis when crossing state lines.</p>
<p>Need to get qualified for a medical card? Start the simple application and get approved for a&nbsp;<a href="https://leafwell.com/medical-card/">medical marijuana card online</a>.</p>
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Shanti Ryle is a content marketer with more than half a decades’ experience writing about cannabis science and culture. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Weedmaps News/Marijuana.com, Wall Street Journal, and other publications.