Given the benefits the cannabis plant can provide an individual with, we are seeing a huge spike in the number of people applying for marijuana evaluations in Bakersfield lately. The herb can help people manage several different medical conditions, including pain, inflammation, anxiety, PTSD, etc. Furthermore, the process of getting an MMJ card is also extremely easy.
But there is one simple question regarding medical marijuana that needs to be answered- Can you apply for an MMJ card if you are a not from the states?
One of the very important conditions for getting an MMJ card is that you need to be a resident of the state. And if you are one, you can go to any cannabis doctor and ask for the recommendation without any hassle. You just need to have a qualifying condition, and you can get it very easily. But is there any provision of getting cannabis card being a foreigner?
In this article, we’ll try and find the answer to this very question. So, let’s begin.
The Usual Process of Getting an MMJ Card
To understand it better if a foreigner can get a cannabis card, and if yes, how, let’s first look at the usual process of it for a US resident.
The laws surrounding the cannabis plant and an MMJ card actually differ from state to state. This is because the herb is still an illegal drug at the federal level. But fortunately, in the US, the federal government and the state governments work separately. And due to this, individual states can run their own marijuana programs, and thus, devise their own rules. Having said that, the basic steps of the process are pretty much the same everywhere. Let’s take a look.
If you want to apply for an MMJ card, you need to go through three very simple steps:
- Application
- Evaluations
- Approval
Application
If you want to get an MMJ card to manage your medical condition, the first thing you need to do is find a qualified doctor and register on their website for your 420 evaluations. You may go directly to the clinic too. But given the convenience, experts suggest you go for pre-registration. This will save you a lot of time too.
To register yourself for an MMJ card, all you need is a valid e-mail ID. You will be asked to fill in a few basic details, like your name, age, etc. And once you have filled in all the details, you’ll select a time for your evaluations as per your convenience, and you’re done.
Evaluations
This is, no doubt, the most important part of the whole process. Because this is where the doctor evaluates your condition and decides if you’ll get a recommendation or not. Here too, you have the option to either visit the clinic or talk to the doctor virtually. And again, given the ease, people prefer the latter.
Now, this part is very important for people who are here to find out if a foreigner can get an MMJ card or not, as this is the part where, along with your medical condition, your doctor checks all your documents to ensure if you can legally get a card or not.
Approval
After your 420 evaluations, it’s in your doctor’s hands if he gives you a recommendation or not. If he finds you have a qualifying condition that cannabis can manage, and you pass all other criteria, he will provide you with the recommendation. And if he has even the slightest doubt, he may reject your application.
All in all, if you are a resident of the US and have a qualifying condition, getting an MMJ card is very easy. Now, let’s see what happens if you are a foreigner.
MMJ Card for a Non-Resident
First of all, let’s understand what do we mean by a non-resident.
If a person is not in any way fit or permitted to reside in the US on a permanent basis, we call him a non-resident. Now, it’s worth mentioning that the term also carries people who may be living in the country illegally or as tourists for a limited amount of time.
In most states, if you want to get a medical cannabis card, you need to be a permanent resident of the state. And given you are not even living in the US, leave the state, the chances of you getting a cannabis recommendation are pretty thin.
But what about if you are an American living in some other country?
Well, that can be a case.
As I said before, in most places, you need to be a resident of the state to get a cannabis card. This means you must have proof that you live there. But fortunately, there are some states, such as California and Oregon, that do not follow any such rule. For instance, you can apply for marijuana evaluations in Bakersfield even if you do not live there. As long as you have proof that you are a citizen of the US, you can get a cannabis card. For this, you may use a valid driving license or even a passport. This can come in quite handy if you want an MMJ card and are an American living overseas. Just keep in mind that this gives you the right to use cannabis in the state only. So, don’t go crossing borders carrying it.
Okay, that was all if you have a proof of citizenship. But what about if you are not an American at all? Is there a provision that can provide you legal access to cannabis if your stay in the States is a bit more questionable?
MMJ Card for an Immigrant
Given an amazing GDP and a high-quality lifestyle, people from all across the world come to the US as immigrants. But unfortunately, becoming a full US citizen is a nasty process. So, can you get an MMJ card if you are an immigrant?
If you are living in the US as an immigrant, there is nothing stopping you to get a cannabis recommendation. There are, in fact, no laws suggesting that you must be a full citizen of the US to get your hands on medical marijuana. As long as you can prove that you live here, by showing your green card, etc., you can get a cannabis card.
However, if you are living here illegally, you are totally out of luck.
Should You Really Get an MMJ Card as an Immigrant?
Well, this is a bit controversial. Experts believe that even if your immigration status gives you the right to get a cannabis card, you shouldn’t get it, especially if you are trying to get citizenship here. As I said before, becoming a citizen of the US is very difficult. And most immigration officials try to find the slightest reasons to reject as many applications as possible. Considering this, along with the illegal status of cannabis at the federal level, it probably isn’t a good idea to apply for a cannabis card.
But if you still want to use cannabis as an immigrant, here are a few tips for you:
- Talk to a legal counselor first.
- Never carry cannabis in public.
- Never discuss cannabis with any federal or immigration official.
In the end, you do have the option of getting an MMJ card even if you are not from the US as long as you have of proof of residency here. However, if you want to go that way or not is up to you, really.
