How to Get A Wyoming Medical Marijuana Card
Contact a Healthcare Provider
In most states with MMJ programs, the first step toward getting a medical card is consulting a cannabis-friendly healthcare provider. It seems that Wyoming will be no different.
According to HB0143, a “healthcare provider” is a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner with a license in good standing to practice medicine in Wyoming. They must also be permitted to dispense controlled substances in the course of medical practice.
The provider would need to establish a relationship with the patient for the purposes of diagnosis and treatment, completing a full assessment of the patient’s medical history and current condition. They may recommend medical marijuana if they are satisfied that the risk is reasonable in light of the potential benefits and have explained these risks and benefits to the patient.
Register with the State Program
Most states require prospective patients to register with their MMJ program online or by mail before approval. However, a growing number of states only require the healthcare provider to register the patient when they make their recommendation. It is unclear how the process will work in Wyoming, and we will have to wait until the program is finally launched for more details.
Visit a Licensed Dispensary
Once approved for MMJ, the final step will be to visit a licensed dispensary and buy your medicine.
Until the program is up and running, it is impossible to say how many licenses will be issued in Wyoming and how far patients will have to travel to buy cannabis legally. However, HB0143 suggests that there will be a provision for patients to cultivate cannabis at home as well purchasing it from a dispensary.
How to Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Wyoming
- A Step-by-Step Guide
- Consult a licensed healthcare provider and receive your recommendation
- Register with the state MMJ program, or have your provider do so on your behalf
- Wait to receive your Wyoming medical card
- Visit a dispensary and purchase your cannabis
Wyoming Medical Marijuana Card Qualifying Condition
HB0143 does not explicitly state what will be necessary to apply for a medical marijuana card in WY. However, based on existing MMJ programs, it is likely you will need to be:
- A Wyoming resident
- Aged 18+ (or have a parent or legal guardian act as a caregiver)
- Diagnosed with one of the qualifying medical conditions listed below
Patient Qualifying Conditions
Currently, it seems that the WY medical marijuana card qualifying conditions will include the following:
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Dementia
- Sickle-cell anemia
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Tourette’s syndrome or any chronic movement disorder
- Any terminal condition
- Cachexia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety
- Autism
- Opiate dependency
- Daily nausea
- Migraines
- Seizures (including those characteristic of epilepsy)
- Intractable pain or muscle spasms (including those characteristic of MS)
General Guidelines
Medical Marijuana Card Renewal in Wyoming
It is unclear how long a WY medical card will be valid and what the renewal process will entail. Based on other programs, a card will likely be valid for a year, and renewal will involve receiving a new recommendation from a healthcare provider.
Caregiver Rules
Patients will be able to nominate a caregiver to assist them in the procurement and use of medical cannabis. Those under 18 will require a parent or legal guardian to act as the primary caregiver and consent to the use of marijuana on their behalf.
A Brief History of Cannabis in Wyoming
Like the rest of American states, cannabis has been a controlled substance in Wyoming since the 1970s. It currently has some of the strictest marijuana laws in the country, as we will explain below.
Advocates have been trying to get an MMJ program off the ground since 2015. However, Wyoming has extremely tough ballot initiative requirements, and attempts to launch the program and decriminalize weed have repeatedly failed.
The latest efforts to legalize MMJ in 2024 were unsuccessful, despite the majority of residents being in favor of the program. This was due to insufficient signatures being collected at a county level to get the bill to the 2022 ballot.
Wyoming Medical Marijuana Laws and Rules
Without a functional MMJ program or any form of decriminalization, Wyoming residents face harsh penalties if caught in possession of marijuana.
Being under the influence is a misdemeanor with a possible six months imprisonment and a $750 fine as the punishment. Possessing under three ounces (or 0.3g of concentrate) is also a misdemeanor, with a possible penalty of a year in prison and a $1000 fine. Possessing over three ounces (or 0.3g of concentrate) is a felony, with a possible penalty of five years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.
Cultivating any amount of cannabis is a misdemeanor, with a possible prison sentence of six months and a $1000 fine. The sale or distribution of any amount is a felony, with 10 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine as the potential punishment.
Even possessing paraphernalia could result in six months imprisonment and a $750 fine!
What Types of Cannabis Products Can I Purchase in Wyoming?
It seems that it will be possible to purchase cannabis flower and other “medical marijuana-derived products.” The latter will likely include concentrates, edibles, capsules, topicals, and other dosage forms.
How Much Cannabis Can I Buy & Possess?
Under HB0143, patients could buy and possess up to four ounces of flower and 20g of medical marijuana-derived products over a 30-day period. Growing up to eight mature plants for personal use would also be possible.
Where Can I LEGALLY Purchase MMJ in WY?
Patients will need to buy their medicine from state-licensed dispensaries. However, like other new programs, it may take some time for licenses to be issued and stores to open. Therefore, Wyoming residents likely face a long wait to buy MMJ legally, even if a program is eventually approved.
Can I Take My MMJ to a Different State?
Cannabis is federally illegal, even when used with a valid MMJ card. Therefore, it is illegal to transport it across state lines. HB0143 suggests that Wyoming would have reciprocity with other states, meaning that cardholders may be able to buy cannabis in certain other states with MMJ programs.
FAQ About Getting an MMJ Card in WY
We will only know how long it will take to get an MMJ card in Wyoming once a program is launched. Telemedicine services could speed up the process significantly if they are permitted.
It is unclear what your options will be if you are not approved for MMJ. However, here at MMJ Card Online, we have a high success rate and offer full money-back guarantees to those who do not qualify.
The medical marijuana card cost in WY is still to be determined. Based on other programs, it could be in the region of $50-$100. This figure does not include physician’s fees, which are usually approximately $200-$300. Services like MMJ Card Online may be able to save you money. Feel free to get in touch once a program is underway to learn more.