A medical marijuana card in Washington must be renewed at the expiration of the medical cannabis authorization. Depending on a patient's treatment plan, medical cannabis authorization validity in Washington varies. Per RCW 69.51A.030, medical cannabis authorization for an adult patient aged 18 years and older in Washington State may remain valid for up to one year after issuance. For a marijuana patient who is a minor, the state's medical cannabis authorization may be good for up to six months after issuance.
Patients should renew their medical marijuana card before the expiration of their medical cannabis authorization. It is advisable to start the renewal process a few weeks before the authorization expires to ensure there is no lapse in the validity of the card. This will help avoid any interruptions in accessing medical marijuana.
The cost to renew a medical marijuana card in Washington typically includes a fee of $1 paid to the medically-endorsed retail store, which is remitted to the state's Department of Health. However, medically-endorsed retail stores may charge more than $1, and the average renewal cost can range between $1 and $10, depending on the store. Additional out-of-pocket expenses may be incurred during healthcare visits for medical cannabis authorization.
Yes, every registered medical marijuana patient in Washington State needs a doctor to renew their medical marijuana card. At the expiration of their medical cannabis authorization, a patient must schedule an appointment with their healthcare practitioner. The healthcare provider will complete and sign the Washington State Medical Cannabis Authorization Form to recertify the patient for a debilitating medical condition and recommend them for medical marijuana treatment. Authorized practitioners include medical doctors (MD), naturopathic physicians, physician assistants (PA), osteopathic physician assistants (DOA), advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNP), and osteopathic physicians (DO).
If your Washington medical marijuana card expires, you will no longer have legal access to medical marijuana until you renew your card. This means you will need to go through the renewal process, starting with obtaining a new medical cannabis authorization from your healthcare practitioner. It is crucial to ensure timely renewal to avoid any gaps in access to necessary medical marijuana treatments.