Which States Have Legalized Medical Marijuana

In 2023, cannabis remains a prohibited drug in the controlled substances act. However, forty-one (41) states now have legal, medical marijuana. The medical cannabis legislation in each state provides the right for patients to choose alternative medicine to treat debilitating diseases and symptoms.

Here is some helpful information about qualifying health conditions and how you can schedule a doctor’s appointment to start the process and get your medical card online.

Alabama

Medical cannabis was legalized in the state of Alabama on February 24, 2021. That was when Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed the Senator Tim Melson Compassion Act (SB46).

Patients on the Alabama MMJ registry are allowed to possess 70 daily dosages of cannabis. For the first 90 days, patients are only permitted a maximum of 50 milligrams.

Smokable cannabis and edibles are not legalized. However, patients may purchase tablets, tinctures, gel cubes, topicals, suppositories, nebulizers, and oils for clinical inhalation treatments.

The qualifying health conditions that make a patient eligible to apply for a medical card in Alabama include:

• Autism.
• Cancer-related weight loss or chronic pain.
• Crohn’s Disease.
• Depression, Epilepsy, or any condition causing seizures.
• HIV/AIDS-related nausea or weight loss (Cachaxia).
• Panic disorder.
• Parkinson’s Disease.
• Persistent nausea not related to pregnancy.
• PTSD.
• Sickle Cell.
• Spasticity associated with diseases including ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, and spinal cord injuries.
• Terminal illnesses (end-of-life care).
• Tourette’s Syndrome.
• Chronic pain for which conventional therapies and opiates should not be used or are ineffective.

Source: Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission

Minors under the age of 18 years in Alabama are limited to low-THC cannabis products. Children must be assisted by a caregiver who is also registered in the Alabaannabis program.

Alabama does not have reciprocity, and the state does not recognize MMJ rights for patients visiting from another jurisdiction.

Alaska

Interestingly, medicinal cannabis was supported by a majority of voters in Alaska back in 1998. The first medical marijuana statute was passed in 2007, but it was not until 2014 that it was finally legalized for patients.

Patients in Alaska are permitted to possess one ounce of cannabis or seven (7) grams of concentrate. You can also receive one ounce as a gift of cannabis or give it away to another adult legally. All routes are available from licensed dispensaries in the state.

Alaska also has a caregiver program where legal guardians may assist patients under eighteen. Caregivers must also apply and be approved.

The qualifying health conditions required to get an MMJ card in Alaska are:

• Glaucoma.
• Cancer.
• Positive status for HIV.
• AIDS.
• Cachexia.
• Severe pain.
• Severe nausea.
• Seizures.
• Epilepsy.
• Persistent muscle spasms.
• Multiple Sclerosis.
• Any other medical conditions or treatment for such condition approved by the Department of Health and Social Services.

Source: Alaska State Cannabis Organization

Residents in the MMJ patient registry are also allowed to grow their cannabis at home. Six plants are permitted when you have an Alaska Medical Card. But only three plants can be mature at any given time.

Arizona

We have good news if you have a medical card and want to travel to Arizona. Arizona is one of the few states that offers limited reciprocity to visiting qualifying patients.

You must not be a state resident but must have resided at an Arizona address for thirty days or longer. This helps accommodate seasonal travelers like snowbirds.

Patients in Arizona may not possess more than 2.5 ounces of marijuana in a fourteen (14) day period.

• Cancer.
• Glaucoma.
• HIV.
• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
• Hepatitis C.
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
• Crohn’s Disease.
• Agitation of Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome.
• Severe and chronic intractable pain.
• Severe nausea.
• Seizures (including Epilepsy).
• Severe or persistent muscle spasms (including those characteristics of Multiple Sclerosis).
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Source: Arizona Department of Health Services

If a resident patient lives further than twenty-five (25) miles from a licensed dispensary, they are permitted to grow their own marijuana at home.

Arkansas

State officials in Arkansas decided to legalize marijuana in 2017 after Amendment 98 received voter support. The first dispensary, however, did not open for patients until 2019.

For a short period, residents in Arkansas had to purchase cannabis from the nearby state of Oklahoma. Even though it is against federal law to cross state borders with cannabis.

The qualifying health conditions in Arkansas are:

• Cancer.
• Glaucoma.
• Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
• Hepatitis C.
• Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis.
• Tourette’s syndrome.
• Crohn’s Disease.
• Ulcerative Colitis.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Severe arthritis.
• Fibromyalgia.
• Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Cachexia or wasting syndrome.
• Peripheral neuropathy.
• Intractable pain which is pain that has not responded to ordinary medications, treatment, or surgical measures for more than six (6) months.
• Severe nausea.
• Seizures including without limitation those characteristic of Epilepsy.
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms including without limitation those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis.
• And any other medical condition or its treatment approved by the Department of Health.

Source: Arkansas Department of Health

Patients under 21 are not allowed to possess or consume smokable cannabis. Dispensaries cannot sell cannabis products with more than 10mg of THC.

California

The state of California legalized cannabis in 1996, which made it the first state in America to make medical marijuana legal. On November 8, 2016, voters supported Proposition 64 to legalize adult use (recreational marijuana) in California.

