How To Qualify for Medical Marijuana in the U.S.

Qualifications needed to use medical marijuana.

Many Americans now say they prefer medical cannabis to prescription drugs. Image Credit: By Mahony on shutterstock.

Medical cannabis is legal in 33 American states and the District of Columbia. For many Americans today, it’s accepted as a fact of life — even those who oppose its use for recreational purposes frequently concede that it has legitimate therapeutic applications. We now live in a world where Republican congressman Matt Gaetz can publicly state “it’s so stupid [to oppose medical cannabis]” without causing much of a stir from his staunchly conservative base.

Few could have envisioned such a rapid evolution of the country’s views on medical cannabis. When California became the first state to legalize the plant for medicinal use in 1996, it was the culmination of more than two decades’ worth of hard-fought struggle, largely led by LGBTQ activists and communities of color. Since then, the floodgates have opened, and acceptance of the plant’s medical benefits has become so widespread that many Americans now say they prefer medical cannabis to prescription drugs

However, since cannabis is still federally illegal (despite a bipartisan group of lawmakers’ best efforts), medical cannabis policies vary widely from state to state. Here’s a breakdown of how to qualify in each state where it’s legal:

Understanding Medical Marijuana Policies for U.S. States

Alaska

Qualifying Conditions
Cachexia Cancer
Chronic Pain Glaucoma
HIV AIDS
Multiple Sclerosis Nausea, Seizures

Alaska was one of the first states to legalize medical cannabis — its law was passed back in 1998, just two years after the next state on this list — but its program still hasn’t attracted many users. According to the state’s Department of Health and Social Services, there are only around 600 medical cannabis users.

To join the program, prospective patients must enroll in the state’s patient registry first. Minors are eligible as well, provided they have the authorization of their primary caregiver and a signed note from a doctor explaining the potential risks of using cannabis. 

Arizona

Qualifying Conditions
Cancer Glaucoma
HIV Aids
Hepatitis C Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Crohn’s disease Alzheimer’s disease
Cachexia or wasting syndrome Severe and chronic pain
Severe and chronic pain Severe nausea, Seizures (including epilepsy)
Severe and persistent muscle spasms Multiple sclerosis
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Arizona legalized the medicinal use of cannabis back in 2010. In some regards, it’s ahead of the curve: it’s one of eight states that have cannabis drive-thru dispensaries, which makes sense considering that seniors make up a sizable portion of the state’s residents (and the fastest-growing demographic of cannabis users).  

Getting a prescription from most general practitioners can be challenging, but a number of specialized clinics throughout the state (like the Arizona Medical Marijuana Certification Center) offer assistance for those seeking a medical cannabis card. These cards currently cost $150 and are valid for a year, though a bill recently submitted to the state legislature would extend this to two years.

Arkansas

Qualifying Conditions
Cancer Glaucoma
HIV AIDS
Hepatitis C Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
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
Severe nausea Seizures (including epilepsy)
Severe and persistent muscle spasms Multiple sclerosis

Arkansas has allowed the medical prescription of cannabis since 2016. According to state government data, there are currently around 15,500 medical cannabis patients in the state. Anyone over the age of 18 with one of the qualifying conditions above is eligible to get a prescription from a doctor. 

Consumption of medical cannabis is tightly controlled within the state’s borders — patients may only use it legally in their own homes, and all public consumption is banned. Medical cards cost $50 and are valid for one year. 

California

Qualifying Conditions
Anorexia Arthritis
Cachexia Cancer
Chronic Pain HIV
Aids Glaucoma
Migraine Persistent muscle spasms
Severe nausea Seizures
Any debilitating illness where the medical use of marijuana has been “deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a physician”

As the first state in the country to legalize cannabis, California was the birthplace of the medical cannabis movement. It’s also home to some of America’s most relaxed medical cannabis laws, with physicians able to prescribe it for nearly any ailment. Many anecdotal reports suggest that, for most people, this is a fast and simple process.

There are also no restrictions on how much medical cannabis a person can possess, as long as it’s “consistent with the patient’s needs.” 

Colorado

Qualifying Conditions
Cancer Glaucoma
HIV Aids
Cachexia Severe pain
Seizures Severe nausea
Persistent muscle spasms Autism spectrum disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Medical cannabis has been legal in Colorado since 2000, and even in this fully-legalized state, many people still participate in the program (the state’s Department of Public Health and Environment estimates that nearly 87,000 people hold medical cannabis cards).

