Nevada law permits marijuana to be used legally to treat certain medical conditions, as long as certain formal procedures are followed. Read on to learn how to get a medical marijuana prescription in Nevada.

• Although prescriptions are not written for marijuana in Nevada, a person using the drug for medicinal purposes can be protected from criminal prosecution if appropriate procedures are followed. A patient must suffer from an approved condition, follow stated procedures, and have received an ID card.

The use of medical marijuana in Nevada was voted on November 7, 2000, by a 65% margin. The was was put into effect on October 1, 2001, and allows physicians to add patients to a state registry. Patients who qualify receive an identification card allowing them to carry and use marijuana.http://www.safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=2046

• • 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 April 2010 and the laws and processes described below are subject to change.

(Creative Commons photo by warrantedarrest)

• Chronic or debilitating conditions that are eligible under the law include:

1. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
2. Cancer
3. Glaucoma
4. Any of the following symptoms, arising from either a disease or its treatment:
   1. Cachexia;
   2. Persistent muscle spasms
   3. Seizures
   4. Severe nausea or pain
5. A condition or treatment classified by the state health department as chronic or debilitating
6. A condition which the patient has petitioned the state to have classified as chronic and debilitating, which the state has approved

Other ailments, such as anxiety or insomnia, may also qualify patients for a medical marijuana recommendation.

• A patient and/or his or her caregiver is eligible to receive an ID card if they suffer from a qualifying condition, and submit an application. The application requires that:

1. They must be a resident of Nevada, and provide proof of residency.
2. They must have a statement from a physician licensed to practice in Nevada that asserts:
   1. The patient has a condition qualifying under the law
   2. That marijuana might alleviate the symptoms of that condition
   3. The physician has explained the risks of using marijuana
3. If the application designates a caregiver, the physician must explicitly state that they approve of the caregiver.

In order to receive a recommendation for a medical marijuana card, it may be necessary to visit a physician who specializes in this area. Some family doctors may not be willing and/or able to help patients obtain ID cards, so before making your appointment be sure that your physician is open to marijuana as a form of treatment and will recommend it for you should your medical condition warrant it. To find a doctor known to recommend medical marijuana, visit a website such as norml.org, medicalmarijuanareferrals.com or 420meds.com.

• The protection provided under the law is not absolute. It does not extend to:

1. The stalks and roots of the plant
2. More than one ounce of marijuana
3. Consumption while driving, in public, or in a correctional facility
4. Distribution of marijuana is not legal in Nevada, even if one is entitled by law to use marijuana for medicinal purposes

Although marijuana cannot be legally prescribed for medicinal purposes in Nevada, a patient with a qualifying condition, and a doctor's support, can receive an ID card which isolates them from crimiinal prosecution as long as they are using the marijuana for personal use within the confines of the law.

Marijuana is still illegal under federal law, although it is legalized for medical use in fourteen states. The content in this page is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. Please do not think that just because it is legal in your state that you can freely smoke. You must have a medical card that allows you to smoke marijuana.

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.