Minor patients cannot have their medical marijuana card. Minor patients need to have a caregiver to become eligible to obtain medical cannabis therapy.

Apart from that, the caregiver needs to meet the eligibility criteria and be aged 21 to become one. You can read the whole process about how you can become a caregiver for a minor patient.

In New York, eligibility for a medical card has been expanded to include a broader range of conditions. Presently, access to medicinal cannabis is available for various illnesses, requiring only a certification from a state-licensed physician.

This marks a significant change from the past, where medical marijuana eligibility in NY was restricted to specific following qualifying conditions.

Qualifying Conditions For Patients Under 18 Years 

• Severe Epilepsy 
• Cerebral Palsy 
• Cystic Fibrosis 
• Muscular Dystrophy 
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta 
• Tourette Syndrome 
• Intractable Neuropathic Pain 
• Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury 
• Terminal Illness 

Here is a step-by-step guide for people to become caregivers to register minor patients for the treatments. 

Step 1: Book An Appointment With The Two Physicians

It is the foremost step, where you need to book an appointment with the physician who will evaluate the medical condition of the minor patient.  One of the patients must be the primary care provider of the patient, while the other needs to be the authorized and certified physician, who is involved in the treating procedure. 

Any of the mentioned physicians need to register themselves on the medical marijuana registration system and need to present that the patient suffers from the mentioned qualified conditions. 

The physician will ask questions such as a valid mobile number and email address, so the health department can communicate with you regarding the registration of the minor patient. While the second physician will offer you the letter that will be confirming the use of marijuana in the interest of patients’ health. 

Step 2: Go Through The Patient Registration Process & Complete It

After your physician appoints, the minor patient must have a record in DCP’s medical marijuana registration system. The parents or the guardian can complete the registration process by opening the official link and setting up a free account in the State’s Business Network System. It is a one time process, which will allow you to access the registration system. 

You have to use the provided email ID and password that you used while in the Business Network registration process. Once this is done, you have to click on “I am a Patient” category, and you will be asked to provide the date of birth and email id that you gave the certified physician. 

After logging in, you will see a pre-filled form with the patient information given by the physician. If the information is wrong, you must correct it by visiting the physician’s office.  After confirming the minor patient’s details, you will have to choose a dispensary facility from where you will be purchasing medical cannabis. You can find the dispensary availability list here. 

Next thing you have to do is provide all the needed information regarding you for being the caregiver, and choose the convenient payment gateway. The submission fee for the minor patient is $100. 

Step 3: Caregiver Registration Process

Once you are done with the patient registration process, you have to complete the caregiver registration process. You will have the pre-filled form, and check if the information is correct or not. You have to answer a few asked questions, which will confirm that you understand the roles and responsibility of a caregiver. 

Afterwards, you have to submit your identity proof, your photograph, and residency proof. Later, you have to upload the letter you obtained from the second physician that confirms that medical marijuana will benefit the minor patient. Once this is done, select the payment gateway and pay $25, which is the caregiver fee. 

Step 4: DCP Will Review The Application 

Once the patient and caregiver process is complete, the DCP is going to review the application and check the provided information. If the application gets approved, you are going to receive an email confirming the same. The DCP will mail the MMJ card for the caregiver, as minors are not allowed to have MMJ card before the age of 18 years.