Many people hear the phrase “medical marijuana card” and the clinical nature of the phrase tends to place a notion in their minds that accessing medical marijuana is not possible for them. However, this is not always the case. The truth is that medical marijuana access in Oklahoma is broader than many realize, and this guide has been created to ensure that those who are eligible and desire a medical marijuana card have a tool to navigate the process and understand the regulations and requirements surrounding the card.
In this guide, you will find information about:
- What a medical marijuana card is
- Who is eligible for a medical marijuana card in Oklahoma
- Benefits of medical marijuana
- How to get a medical marijuana card (step by step)
- What rules are applied to the use of medical marijuana
- If Oklahoma will legalize marijuana for recreational use
Oklahoma’s State Question 788 came into effect in June of 2018, legalizing marijuana for medical use for those who qualify. The bill had a larger impact than simply partial legalization of cannabis, though. It also broadened the ability to grow your own cannabis and altered the consequences for marijuana possession and use down to a misdemeanor, regardless of the number of offenses. This has drastically benefitted the state in a reduction in non-violent incarcerations.
As the state has taken one step closer to generalized legalization, there are a lot of questions circulating in our Oklahoma communities about who can access marijuana, how to access it, the process for those eligible and if a medical marijuana card is right for them. But before we get started, let’s take a look at some of the facts about marijuana use in Oklahoma together.
Cannabis and Oklahoma: A Relationship by the Numbers
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- Oklahoma was the 30th state to legalize the medical use of marijuana.
- The vote passed by 57% to 34%.
- 1 in 13 adults has a medical marijuana card in Oklahoma.
- Oklahoma is taxed at 7% and makes around $10 million per month on the sale of medical marijuana.
- Oklahoma earned $127 million in state and local taxes from medical cannabis in 2020.
- There are around 2,242 dispensaries in Oklahoma. Smokey Okie’s is sold in over 200 of them.
- Oklahoma is no. 2 in the country in terms of dispensaries per capita.
- Medical marijuana gives back. The first $65 million collected in medical marijuana taxes gets split between the Oklahoma State Public Common School Building Equalization Fund, the OMMA and the State Health Department.
Smokey Okie’s Cannabis is a wholesale cannabis grow facility located in Spencer, Oklahoma, serving up high-quality hydroponically grown cannabis to dispensaries and consumers across the state. Learn more about us at the Smokey Okie’s website.
What is a medical marijuana card?
A medical marijuana card in Oklahoma is the official document needed by an Oklahoma resident in order to access marijuana legally. They are also known as MMID (medical marijuana ID) or cannabis cards.
Medical marijuana cards are a legal document, issued by the state, and include a photo, providing the holder the ability to:
- Buy marijuana
- Grow mairjuana at their homes
- Possess marijuana legally
- Use medical cannabis delivery services
- Smoke marijuana legally
Medical marijuana cards require a number of pieces of collateral in order to be issued, including:
- Eligibility requirements
- A state application approval
- A paid fee
- A physician recommendation
The medical marijuana in Oklahoma card looks like this:
Continue on to learn more about the benefits of medical marijuana, and how to obtain your own Oklahoma medical marijuana card.
Who is eligible for a medical marijuana card in Oklahoma?
Eligibility Requirements
Anyone over the age of 18 in the state of Oklahoma has the ability to apply for a medical marijuana card. However, there are a number of requirements in order to be approved by the state. These requirements include:
- You must have a proof of identity issues by the state of Oklahoma, including a driver’s license of a state ID card, or a valid U.S. Passport.
- You must be able to prove that your state of residence is Oklahoma.
- You must be evaluated by a qualified physician and that physician must determine that medical marijuana use is appropriate for your condition.
- You must register as a patient with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) and submit an application for an Oklahoma medical marijuana card.
- You must pay a $100 application fee. Medicaid and Medicare recipients may be eligible for reduced fees.
- Minor must have a designated marijuana caregiver, with additional requirements.
Qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana card
Oklahoma has no defined conditions. This is up to the discretion of the qualified physician that will be providing you the recommendation and filling out your medical form that is part of your application to the state of Oklahoma.
It is important to note that neither you nor your doctor are required to disclose the medical condition for which you use medical marijuana to treat. While the state’s Physician Recommendation form does contain a section for your doctor to disclose the medical condition you are treating, neither you nor your physician are legally obligated to complete that section of the form. In Oklahoma, you may use medical marijuana and still maintain complete secrecy and privacy over your personal medical history.
Benefits of Medical Marijuana
The phrase “medical marijuana” is strongly correlated with a number of physical ailments, such as cancer or glaucoma. But one of our goals at Smokey Okie’s is to break with the notion that medical marijuana is limited to the more well-known ailments, or is limited to use for only physical illnesses. On the contrary, having a medical marijuana card has benefits for the cardholder, and smoking marijuana has been attributed to a number of physical, mental and emotional benefits for patients.
