Can You Get Denied a Medical Cannabis Card Online?

• Applications for medical cannabis cards can and do get denied. If your application is rejected, it’s likely due to application errors, a lack of qualifying conditions, your age, or your criminal record.
• In Louisiana, you can reapply or appeal the decision. But ultimately, you’re better off knowing the ins and outs of the application process so you aren’t rejected in the first place.

In the mid-2010s, not just anyone qualified for a cannabis card. Various state governments were still in the early stages of marijuana decriminalization, meaning you’d have to jump through hoops just for the chance to visit a dispensaries.

These days, it’s easy to apply for your cannabis card online. In Louisiana, you need two things to visit a dispensaries: a recommendation from a certified doctor, and a photo identification card (like a driver’s license).

The good news? Providers can recommend medical marijuana for any condition they think marijuana may help within Louisiana. You can also go to any provider for a recommendation, as long as they’re state-certified to practice medicine.

But it’s possible that your provider may not write you a recommendation in the first place. Denials happen for many reasons, including clerical errors or your criminal history. Though you can’t fight some grounds for denial, knowing how the application process works can help boost your chances of approval.

Let TeleLeaf walk you through the potential reasons for application denials and explore what you can do if you’ve already been denied.

How Denials Work

When you apply online for medical card access, your application may be denied at a few different points. Commonly, denials happen during the application process itself or during in-person appointments with providers.

Your application may be denied because:

• Your healthcare provider determined you don’t have a qualifying condition
• You made errors in the paperwork
• A hiccup occurred in the process that caused your application to fall through the cracks

You may have a chance to amend your application and fix accidental errors. If there was another reason for your denial, the path to success isn’t as straightforward.

Major Reasons for Denial

If a doctor decides to deny your application, they should also give you their reason for doing so.

They may say that you have:

• An incomplete or incorrectly completed application
• No official diagnosis for a qualifying condition
• A criminal record related to drugs or violence

You may even be too young to apply. Though medical marijuana is legal, it still has an age limit in some states.

Application Errors

When filling out your forms, follow the instructions perfectly, and make sure you have a government-issued ID that’s not expired. If your application requires a passport photo, you must abide by the background and dimension regulations requested.

Fortunately, TeleLeaf makes it easy for you to track state application requirements, and we’ll help you meet everyone.

No Qualifying Conditions

In Louisiana, you can apply for your medical marijuana card as long as you have an official diagnosis for a qualifying medical condition.

The list of qualifying conditions is extensive, with the most common being:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Chronic pain
• Insomnia

However, doctors in Louisiana can also suggest medical marijuana for any condition they feel marijuana would help with. Accordingly, there is no full, official list to judge your condition(s) by.

This is why choosing the right provider is important. This is the first step in your medical marijuana journey. Choosing a provider who’s open-minded about alternative healing paths (like medical cannabis) can help you get the treatment you need without judgment.

Testimonials from TeleLeaf clients say it all: we’re the bridge between patients and medical professionals who really care. Instead of stressing about finding a doctor, you can put your time and energy into healing and recovery.

Criminal Record

In some cases, your past criminal record could prevent you from accessing medical cannabis. For instance, in some states, probationers and parolees have more limited opportunities to use medical marijuana.

What should you do if you’re worried about your criminal record interfering with your medical card application?

• Talk to your parole/probation office – If you’re on probation or parole, talk to the officer assigned to your case to determine your rights. You may be eligible for a recommendation, but the process could be slightly more complicated.
• Talk to an attorney – If you’re not actively under supervision, you’ve already served your sentence, or your case is closed, a marijuana legal expert in your state can help you determine your eligibility for medical cannabis.
• Talk to a medical cannabis provider – Medical cannabis providers aren’t just medical experts: they’re very familiar with cannabis regulations. While they won’t be able to give you legal advice, they can point you in the right direction and comment on your prospective access to medical marijuana.

In short: past offenses may not disqualify you from getting a medical card, but you might need to cut through additional red tape.

