With at least 34 states plus DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands offering their residents a comprehensive medical marijuana program, it is easier to pick out the states that don’t have some kind of cannabis accessibility on the books than those that do. Find out how to get a medical card by searching for your state or territory below.

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Alabama

  • Registration Fee - None
  • Website -https://www.uab.edu/medicine/neurology/research/uab-cannabidiol-program
  • Qualifying Conditions - The only way to access medical cannabis in Alabama is to enter the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s cannabidiol study. Pediatric and adult patients with severe seizure disorders resistant to conventional therapies are eligible to enroll in the study.
  • Application Process - Prospective patients can enroll by submitting the following documentation:

Alaska

Sled dogs in Alaska iStock / Jenhung-Huang

  • Registration Fee - $25 for first-time applications, $20 for timely renewals (those made before expiration)
  • Website - http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/vitalstats/pages/marijuana.aspx
  • Qualifying Conditions - Patients must be diagnosed with one of the following:
    • Cancer
    • Glaucoma
    • HIV or AIDS
    • Chronic diseases including:
      • Cachexia
      • Severe pain
      • Severe nausea
      • Seizures
      • Persistent muscle spasms
    • Any condition approved by petition
  • Application Process - In order to apply for a medical, patients must complete this application form. In addition to the form, applicants must submit the following:
    • Personal identification: applicant name, mailing address, physical address, birth date, Alaska driver’s license or ID card number.
    • Physician identification: doctor’s name, address, and telephone number.
    • Caregiver information: if the patient designates a caregiver at the time of the application, that caregiver’s name and address must be provided
    • The applicant’s signature.
    • An original, signed physician’s statement form (located in the application packet).
    • Application fee. The check or money order must be made payable to the Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Arizona

  • Registration Fee -$150 ($75 for eligible SNAP participants)
  • Website - https://www.azdhs.gov/licensing/medical-marijuana/index.php
  • Qualifying Conditions - For eligibility, patients must be diagnosed with one of the following:
    • Cancer
    • Glaucoma
    • HIV or AIDS
    • Hepatitis C
    • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
    • Crohn’s disease
    • Alzheimer’s disease
    • Cachexia
    • Severe and chronic pain
    • Severe nausea
    • Seizures
    • Severe or persistent muscle spasms
    • Any other condition added to the department through petition
  • Application Process - Eligible patients can apply for a medical card in Arizona through the Arizona Department of Health Services website. Patients must gather the information outlined in this checklist prior to applying.

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Arkansas

A December Sunrise Paints the Little Rock Skyline in Magnificent Hues of Pink, Yellow, & Blues. iStock / Michael-Dean-Shelton

  • Registration Fee - $50
  • Website - https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/medical-marijuana-resources
  • Qualifying Conditions - 
    • Must not be a member of the Arkansas National Guard or the US Military.
    • Be 18 years old or order, or if you are a minor, have parental consent.
    • Be diagnosed by a physician with one of the following medical conditions:
      • Cancer
      • Glaucoma
      • HIV or AIDS
      • Hepatitis C
      • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
      • Tourette’s syndrome
      • Crohn’s disease
      • Ulcerative colitis
      • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
      • Severe arthritis
      • Fibromyalgia
      • Alzheimer’s disease
      • Cachexia
      • Treatment-resistant intractable pain that has lasted for over 6 months including:
        • Severe nausea
        • Seizures
        • Severe and persistent muscle spasms
        • Any other department of health approved medical conditions
      • Have the official written certification signed by a physician.
      • Have proof of Arkansas residency (driver’s license or state ID).
  • Application Process -  Applicants can submit their applications along with online here or via mail.

California

  • Registration Fee - up to $100 (depends on county)
  • Website https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHSI/Pages/MMICP.aspx
  • Qualifying Conditions - Patients must have one of the following medical conditions:
    • AIDS
    • Anorexia
    • Arthritis
    • Cachexia
    • Cancer
    • Chronic pain
    • Glaucoma
    • Migraine
    • Persistent muscle spasms
    • Seizures
    • Nausea
    • Any other debilitating chronic or persistent medical condition.
  • Application Process - California residents can fill out a medical marijuana card application and bring it to their county’s medical marijuana program as well as provide the following:
    • A copy of their physician’s medical recommendation.
    • Proof of identity (driver’s license or state ID).
    • Proof of residency (rental or mortgage agreement, utility bill, or vehicle registration).
    • Photo taken at the county program’s office.

