Medical marijuana for children: A comprehensive guide

Cannabis can be a safe and effective tool for managing a range of symptoms in children – and in most states, medical marijuana is both legal and available to minors at any age. But the process of obtaining medical marijuana for children can be time-consuming and complex.

While it’s possible to treat a child on your own using medical cannabis, it’s preferable to work with a licensed pediatrician to determine the ideal dosage, and which type of cannabis product is appropriate for their needs.

More importantly, a parent or legal guardian should know both the benefits and risks of administering medical cannabis to a minor, and understand the correct process of applying for a medical marijuana card on behalf of a child.

Is medical marijuana safe for children?

Medical cannabis is generally considered safe for minors, as long as it’s administered properly, and according to the guidance of a licensed pediatrician. The cannabis plant is known to be nontoxic to the human body, so serious risks are, thankfully, minimal.

Still, some side effects may occur with medical marijuana use. These side effects are considered non-life-threatening, and are largely affected by dosage and personal tolerance:

• Anxiety
• Disorientation
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Dry/bloodshot eyes
• Impairment of motor skills
• Lightheadedness
• Rapid heartbeat

Products containing higher doses of THC are more likely to cause side effects in minors. The THC in marijuana affects CB1 receptors to induce a psychoactive effect. Keep in mind that THC can harm the developing brain, particularly if regular large doses are used. If THC is required to address your child’s condition, it’s wise to use smaller doses as advised by a physician.

What kinds of medical cannabis products are prescribed to minors?

Since many states made medical marijuana legal in recent years, the market is expanding to include products for every user, including minors. Medical cannabis comes in a vast array of product types, but minors are more likely to be prescribed oral products like gummies, lozenges, tinctures, and capsules. Inhalable products like flower and vaporizers could be harmful to their developing respiratory systems.

Whether or not a child’s cannabis prescription allows for products containing THC can depend on individual state medical marijuana laws. Keep in mind that different states have different limits regarding the amounts of THC that may be in a product. Also, factors like the specific qualifying condition and symptom severity may come into play, while different medical marijuana dispensaries will have different products.

For children with medical marijuana cards, other cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, CBDV, THCA, and CBC may be more helpful, as they do not have the same level of psychoactivity as THC, and may be less likely to cause any long-term changes to the brain.

These cannabinoids may be uniquely beneficial to certain pediatric conditions as well. For example, CBD may be immensely useful to children suffering from epilepsy or cancer, while CBG has anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, and anti-anxiety properties.

Will cannabis interfere with my child’s other medications?

Cannabinoids, and CBD in particular, can suppress liver enzymes. This means that cannabinoids can interfere with the body’s ability to metabolize certain types of medications. Certain cannabis products may also cause sedative effects, which could combine with potential sedating effects of other drugs.

The main types of medication that cannabis may interact with are:

• Antidepressants, in particular duloxetine (Cymbalta) and Benzodiazepines (e.g. lorazepam, clonazepam, alprazolam/Xanax)
• Blood thinners such as warfarin and aspirin
• Opioids (e.g. tramadol, hydrocodone)

Some types allergy medications, such as Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) and cetirizine (Zyrtec)

What’s an appropriate dose of cannabis for a child?

Every child’s needs and tolerances are different, and there are few available studies focused on the appropriate dosages for children. The main things you will need to consider when dosing medical marijuana for a child include:

• The age of the child
• The health problem the child is suffering from (some conditions may require specific cannabinoid ratios at specific dosages)
• The method of consumption (cannabis oil and edible products are often preferred, but in some cases different methods may be required)
• Time of day you are administering cannabis

Before administering cannabis to a child, your best course of action is to work with their physician. As you develop a plan of treatment, bear these important points in mind:

• Different cannabinoids have different impacts, so be sure you’re carefully selecting the appropriate product.
• Microdosing is particularly recommended when it comes to children.
• Different people have different amounts of the natural cannabinoid anandamide in their brains, which can determine how much THC a person can tolerate.

Cannabis doses should be selected with the patient’s specific needs in mind. Someone suffering from both Tourette’s and ADHD may well have different requirements from those who just have ADHD.

How can I qualify my child for a medical marijuana card?

If you feel your child can and should use medical cannabis, and your child fulfills the qualifying criteria in their state, they can apply for a medical marijuana card. As minors can be susceptible to adverse effects from THC, the qualifying criteria for medical cannabis are often stricter in many states.

For example, some states require two physicians’ recommendations to qualify patients for medical cannabis cards. Other states will only allow cannabis qualifications for children if they are suffering from a particularly severe condition, such as epilepsy, cancer, or a terminal illness.

In most cases, your child must have a qualified caregiver who (in most states) must be at least 21 years of age. Keep in mind that each state has specific rules and qualifications for caregivers as well, for instance regarding their criminal background, or whether or not they are a medical marijuana patient themselves.

