As the cannabis industry continues to grow, many states are following suit. In recent years, most states implemented laws supporting recreational cannabis. This allows patients of age to access recreational cannabis with ease. Medicinal cannabis, however, is a bit more tricky. Patients must have a weed card to access medical-grade cannabis. So what is a weed card?
What is a weed card?
A medical recommendation, commonly referred to as an MMJ or’ Weed card,’ is pretty straightforward. It is the recommendation for access to medical cannabis and dispensaries where allowed by law. An MMJ can be obtained from a licensed Physician after a physical has been performed. If the patient meets the criteria, they will be granted a medical recommendation for the consumption of cannabis. Most states have lenient standards when it comes to issuing a bit of medical advice.
Typical criteria for obtaining a weed card
As mentioned earlier, most states have a lenient approach to issuing medical recommendations to consume cannabis. Here are a few of the common health conditions that result in a patient being granted a medical recommendation:
- Reasonable amounts of stress (physical, mental, and emotional)
- Long-term body aches and pains
- Trouble sleepying
- Glaucoma
- Cancer or terminal illness
- HIV or AIDs
- A health condition that causes chronic aches and pains (i.e., Arthritis, Osteoporosis, etc.)
Professional conflicts with having a weed card
The biggest concern for those interested in getting a medical recommendation to consume cannabis is ‘Will my job find out?” The short answer is no. Moreover, it is illegal for anyone to find out about your medical advice to consume cannabis in most cases. This is because this is a part of your medical history. With this in mind, your evaluation is protected just as much as an STD examination. People will only know what you choose to disclose. For this, you can thank the HIPAA Laws and rules in place since the 90s.
HIPAA Laws and medical marijuana cards
“The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient’s consent or knowledge. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued the HIPAA Privacy Rule to implement HIPAA requirements. The HIPAA Security Rule protects a subset of information covered by the Privacy Rule. The Privacy Rule standards address the use and disclosure of individuals’ health information (known as “protected health information”) by entities subject to the Privacy Rule. These individuals and organizations are called “covered entities.” The Privacy Rule also contains standards for individuals’ rights to understand and control how their health information is used. A major goal of the Privacy Rule is to ensure that individuals’ health information is properly protected while allowing the flow of health information needed to provide and promote high-quality health care and to protect the public’s health and well-being. The Privacy Rule strikes a balance that permits important uses of information while protecting the privacy of people who seek care and healing.” (Source: CDC)
Final thoughts
However, with every rule, there comes an exception. In this case, there are a few reasons where identifying health conditions can be disclosed. There are 12 reasons why covered entities would consider releasing sensitive information. However, none of them have anything to do with you acquiring a new job or firearm. Law enforcement must have a concrete reason to request any type of information as mentioned above. This is because the privacy rule understands how sensitive information can cause a social stigma with a terrible trickle-down effect. The same sentiment goes for virtually all employers as well. A serious concrete reason to reveal sensitive information via your job would be for Worker’s Compensation claims. This is because someone has been injured. Outside of these reasons, consumers should not fear getting a medical recommendation.