Colorado

Tourist near Bear Lake at autumn in Rocky Mountain National Park. Colorado, USA. iStock / haveseen

  • Registration Fee - $25
  • Website -https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/how-apply-colorado-medical-marijuana-card
  • Qualifying Conditions - Patients are eligible for a Colorado issued medical marijuana card if they have one of the following conditions:
    • Cancer
    • Glaucoma
    • HIV or AIDS
    • Cachexia
    • Persistent muscle spasms
    • Seizures
    • Nausea
    • Severe pain
    • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
    • Autism
  • Application Process - Before applying, applicants should gather these materials and a PDF or JPEG copy of their valid Colorado driver’s license or state ID. A patient’s recommending physician must meet these requirements and submit physician certification online.

Once the applicant has collected all of the necessary documentation, they can create an account online. This is where they will upload and submit their application.   


Connecticut

  • Registration Fee - $100
  • Website https://portal.ct.gov/DCP/Medical-Marijuana-Program/Medical-Marijuana-Program
  • Qualifying Conditions - Qualifying conditions for adult Connecticut residents include:
    • Cancer
    • Glaucoma
    • HIV or AIDS
    • Parkinson’s disease
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Epilepsy
    • Cachexia
    • Wasting syndrome
    • Crohn’s disease
    • PTSD
    • Sickle cell anemia,
    • Post laminectomy syndrome with chronic radiculopathy
    • Severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
    • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
    • Ulcerative colitis
    • Complex regional pain syndrome (type 1 and 2)
    • Cerebral palsy
    • Cystic fibrosis
    • Irreversible spinal cord injury with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
    • Terminal illness requiring end-of-life care
    • Uncontrolled intractable seizure disorder
    • Spasticity or neuropathic pain associated with fibromyalgia
    • Severe rheumatoid arthritis
    • Post herpetic neuralgia
    • Hydrocephalus with intractable headache
    • Intractable headache syndrome
    • Neuropathic facial pain
    • Muscular dystrophy
    • Osteogenesis imperfecta
    • Chronic neuropathic pain associated with degenerative spinal disorders  
  • Application Process - Patients with qualifying illnesses must make an appointment with their physician. The physician will need the patient’s email address and telephone number to initiate the process. Once the physician submits certification on behalf of the patient to the Department of Health, the patient may create an account with the DAS Business Network. The applicant must submit proof of identity, proof of Connecticut residency, a current, passport size photograph and the registration fee through the DAS Business Network account.

Delaware

Welcome to Delaware road sign at the state border iStock / AndreyKrav

  • Registration Fee - $125
  • Website - https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/hsp/medmarpt.html
  • Qualifying Conditions - To obtain a medical card, Delaware residents must be 18 years old or have parental consent, be diagnosed with one of these qualifying medical conditions:
  • Application Process -  Applicants will need proof of identity and Delaware residency. They must also obtain certification from a Delaware licensed MD or DO. If a patient has a qualifying debilitating condition, they must receive physician certification in order to apply. They can then submit their application online or by mail.

District of Columbia

  • Registration Fee - $100
  • Website - https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/medical-marijuana-and-integrative-therapy
  • Qualifying Conditions - A physician must initiate the application process for a DC resident. A healthcare practitioner must submit a written recommendation with their signature and license number certifying that medical cannabis is necessary to treat the patient’s qualifying medical condition.
  • Application Process - Before applying, the applicant should gather this information. Once these documents are ready, the patient can apply electronically based on the type of physician recommendation or by mail.