A patient must be diagnosed with one of the following qualifying health conditions to get a California state medical marijuana card:

• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
• Anorexia.
• Arthritis.
• Cachexia (wasting syndrome).
• Cancer.
• Chronic pain.
• Glaucoma.
• Migraine.
• Severe nausea.
• Persistent muscle spasms (for example, spasms caused by Multiple Sclerosis).
• Seizures (for example, epileptic seizures).

Your physician can also recommend cannabis to help with chronic or persistent medical symptoms that either:

• Substantially limit your ability to conduct major life activities.
• May cause serious harm to your safety, physical health, or mental health.

Source: Department of Cannabis Control California

Fun fact! California has the second highest number of cannabis dispensaries in the country per capita (by the population of residents). Read on to find out which state has more dispensaries.

Colorado

Beautiful Colorado is almost as synonymous with cannabis as California is. That is because medicinal cannabis was legalized in 2000.

The qualifying health conditions for a medical marijuana card in Colorado are:

• Cancer.
• Glaucoma.
• HIV or AIDS.
• Cachexia.
• Persistent muscle spasms.
• Seizures.
• Severe nausea.
• Severe pain.
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• An Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Any condition for which a physician could prescribe an opioid.

Source: Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.

Colorado voters supported Amendment 64 on November 6, 2012, which led to the legalization of recreational cannabis in the state.

Now patients over twenty-one (21) can purchase recreational cannabis at dispensaries across the state.

Connecticut may hold the record for having the most extended list of qualifying health conditions. But no one is complaining because that means more patients have the option to explore medical can provide relief and reach their symptom management goals.

The qualifying health conditions for medical marijuana in Connecticut are:

• Cancer.
• Glaucoma.
• Positive Status for Human Immunodeficiency Virus or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
• Parkinson’s Disease.
• Multiple Sclerosis.
• Damage to the Nervous Tissue of the Spinal Cord with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity.
• Epilepsy.
• Cachexia.
• Wasting Syndrome.
• Crohn’s Disease.
• PTSD.
• Sickle Cell Disease.
• Post Laminectomy Syndrome with Chronic Radiculopathy.
• Severe Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis.
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
• Ulcerative Colitis.
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Type 1 and Type II.
• 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 Syndromes.
• Neuropathic Facial Pain.
• Muscular Dystrophy.
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta.
• Chronic Neuropathic Pain Associated with Degenerative Spinal Disorders.
• Interstitial Cystitis.
• MALS Syndrome (Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome).
• Vulvodynia and Vulvar Burning.
• Intractable Neuropathic Pain that Is Unresponsive to Standard Medical Treatments.
• Tourette Syndrome.
• Persistent pain of at least 6 months duration associated with a specified underlying chronic condition refractory to other treatment interventions.
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Associated with Chronic Pain.
• Chronic Pancreatitis.
• Movement disorders associated with Huntington’s Disease.

Cannabis State Law for Minors

Patients under the age of 18 years may be qualified with the following medical conditions, and with the assistance of a registered guardian and caregiver:

• Cerebral Palsy.
• Cystic Fibrosis.
• Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity.
• Severe Epilepsy.
• Terminal Illness Requiring End-Of-Life Care.
• Uncontrolled Intractable Seizure Disorder.
• Muscular Dystrophy.
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta.
• Intractable Neuropathic Pain that Is Unresponsive to Standard Medical Treatments.
• Tourette Syndrome for patients who have failed standard medical treatment.
• Chronic Pancreatitis for patients whose pain is recalcitrant to standard medical management.

Source: Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection

While medical marijuana remains illegal or very restrictive in some states, with few patients qualifying, Connecticut took an important step to help patients.

Delaware

Medical marijuana laws in Delaware also provide a broad list of qualifying health conditions to help patients.

Unfortunately, Delaware is one of many states that do not have medical marijuana reciprocity. If you are not a resident, medical cannabis patients from other states cannot visit a Delaware dispensary.

The qualifying health conditions for state medical marijuana in Delaware are as follows:

• Terminal illness.
• Cancer.
• Positive status for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV Positive).
• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
• Decompensated cirrhosis.
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS / Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
• Agitation of Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• Intractable Epilepsy.
• Autism with self-injurious or aggressive behavior.
• Glaucoma.
• Chronic Debilitating Migraines.

A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces one or more of the following:

• Cachexia or wasting syndrome.
• Severe, debilitating pain that has not responded to previously prescribed medication or surgical measure for more than three months, or for which other treatment options produced serious side effects.
• Intractable nausea.
• Seizures.
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis.

Pediatric Patient Qualifying Conditions

If the qualifying patient is younger than 18 years of age, the physician must be a pediatric neurologist, pediatric gastroenterologist, pediatric oncologist, or pediatric palliative care specialist.

• Intractable Epilepsy

A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition where they have failed treatment involving one or more of the following symptoms

• Cachexia or wasting syndrome.
• Intractable nausea.
• Severe, painful, and persistent muscle spasms.
• Autism with self-injurious or aggressive behavior.