Interestingly, minors can also qualify for medical cannabis prescriptions if both they and their primary guardian are Colorado residents, though the process is a bit stricter — two physicians’ authorizations are needed, while adults only need one. 

Connecticut

Qualifying Conditions
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Cachexia
Cancer Cerebral Palsy
Chronic neuropathic pain associated with degenerative spinal disorders Complex regional pain syndrome
Crohn’s disease Cystic fibrosis
Epilepsy Glaucoma
Hydrocephalus HIV
AIDS Interstitial cystitis
Intractable headache syndromes Intractable neuropathic pain that is unresponsive to standard medical treatments
Intractable spasticity Irreversible spinal cord injury with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
Medial arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) Multiple sclerosis
Muscular dystrophy Neuropathic facial pain
Osteogenesis imperfecta Parkinson’s disease
Post herpetic neuralgia Post-surgical back pain with a condition called chronic radiculopathy
Post laminectomy syndrome Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis Severe rheumatoid arthritis
Sickle cell disease Spasticity
Terminal illness requiring end-of-life care Tourette’s syndrome
Ulcerative colitis Uncontrolled intractable seizure disorder
Vulvodynia and vulvar burning Other medical conditions approved by the Department of Consumer Protection

Connecticut decriminalized small amounts of cannabis in 2010 before legalizing its medicinal use in 2012. Since then, there have been rumblings that the state might legalize recreational use as well, especially in light of neighboring Massachusetts’ decision to do so, but so far nothing has come of the rumors. 

Still, the state’s medical cannabis program is among the most expansive in the country, allowing prescriptions for many conditions that aren’t on the lists of other states. Patients over 18 years of age can qualify by undergoing an exam from their physician, after which they receive a medical cannabis ID card. However, using the plant comes with tight restrictions: all public use is banned.

Delaware

Qualifying Conditions
Terminal illness Cancer
HIV AIDS
Decompensated cirrhosis Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Alzheimer’s disease Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Intractable epilepsy Glaucoma
Chronic debilitating migraines Autism with self-injurious or aggressive behavior

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

Delaware legalized medical cannabis in 2012, and today around 6,000 residents are enrolled in the state’s program, according to the Delaware Health and Social Services agency. While home cultivation is forbidden, the maximum permissible allowance of 6 oz. is higher than in many states.

In some rare cases, such as for intractable epilepsy or severe autism, minors are eligible to be prescribed medical cannabis, though this requires special authorization from specialists. For adults, all that’s necessary is a physician’s note (and proof that one is a resident of Delaware).

District of Columbia

Qualifying Conditions: Any debilitating condition recommended by a doctor licensed in Washington D.C.

The nation’s capital, which legalized medical cannabis in 2010 (and recreational use in 2014) has perhaps the most least-restrictive medical cannabis program in the country — but the application process is a major hassle.

Applicants must provide two forms of identification proving their residency in the district, a letter from a qualified medical marijuana physician, a $100 processing fee … and then wait at least 30 days.

Florida

Qualifying Conditions
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (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

Florida’s medical cannabis program, which was first established in 2016, used to have one of the more curious restrictions in the country: patients were not allowed to smoke the plant, limiting them to cannabis edibles and other delivery methods.

That’s no longer the case, but the state still keeps tight control on how much cannabis patients can use: home cultivation is banned, and physicians can’t prescribe a patient more than three 70-day supplies of cannabis. Only certain physicians are permitted to authorize patients to use medical cannabis, at which point they can apply for a state-issued medical cannabis ID card. 

Hawai’i

Qualifying Conditions
Crohn’s disease Cancer
Glaucoma Lupus
Epilepsy Multiple Sclerosis
Rheumatoid Arthritis HIV
AIDS Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Cachexia or wasting syndrome Severe pain
Severe nausea Seizures (including epilepsy)
Severe and persistent muscle spasms Multiple sclerosis
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Hawai’i legalized medical cannabis in 2000, but it would take fifteen years before the first dispensary opened on the main island of Oahu. Today, the state’s Department of Health estimates there are around 26,000 patients on the island. 

Enrolling in the program requires a doctor’s examination. If they determine the patient has a qualifying condition, the next step is to register with the Department of Health, which will provide a special identification card that can be used to access dispensaries. 