Some states may require you to complete a caregiver course. You may also need to prove that you have been the primary designated caregiver for the child throughout their life, usually as a parent or lawful guardian.

Leafwell can help provide more specific state information for caregivers throughout the certification process.

Steps to getting a medical marijuana card for your child

As a caregiver, you will need to fill out your child’s application form (often a specific application form for minors), a caregiver form, and, where allowed, an application form indicating if you wish to grow medical cannabis. Depending on your state of residence, you will probably need documents the following documents for a minor’s medical marijuana prescription:

• Photo ID of yourself – a state-issued ID card, passport, or driver’s license is usually acceptable
• Your child’s birth certificate
• Proof of address from the last two to three months. This can include a rental or mortgage agreement, utility bill (gas, electric, water, broadband bill – not cell phone), or correspondence with a state department (e.g., the DMV)
• Two passport-style photographs of you and your child
• Two physicians’ certificates or the opinion of a pediatric specialist
• Any relevant medical history, including progress notes, medication lists, or medical images
• In some states, a criminal background check

Next, follow these steps to apply for, receive, and use a medical marijuana card via telemedicine, whether it’s for you or your child:

1. Register online and speak to a licensed physician. Please have an appropriate ID for you and your child along with a working camera, speakers, and microphone on your device so you can speak to and see the doctor. Your child must be on the call with you.
2. Following examination, get approved and receive your physician’s medical cannabis certificate or recommendation. Your certificate/recommendation will be emailed to you.
3. Register with the state department of health’s medical marijuana program. You must fill out a minor’s medical marijuana card form for your child and a caregiver’s application for yourself. Sometimes, the caregiver form will be attached to the original application form. In other instances, a caregiver application form is separate. The patient application will then list their caregiver/s on the application form.
4. Receive your child’s medical marijuana prescription card and your caregiver’s card.
5. You can now shop at a dispensary in your state for appropriate cannabis-based medication for your child. You may need to take a photo ID with you, and your child will not be able to enter the dispensary with you.

A medical marijuana card for a child costs between approximately $100 and $500, depending on your state and its required procedures. We try to keep medical cannabis cards for children relatively affordable at Leafwell. Prices are subject to change.

Working with your child’s doctors

As the recommendation for a cannabis prescription will be noted on your child’s medical records, your child’s primary care physician will be informed. It’s also important that you speak with your child’s physician about any medications your child is taking.

Keep in mind that some doctors may be reluctant to recommend medical marijuana for a minor. Fortunately, Leafwell can see patients through telemedicine, and make medicinal cannabis recommendations online.

Finally, update your child’s physician regarding their medical cannabis use, to inform them if your child is experiencing side effects, or may benefit from a change in dosage.

Finding the right dispensary

Although you may have a valid medical marijuana identification card for a child, some dispensaries are reluctant to hand over medical marijuana to parents treating their children. Finding the right dispensary may require some trial and error, but you can make things easier for yourself by doing plenty of research and asking others for advice.

If you are active on social media, several parent groups across the US provide their children MMJ through their states’ medical marijuana programs, and these support networks can greatly help.

Can caregivers grow cannabis?

As a caregiver, you may have the same rights as any patient to grow cannabis. However, these rights do vary from state to state. In some states, caregivers can cultivate small amounts of medical cannabis within certain requirements.

Caregivers also have limits on how many patients for whom they can cultivate. A specific license is required to grow medical marijuana legally in some states.

The bottom line

In most states, children can legally use medical marijuana, and many gain significant benefits from doing so. Still, each state has its own restrictions and regulatory processes to consider. While the process of applying for a medical cannabis card on behalf of your child may seem daunting, Leafwell can offer our services to make the process as simple as possible, so that your child can begin medical marijuana treatment as soon as possible.

Frequently asked questions

Can medical marijuana treat a child’s anxiety?

While there aren’t a lot of studies available, a study published in 2015 found that CBD has “considerable potential” for treating anxiety in patients of all ages.  Researchers are currently exploring the use of terpenes and CBD to reduce anxiety and anxiety-related behaviors in children with autism and ADHD.

Keep in mind that medical marijuana use may, in some cases, cause anxiety as a side effect. Medical marijuana patients experiencing anxiety may benefit from lowering their dose.

How old do you have to be to get medical marijuana?

Children under 18 cannot be issued medical marijuana cards in the United States. Caregivers, however, may be allowed to apply for a medical marijuana card for their child of any age. Please bear in mind that there can be major legal consequences for providing recreational marijuana to children, along with risks.

Can I be a caregiver for multiple children?

If you’re seeking out medical marijuana treatment for more than one child, you’ll need to find out if your state’s medical marijuana laws allow you to be a caregiver on behalf of multiple patients.