Source: Delaware Division of Public Health

One of the interesting things about Delaware is that medical marijuana patients are not prohibited from owning a firearm. Registered patients with a Delaware medical marijuana card are not prohibited under § 1448 of Title 11 of the Delaware Code.

District of Columbia

In the District of Columbia (D.C.), a medical provider can recommend a patient to the Washington D.C. medical cannabis program for any condition. It is up to the doctor to decide whether the patient would benefit from a medical use treatment plan.

Some common conditions that physicians certify for medical marijuana include:

• Anxiety.
• Cancer.
• Depression.
• Persistent Pain.
• PTSD.

Source: D.C. Health: Medical Cannabis Program

In May 2010, medical marijuana was legalized in Washington, D.C., for patients. Recreational or adult use was legalized on February 26, 2015.

Florida

Did you know that DocMJ is Florida’s largest medical cannabis healthcare provider? Since 2016, our physicians and patient care team have been helping Florida residents apply for medical marijuana cards.

Qualifying health conditions in Florida are:

• ALS.
• Cancer.
• Crohn’s Disease.
• Chronic nonmalignant pain*.
• Epilepsy.
• Glaucoma.
• HIV/AIDS.
• Multiple Sclerosis.
• Parkinson’s Disease.
• PTSD.
• Seizures.
• Terminal illness (patients diagnosed with no more than 12 months to live).
• Other debilitating medical conditions comparable to those enumerated *Defined as “pain that is either caused by or originates from a qualifying medical condition.”

Source: Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU)

Georgia

Patients who are diagnosed with one (or more than one) of the following qualifying health conditions can apply for a medical marijuana card in Georgia:

• Cancer, when such diagnosis is end stage or the treatment produces related wasting illness or recalcitrant nausea and vomiting.
• Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis, when such diagnosis is severe or end-stage.
• Seizure disorders related to diagnosis of Epilepsy or trauma-related head injuries.
• Multiple Sclerosis, when such diagnosis is severe or end-stage.
• Crohn’s Disease.
• Mitochondrial Disease.
• Parkinson’s Disease, when such diagnosis is severe or end-stage.
• Sickle cell disease, when such diagnosis is severe or end-stage.
• Tourette’s syndrome, when such syndrome is diagnosed as severe.
• Autism spectrum disorder when (a) patient is 18 years of age or more, or (b) patient is less than 18 years of age and diagnosed with severe autism.
• Epidermolysis bullosa.
• Alzheimer’s Disease, when such Disease is severe or end-stage.
• AIDS when such syndrome is severe or end-stage.
• Peripheral neuropathy, when symptoms are severe or end-stage.
• Patient is in hospice program, either as inpatient or outpatient.
• Intractable pain
• PTSD resulting from direct exposure to or witnessing a trauma for a patient who is at least 18 years of age.

Source: Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission

The Georgia medical cannabis program allows patients to access Low-THC oil. Patients may possess up to 20 fluid ounces. No other routes are available to patients.

Hawaii

The state of Hawaii legalized medical cannabis back in 2000. But access to medical cannabis remained a challenge. Pharmacies can only dispense cannabis that is “prescribed” by a licensed medical practitioner.

Eligible debilitating medical conditions that may qualify a patient to get a Hawaii medical card include:

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
• Cancer.
• Glaucoma.
• Lupus.
• Epilepsy.
• Multiple Sclerosis.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus.
• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
• PTSD.
• Cachexia or wasting syndrome.
• Severe pain.
• Severe nausea.
• Seizures, including those characteristic of Epilepsy.
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis or Crohn’s Disease.

Source: State of Hawaii Department of Health Medical Cannabis Registry Program

The maximum allowable amount of medical marijuana that a patient may possess is four ounces. Patients with a registry identification card may also cultivate ten cannabis plants.

Illinois

Medical marijuana was legalized in Illinois on January 1, 2014. It became the 20th state in America to create an MMJ program for patients.

The Medical Cannabis Registry Program qualifies patients with the following debilitating conditions:

• Autism.
• Agitation of Alzheimer’s Disease.
• HIV/AIDS.
• Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
• Anorexia nervosa.
• Arnold-Chiari malformation.
• Cancer.
• Cachexia/wasting syndrome.
• Causalgia.
• Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
• Chronic pain.
• Crohn’s Disease.
• CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome Type II).
• Dystonia.
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
• Fibrous Dysplasia.
• Glaucoma.
• Hepatitis C.
• Hydrocephalus.
• Hydromyelia.
• Interstitial cystitis.
• Irritable bowel syndrome.
• Lupus.
• Migraines.
• Multiple Sclerosis.
• Muscular Dystrophy.
• Myasthenia Gravis.
• Myoclonus.
• Nail-patella syndrome.
• Neuro-Bechet’s autoimmune Disease.
• Neurofibromatosis.
• Neuropathy.
• Osteoarthritis.
• Parkinson’s Disease.
• Polycystic kidney disease (PKD).
• Post-Concussion Syndrome.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
• Residual limb pain.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Seizures (including those characteristic of Epilepsy).
• Severe fibromyalgia.
• Sjogren’s syndrome.
• Spinal cord disease (including but not limited to arachnoiditis).
• Spinal cord injury is damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity.
• Spinocerebellar ataxia.
• Superior canal dehiscence syndrome.
• Syringomyelia.
• Tarlov cysts.
• Tourette syndrome.
• Traumatic brain injury.
• Ulcerative colitis.