Age of Consent

You must be at least 18 years old to apply for your cannabis card online in Louisiana. However, it is possible to apply if you’re younger.

Just keep the following in mind:

• You need a legal guardian to give consent on your behalf
• Your legal guardian is the one who will pick up items from the cannabis pharmacy
• All matters related to your cannabis card will be in your guardian’s care until you turn 18

Note that this does need to be your legal guardian, not just an older relative or family friend.

Your Application Was Denied: What Next?

You’ve applied for your cannabis card online and somewhere along the line, your application was denied. Now what?

In some states, you may be able to:

• File an appeal
• Complete and submit your application again
• Revise your existing application

To make the medical card application process as simple and streamlined as possible, you’ll want an ally who knows the ins and outs of the application process. At TeleLeaf, we’re ready to offer a helping hand if the application process trips you up, so you never have to feel like you’re figuring things out alone.

FAQs About Medical Marijuana Cards

Knowing how to appeal a denial is one thing, but ultimately, you’re better off avoiding a denial in the first place.

If you want to increase the odds of pushing your application through, learn more about the process itself. Here are some frequently asked questions concerning medical cannabis cards, sourced from the medical marijuana community.

Can You Apply for Your Cannabis Card if You Have a Drug-Related Legal History?

The short answer: maybe.

If you have a criminal record and any of your offenses were drug-related, your access will depend almost entirely on your state’s laws.

For specific guidance, consult your state’s legislation or talk to a legal professional.

Can You Get a Cannabis Card Online on Probation?

Again, the answer depends on your state’s laws.

Depending on your state and your offense, you may have to:

• Get written permission from your probation officer
• File a motion with the judge assigned to your case
• Request additional documents from your healthcare providers

If you do get a medical card while on probation, you may have to jump through additional legal hoops to maintain your recommendation. Talking to your officer, an attorney, or the judge assigned to your case is the best course of action to take.

What Medical Marijuana Products Can You Buy with a Card?

Louisiana strictly regulates what’s allowed in its cannabis pharmacies, but the list is updated and expanded regularly.

At the moment, you can find any of the following products in your local pharmacy:

• Tinctures and oils
• Capsules
• Metered-dose inhalers
• Edibles
• Patches
• Lotions and sprays
• Suppositories

Louisiana also now allows for possession of up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana flower every 14 days.

Can You Grow Your Own Medical Marijuana?

In some states, patients can grow their own cannabis, but this isn’t the case in Louisiana. In TeleLeaf’s home state, only the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center and the Southern University Agricultural Center grow the state’s supply of marijuana. Growing your own is still illegal, even if you have a cannabis card.

Are There Penalties for Recreational Possession?

Louisiana recently decriminalized the possession of less than 14 grams of cannabis. This means you’ll be hit with a fine of $100 and no jail time. But if you’re caught with over 14 grams, you can still face 6 months in prison and a fine of $500.

TeleLeaf recently published a guide to decriminalization vs. legalization—read more here.

Open New Doors With TeleLeaf

Applying for your cannabis card online can be a stress-free, simple experience. If you’re in the right hands from the start, you can fast-track your application for approval.

This is where TeleLeaf shines. We connect you with providers who already know that medical marijuana is an invaluable tool for healing journeys. Our partners greet you with open arms and minds.

If you’re itching to take that first step on an all-natural recovery path, reach out to TeleLeaf. Our vibrant community is here to welcome you and walk with you through the application process until you have your cannabis card in hand.

Schedule your first appointment now.

Sources: 

Louisiana Department of Health. Medical Marijuana Regulation.
https://ldh.la.gov/page/medical-marijuana

BRProud. Who qualifies for a medical marijuana card in Louisiana?
https://www.brproud.com/news/louisiana-news/who-qualifies-for-a-medical-marijuana-card

Louisiana Department of Health. Consumable Hemp Products.
https://ldh.la.gov/

Louisiana State Legislature. HB652.
https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=240648