How to Get a Medical Cannabis Prescription: Complete Step-by-Step Guide and Requirements

Medical marijuana therapy is an increasingly used method for treating various ailments. However, many patients are still looking for information on how to start treatment and get a prescription for medical cannabis. Find out how to obtain a prescription for medical marijuana step by step. 

What will you learn from the article?

👉 What conditions must you meet to get a prescription for medical marijuana?

👉 What does the process of obtaining a prescription look like?

👉 What do Polish regulations say about medical marijuana?

Table of contents:

Who can get a prescription for medical marijuana? 📝

Any person with ailments that qualify them for medical marijuana therapy can obtain a prescription. However, it should be noted that the decision to start treatment is always made by a doctor, who on the basis of a thorough medical interview decides whether the patient can proceed with therapy or not. 

One of the indications for issuing a prescription for medical marijuana may be treatment of depression and anxiety disorders or treatment of multiple sclerosis.

There are several contraindications that prevent medical marijuana treatment. These include pregnancy and breastfeeding period as well as some chronic diseases. In these cases, we will not receive a prescription for medical marijuana due to possible side effects of medicinal cannabis.

It is worth remembering to ask your doctor about the possibility of taking other medications during medical marijuana therapy.

👨‍⚕️ Who can issue a prescription for medical marijuana?

A prescription for medical marijuana can be issued by any doctor, with the exception of a veterinarian, who possesses special prescription forms or in the case of an e-prescription, marks all required elements for a narcotic prescription in the system.

Can a family doctor issue a prescription for medical marijuana?

In practice, even a family doctor can issue a prescription for medical marijuana. However, it is recommended to use a medical center specializing in cannabis therapy, which has experienced specialists in conducting this type of treatment.

How much does medical marijuana on prescription cost? 💸

The price of 1 gram of cannabis indica dried herb in a pharmacy is approximately 14.40 EUR. Available packages contain 5, 10 or 15 grams, which means that the price of one box containing medical marijuana can cost from 72.00 to as much as 216.00 EUR.

It is worth considering that one package of medical cannabis dried herb can last for various lengths of treatment. When issuing a prescription for medical marijuana, each patient receives, individually tailored to their symptoms, dosage of medicinal marijuana, which from the moment of starting medical marijuana therapy may additionally change. 

Vaporization is a way to more effectively and cleanly deliver the therapeutic properties of marijuana. Users often notice better therapeutic effects and less respiratory irritation compared to traditional smoking.

VapoManiak – professional vaporizer reviewer

Is medical marijuana reimbursed?

Medical marijuana was legalized in 2017 and since then has not been included in any reimbursement indications, which means you have to pay the full price for it. 

In the case of fully paid medicines, such as medical marijuana, each pharmacy may have a different price for its package due to the imposition of a pharmacy markup, which averages 25% (in practice from 15 to 30%).  

Perhaps in a few years the situation will change and medicinal marijuana will be available with reimbursement. Some members of parliament are making attempts, but so far none of the proposed laws have been put into practice. 

Where to fill a prescription for medical marijuana?

Immediately after the legalization of medical marijuana, the dried herb was unavailable. It was not until 2018 that medicinal cannabis began to appear in pharmacies in larger cities. This was due, among other things, to conditions regarding the importation of marijuana from abroad, mainly from Canada. 

Currently, the situation has changed, and cannabis flower with medical marijuana is imported not only from Canada, but also from European countries (e.g. Germany). Moreover, in May 2022, a law was also passed allowing the cultivation of medicinal cannabis in Poland. This means that a prescription for medical marijuana can be filled in practically every pharmacy in Poland.

There are also many websites where you can check the availability of flower in a pharmacy. This is a very useful feature that allows you to find out where it is best to fill a prescription for medical marijuana. It is worth using them, especially if you live in small towns and there is a problem with the availability of medical marijuana in nearby pharmacies. 

🌏 E-prescription for medical marijuana

New law concerning prescriptions introduces significant changes in the context of medical marijuana. Previously, the ability to remotely obtain a prescription for various medicines, including medicinal marijuana, was relatively easy, which raised concerns about abuse. Now, in accordance with the new regulations, doctors have been obliged to conduct a patient assessment before issuing a prescription for medical marijuana. The examination is intended to assess how these medicines may affect the patient’s health. The examination is not mandatory for those who are already undergoing medicinal marijuana therapy and no more than three months have passed since their last visit. These changes are intended to ensure safety for patients using various medicines, including medical marijuana.

How to get a prescription for medical marijuana – summary

If you are wondering how to obtain a prescription for medical marijuana, here is some key information. The most important step is a doctor’s diagnosis, who on the basis of your complaints will decide whether you are qualified for medical marijuana therapy. There are various indications, which we wrote about above, which may qualify you for this type of treatment. It is worth remembering that the price of medical marijuana may differ depending on many factors, and dosing is adjusted individually to the patient’s needs. Currently, unfortunately, medical marijuana is not refunded, but there are efforts to change this state of affairs. If you are considering such therapy, it is worth first consulting with a doctor and obtaining more information on the subject.