Source: Illinois Department of Public Health

When Illinois legalized adult use (recreational cannabis) on January 1, 2020, the demand for marijuana exceeded what growers could produce. For a brief period, patients could not pick up their medical marijuana.

Now there are minimum reserve requirements to ensure that never happens again. Dispensaries are required to maintain stock for all patients they serve.

Kentucky

On January 1, 2023, by Executive Order of Governor Andy Beshear, patients in Kentucky with eligible medical conditions may be approved for a medical card.

After the medical marijuana legalization was passed, patients can possess up to eight (8) ounces of cannabis, which is a higher quantity than in many other states.

To get a medical card in Kentucky, patients must be diagnosed with one of the following medical conditions:

• Cancer.
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
• Epilepsy.
• Intractable Seizures.
• Parkinson’s Disease.
• Crohn’s Disease.
• M.S.
• Sickle Cell Anemia.
• Severe and persistent pain.
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome.
• Neuropathies.
• Severe Arthritis.
• Hepatitis C.
• Fibromyalgia.
• Intractable Pain
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Huntington’s Disease
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
• Glaucoma
• A terminal illness

Source: Kentucky Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee

While Kentucky establishes cultivators, processors, growers, and dispensaries, patients with a written certification from a healthcare provider in Kentucky will be permitted to purchase cannabis out of state and legally possess it.

At least until medical cannabis production is established in Kentucky.

Louisiana

Did you know that Louisiana lawmakers first started discussing therapeutic marijuana legislation in 1978? But it was not until 2020 that the state enacted what most would consider an actual medical marijuana program.

Patients with the following medical conditions may be eligible:

• Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis.
• (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
• Cachexia or wasting syndrome.
• Cancer.
• Chronic Pain.
• Concussion.
• Crohn’s Disease.
• Epilepsy.
• Glaucoma.
• HIV AIDS.
• Hospice or palliative care.
• Huntington’s Disease.
• Intractable Pain.

• Lewy-body dementia.
• Motor-neuron disease.
• M.S.
• Muscular Dystrophy.
• Non-Epileptic Seizures.
• Parkinson’s Disease.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• Seizure disorders.
• Severe muscle spasm.
• Spasticity.
• Spinal muscular atrophy.
• Traumatic brain injury.
• Any debilitating condition if a physician believes a patient will benefit.

Source: Louisiana Department of Health

Medical cannabis for recreational use is not permitted in Louisiana. One dispensary in each of the nine counties or jurisdictions serves local patients.

Maine

When a patient has a health condition and wants to try medical cannabis to help with symptom management, they must visit a doctor.

But the physician can approve a patient for the Maine medical marijuana program for any condition. As long as the doctor feels it is safe and may benefit the patient.

Some common medical diagnoses that can qualify a patient in Maine for a medical card include:

• HIV AIDS
• Anxiety or depression.
• ALS
• Chronic pain.
• Terminally ill cancer patients.

Source: Maine Medical Use of Cannabis Program (MMCP)

Maine is a state that has established reciprocity for medical cannabis patients who may visit. But you must have a valid (non-expired) medical card from your state of residence to purchase from a Maine medical dispensary.

The reciprocity agreement extends to Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Washington, and D.C.

Maryland

The state of Maryland res that patients who want to get a medical l card have a bona fide relationship with the practitioner who refers them. And that is different from other states.

In some states, only one physician appointment is required. But in Maryland, the doctor must have seen the patient at least 2-3 times to refer them to the medical marijuana program.

A patient must be diagnosed with one (or more than one) of the following qualifying health conditions to apply for a medical card in Maryland:

• Cachexia.
• Anorexia.
• Wasting syndrome.
• Severe or chronic pain.
• Severe nausea.
• Seizures.
• Severe or persistent muscle spasms.
• Glaucoma.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Another chronic medical condition which is severe and for which other treatments have been ineffective.

Source: Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC)

In 2021, patients in Maryland purchased over $600M in medical cannabis products. And on July 1, 2023, the state will launch its recreational (adult-use) program. Allowing anyone over twenty-one (21) years to purchase cannabis at a local dispensary.

Massachusetts

The Massachusetts state medical marijuana program started on November 6, 2012. That is when voters approved Question 3, which made M.A. the eighteenth state to establish patient-friendly marijuana laws.

The qualifying health conditions to apply for a medical card in Massachusetts are:

• Cancer.
• Glaucoma.
• Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus.
• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
• Hepatitis C.
• Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
• Crohn’s Disease.
• Parkinson’s Disease.
• Multiple Sclerosis.
• Other debilitating conditions as determined in writing by a qualifying patient’s physician. Rules define debilitating as “causing weakness, cachexia, wasting syndrome, intractable pain, or nausea, or impairing strength or ability, and progressing to such an extent that one or more of a patient’s major life activities is substantially limited.”

