Nearly 40 states and the District of Columbia allow the consumption of medical cannabis among patients with qualifying conditions. But the requirement for a qualifying condition is not necessarily ironclad. Most states allow for exceptions to the rule. Of course, regulations differ from one state to the next.
An individual who thinks they might benefit from medical cannabis despite not having been diagnosed with a qualifying condition should not automatically assume cannabis is off limits. Rather, it is better to look into state regulations. If there are exceptions to the rule, a patient might have an avenue to pursue obtaining a medical cannabis card.
Utah Is the Perfect Example
Utah’s medical cannabis law is among the most concise in the nation. The Beehive State lists 17 conditions on its qualifying conditions list. But state regulations also offer an exception: a condition that “substantially impairs the individual’s quality of life [and] has not adequately responded to conventional treatments in the qualified medical provider’s professional opinion.”
This suggests that a patient could be approved for a medical cannabis card in Utah relating to virtually any medical condition, as long as both condition and patient meet the qualifications for an exception. That is often easier said than done. Still, it is possible.
The Compassionate Use Board
The experts at Utahmarijuana.org say that the Beehive State has what is known as the Compassionate Use Board. This is a group of industry representatives, medical experts, and patient advocates who work together to decide the fate of medical cannabis card applications submitted on behalf of underage patients and those without qualifying medical conditions.
A patient’s doctor must submit board petitions. Petitions also need to be supported with appropriate documentation. It is then up to the board to decide whether to issue the patient a medical cannabis card.
Again, convincing the board to approve a card when a patient does not have a qualifying medical condition is not easy. But with the right documentation and a medical provider willing to put forth the effort, convincing the board is possible.
Another Option In 18 States
Not being able to obtain a medical cannabis card does not prohibit someone from using cannabis medically, at least in the 18 states that have legalized recreational use. In states like California, Arizona, and Washington, adults can purchase and consume cannabis with no questions asked. That means a person who finds relief from their symptoms can self-medicate with recreational products in the absence of an official medical cannabis card.
It is reasonable to assume that at least some people in these 18 states do not even bother applying for medical cannabis cards. They go straight to recreational products. The reasoning is fairly simple: obtaining a medical cannabis card requires effort and costs money. It is simply easier and cheaper to buy recreational products.
That does not help a patient in Utah who is both ineligible for a medical cannabis card and has been turned away by the Compassionate Use Board. That patient does not even have the legal ability to travel into a neighboring state where recreational marijuana is allowed. Why? Because it is illegal to bring cannabis into Utah from neighboring states.
A Steep Hill to Climb
Not having a qualifying medical condition doesn’t automatically prevent a person from using medical cannabis. But it does present a steep hill to climb. Unfortunately, the hill is steeper in states where only medical consumption is allowed. It is not so steep in recreational states. As for prohibitionist states, medical cannabis consumption is not even a question. It’s not allowed regardless of medical condition.
