Residents of the state of Alaska who meet the requirements can apply for a Medical Marijuana Registry card. According to state laws, only those who possess such cards can legally use marijuana in the state. This guide on how to get a medical marijuana prescription in Alaska will introduce you to the process by which you can apply to legally use medical marijuana in the state of Alaska.

As of August of 2010, Alaska was one of 14 states that allowed residents to legally use marijuana for medical purposes. According to state laws, a doctor cannot implicitly prescribe marijuana, but may recommend its use for certain patients who meet specific requirements. Patients who meet these requirements and have a signed statement from their doctor recommending the use of medical marijuana may apply for a medical marijuana registry card. Only those who possess valid registry cards can legally use marijuana in Alaska. If you have any questions about the laws regarding medical marijuana use, contact the Alaska Division of Public Health, Americans for Safe Access or another agency or professional familiar with the legalities of medical marijuana use.

NOTE: This page is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as recommendation by Mahalo for any sort of illegal or unauthorized drug use. Always ensure that you are aware of all laws and risks regarding the use of marijuana before doing so. The information provided on this page was current as of March 2009 and the laws and processes described below are subject to change.

1. To be eligible to use marijuana for medical purposes, you must have a signed statement from a doctor affirming that you have a "debilitating medical condition" as defined by AS 17.37.070(4). These conditions include, but are not limited to:

2. Glaucoma

3. Cancer

4. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)

5. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

6. A chronic or debilitating disease which produces: Seizures, severe and persistent pain, extreme nausea and/or chronic muscle spasms

7. Treatments of chronic illness that produce the symptoms described above

1. In accordance with state laws, the state of Alaska will not help you find or recommend a doctor that will recommend the use of medical marijuana. Once you have found a doctor that will do so, he or she must provide a signed and dated statement which must include the following provisions:

2. That the doctor has diagnosed you with a debilitating medical condition after personally examining you

3. That the doctor has considered other possible methods of treatment for your medical condition

4. That the doctor implicitly recommends the use of medical marijuana for your condition

1. To enroll in the Medical Marijuana Registry and obtain your medical marijuana registry card, you must fill out an application provided by the Alaska Division of Public Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. You can fill out this application directly online through the official website, or request that one be mailed to you. Ensure that your application is complete and correct before submitting it. If your application is denied, you will have to wait six months before you can submit another application. You must include a signed statement from your doctor recommending the use of medical marijuana as described in Step 2 above that is dated no more than 16 months prior to the application date.

2. Your application must also include:

3. Your doctor's name, address and telephone number

4. Your name, date of birth and current address

5. Your driver's license or state identification card number

6. The name, address, date of birth and identification card or driver's license number of your primary caregiver or person who will be assisting you with your medical marijuana use, if applicable

7. If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must also provide a signed statement that he or she is aware of the risks of medical marijuana use, will be acting as your caregiver and will control your acquisition and use of marijuana

8. A non-refundable $25 application fee

Once you are enrolled in the Alaska Medical Marijuana Registry, there are still certain laws you must observe when obtaining and using marijuana for medical use. Be aware that your registration is not a prescription, so you will not be able to acquire marijuana for medical use at a pharmacy. You may grow and/or possess a specified amount of marijuana for personal use, but there is nowhere in Alaska where the purchase of marijuana is legal for medical purposes or otherwise. Americans for Safe Access recommends that you speak with a lawyer familiar with medical marijuana laws to learn more about your rights as a registered medical marijuana user. Also be aware that you will have to reapply to renew your Alaska medical marijuana registration annually.

Once you have a prescription for medical marijuana, you will need to decide what method you are going to use to consume it. While smoking may be the most well known method, it may not be the preferred choice for everyone and other options are available. If smoking feels to harsh on your throat and you would like to try a milder method of consumption, you may want to experiment with edibles. Marijuana can be made into a tea, or into a butter that can be used to make pot brownies, cookies or other baked goods. In addition, vaporizers are available that heat the marijuana without actually burning it, allowing users to inhale a relatively cool vapor instead of smoke.

• Although Alaska residents who are registered with the state medical marijuana registry can legally use marijuana, the state and federal laws surrounding marijuana use and possession remain strict and must be observed by medical users. Because of this, you should carefully consider the risks and benefits of using marijuana before doing so. You should also consider speaking with an agency or professional familiar with medical marijuana laws and usage to ensure that you are aware of all the intricacies of becoming a medical marijuana user.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. Please contact your doctor and attorney before using the information presented here.