Illinois

Qualifying Conditions
Alzheimer’s disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Arnold Chiari malformation Cachexia/wasting syndrome
Cancer Causalgia
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy Complex regional pain syndrome type 2
Crohn’s disease Dystonia
Fibromyalgia Fibrous dysplasia
Glaucoma Hepatitis C
HIV AIDS
Hydrocephalus Hydromyelia
Interstitial Cystitis Lupus
Multiple Sclerosis Muscular
Dystrophy Myasthenia Gravis
Myoclonus Nail patella syndrome
Neurofibromatosis Parkinson’s disease
Post-traumatic stress Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD)
Rheumatoid arthritis Sjogren’s syndrome
Spinal cord disease Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA)
Syringomyelia Tarlov cysts
Tourette’s syndrome Traumatic brain injury and post-concussion syndrome
“Any medical condition for which an opioid has been or could be prescribed by a physician based on generally accepted standards of care,”

Illinois, which recently became the 11th state to legalize cannabis for recreational use, also has one of the most robust medical cannabis programs in the country. And lately, enrolling has become remarkably easy.

Any patient diagnosed with one of the conditions above is automatically eligible for a medical cannabis prescription. All that’s needed is a letter from a physician, at which point patients can register with the state for an identification card that allows access to medical dispensaries.  

Louisiana

Qualifying Conditions
Autism spectrum disorders Cachexia/wasting syndrome
Cancer Crohn’s disease
Epilepsy Glaucoma
HIV AIDS
Muscular dystrophy Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson’s disease Post-traumatic stress disorder
Seizure disorders/spasticity Severe muscle spasms
Intractable pain (defined as “pain so chronic or severe as to otherwise warrant an opiate prescription”)

Although Louisiana passed a law authorizing medical cannabis in 2015, the plant is still not available to patients due to regulatory snafus and bureaucratic obfuscation. However, in March 2019, legislators finally approved a large-scale growing operation, raising hopes that medical cannabis might be available in state dispensaries sooner rather than later, though no definitive timetable was given.

In theory, applying for a medical cannabis card should be relatively straightforward: patients need to receive a written recommendation from their physician, and provide documents that prove their identity and place of residence to the state.

Maine

Qualifying Conditions
Alzheimer’s disease Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Cachexia or wasting syndrome Cancer
Chronic pain Crohn’s disease
Epilepsy Glaucoma
Hepatitis C HIV
AIDS Huntington’s disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBS) Multiple sclerosis
Nausea Nail-patella syndrome
Parkinson’s disease Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Maine, which first legalized medical cannabis in 1999, has also legalized recreational cannabis — but it’s still not available anywhere in the state (though many advocates are hopeful that the first recreational dispensaries will open by 2020).

In the meantime, the state has relaxed its laws on medical cannabis to the point where the list above is almost unnecessary: physicians can prescribe it to “any patient for which he/she believes it will benefit.” Anyone meeting that criteria can apply for an identification card online, though minors must present a signed letter from their parent or guardian as well.

Maryland

Qualifying Conditions
Cachexia Anorexia
Wasting syndrome Chronic Pain
Nausea Seizures
Severe or persistent muscle spasms

Although Maryland legalized medical cannabis in 2014, it did not have a functioning program in place until 2017. Even today, it remains one of the more restrictive programs in the country, with a limited list of qualifying conditions and edibles only recently being legalized for consumption. 

If a person does have one of the qualifying conditions, they’ll need an examination from their doctor to be eligible to apply for a state-issued medical cannabis identification card. Minors need written permission from their parent or legal guardian.

Massachusetts

Qualifying Conditions
Parkinson’s disease Cancer
Crohn’s disease Glaucoma
HIV AIDS
Hepatitis C Multiple Sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Other conditions as determined in writing by a qualifying patient’s physician

Massachusetts legalized medical cannabis in 2013, with recreational use following in 2018 — making it the first East Coast state to have legal cannabis shops open to the public. However, that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a free-wheeling cannabis paradise, as public use is still banned.

Applying for a medical prescription is relatively straightforward: patients need to be examined by a physician, who will explain the potential risks and benefits, and then issue a written recommendation if appropriate. 