Source: Cannabis Control Commission Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Michigan

Michigan legalized recreational cannabis on November 20, 2018. Michigan became the first midwestern state to legalize both medical cannabis and adult-use cannabis.

Residents in Michigan can also grow their cannabis plants at home. However, marijuana plants must be stored and grown in a secure location.

The qualifying health conditions in Michigan are:

• Cancer.
• Glaucoma.
• HIV AIDS
• Hepatitis C.
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
• Crohn’s Disease.
• Agitation of Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Nail Patella.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
• Arthritis.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• Spinal Cord Injury.
• Colitis.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
• Ulcerative Colitis.
• Parkinson’s Disease.
• Tourette’s Disease.
• Autism.
• Chronic Pain.
• Cerebral Palsy.

A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces 1 or more of the following:

• Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome.
• Severe and persistent pain.
• Severe Nausea.
• Seizures (Including but not limited to those characteristic of Epilepsy).
• Severe and Persistent Muscle Spasms (Including but not limited to those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis).

Source: Michigan Medical Marijuana Program (MMMP)

Medical card patient residents may also maintain a concealed pistol license (CPL) in Michigan. There are no restrictions preventing ownership for patients, according to The Medical Marihuana Facilities Licenses Act (MMFLA).

Minnesota

The Minnesota medical cannabis program was established in May 2014. When it first launched, patients could only use capsules, tablets, vapor oil, or tinctures. But the MMJ program was expanded to include all routes, effective December 2021.

The qualifying health conditions in Minnesota are:

• Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
• Autism spectrum disorder (must meet DSM-5).
• Cancer*.
• Chronic motor or vocal tic disorder.
• Chronic pain.
• Glaucoma.
• HIV AIDS.
• Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s Disease.
• Intractable pain.
• Irritable bowel syndrome.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Obstructive sleep apnea.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Seizures, including those characteristic of Epilepsy.
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.).
• Sickle cell disease.
• Terminal illness, with a probable life expectancy of less than one year*.
• Tourette syndrome.

*If your illness or its treatment produces one or more of the following: severe or persistent pain; nausea or severe vomiting; or cachexia or severe wasting.

Source: Minnesota Department of Health

Mississippi

The state legalized medical marijuana on February 2, 2022. Mississippi’s first legal medical marijuana sale happened on January 25, 2023, at The Cannabis Company in Brookhaven.

The qualifying health conditions for medical marijuana in Mississippi are:

• Cancer.
• Parkinson’s Disease.
• Huntington’s Disease.
• Muscular dystrophy.
• Glaucoma.
• Spastic quadriplegia.
• Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
• Hepatitis.
• Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
• Crohn’s Disease.
• Ulcerative colitis.
• Sickle-cell anemia.
• Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Agitation of dementia.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Autism.
• Pain refractory to appropriate opioid management.
• Diabetic/peripheral neuropathy.
• Spinal cord disease or severe injury.,

Also, qualifying is a chronic terminal or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces one or more of the following:

• Cachexia or wasting syndrome.
• Chronic pain.
• Severe or intractable nausea.
• Seizures.
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms including, but not limited to, those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis.

Source: Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program (MMCP)

Mississippi has issued 162 cannabis business licenses to ensure that patients will have enough medical marijuana and a dispensary conveniently located.

Missouri

Medical cannabis was legalized on November 6, 2018, when 65% of voters supported the legalization of marijuana. However, the first sale of medical cannabis in Missouri did not happen until February 3, 2023.

The state legalized both medical cannabis and recreational use.

The qualifying health conditions for Missouri are:

• Cancer.
• Epilepsy.
• Glaucoma.
• Intractable migraines unresponsive to other treatment.
• A chronic medical condition that causes severe, persistent pain or muscle spasms, including but not limited to those associated with Multiple Sclerosis, seizures, Parkinson’s Disease, and Tourette’s syndrome.
• Debilitating psychiatric disorders, including, but not limited to, post-traumatic stress order if diagnosed by a state-licensed psychiatrist.
• Human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• A chronic medical condition that is normally treated with prescription medications that could lead to physical or psychological dependence when a physician determines that medical use of marijuana could be effective in treating that condition and would serve as a safer alternative to the prescription medication.
• A terminal illness.In the professional judgment of a physician, any other chronic, debilitating, or other medical condition, including, but not limited to:
• Hepatitis C.
• Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis.
• Inflammatory bowel disease.
• Crohn’s Disease.
• Huntington’s Disease.
• Autism.
• Neuropathies.
• Sickle cell anemia.
• Agitation of Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Cachexia and wasting syndrome.

Source: Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services

Montana

Medical marijuana was legalized in Montana after voters approved legalization in November 2004. Medical cannabis and adult-use cannabis have been legal in Montana since January 1, 2021.

The qualifying health conditions are:

• HIV AIDS.
• Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome.
• Cancer.
• Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy.
• Crohn’s Disease.
• Glaucoma.
• Intractable Nausea or Vomiting.
• Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.).
• Painful Peripheral Neuropathy.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• Severe Chronic Pain.
• A central nervous system disorder resulting in chronic, painful spasticity or muscle spasms.
• Admittance into hospice care per rules adopted by the department.
• Any other medical condition or treatment for a medical condition approved by the legislature.

