Obtaining a medical cannabis card is fairly simple as long as a patient has been diagnosed with a qualifying condition. The states have done a very good job of keeping procedures streamlined and efficient. Most applications are approved without a hitch. But what if an application is rejected? What is a patient to do?
The following paragraphs will discuss general recommendations for handling a rejected application. The information will be short on details due to the fact that states regulate medical cannabis in different ways. Each program is unique. Each program may offer different avenues for addressing rejected applications.
1. Identify the Reason for Rejection
Regardless of how a state program is regulated, the very first step is to identify the reason for rejection. You cannot do anything until you know why the state turned you away. Your rejection could be because of administrative errors, clerical errors, missing documents, or even more substantive issues.
Once you know the reasons behind your rejection, you can begin looking at avenues for corrective action. Whatever you do, don’t panic. Make sure that the corrective actions you take are in accordance with state regulations. And no matter who you deal with, act respectfully and be polite.
2. Address Administrative and Clerical Errors
If the rejection is related to administrative or clerical errors, clearing them up should be simple enough. Two easily understood examples include incorrect patient information and missing documents.
Utah utilizes an electronic verification system (EVS) to accept and process medical cannabis card applications. The advocates at Salt Lake City’s BeehiveMed say it is easy enough to log onto one’s account, verify patient information, and make any necessary corrections. Missing documents can also be submitted through the EVS.
3. Investigate Substantive Issues Further
If the reason for rejection is more substantive, further investigation might be warranted. A good example here is the lack of a medical provider’s recommendation. States require such recommendations before approving a patient for medical cannabis treatment.
A Utah patient might complete his portion of the application before visiting with a medical provider. Afterward, the expected card is not awarded. Only later does the patient find out that his medical provider denied his recommendation request.
There are different ways to handle substantive issues. Using the previous example, the patient might seek a second opinion from another medical provider. If the original provider doesn’t believe he has sufficient evidence to verify the patient’s qualifying condition, corrective action may be as simple as furnishing documents from the patient’s GP.
4. Appealing the State’s Decision
The states generally allow appeals. How appeals are managed differs from one state to the next. Let’s say a Utah patient is rejected because his medical condition doesn’t fit the parameters of the state’s qualifying conditions list. He can then appeal to the state’s Compassionate Use Board for an exemption.
It should be noted that rejection notices usually include instructions for proceeding further. Patients should follow those instructions closely. They represent the best chance of resolving the issue.
5. Contact a Medical Cannabis Advocate
If all other options have been exhausted to no avail, a patient can always contact a medical cannabis advocate for further advice. The advocates in some states have sway with regulatory agencies. In other states, they can only offer advice.
Based on the fact that millions of people across the country now use medical cannabis, I would be surprised to learn that a large number of applications get rejected. I am assuming most are approved with little to no resistance. But when an application is rejected, a patient does have recourse.
