How to Become a Medical Cannabis Patient In Your State
Become a Patient
How to Become a Medical Cannabis Patient In Your State
The following procedures apply to adults applying for cards in their home states. All applications require proof of identity and other supporting documents; see your state’s application for details. Some states require a criminal background check. Many states also offer programs for minors and out-of-state applicants, but procedures vary. Consult your state’s official guidance. The fees listed are state processing fees; visiting a certifying doctor will incur extra fees, not listed here. Some states offer reduced application fees in cases of financial hardship or for veterans and other populations; check your state’s official guidance for details. You will need a “bona fide” relationship with a physician. This may mean that you’ll have to see the physician several times over a specified period in order to qualify. Details are listed in state application procedures. Note that no doctor is ever required to approve you for medical cannabis, even if they’re authorized to issue cannabis recommendations.
Arizona
Check the Arizona State Legislature for qualifying conditions. Visit a licensed physician—MD, doctor of osteopathy (DO), homeopath, or naturopath—for official certification; doctors do not need to be registered with a state cannabis program. File application and certification online. $150 fee.
Maryland
To become a patient in the state of Maryland, register as a patient with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission. Once registered, obtain written certification from a MMCC-registered provider. For more information, read more about the process here.
New Mexico
Visit the New Mexico Department of Health website for more information on becoming a patient, or fill out an application form here.
New York
For more information on how to become a patient in the state of New York, visit the New York Department of Health website. All new patients must be certified by a registered practitioner. Once your registered practitioner certifies you as a patient, you must log in to NY.gov to complete registration. If you do not have an account with NY.gov, follow these steps to create one. Read here for more information on the registration process.
Become a Caregiver
How to Become a Caregiver In Your State
A patient who is registered with the program must first designate you as a caregiver during the online patient registration process. (In the state of Minnesota, the certifying practitioner must also certify that the patient has a need for a caregiver). Upon approval of the patient’s registration, the caregiver(s) may register. The patient will have access to instructions for caregiver registration. To register with the Department as a designated caregiver, you must be a resident of the same state as the patient and have a valid Driver’s License or Non-Driver ID card for that state. Some states may also require a completed criminal background check for the caregiver.
Arizona
Check the Arizona State Legislature for qualifying conditions. Visit a licensed physician—MD, doctor of osteopathy (DO), homeopath, or naturopath—for official certification; doctors do not need to be registered with a state cannabis program. File application and certification online. $150 fee.
Maryland
For information on how to become a caregiver in Maryland, please follow the instructions found here.
New Mexico
To enroll as a personal caregiver for an existing patient(s), you must complete the Medical Cannabis Caregiver Application. Drop it off or send it to the New Mexico Department of Health with a copy of your New Mexico driver’s license or state identification card and nationwide background check. Temporary New Mexico ID’s are acceptable. For more information, please reference the NMDH website here.
New York
You must create a NY.gov account to register as a caregiver by following the instructions here. You can also find more information on the New York Health Department website here.
Qualifying Conditions
Arizona
Visit the Arizona State Legislature for more information.
Maryland
Visit the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission for more information.
New Mexico
Visit the New Mexico State Department of Health for more information.
New York
Visit the New York State Department of Health for more information.