Source: Montana Department of Human Health and Human Services

New Hampshire

The New Hampshire medical cannabis bill (HB 573) was signed into law on July 23, 2013. But it took three years before patients could purchase cannabis from a dispensary. In New Hampshire, patients buy medical cannabis from Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs).

The qualifying health conditions to get a New Hampshire medical card are:

• Autism spectrum disorder (age 21 and older).
• Autism spectrum disorder (under age 21) with cannabis pediatric referral.
• Moderate or severe post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Moderate to severe chronic pain.
• Severe pain.
• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
• Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis.
• Cancer.
• Chronic Pancreatitis.
• Crohn’s Disease.
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
• Epilepsy.
• Glaucoma.
• Hepatitis C.
• Lupus.
• Multiple Sclerosis.
• Muscular dystrophy.
• One or more injuries or condition that has resulted in one or more qualifying symptoms.
• Parkinson’s Disease.
• Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus.
• Spinal cord injury or Disease.
• Traumatic brain injury.
• Ulcerative colitis.
• Agitation of Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Cachexia.
• Chemotherapy-induced anorexia.
• Constant or severe nausea.
• Elevated intraocular pressure.
• Moderate to severe insomnia.
• Moderate to severe vomiting.
• Seizures.
• Severe pain that has not responded to previously prescribed interventions.
• Severe, persistent muscle spasms.
• Wasting syndrome.

Source: New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

Nevada

As per NRS453A, you must have one or more of the following qualifying medical conditions to be eligible to apply for a Nevada medical marijuana card:

• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• Cancer.
• Glaucoma.
• Cachexia.
• Severe pain.
• Severe nausea.
• Seizures, including, without limitation, seizures caused by Epilepsy.
• Persistent muscle spasms, including, but not limited to, spasms caused by Multiple Sclerosis.

Source: Department of Health and Human Services Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH)

New Jersey

The New Jersey Medicinal Cannabis Program was created on January 18, 2010. New Jersey was the fourteenth state to legalize medical marijuana. And the first state to eliminate taxes on medical marijuana for patients.

Approved qualifying medical conditions include:

• Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis.
• Anxiety.
• Cancer.
• Chronic pain.
• Dysmenorrhea.
• Glaucoma.
• Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s Disease.
• Intractable skeletal muscular spasticity.
• Migraine.
• Multiple Sclerosis.
• Muscular Dystrophy.
• Opioid Use Disorder.
• Positive status for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
• Seizure disorder, including Epilepsy.
• Terminal illness with less than 12 months to live.
• Tourette Syndrome.

Source: New Jersey Medicinal Cannabis Program

New Mexico

Medical cannabis became legally available to patients in New Mexico after Senate Bill 529 was passed in 2007. The new law made New Mexico the twelfth state to complete the legalization of medical marijuana.

To qualify for a medical card in New Mexico, you must have one of the following diagnosed health conditions:

• Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
• Anxiety Disorder.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Cancer.
• Crohn’s Disease.
• Damage to the Nervous Tissue of the Spinal Cord (with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity).
• Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder.
• Friedreich’s Ataxia.
• Glaucoma.
• Hepatitis C Infection currently receiving antiviral therapy.
• HIV/AIDS.
• Hospice Care.
• Huntington’s Disease.
• Inclusion Body Myositis.
• Inflammatory Autoimmune-mediated Arthritis.
• Intractable Nausea/Vomiting.
• Lewy Body Disease.
• Multiple Sclerosis.
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
• Opioid Use Disorder.
• Painful Peripheral Neuropathy.
• Parkinson’s Disease.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
• Severe Anorexia/Cachexia.
• Severe Chronic Pain.
• Spasmodic Torticollis (Cervical Dystonia).
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
• Ulcerative Colitis.

Source: New Mexico Department of Health

New York

In the Big Apple state, medical cannabis has been legal since 2016. Recreational cannabis became legalized in 2021, and in 2022 adult-use cannabis was sold legally at dispensaries across the state.

You may be eligible for medical cannabis in New York if you have one or more of the following conditions:

• Cancer.
• HIV infection or AIDS.
• Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
• Parkinson’s Disease.
• Multiple Sclerosis.
• Spinal cord injury with spasticity.
• Epilepsy.
• Inflammatory bowel disease.
• Neuropathy.
• Huntington’s Disease.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Pain that degrades health and functional capability as an alternative to opioid d use, substance use disorder.
• Alzheimer’s.
• Muscular dystrophy.
• Dystonia.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Autism.
• Any other condition, at the discretion of your health care provider.

Source: New York State Department of Health

North Dakota

On November 8, 2022, North Dakota voters rejected the proposed legislation to legalize recreational or adult-use cannabis. However, North Dakota has had medical marijuana program since April 18, 2017.

