Can Convicted Felons Apply For a Medical Marijuana License?

The use of medical marijuana is getting so much attention that everyone is seeking access to the health benefits from it to alleviate their debilitating health conditions symptoms.

The residents of more than 30 states in the U.S. itself can access medical marijuana treatment, but each state has its own state rules concerning medical cannabis use. Since the eligibility criteria for the treatment also include several factors like:

• Being a resident of the state
• Having a minimum age of 21 years or more
• A written recommendation obtained from a state-licensed marijuana doctor

But along with this, things are less clear about the felony conviction. A question is often popped everywhere that “Can a person get a medical marijuana card if he/she has a felony?” or “Can I access medical marijuana if I have a felony?”

Well, this is a consistent concern that is often asked.

And as per the state guidelines, convicted felons may lose ample rights in the U.S. Out of these, some rights can be restored over time, but others might be lost forever.

Though these rights vary from state to state, here are a few rights that a convicted felon may lose:

• Employment in specific fields
• Foreign travel
• Voting
• Parental benefits
• Jury service
• Public housing and social benefits
• Right to own guns

Each state has its own rules for medical marijuana use, and following them is essential. Not following any laws can lead to a felony and put you in a legal trap.

So, Can Convicted Felons Apply For a License?

Well, that depends on the states. Like Oklahoma, Michigan, and several others allow the convicted felons to apply for a license but for individual use only.

Criminal conviction limitations are generally an attempt to use past behavior to predict the public safety risks in the future. In several industries, these restrictions are defended as essential for consumer safety.

In the legitimate cannabis industry, consumer safety concerns are coupled with a desire for the industry to comply with the Cole Memo.

This Cole Memo was first issued in 2013 by Deputy Attorney General James Cole in response to the decriminalization in Colorado and Washington.
This Cole Memo lays out the below mentioned key enforcement priorities for cannabis:

• Preventing marijuana distribution to minors
• Preventing revenue from marijuana sales from going to criminal gangs and enterprises.
• Preventing marijuana’s diversion from states where it is legitimate under the state law
• Preventing violence and firearms use in the distribution and cultivation of marijuana
• Preventing state-licensed marijuana activity from being utilized as a pretext for the trafficking of other illegal activities or drugs
• Preventing marijuana use or possession on federal property
• Preventing marijuana cultivation on public lands
• Preventing drugged driving and exacerbating several other adverse public health consequences linked with cannabis use.

This memo expects the legal states to implement effective and strong regulatory and enforcement systems.

So Which States Permit Felons to Use Medical Marijuana? And Which Do Not Allow For The Same?

Interestingly medical cannabis is less restricted than other legal activities, and even several significant majorities of individual Medical Marijuana Programs make no mention of the limitations for the felons.

However, several states go even further in favor of felons. For instance, California has the pathway for non-violent cannabis offenders with the help of Proposition 64.

Sadly, locations like Illinois are more draconian. In Illinois, MMJ patients must have their fingerprints scanned and go through a thorough background check. And in case the test shows a conviction for the drug crime, the applicant won’t get a medical card.

The story is somewhat similar in the Lowa, where the conviction restricts you from acquiring an MMJ Card.

However, establishing a legitimate medical marijuana business with a felony conviction is entirely a separate matter.