Michigan

Qualifying Conditions
Alzheimer’s disease Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Arthritis Autism
Cachexia or wasting syndrome Cancer
Cerebral palsy Colitis
Chronic pain Crohn’s disease
Glaucoma HIV
AIDS Inflammatory bowel disease
Hepatitis C Nail patella
Nausea Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Parkinson’s disease Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Rheumatoid arthritis Seizures
Severe and persistent muscle spasms Spinal cord injury
Tourette’s syndrome Ulcerative colitis

Michigan has had legal medical cannabis since 2008, and in 2018, it became the first Midwestern state to legalize it for recreational use — cementing its status as a regional trendsetter.

Applying for a medical card involves a doctor consultation, after which patients must fill out the state’s official application packet. After submitting it, all that’s left is to wait for the state to send your medical cannabis identification card in the mail.

Minnesota

Qualifying Conditions
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Autism
Cancer Cachexia
Crohn’s disease Glaucoma
HIV AIDS
Intractable pain Post-traumatic stress disorder
Seizures Sleep apnea
Terminal illness Tourette’s syndrome
Severe and persistent muscle spasms

Minnesota has had legal medical cannabis since 2014, but despite support for recreational legalization from both lawmakers and the public, it hasn’t yet followed in Michigan’s footsteps with recreational legalization. 

However, applying for a medical cannabis card is relatively straightforward, requiring only a written certification from a physician. After obtaining this, patients can register with the state and receive an identification card that allows them to access medical dispensaries.

Missouri

Qualifying Conditions
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Alzheimer’s disease
Any terminal illness Crohn’s disease
Cancer Chronic pain/neuropathy
Epilepsy Glaucoma
Hepatitis C Seizures
AIDS or HIV Cachexia or wasting syndrome
Huntington’s disease Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Intractable migraines Multiple sclerosis
Opioid substitution Parkinson’s disease
Tourette’s syndrome Sickle cell anemia
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other “debilitating psychiatric disorders

Any “other chronic debilitating or other medical condition” that may be alleviated by marijuana “in the professional judgement of a physician”

Missouri authorized the use of medical cannabis in 2018, though the program has still yet to take effect — there are currently no dispensaries available to qualifying patients. 

However, the long list of conditions indicates that, when the program does become fully operational, it could be easier to navigate than those of more restrictive states like Arizona. 

Montana

Qualifying Conditions
Admittance into hospice care Cachexia or wasting syndrome
Cancer Central nervous system disorder
Crohn’s disease Epilepsy or an intractable seizure disorder
Glaucoma HIV
AIDS Intractable nausea or vomiting
Painful peripheral neuropathy Severe chronic pain
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Montana legalized medical cannabis back in 2004, though efforts to pass recreational legalization have stalled since then. Still, the medical program has proven popular, attracting over 32,000 patients according to the state’s Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Applying for a medical card is simple: people over the age of 18 simply need a doctor’s authorization and a state-issued identification card, while those under the age of 18 also need their parent’s authorization. 

Nevada

Qualifying Conditions
Anorexia Anxiety disorders
Autism spectrum disorders Autoimmune disorders
AIDS HIV
Cachexia Cancer
Chronic pain Glaucoma
Opioid dependency Muscle spasms or seizures
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Severe nausea or pain, Other conditions subject to approval
Neuropathic conditions (whether or not the condition causes seizures)

Nevada has had legal medical cannabis since 2001, and in 2016, the state made recreational use legal as well. However, since medical cannabis is untaxed (unlike recreational products), more than 17,600 people have elected to remain in the medical program.

Medical cards are available to anyone over the age of 21 with a doctor’s authorization, and minors can also qualify if they have a signed release from their parent or legal guardian.

New Hampshire

Qualifying Conditions
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease Cachexia
Cancer Chemotherapy induced anorexia
Chronic Pain Chronic pancreatitis
Crohn’s disease Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Elevated intraocular pressure Epilepsy
Glaucoma HIV
AIDS Lupus
Moderate to severe vomiting Multiple sclerosis
Muscular dystrophy Nausea
Parkinson’s disease Persistent muscle spasms
Post-traumatic stress disorder Seizures
Wasting syndrome Traumatic brain injury
Spinal cord injury or disease
Severe pain (that has not responded to previously prescribed medication)
Hepatitis C (currently receiving antiviral treatment)

New Hampshire legalized medical cannabis in 2013, but only around 7,000 people have enrolled in the program since then, according to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services. 

