Technically speaking, medical marijuana in North Dakota became legal in 2016, but it took a very long time for residents to have the capacity to buy MMJ. However, slowly but surely, the state got its act together, and you now have access to medical marijuana if you go through the application process.
This article provides insight into how to get your medical marijuana card in North Dakota. It also highlights the penalties for breaking the law and what could happen if you’re convicted of a felony.
How to Get Medical Marijuana in North Dakota
It was only when the state’s governor signed a bunch of MMJ bills into law in 2019 that it became somewhat straightforward to get a medical marijuana card in North Dakota. Interestingly, the state went from being one of the hardest places to get MMJ to one of the easiest.
That’s because you can now chat to a doctor and get the required written certification online. This is great news because, frankly, the ND medical marijuana program does not make things easy on this front. It doesn’t provide any information on doctors that accept MMJ consultations, so if your current doctor says ‘no,’ you need to look elsewhere.
Fortunately, you can use a service like MMJCardOnline that puts you in contact with a licensed physician in North Dakota. You can complete the consultation online, and if you’re approved, you get the recommendation necessary to finish your application. Once you have the confirmation, create an account with the state’s BioTrackTHC system.
However, it’s important to note that the doctor sends the application, not you. On your end, you must pay the application fee and wait. It can take between two and four weeks for the North Dakota Department of Health to mail you the card once it has approved your application. You can then visit a licensed dispensary and buy up to 2.5 ounces in 30 days.
All efforts to legalize recreational cannabis in ND have failed. Therefore, you need to apply for medical marijuana in North Dakota if you want to stay out of jail. The possession of up to half an ounce of weed is a civil infraction if you’re 21+, and the penalty is a maximum fine of $1,000.
It is a misdemeanor to possess over half an ounce without an MMJ card, and the possible punishment is 30 days in prison. The potential sentence rises to a year if found with 500 grams or more. The sale of weed in ND is a felony regardless of the amount. You could spend up to 10 years in prison with your life all but ruined.
Incidentally, if you have an out-of-state MMJ card, you can’t get marijuana in North Dakota as the state doesn’t have reciprocity with anywhere else.
The Effects of Marijuana Felonies
There’s no question that a felony conviction can change your life forever. A Harvard paper outlined the impact that having a criminal record has on someone living in the United States. America has, by some distance, the largest number of incarcerated people in the world. Even 20 years ago, there were more than 12 million ex-felons in the United States, and this figure has increased since.
A huge number of challenges await such individuals. For instance, they must come to terms with the loss of civil rights such as the right to own or possess a firearm, the right to vote, the right to serve on a jury, and the right to hold a public office.
Also, most companies are unwilling to hire someone with a felony record, so an ex-felon’s job opportunities are limited. This is exacerbated by the fact that felons often aren’t eligible for student loans and financial aid, making it nearly impossible to get a college degree. With this in mind, it isn’t surprising that such a high percentage of ex-felons end up back in prison.
Final Thoughts on Medical Marijuana in North Dakota
With an MMJ card, it is possible to buy a reasonable amount of marijuana and possibly alleviate the symptoms of a wide range of conditions. You also have an element of legal protection, which is essential given the difficulties faced by ex-convicts. Stay within the law by applying for a medical marijuana card in ND and derive the benefits of the plant.
Jessica has a flair for writing engaging blogs and articles. She enjoys reading and learning new things which enables her to write different topics and fields with ease. She also strives to break down complex concepts and make them easy for anybody to comprehend.
