Recertification
$230Your visit with Dr. Ewals and, if appropriate, her recertification.
$50 deposit to book, balance before your visitReturning patients · Recertification
Renew BeforeIt Runs Out
If Dr. Ewals certified you before, recertification is quicker and costs less. Check your countdown below, book in the right window, and give the state time to process your renewal.
Lapsed?The state treats it the same as a renewal. Book as usual
3–4 weeksBefore expiry is the window we suggest for booking
3Things to prepare: ID, any new records and your updated medicines
ND + MNIn office or by telehealth
Countdown
How Long Have You Got?
Enter the expiry date on your card or in your state portal account. We'll tell you when to book, and you can add a reminder to your calendar.
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Enter a valid date as MM/DD/YYYY, for example 03/15/2027.
We suggest booking three to four weeks before expiry. The state sets its own processing times.
–days left
Enter Your Expiry Date
Your countdown and the best time to book will appear here.
How it works
Four Steps to Renewed
Click through each step to see who does what. Most of it is quick; the waiting is usually on the state's side.
You
Find Your Expiry Date
It's printed on your card and shown in your state portal account. Put it in the countdown above to see your booking window.
You and Will
Request in the Right Window
Request a visit online or call Will. You pay the $230 recertification fee when the appointment is set. Tell him if your address or health has changed.
Dr. Ewals
How Has It Been Going?
Dr. Ewals asks how things have gone, reviews any changes to your health or medicines, and recertifies you if it's still appropriate.
You and the state
Finish the State's Renewal
Complete your state's renewal steps and pay any state fee. The state sets how long processing takes. North Dakota steps · Minnesota steps
What to prepare
Less to Bring This Time
Tick things off as you go. Your list is remembered on this device only.
0 of 3 ready
Already expired? Call Will at (218) 274-4500. The state treats a lapsed card the same as a renewal, so you book a recertification as usual.
Cost
A Lower Fee for Coming Back
A $50 deposit books your visit; the rest of our fee is due before your appointment. The state's renewal fee is separate and paid to the state.
New Patient Evaluation
$250If Dr. Ewals hasn't certified you before. What the evaluation involves
$50 deposit to book, balance before your visitState Renewal
Set by your stateCheck the ND portal or the MN program for the current amount.
Paid to the state
Insurance not accepted
Fees aren't refundable
Book online
Pick a Time That Works
New or returning? Choose below and book a time straight into Dr. Ewals' calendar.
FAQ
Common questions from returning patients. Still unsure? Call Will at (218) 274-4500.
See every questionWhen should I book my recertification?
About 3 to 4 weeks before your card or registration expires, so the state has time to process it. North Dakota cardholders should book earlier, about 7 weeks ahead: state law asks for renewals at least 45 days before the card expires, and renewing early no longer shortens your new card. Our renewal countdown works out the date from your expiry.
What does recertification cost?
$230 if Dr. Ewals certified you before, or $250 if you were certified somewhere else. A $50 deposit holds your appointment, and the rest is due before your visit. The state fee is separate: $40 in North Dakota and nothing in Minnesota (checked October 2026).
What happens if my card lapses?
You can't buy from a dispensary until you're registered again. The state treats a lapsed card the same as a renewal, so book a recertification with Dr. Ewals and reapply with the state as soon as you notice.
Do I need new medical records to renew?
Usually not. We keep your file from your last visit. If your condition, treatment or medicines have changed, send updated records ahead of the visit.
Is a renewal visit shorter than the first one?
Usually. It focuses on how things have gone since your last certification, what's working and anything that's changed, then Dr. Ewals submits your new certification.
How does renewal work in North Dakota?
File a renewal on the state's registration site at least 45 days before your card expires and pay the $40 state fee. Dr. Ewals sees you and completes a new certification online. Your new card is good for another 2 years (checked October 2026).
How does renewal work in Minnesota?
Every 3 years, Dr. Ewals reassesses you and enters a new certification, then you re-enroll through your online registry account. There's no state fee (checked October 2026).
I moved between North Dakota and Minnesota. What now?
Apply in the state you live in now; a card from your old state doesn't carry over. Dr. Ewals is licensed in both states, so she can certify you for either program. Bring an ID or other proof of your new address.
Can I renew by telehealth?
Yes, for patients in North Dakota and Minnesota. Tell Will you'd like a video visit when you book.
Can you remind me when my renewal is due?
Yes. Our renewal countdown can add a reminder to your calendar.
What should I bring to a medical cannabis evaluation?
A government-issued photo ID that shows your North Dakota or Minnesota address, and medical records that document your qualifying condition. Please get your records to us before the visit so Dr. Ewals has time to review them. Not sure how to request records? Call and Will can walk you through it.
Can I get a same-day medical cannabis evaluation?
Alternative Health may offer same-day medical evaluations, in Grand Forks or by telehealth, when appointments are available. A same-day visit doesn't mean same-day state approval: North Dakota usually takes 2 to 4 weeks, and Minnesota usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. Call Will at (218) 274-4500 to check today's openings.
No match on this page. Try all FAQs or call us.
Guides
Read Before You Visit
Patient guides with sources you can check. All guides
North Dakota cannabis process · 5 min
North Dakota Medical Cannabis Evaluation: What to Bring and What Happens
What to gather before your North Dakota medical cannabis evaluation, what the clinician will ask, and what the state handles after your visit.
North Dakota cannabis process · 4 min
ND Renewal Versus a First-Time Evaluation: What Changes
How a North Dakota medical cannabis renewal visit differs from a first evaluation, what stays the same, and how to plan your timing.
Minnesota cannabis process · 4 min
Minnesota Medical Cannabis Registration: The Current Patient Steps
A plain overview of how Minnesota medical cannabis registration works, from certification to state approval, and where to confirm current rules.
Ready when you are
Request Your Recertification
Send a request online, or call Will and he'll find a time that fits before your card runs out.