A medical cannabis clinic connects patients to a state-licensed provider who certifies a qualifying condition. In most states the clinic does not sell cannabis. Its work is the exam, the written certification, and the state registration paperwork. The right clinic is licensed, names the provider up front, separates its fee from the state fee, and states a refund policy in writing.
Each state with a medical program publishes a list of licensed providers and clinics. Search your state health department or medical board database before you book. Match the clinic address and the provider name against that list. A clinic that will not give a license number is a stop sign.
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Ask for the provider's name and license number before the visit. Some states allow a physician assistant or a nurse practitioner to certify. Others require a medical doctor or a doctor of osteopathy. Rules also differ on the patient age, the qualifying condition list, and how long a certification lasts.
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Clinic visit fees run from about $75 to $300. State registration fees add $10 to $100. Ask for both numbers. Ask what happens if the provider declines to certify. A clinic that keeps the fee after a denial is charging for an outcome it did not deliver.
Some states allow a video visit for the certification. Others require an in-person exam, at least for the first year. Ask which rule applies in your state and whether the clinic holds a state telehealth permit.
Renewal cycles run 6 to 12 months, set by state law. Put the renewal date on a calendar. A lapse means a new certification and a new fee.