How Do I Obtain a Medical Marijuana Card in My State?

A PotNetwork Special Report

Medical marijuana laws are constantly changing across the United States, and with such changes, it can be hard to keep track of everything that’s current. If you are wondering how to obtain a medical marijuana card in your home state, PotNetwork compiled the following list to help you.

Medical marijuana cards can come with application fees that range from $25 to $100, depending on the state. Medical cannabis cards must also be renewed regularly, although deadlines vary from state to state. Check this out to see which states have legalized marijuana, both for recreational and medicinal purposes. To find out how to obtain a medical marijuana card, scroll through this list to find your home state.

Alabama

Marijuana is not legal. Residents can qualify for high-CBD cannabis only if they suffer from severe and debilitating epilepsy.

Alaska

Marijuana is legal here, and patients with medical marijuana cards can grow their own and have prescriptions delivered to them. To obtain a medical marijuana card, patients must qualify and fill out a medical marijuana application.

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Arizona

Adult residents can apply for a medical marijuana card online through the Arizona Department of Health Services. Patients need a valid Arizona driver’s license and suffer from one of these qualifying conditions.

Arkansas

Patients can apply for medical marijuana cards online if they are over the age of eighteen and suffer from any of the diseases listed here. Proof of residency and certification from a doctor are required before a card will be issued.

California

Everyone can smoke pot in Cali, but medical marijuana cardholders are exempt from the state tax on cannabis. Patients must suffer from these conditions to qualify. California residents can apply for a medical marijuana card here and must identify their primary physician to be approved.

Colorado

A medical marijuana card will not exempt patients from the state tax, but they do not have to pay the excise taxes. Minors can use medical cannabis, but two physicians have to diagnose minor patients with one of these debilitating diseases. Patients apply for medical marijuana cards here and must provide physician certification.

Connecticut

Qualifying patients who suffer from any of these debilitating medical conditions are eligible for medical marijuana cards in Connecticut. Minors are more restricted when it comes to medical marijuana use. To obtain the medical marijuana card, patients must register with the state’s medical marijuana program and have their prescribing physician start the application process.

Delaware

The first step to getting a medical marijuana card in Delaware is physician certification. If the doctor believes the patient will benefit from cannabis use, the application process can officially begin. Patients can apply online. The diseases and conditions that qualify for marijuana use can be found here.

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Florida

Floridians interested in medical marijuana must seek treatment from a licensed doctor. The doctor then recommends the patient for a Compassionate Use Registry Identification Card by inputting their information in the registry. Once approved by the state, patients can contact a licensed treatment center to fill their prescription.

Georgia

Georgia has spent three years trying to legalize cannabis. Medically, the state only permits oils with less than five percent THC. To qualify for a low-THC prescription, patients must suffer from one of these conditions. Only a doctor can fill out a medical marijuana card application.

Hawaii

Patients must register with the Hawaii Department of Health’s Medical Cannabis Registry Program if they want to obtain a medical marijuana card. A doctor’s certification is necessary to prove a patient is suffering from a qualifying condition.

Idaho

Marijuana is not legal in Idaho, medically or otherwise. A proposed initiative for legalized marijuana did not meet deadline requirements to make it on the November ballot.

Illinois

If residents suffer from any of these conditions, they qualify for a medical marijuana card. Applications are completed online. Certification from a doctor and a background check are necessary to complete the application. The state offers free application assistance through the local health department.

Indiana

Only patients involved in qualifying clinical trials can have medical cannabis.

Iowa

Medical cannabis with no more than .3 percent THC is available to patients suffering from intractable epilepsy.

Kansas

Recreational and medical cannabis are illegal in the state of Kansas.

Kentucky

Low dose CBD oil is legally available only to patients involved in clinical trials.

Louisiana

Patients suffering from these qualifying conditions can legally obtain medical marijuana cards. Only non-smokable cannabis is allowed, and patients must have a recommendation from a licensed doctor before applying for a medical marijuana card.  

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Maine

Even though state governor Paul LePage is staunchly against medical marijuana, the state legislature overturned his veto in July. Now, any patient can qualify for medicinal marijuana if their doctor deems it appropriate. Applying for a medical marijuana card can be done online through the Maine Medical Use of Marijuana Program.

Maryland

Getting a medical marijuana card in Maryland involves submitting a patient application online. Patients must include a written certification from a registered doctor. Eligibility requirements can be found here.

Massachusetts

Patients in Massachusetts can get a medical marijuana card once they are certified by their healthcare provider. The doctor will give them a PIN number to apply online with the MMJ Online System.

Michigan

Medical marijuana cards in Michigan give patients the right to grow twelve plants as well as possess up to 2.5 ounces of flower at any one time. To get a medical marijuana card, patients must apply to the state’s marijuana program.

Minnesota

Smokable cannabis is not allowed in Minnesota. All prescribed cannabis must be in the form of oils, edibles, and concentrates. The list of qualifying conditions can be found here. Patients must contact their doctor to start the medical marijuana registration process.