Patients must have one (or more than one) of the following qualifying health conditions to get a North Dakota medical card:

• Agitation from Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementia.
• Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
• Anorexia nervosa.
• Anxiety disorder.
• Autism spectrum disorder.
• Brain injury.
• Bulimia nervosa.
• Cachexia or Wasting syndrome.
• Cancer.
• Chronic or debilitating Disease.
• Crohn’s Disease.
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
• Endometriosis.
• Epilepsy.
• Fibromyalgia.
• Glaucoma.
• Hepatitis C.
• HIV/AIDS.
• Interstitial cystitis.
• Intractable nausea.
• Neuropathy.
• Migraine.
• Multiple Sclerosis.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Seizures.
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms.
• Severe debilitating pain.
• Spinal stenosis.
• Tourette syndrome.

Source: North Dakota Health and Human Services

Ohio

Did you know that DocMJ provides health evaluation appointments for patients who want to get their Ohio medical card? The best part is that telemedicine is available. That means you don’t even have to leave home to get started.

The current qualifying health conditions in Ohio are:

• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
• Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
• Arthritis*.
• Cachexia.
• Cancer.
• Chronic migraines*.
• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
• Complex regional pain syndrome*
• Crohn’s Disease.
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorders.
• Fibromyalgia.
• Glaucoma.
• Hepatitis C.
• Huntington’s Disease*.
• Inflammatory bowel disease.
• Multiple Sclerosis.
• Pain that is either of the following nature: (i) Chronic and severe; or (ii) Intractable.
• Parkinson’s Disease.
• Positive status for HIV.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Sickle cell anemia.
• Spasticity*.
• Spinal cord disease or injury.
• Terminal illness*.
• Tourette’s syndrome.
• Traumatic brain injury.
• Ulcerative colitis.

Source: Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program

Oklahoma

Oklahoma is one of the growing number of states that decided to let doctors determine what is best for their patients. Although the Oklahoma medical cannabis program started with a list of qualifying medical conditions, any patient may be eligible for a medical card in the Sooner State.

Some of the common health conditions that are approved for an Oklahoma medical card include the following:

• Anxiety.
• Chronic pain.
• Depression.
• Insomnia.
• Migraines.
• Nausea.
• Seizure disorders.

Source: Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA)

Regarding the number of medical marijuana dispensaries per capita, Oklahoma takes first place. It may be hard to believe, but there are more dispensaries in Oklahoma than in California (which takes second place).

Oregon

Legalized medical marijuana was established by Measure 67 (The Oregon Medical Marijuana Act) on November 3, 1998. Recreational cannabis was legally available for Oregon residents from July 1, 2015.

The current qualifying health conditions are:

• Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Cachexia.
• Cancer.
• Chronic pain.
• Glaucoma.
• HIV or AIDS.
• Nausea.
• Persistent muscle spasms.
• Post-traumatic stress.
• Seizures.
• Other conditions are subject to approval.

Source: Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP)

Pennsylvania

Governor Tom Wolf signed S.B. 3, the Pennsylvania Compassionate Medical Cannabis Legislation, on April 17, 2016. The law went into effect on May 17, 2016.

The current qualifying health conditions for a Pennsylvania medical card are:

• ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
• Anxiety disorders.
• Autism.
• Cancer, including remission therapy.
• Crohn’s Disease.
• Damage to the nervous tissue of the central nervous system (brain-spinal cord) with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity and other associated neuropathies.
• Dyskinetic/spastic movement disorders.
• Epilepsy.
• Glaucoma.
• HIV/AIDS.
• Huntington’s Disease.
• Inflammatory bowel disease.
• Intractable seizures.
• Multiple Sclerosis.
• Opioid dependency.
• Neurodegenerative disorders.
• Neuropathies.
• Parkinson’s Disease.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Sickle cell anemia.
• Severe chronic or intractable pain.
• Terminal illness (defined as 12 months or fewer to live).
• Tourette syndrome.
• Other conditions that are recommended by the advisory board and approved by the secretary.

Source: Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program (PMMP)

Rhode Island

Medical marijuana became legally available for patients in Rhode Island in 2013. Rhode Island has since legalized recreational cannabis as well.

The current qualifying health conditions for MMJ in Rhode Island are:

• Cancer or the treatment of this condition.
• Glaucoma or the treatment of this condition.
• Positive status for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
• Hepatitis C.

A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces one or more of the following:

• Cachexia or wasting syndrome.
• Severe, debilitating, persistent pain.
• Severe nausea.
• Seizures, including but not limited to those characteristic of Epilepsy
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis or Crohn’s Disease.
• Agitation related to Alzheimer’s Disease.

Source: State of Rhode Island Department of Health

South Dakota

South Dakota legalized medical cannabis in November 2020 when voters passed Initiated Measure 26. On November 18, 2021, the first medical cards were provided for patients.

The qualifying health conditions in South Dakota are:

• Cachexia or wasting syndrome.
• Severe debilitating pain.
• Severe Nausea.
• Seizures or severe and persistent muscle spasms.
• Multiple Sclerosis.

Source: South Dakota Medical Cannabis Program (SDMCP)

Texas

The Lonestar State has a medical cannabis program that is considered low-THC. Products are available but must not exceed 1% THC by volume. In Texas, physicians currently prescribe cannabis.