Benefits of a being medical marijuana cardholder
- Possession of Marijuana
Without a medical marijuana card in Oklahoma, you cannot legally possess any marijuana at all. But even with a medical marijuana card, there are limits to how much cannabis you can have on your person or in your residence.
The overall possession limits for Oklahoma MMJ cardholders in their residence are:
- Up to 3 oz. of marijuana on your person
- Dispensaries can only sell up to 3 oz. of marijuana, 1 oz. of marijuana concentrate and 72 ounces of edible products at one time.
- Up to eight ounces of marijuana in their residence
- Up to one ounce of concentrated marijuana
- Up to 72 ounces of edible marijuana
Growing Marijuana
Just like the rules of possession, there are limits to how much cannabis an Oklahoma medical marijuana cardholder can grow at one time in their homes. Each cardholder is permitted to have up to six seedling and six mature (flowering) cannabis plants in their homes, and only in their homes, unless they are a licensed commercial cannabis grower.
Lower Age Limit on Access
Typically, if marijuana is legal in a state recreationally, the age limit for access is 21. However, in Oklahoma, there is no age limit for physician-recommended medical marijuana use. Even children can use Marijuana products for a number of ailments. However, you must be over the age of 18 to have a medical marijuana card; children would have a caregiver assigned to them that would purchase their products and monitor their use.
Access to Marijiuana with Higher Components
Some states with legalized recreational marijuana have placed limits on certain cannabis components, including THC. But in Oklahoma, so long as you have a medical marijuana card, you can access cannabis with a higher concentrate to aid in pain relief and for other illnesses… or simply based on your personal preference. This is beneficial because you can purchase less cannabis for a better result. All cannabis must be tested through a licensed lab in order to be sold in dispensaries, so you will be able to browse the lab results when you go shopping.
Greater Legal Protection
Obviously, if smoking marijuana is something that you want to do, doing so legally with a medical marijuana card gives you better protection under the law. You can use and benefit from marijuana without the fear of legal repercussions. It also protects you from some civil issues; for example, you cannot be evicted for legally using marijuana inside of a rental unit if that marijuana is being used for medical purposes. *Important to note: that while “consumption” itself cannot be banned, property owners may still prohibit smoking on their premises, which would include tobacco, cannabis, etc.
Physical, emotional and mental benefits of marijuana use
As mentioned above, we are working to break the idea that medical marijuana is only useful for terminal illnesses or serious, debilitating diseases. Marijuana use can be applied across a whole spectrum of ailments, from the physical to the mental and emotional. Under the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana program, you may use cannabis not only for serious medical conditions, but in a range of therapeutic situations as well, which we will discuss near the end of this section..
In addition, it’s important to determine which strains of marijuana are best for the ailments that you are experiencing. Be sure to check out of Smokey Okie’s Marijuana and Ailment cheat sheet at the end of this section to find which strain may help you! We also have a great series on how to shop for the best and most high-quality marijuana strain for you on our blog.
Physical benefits
To start, regular marijuana use has been accredited for a myriad of physical benefits. There is still a vast amount of ongoing research happening in this area, but more and more results are backed by science, so it’s important to take note of the most well-common and useful:
- Nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy
A study done in 2001 (1) found that chemotherapy: “patients who smoked cannabis showed 70 – 100% relief from nausea and vomiting, while those who used a Δ9-THC capsule experienced 76 – 88% relief.” - Appetite and weight gain
This is beneficial for patients struggling with cancer, AIDS or eating disorders. One study done in 1988 found that smoking marijuana increased weight gain through a daily caloric increase of 40%. - Spasticity
One study from 2012 found that cannabis use as a significant contributor to better muscle function for MS patients who are struggling with muscle stiffness. - Chronic Pain
Another of the most common uses of marijuana is pain management. In the face of an opioid epidemic in our nation, medical marijuana offers a safe and effective alternative. A 2011 study found a 30% decrease in severe and chronic pain for patients who regularly use marijuana. - Other treatment use cases include spinal cord injuries, glaucoma, ALS, epilepsy, migraines, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.
Mental/emotional benefits
On top of potential physical benefits, the therapeutic benefits of marijuana are vast and impactful. Living during a pandemic has brought more attention to mental health than ever before, and many people are struggling. In fact, 63% of people living with depression and/or anxiety have reported having worse or much worse symptoms since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the Cleveland Clinic has stated that “stress-related insomnia due to COVID-19 is definitely a thing, and it even has a name: coronasomnia”.
