Registering for Medical Marijuana in Nevada

2009.04.27

Although it is possible to enroll in the medical marijuana program in the state of Nevada, this stat with its history of prostitution and gambling seems to make the process much more difficult that its neighbors to the west. As with the other state the patient must consult with his doctor. The doctor must be an M.D or D.O. registered in Nevada. Qualifying diseases include AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, and other medical conditions that include cachexia, muscle spasms, seizures, severe nausea or severe pain. If the patient and his doctor feel that medical marijuana is a proper treatment for the condition the patient begins the process.

According to the Department of Health’s website, to obtain the application for medical marijuana, one must send a check for $50. The site does not make it clear whether $50 is applied to the fee of $150 for application or is in addition to the $150 fee. There is also a requirement that the applicant be fingerprinted at a fee of $4 to $20. There is also a fee to have the card made at the DMV ranging from $11 to $22.

The completed medical marijuana application is forwarded to the Department Of Health for review. An application that is incomplete will be denied and the process must be started again. At this level the Board of Medical Examiners checks the status and qualifications of the physician and the records of the patient are checked for a past conviction of selling of a controlled substance. Within 30 days of submittal of the application, if approved, the medical marijuana registry card is issued at the DM Office in Carson City, Henderson, Las Vegas or Reno.

As in other states a caregiver is allowed to provide medical marijuana for the patient, but in Nevada the medical marijuana caregiver is required to be approved by the physician. Other rules affecting the caregiver include that the caregiver cannot be in the program and can only be caregiver for one person.

Persons enrolled in the program are allowed have one ounce of usable marijuana, three mature plants, and four immature plants. Usable marijuana includes seeds, dried leaves and flowers of a cannabis plant. Mature plants have buds or flowers visible to the naked eye.

The registration card is good for only one year and application must be made on an annual basis for the medical marijuana program. Fees would also have to be paid on an annual basis. Unlike the neighboring states to the west, there is no provision for a reduction in fees for those enrolled in the state’s medical program.

Nevada does have a medical marijuana program; however it seems to be much more regulated than other western states. The fees are substantially higher, the application process is much more complicated and there is no provision for a reduction in fees for the poorest of patients. This leads to the questions: Does more stringent regulation control the use of medical marijuana by those not involved in the program? Does more stringent regulation cause fewer people to enroll in the program but continue to use marijuana?