Some of the health conditions that can make you eligible to get a Texas medical cannabis card include:

• ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis).
• Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias.
• Autism and other spectrum disorders.
• Cancer.
• Creatine Disorders.
• Cerebral Palsy.
• Familial Spastic Paraplegia.
• Muscular Dystrophies.
• Pick Disease.
• PTSD.
• Parkinson’s Disease.
• Spasticity.
• Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff Disease.
• Wilson Disease.
• Zellweger syndrome.

Source: Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP)

Some products available for patients at medical dispensaries include capsules, tablets, and edibles for medical purposes.

Utah

Utah legalized medical cannabis on November 6, 2018, when voters approved Proposition 2. In March 2020, the first state medical marijuana dispensary opened.

The qualifying health conditions in Utah are:

• ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
• Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Autism.
• Cachexia.
• Cancer.
• Crohn’s Disease or ulcerative colitis.
• HIV/AIDS.
• Epilepsy or a similar condition that causes “debilitating seizures.”
• Multiple Sclerosis or persistent and debilitating muscle spasms.
• Nausea (must be persistent).
• Pain lasting longer than two weeks that is not adequately managed despite treatment attempts.
• PTSD “that is being treated or monitored by a licensed mental health therapist.”
• Any terminal illness where life expectancy is less than six months.
• Any condition resulting in hospice care.
• Any rare condition affecting fewer than 200,000 persons in the United States as defined by Section 526 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act is not adequately managed despite treatment attempts.

**Patients with a qualifying illness ages of 18 and 21 must petition the Compassionate Use Board for medical cannabis approval.

Source: Utah Department of Health and Human Services: Center for Medical Cannabis

Utah has one of the longest approval processes regarding medical cannabis cards. Depending on the volume of applications, it can take up to 90 days for a patient to receive their card.

Vermont

Medical marijuana was legalized in Vermont in October 2020 when S.54 went into effect. The first medical cannabis patients purchased products on May 1, 2022. Adult-use or recreational cannabis began sales in October 2022.

The qualifying health conditions in Vermont are:

• Any patient receiving hospice care.
• Cachexia or wasting syndrome.
• Cancer.
• Crohn’s Disease.
• Glaucoma.
• HIV or AIDS.
• Multiple Sclerosis.
• Parkinson’s Disease.
• PTSD.
• Seizures.
• Severe or chronic pain.
• Severe nausea.

Source: State of Vermont Cannabis Control Board

Virginia

Since 2020, medical cannabis has been legal in the state of Virginia. Botanical cannabis possession limits are set to 4 ounces per thirty (30) days which can be dispensed at one time to a patient.

However, the maximum possession limit for cannabis products is a 90-day supply. Products may contain up to 10 mg of THC per single dose in Virginia. That includes all routes, like topicals, inhalable cannabis, and edibles.

A patient may receive legal medical cannabis and participate in the Virginia medical cannabis program if a physician approves them. It is at the doctor’s discretion to determine if his or her patient may benefit from therapeutic cannabis.

Source: Virginia Department of Health Professions (Board of Pharmacy)

 

Washington

In Washington, there are qualifying health conditions for the state’s medical cannabis program. However, it is also possible for your physician to certify you, even if you don’t have one of the listed diagnoses.

If you live in Washington State and you have been diagnosed with one of the following medical conditions, you may be eligible to apply for your medical cannabis card.

• Cancer.
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
• Multiple Sclerosis.
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorder, or spasticity disorders.
• Intractable pain.
• Glaucoma, either acute or chronic.
• Crohn’s Disease with debilitating symptoms unrelieved by standard treatments or medications.
• Hepatitis C with debilitating nausea or intractable pain unrelieved by standard treatments or medications.
• Diseases, including anorexia, which result in nausea, vomiting, wasting, appetite loss, cramping, seizures, muscle spasms, or spasticity, when these symptoms are unrelieved by standard treatments or medications.
• Chronic renal failure requiring hemodialysis.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Traumatic brain injury.

Source: Washington State Department of Health

For patients with low-income and medical cannabis needs, some licensed retail dispensaries in Washington have programs to provide cannabis for free.

This service is a requirement for medical cannabis licensees in the state. Ask your local dispensary for more information.

West Virginia

The first medical cannabis dispensary opened in Morgantown, West Virginia, on November 2021. Trulieve was the first dispensary to serve patients on November 12, 2021. And the first patient was a U.S. Army Veteran named Ronald Frye, a Purple Heart recipient.

The following health conditions may qualify a resident in West Virginia for medical marijuana:

• Cancer.
• Position status for human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
• Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis.
• Parkinson’s Disease.
• Multiple Sclerosis.
• Damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity.
• Epilepsy.
• Neuropathies.

• Huntington’s Disease.
• Crohn’s Disease.
• PTSD.
• Intractable seizures.
• Sickle cell anemia.
• Severe chronic or intractable pain of neuropathic origin or severe chronic or intractable pain.
• Terminal illness that is defined as a medical prognosis of life expectancy of approximately one year or less if the illness runs its normal course.

Source: Office of Medical Cannabis West Virginia

Getting Your Medical Marijuana Card

Many Florida doctors are recommending marijuana for medical purposes. No matter what state you live in, the first step to getting your medical cannabis card is to schedule an appointment with a certified physician.

Schedule an appointment today to talk to one of our friendly providers.