That being said, let’s take a closer look at some of the top mental and emotional health benefits of marijuana:
- Anxiety
While some strains of cannabis can cause higher levels of anxiety, strains with higher levels of CBD have been found to reduce anxiety and social discomfort in smokers.
- Depression
With moderate use, marijuana was found in 2007 to be used as an effective antidepressant by increasing serotonin production in the brain.
- Sleep disorders
Not only can cannabis help you fall asleep, but it also was found in 2007 to provide better quality sleep over all for those suffering from insomnia and other sleep disorders.
- PTSD
Marijuana has been found to completely eliminate daytime flashbacks and provide better quality sleep with no nightmares for sufferers of PTSD.
- Drug addiction
Researchers who surveyed 350 medical cannabis patients found that 40% reported using medical marijuana as an alternative for alcohol, 26% as a substitute for illicit drugs, and 66% as an alternative for prescription drugs (28). The main reasons for using medical marijuana as a substitute were found to be less adverse side-effects and better symptom management.
- Antipsychotic
One study found that high-CBD marijuana strains are as potent as the traditional antipsychotic, amisulpride. This is helpful for people who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia and also provides less harmful side effects.
- ADHD benefits
German researchers looked at the effectiveness of marijuana in treating ADHD symptoms in 30 patients. They concluded that ALL patients improved on concentration, sleep, and impulsivity.
In general, marijuana use has been largely deemed safe and effective in its application for therapeutic purposes, including relaxation and for use to help specific mental and emotional diagnosis.
Below is a list of some of Smokey Okie’s most popular strains and the benefits that you can expect from the strain. This is a great place to start when trying to determine the best strain for you.
|
Smokey Okie’s Cannabis Strain |
Have Been Reviewed as Helping the Following Ailments |
| Apple Tartz | Anxiety and stress |
| Banana Cake | Depression |
| Bazinga | Pain relief, depression, weight gain |
| Big Drip | Sleep disorders, Nausea |
| Crescendo | Depression, Stress, Anxiety, Chronic Pain, Mood Swings |
| Gorilla “Original Glue” | Pain Relief, weight gain |
| Hot Mess | ADD/ADHD, Chronic fatigue |
| Kidney Punch | Muscle and joint pain or stiffness, Arthritis, chronic pain, anxiety/stress |
| Jelly Breath | Chronic pain, Depression, Chronic fatigue |
| Lilac Diesel | ADHD/ADD, Anxiety |
| Mango Sapphire | Anxiety, Depression, ADHD/ADD |
| Platinum Silk | Anxiety, Epilepsy, PTSD, Sclerosis |
| Prayer Pupil | Stress, Hypertension, Lack of appetite, Sleep disorders |
| Sherbert Cookies | Fatigue, Anxiety, Stress, Insomnia |
| Super Skunk | ADD/ADHD, Hypertension, Migraines, PTSD |
| Tic Tax | Stress, Depression, Anxiety |
Other Therapeutic Uses
- Post-Workout Recovery – Cannabis has been infamously used by many athletes, and for good reason. For those who train hard, cannabis can tell your nervous system to switch “off” from the “fight or flight” mode of physical training into a recovery mode. Many athletes find this a helpful tool for signaling the body (and mind) to start winding down and to begin the recovery process. Cannabis use is widely reported among NBA and other professional athletes. In the world of top level brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners, using cannabis is more common than not using it. All of this is anecdotal evidence that cannabis use may have a very positive place in the world of sports recovery.
- Yoga Practice – Cannabis infused Yoga classes are becoming more common. While some practitioners have expressed concern with mixing “cannabis in the classroom” of Asana, many Yogis have found it to be a helpful aid, and a natural fit. If you practice Yoga, or even pilates, you may find it worth your while to explore integrating cannabis, at least occasionally, into your practice sessions.
- Massage Therapy – Both CBD and THC are called endocannabinoids, and both act as ligands—or chemicals that bind to receptors—at cannabinoid receptors within the central nervous system. Both THC and CBD are absorbed systemically via the skin, meaning a massage therapist using a topical product containing THC is providing the pain management and relaxation effects of marijuana products during the massage, enhancing the experience.
- Creative Writing – Many writer and other creatives will testify to how using marijuana really aids in their creative process and helps them to develop better art. Not only is it easier to take risks in your art when your anxiety is under control, but you also have an easier time focusing. Marijuana use does not make creativity for you; it just empowers you to unlock the creativity that already exists within you, but can be stifled by stress, anxiety or other mental/emotional ailments.