Florida

Florida stateline sign iStock-Ingo / Dörenberg

  • Registration Fee -$75
  • Website http://knowthefactsmmj.com
  • Qualifying Conditions - To qualify, a patient must have one of the following conditions:
    • Cancer
    • Epilepsy
    • Glaucoma
    • HIV or AIDS
    • Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
    • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
    • Crohn’s disease
    • Parkinson’s disease
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • A terminal condition
    • Chronic nonmalignant pain caused by a qualifying medical condition or that persists despite conventional treatment, or any medical condition comparable to one of the qualifying conditions.
  • Application Process - Applicants must receive certification from their qualified physician to receive the credentials necessary to create an online account. Once an account is created, patients can complete the online application.

Patients who want to submit their application by mail must print this application.

In addition to the paper application, patients who are mailing their documents must also send an approved passport-like photo, a copy of the proof of residency, and their application fee made out to the Florida Department of Health.


Georgia

  • Registration Fee - $25
  • Website https://dph.georgia.gov/low-thc-oil-faq-general-public 
  • Qualifying Conditions - Applicants must be an adult resident or legal guardian of a patient in Georgia who has one of the qualifying diseases
    • Cancer
    • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
    • Seizure disorders
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • Crohn’s disease
    • Mitochondrial disease
    • Parkinson’s disease
    • Sickle cell anemia
    • Tourette’s syndrome
    • Autism
    • Epidermolysis bullosa
    • Alzheimer’s disease
    • AIDS, peripheral neuropathy
    • Intractable pain
    • Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
    • Patient is receiving hospice care.
  • Application Process - Prospective cardholders may apply for a low THC registry card through their physician.   

Guam

Wave breaking in front of Two Lovers Point, Guam during sunset. iStock / RDavis32

  • Registration Fee -  $15 initial fee, $10 renewal fee
  • Website https://dphss.guam.gov/medical-cannabis-information-2/
  • Qualifying Conditions - To qualify for a medical marijuana card, Guam residents must have one of these medical conditions:
    • Glaucoma
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • Epilepsy
    • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
    • Cancer
    • HIV or AIDS
    • Rheumatoid arthritis
    • Spinal cord injury or another spasticity causing condition
    • Any medical condition a physician believes cannabis is needed to treat.
    • Patients who are in hospice care automatically qualify for the program as well. 
  • Application Process -  Residents of Guam need to provide written certification from their medical practitioner along with this application and their registration fee in order to apply for a registry identification card. These documents should be emailed to frances.santos@dphss.guam.gov.

Hawaii

  • Registration Fee - $38.50
  • Website http://health.hawaii.gov/medicalcannabis/
  • Qualifying Conditions - Qualifying medical conditions in Hawaii include:
    • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
    • Cancer
    • Glaucoma
    • Lupus
    • Epilepsy
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • Rheumatoid arthritis
    • HIV or AIDS
    • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
    • Cachexia
    • Severe pain
    • Severe nausea
    • Seizures,
    • Severe and persistent muscle spasms.
  • Application Process - Before applying, Hawaiian residents must schedule an appointment with their certifying physician. Then they can create an online account here.  Once the application is complete, patients must submit it to their physician on the online portal. The physician will review and submit the application to the Department of Health. 

Illinois

CHICAGO - ILLINOIS: MAY 9, 2018: Tourists visit Cloud Gate in Millennium Park in the late afternoon. IStock / Sean Pavone

  • Registration Fees -
    • $100 for 1 year
    • $200 for 2 years
    • $250 for 3 years
  • Website - http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/prevention-wellness/medical-cannabis
  • Qualifying Conditions - Firefighters, school bus permit holders, commercial driver’s license holders, active duty law enforcement officers, correctional probation officers, and correctional officers are barred from participating in Illinois’ medical marijuana program. In order to qualify, other residents must be at least 18 years old, have a signed physician certification, and have one of these debilitating medical conditions.
  • Application Process - Prior to completing the application, prospective card-holders should have their physicians complete the Physician Written Certification Form. Applicants must register and apply online here. Applicants may also mail in these documents.

Iowa

  • Registration Fee - $100
  • Website http://idph.iowa.gov/cbd
  • Qualifying Conditions - Iowa residents may qualify for a medical cannabidiol registration card if they have one of the following medical conditions:
    • Cancer
    • Mul