Mississippi

Marijuana is not legal in Mississippi, although it is decriminalized. Medical access is restricted to CBD oil. Only patients with epilepsy qualify and must be endorsed by a doctor.

Missouri

Currently, this state allows CBD oil only for patients with intractable epilepsy. The state legislature is working to legalize medical marijuana since May of this year.

Montana

Medicinal marijuana has been legal in Montana since 2004. Montana residents can apply for a medical marijuana card online with a photo and a physician’s statement regarding their qualifying medical condition.

Nebraska

Cannabis is illegal in Nebraska, and the state does not offer any kind of medical marijuana program.

Nevada

Recreational marijuana is legal in Nevada, but customers carrying medicinal marijuana cards are privy to cheaper prices. To qualify, patients must suffer from one of these health conditions and should apply online for their card.

New Hampshire

Last summer, New Hampshire legalized medical marijuana for the following health conditions. To get a medical marijuana card, New Hampshire residents have to fill out an application and have their doctor fill out a Written Certification for the Therapeutic Use of Cannabis.

New Jersey

In March of this year, New Jersey made some major changes to their medical marijuana law to make it easier for patients to get cannabis. Patients must qualify and have what the state calls a “bona fide relationship” with their practicing physician before applying for a medical marijuana card. Cards can be obtained online here.

New Mexico

Residents of New Mexico can apply for their medical marijuana cards online. A doctor or other health care provider must also fill out the application before the patient can submit it to the state for approval.

New York

To get a medical marijuana card in New York state, patients must obtain certification from their doctor. The state provides contact information for qualifying doctors here. With certification in hand, patients can then register online with the health department’s Patient Registration System. Once registered, a medical marijuana card will be issued. For more information, visit the New York Health Department.

North Carolina

At the publication of this article, North Carolina has only legalized CBD oil for patients with intractable epilepsy.

North Dakota

North Dakota’s Compassionate Care Act permits cannabis prescriptions for the following conditions. Under the law, patients with an mmj card can grow their own flower if there is not a dispensary within forty miles of their home. To obtain the card, patients can apply online. Resources are available to make the process easier for both patients and their doctors.

Ohio

Ohio’s medical marijuana program will be effective in September 2018. Flower is not considered medicinal. Vaporizers, edibles, capsules, tinctures, and transdermal patches and creams are the only forms of medical marijuana that are legally recognized. To obtain a medical marijuana card, patients must get certification from a doctor confirming that they qualify.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma legalized medical marijuana last month, giving patients with any medical condition access to cannabis with a doctor’s recommendation. To obtain a medical marijuana card in this state, patients must have a valid Oklahoma driver’s license, up-to-date medical records, and a written recommendation from their doctor.

Oregon

With recreational use legalized, a medical marijuana card in Oregon gives residents permission to grow and trade medicine with other patients. To obtain the card, patients must apply online after submitting the necessary materials to the Oregon Health Authority.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania residents suffering from serious medical conditions can apply for a medical marijuana card online. First, residents must register with the Patients and Caregiver Registry; then they can submit certification from a physician regarding their medical condition.  \

Rhode Island

When residents suffer from one of these conditions, they must ask their doctor to fill out a Practitioner Form to apply for a medical marijuana card. Patients then have to register as a Medical Marijuana Patient and choose their designated dispensary.

South Carolina

Medical cannabis is only available to patients participating in qualified clinical trials.

South Dakota

Recreational and medical cannabis are still illegal in South Dakota.

Tennessee

CBD oil is legally available to patients involved in clinical trials for intractable seizures.

Texas

CBD oil is available to patients with distinct forms of epilepsy. Low-dose CBD is available without a prescription.

Utah

Patients suffering from intractable seizure disorders can obtain CBD oils only.

Vermont

To obtain a medical marijuana card in Vermont, patients must qualify and register with the Vermont Marijuana Registry. Patients have to provide a local driver’s license and have known their physician for at least three months before applying.

Virginia

Medical marijuana is illegal, but patients can claim “affirmative defense” if they suffer from a medical condition that benefits from cannabis use. A physician has to fill out an affirmative defense form for the claim to hold up in court.

Washington

Recreational marijuana is legal, but patients with medical cards can receive discounts. Doctors and other healthcare practitioners can authorize patients for a medical marijuana card by filling out a patient authorization form. Patients can also contact a consultant at any local medically-endorsed dispensary for an appointment. To qualify, patients must suffer from the conditions listed here.

Washington DC

Patients in DC need a written recommendation from a licensed physician to obtain a medical marijuana card. Any medical condition qualifies if a doctor can assert that marijuana will be of benefit.

West Virginia

Patients in West Virginia can obtain medical marijuana cards as of July 1. Only licensed doctors can write a certification for patients, and patients must suffer from a terminal illness or meet this list of qualifying conditions.

Wisconsin

Marijuana is not legal in the state of Wisconsin, medical or otherwise. CBD oil can be prescribed for seizure disorders only.

Wyoming

Only CBD is available to patients who suffer from intractable epilepsy.