- Relaxation and Stress Management. If you are a workaholic, and mindful about it, then you know the importance of maintaining a work-life balance. You may know when it’s time to switch off, but can you actually turn the switch? When it is time transition your mind away from thinking about what needs to get done and instead allowing it to move on to enjoying life – laughing, spending time with family, etc. – many have found cannabis to be a helpful aid in slowing down and simply…. relaxing. And by weaving these repeated episodes of relaxation into your life, you may be able to better manage the stress of it all.
How do I get a marijuana medical card?
Now that you know the eligibility requirements and the benefits for medical marijuana, let’s walk through the step by step process for actually applying for and receiving your Oklahoma medical marijuana card, including online resources necessary for the application process.
Step 1: Prepare your eligibility documents.
You want to be sure that you are prepared with all the documentation required for your application before you get too far ahead of yourself. You will need a valid photo ID, proof of Oklahoma residence, and have the fees needed.
Step 2: Determine your needs.
What do you want to use marijuana for? Be sure to have an idea of why you are seeking a physician-recommendation for medical marijuana. Again, in Oklahoma, there is no list of qualifying conditions. You can use cannabis to treat anything that you and your physician agree on. But you still must have something to treat, so you should spend some time reflecting on that before you visit with your doctor.
Your physician will likely want to know what other medications, if any, you are taking, as well as your past medical history, so be prepared to discuss those matters as well.
To better prepare, be sure to download and print your Physician Recommendation Form.
Step 3: Get a physician evaluation.
Your next step is to actually get your evaluation from a doctor. In Oklahoma, doctor’s are not required to participate in the medical marijuana program. That means you want to schedule your appointment with a physician who is qualified and participates in the program. You can research a doctor near you, using one of many online repositories.
Step 4: Take your medical card photo.
There are specific rules for your medical card photo. Luckily, the OMMA has published a handy photo guide that helps you ensure that your application is not denied due to a technical error. Depending on which clinic you go to for your physician’s recommendation, this may be part of the service, as many providers also assist with taking the photo. You should check with your health provider to confirm this service.
Step 5: Register with the OMMA and apply for your medical marijuana card.
Once you have collected your necessary documents, gotten your physician sign-off and taken your photo, it’s time to register with the OMMA and apply for your card. Please note that this process must be completed online. You can begin that process on the OMMA Application page.
Step 7: Stay up-to-date on renewal processes.
Typically, renewals for your medical marijuana card are processed within 30 days of expiration. You also need to be sure that you have access to the original email address that you used to set up your OMMA account. If you don’t, you will need to contact OMMA via phone.
OMMA has developed helpful resources to guide you in the renewal process.
What are the rules applied to the use of medical marijuana?
While a medical marijuana card will grant you access to purchase, possess, use marijuana, there are still rules, regulations and restrictions in place for the use of any cannabis products. This includes limits on what you can have (listed on page 8), where you can partake of marijuana and share marijuana with others. Here are some of the most important things to remember when it comes to safe and legal use of cannabis in Oklahoma:
Using
- It remains illegal to drive or operate any motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana.
- Generally, Oklahoma allows cannabis use anywhere that tobacco use is allowed. That also means that anywhere Tobacco-use is prohibited, cannabis-use is prohibited. Private businesses as well as many public places may prohibit cannabis use.
- While traveling, you must keep all marijuana in a sealed container.
- You may not take cannabis across state lines. Even if you are traveling between two bordering states that have both legalized medical marijuana, it is still illegal to transport controlled substances across state lines (for now). There are temporary cannabis cards that you can get in other states, though, depending on the state and the situation.
Growing
- You may only grow marijuana on private property, in a secured and locked area that is inaccessible to minors and the public.
- Marijuana plants may not be visible to public view, such as on a porch or balcony, or in a window.
Caregiver Laws
- A caregiver is defined as a person of legal age who can assist a minor or someone with a disability with the medical marijunana process.
- Caregivers may only be parents, legal guardians, or authorized assistants who regularly look after medical marijuana patients.
Will Oklahoma legalize recreational use of marijuana?
The short answer is “we hope”. Right now, there are many Oklahomans, as well as the Oklahoma Marijuana Policy Project, working to push through the eventual recreational use of marijuana.
Oklahoma State Question 807 and 813 are currently pending with the state legislature and seek to legalize the recreational use of marijuana within the state. Under this proposed law:
- Any adult over the age of 21 years would be able to legally purchase, possess, and use cannabis for recreational use.
- Would allow Oklahoma citizens to possess no more than 1 ounce of marijuana at a time.
- Would allow for a concentrate or edible possession limits of 8 grams or less, regardless of medical marijuana status
- Would allow for the same growing laws applied to those who currently grow marijuana with a medical marijuana card.
- SQ 813 would legalize marijuana over the age of 18
If you are interested in the motion to legalize marijuana use in Oklahoma completely, visit the Oklahoma Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) website for more information and to donate or take action.