WEIRTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Office of Medical Cannabis (OMC) will host public sign-up events for medical cannabis patients in the Northern Panhandle the next two days.
OMC officials will be at the Hancock County Health Department on 100 Municipal Plaza, Suite 600, 2nd floor in Weirton from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday. On Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., officials will be at the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department on 1500 Chapline Street in Wheeling.
“These events are intended to provide on-site help for folks that may be struggling to navigate our web-based patient sign-up portal. Perhaps they don’t have a device or adequate internet access,”
state Cannabis Office Director Jason Frame told MetroNews.
This is the first sign-up event since a Sept. 30 deadline passed that would allow the patient’s card to be valid for two years. Registration after Oct. 1 will result in a card that is good for one year.
Patients who have already been certified by a registered physician as having an applicable serious medical condition must bring the following items:
Completed patient certification form
Driver’s license or state ID
Proof of West Virginia residency, such as a utility bill
$50 patient ID card application fee, which must be paid by check or money order
Patients who have not already seen a registered physician must bring the following items, in addition to the above:
At least one piece of medical documentation that shows their diagnosis, such as medical records, a letter from a doctor, or office visit summaries
Valid photo ID
Two proofs of West Virginia residency for state registration
Cash, credit, or debit to pay the $149 physician evaluation fee
Patients who have a household income of 200% of the federal poverty level or less may apply for a waiver of the $50 patient ID card fee at the event. If a waiver is requested, applicants must provide their most recent W2, paystubs within the last 30 days or proof of eligibility for low-income benefits.
Appointments are strongly encouraged and may be scheduled by calling 304-356-5090.
To date, OMC has received approximately 3,760 patient applications for medical cannabis, a release said.
“They’ve been really successful in the past and we’re continuing to hold them in different areas across the state,” Frame said.
Patient cards are valid only in West Virginia. Registration does not mean medical cannabis products can immediately be obtained.
A news release stated the West Virginia Medical Cannabis Act permits West Virginia residents with serious medical conditions to procure medical cannabis for certified medical use in the following forms: pill; oil; topical forms including gels, creams or ointments; a form medically appropriate for administration by vaporization or nebulization; dry leaf or plant form; tincture; liquid; or dermal patch.