How to Get a Colorado Medical Marijuana Card in 2023
Article written by
Ruth LemonVP of Operations
Are you interested in getting a Medical Marijuana Card in Colorado? You’ve come to the right place to learn how. We hope this article acts as a valuable guide to help you understand the process of applying for your MMJ Card. We keep this information up to date to make sure it is accurate and makes your journey as simple as possible. Keep reading to find out more.
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Getting a Colorado Medical Marijuana Card Online
Unfortunately, patients can no longer see a physician in Colorado via telemedicine to get certified for medical marijuana. During the COVID pandemic, Colorado allowed online medical cannabis certifications, but this is no longer the case.
As a telehealth platform helping people easily obtain their medical marijuana cards, Leafwell will soon open to help our clients quickly and securely get a Colorado Medical Marijuana Card online. We’ve put together this valuable guide which will answer all your questions and help individuals living in Colorado.
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Who Can Apply?
To apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Colorado, you must be a legal resident of Colorado.
Patients must be aged 18 or over in order to apply for a medical marijuana card for themselves. Minors can have caregivers apply on their behalf.
There are 4 different types of caregivers: parents of minors, advising caregivers, transporting caregivers and cultivating caregivers. We’ll give more information about these caregiver types below.
Once you’ve applied, your information will be submitted by your certifying physician to the Medical Marijuana Registry. The information is kept confidential and is only available for patients, caregivers and physicians.
What Does an MMJ Card Permit in Colorado?
As an MMJ Card holder in Colorado, you are permitted to possess:
- Up to 2 oz of marijuana
- Up to 6 marijuana plants (maximum of 3 mature plants)
Recreational cannabis use is legal in Colorado. Recreational users must be over 21 years old and can only possess up to 1 oz of marijuana (half as much as medical patients can carry). Recreational users can cultivate the same amount of cannabis plants
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How do I Apply?
With Leafwell, you can get your Colorado Medical Marijuana Card in 4 simple steps:
1. Register online with Leafwell
We can put you on a waiting list and put you in touch with a physician for an in-person appointment.
2. Attend your appointment and discuss with your physician why you would like an MMJ Card
The doctor will ask you questions based on your medical history and provide you with advice and guidance on whether medical marijuana is a good choice for you.
3. Complete the Application on the government website
Create and log into an account on the Colorado state website and select the ‘Physician Certification tab’ where you’ll see a dropdown which includes the new certificate uploaded by your certifying physician. Select this and pay for your application ($25). It will take 1-3 days to be approved.
4. Get approved and download your electronic medical marijuana card
You don’t receive a physical card in Colorado – instead, you can download it directly to your cell phone to show to your chosen dispensary. You can also opt to print this out if desired. Your certificate will be valid for one year from the date of issue.
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How Much Does a Medical Marijuana Card Cost in Colorado?
It costs $25 for the MMJ application, payable to the state. This is a non-refundable fee which must be paid every time you apply. Each card is valid for one year. Every time you renew, you will be required to meet with a state-licensed physician via a telemedicine platform like Leafwell and then renew your card via the state website.
There is no additional fee for applications which include a designated caregiver.
Insurance does not currently cover the cost of applying for an MMJ Card in Colorado because cannabis is illegal at the federal level.
Leafwell is not providing certifications for Colorado at this time, as medical cannabis qualification is no longer available via telehealth in Colorado.
What Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Cards in Colorado?
According to Colorado law in 2021, the following debilitating conditions may qualify you for a medical marijuana card in Colorado:
- A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition
- Cachexia
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Persistent muscle spasms
- PTSD
- Seizures
- Severe nausea
- Severe pain
Note that this list is up to date as of February 2021. Legislation or the Commissioner of Health may add additional conditions, at which time, Leafwell will update this list.
What Documents Do I Need to Apply for a Medical Cannabis Card?
In order to apply for your MMJ Card in Colorado, you will need to show your signed certificate which provides proof of your condition as well as your identification documents. You should gather together the following:
- Current State ID
- A physician certificate (which can be obtained via Leafwell)
Below are all of the acceptable forms the state ID may take.
- Valid, unexpired Driver’s License
- State-produced Identification Card
How Does a Caregiver Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card?
Some patients may be eligible for an MMJ Card but unable to apply for one themselves. For example, should the patient be a minor under the age of 18, or if the patient needs assistance accessing medical cannabis, a caregiver can be assigned to complete the process on their behalf.
There are 4 types of caregivers:
- Cultivating: grows marijuana on behalf of patients.
- Transporting: transports marijuana for homebound or minor patients.
- Parents of a minor patient: Parents of a patient under age 18.
- Advising: Advises patients on the medicinal use of marijuana.
Caregivers must:
- Be 18 or older
- Be a Colorado resident
- Not be the patient’s physician
- Not have your own primary caregiver
- Not be licensed as a medical marijuana business
All caregivers must register with the state.
Can a Qualifying Patient Grow Cannabis in Colorado?
Yes, a patient can grow up to 6 marijuana plants at once but only 3 may be mature at any one time. Cultivating caregivers are determined by your local municipality so we recommend you contact them directly to confirm how many plants you can grow at once.
Are my Details Kept Confidential When I Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card?
Yes. Leafwell is committed to protecting the privacy of our patients. Our online service is HIPAA compliant and our systems are designed to keep all of your confidential details safe.
Does Colorado Have Medical Marijuana Reciprocity?
Yes, it does:
Some states accept out-of-state Medical Marijuana Cards. This is called reciprocity. The following states accept out-of-state medical cannabis cards:
- Alaska ^
- Arkansas *
- California ^
- Colorado ^
- Hawaii *
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Nevada
- Oklahoma *
- Oregon ^
- Puerto Rico
- Washington ^
- Washington D.C.
States marked with * require visitors to complete a visiting patient application for the duration of their stay.
States marked with ^ have adult use programs but do not accept out of state cards.
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Getting a Medical Marijuana Card in Denver, Colorado Spring, Boulder and Aspen
Across Colorado, medical marijuana is legal and therefore, wherever you are in Colorado, you can get a card online with Leafwell.
Note, there are some differences in cultivation restrictions for caregivers in some municipalities.
History of Medical Marijuana Laws in Colorado
Here is a brief overview of the history of medical marijuana laws and legislation in Colorado:
- 2000 – Colorado approved Amendment 20 which allowed the use of medical marijuana with the written consent of a physician. Most of this law is still in place today
- 2013 – The Court of Appeals declared that employers can ban their workers from using cannabis, even while off the job, because cannabis is illegal at a federal level.
- 2016 – A new bill declared that courts could not prohibit medical marijuana use/possession as a condition of probation (unless the individual is sentenced to probation for a conviction under ARticle 43.3 of Title 12).
Current Colorado Medical Marijuana Laws
On November 6, 2012, an amendment which would make recreational cannabis use for those over 21 was passed by voters. Amendment 64 was legalized in January 2014. However, recreational users can only carry up to 1oz of marijuana at a time, half of what medical marijuana patients are allowed.
Dispensaries in Colorado can stock a full range of cannabis products and there is no restriction on different forms
Patients cannot use medical marijuana in public places or when they are in plain view, or when they may endanger others.
From 2019, licensed businesses were allowed to designate social marijuana use areas.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Colorado allowed for medical cannabis evaluations and certifications to take place online. This is no longer the case, at least for the moment.
Useful Links
To find out more about getting a Medical Marijuana Card in Colorado, get in touch with the expert team at Leafwell today or use any of these verified resources below:
- Create your government account here
- Useful information for caregivers
- Latest laws and policies
- Government website FAQs
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