(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Department shall:
(1) Verify the information contained in an application or renewal submitted pursuant to this chapter, and shall approve or deny an application or renewal within 45 days of receiving a completed application or renewal application.
(2) Issue registry identification cards to a qualifying patient and his or her designated caregiver, if any, within 30 days of approving the application or renewal. A designated caregiver must have a registry identification card for each of his or her qualifying patients.
(3) Enter the registry identification number of the registered compassion center the patient designates into the verification system.
(b) The Department may not issue a registry identification card to a qualifying patient who is under 18 years of age, except if any of the following apply:
(1) The qualifying patient has any of the following related to a terminal illness:
a. Pain.
b. Anxiety.
c. Depression.
(2) The qualifying patient has intractable epilepsy or seizure disorder.
(3) The qualifying patient has a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition where the patient has failed treatment involving 1 or more of the following symptoms:
cachexia or wasting syndrome; intractable nausea; severe, painful and persistent muscle spasms; chronic debilitating migraines and new daily persistent headache that are refractory to conventional treatment and interventions.(4) Any other medical condition or its treatment added by the Department, as provided for in § 4906A of this title.
(5) The qualifying patient is eligible for a compassionate use card under § 4908A(c) of this title.
(c) A qualifying patient who is under 18 years of age may only receive marijuana oil.