Patients must be over 18 years of age, and legal residents of the state. They also must have a “patient-provider relationship” of at least three months with the physician who writes their prescription.

New Jersey

Qualifying Conditions
Addiction substitute therapy for opioid reduction Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Anxiety Seizure and/or spasticity disorders
Chronic pain Chronic visceral pain
Crohn’s disease Dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps)
Epilepsy Glaucoma
HIV Tourette’s syndrome
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Migraines
Multiple sclerosis Muscular dystrophy
Opioid dependency Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
AIDS (includes associated chronic pain and/or severe nausea)
Cancer (includes associated chronic pain and/or severe nausea)
Any terminal illness if a doctor has determined the patient will die within a year

New Jersey has had legal medical cannabis since 2010, and more than 42,500 people are currently enrolled in the program — but qualifying for it is a more time-intensive process than it is in other states. 

To become a patient, patients must be diagnosed with one or more of the qualifying conditions by a physician, then complete a follow-up visit with the same physician who will then establish an optimal monthly dosage plan. Then patients must register with the state to obtain a medical marijuana patient ID card. Once these steps are complete, the patient must visit the same physician for a third time in order to re-assess the dosage and the overall progress of  treatment. 

New Mexico

Qualifying Conditions
Alzheimer’s disease Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Anorexia/cachexia Autism spectrum disorder
Cancer Cervical dystonia
Crohn’s disease Epilepsy and other seizure disorders
Friedreich’s ataxia Glaucoma
Hepatitis C HIV
AIDS Hospice patients
Huntington’s disease Inflammatory autoimmune-mediated arthritis
Intractable nausea/vomiting Lewy body disease
Multiple sclerosis Obstructive sleep apnea
Painful peripheral neuropathyA Parkinson’s disease
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Severe chronic pain
Spasmodic torticollis Spinal cord damage
Spinal muscular atrophy Ulcerative colitis
Opioid dependency or other substance abuse disorders

Medical cannabis has been legal in New Mexico since 2007, and the list of qualifying conditions has steadily expanded since then. Today, it has one of the more permissive programs in the nation — even minors under 18 are eligible to apply with the authorization of a caregiver.

Those over the age of 18 simply need to have an in-person consultation with a physician, submit an application to the state, and wait to receive their identification card. 

New York

Qualifying Conditions
Acute pain management Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Cancer Chronic pain
Epilepsy HIV
AIDS Huntington’s Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease Parkinson’s disease
Post-traumatic stress disorder Multiple sclerosis
Neuropathies Opioid substitution
Spinal cord damage

Rumored to be one of the next states to legalize recreational cannabis, New York made medical use legal back in 2014. One quirk of the program is that only “non-smokable preparations” are legal for medical use. 

Another quirk: only a physician with whom the patient has “a bona fide relationship” can prescribe medical cannabis. Otherwise, the main requirements are proof of New York residency (or proof that the medical condition requiring cannabis is being treated in New York)  and, in the case of minors, a guardian’s authorization.  

North Dakota

Qualifying Conditions
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’s syndrome
Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia

North Dakota passed a law allowing medical cannabis in 2016, covering an extensive list of conditions. In 2019, the state’s first dispensary opened in Fargo. Cannabis edibles are not on the menu, as these are still forbidden.

To enroll in the program, patients must obtain a diagnosis and a written certification from a “trusted physician.” If the patient is under the age of 19, they’ll also need the written approval of their parent or legal guardian.

Ohio

Qualifying Conditions
AIDS HIV
Ulcerative colitis Traumatic brain injury
Tourette’s syndrome Spinal cord disease or injury
Sickle cell anemia Epilepsy or other seizure disorders
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Inflammatory bowel disease Multiple sclerosis
Hepatitis C Glaucoma
Fibromyalgia Crohn’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease Anxiety  (granted preliminary approval only)
Cancer Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Autism spectrum disorder (granted preliminary approval only)
Pain that is either: (i) Chronic and severe; or (ii) Intractable, Parkinson’s disease

In 2016, Ohio legalized medical cannabis — with some significant restrictions. Only oils, edibles, and concentrates are currently legal for use. 

To qualify for a medical cannabis card, patients need to schedule an in-person appointment with a state-certified medical marijuana doctor. If the doctor gives their approval, the patient will receive a card via email from the Ohio Board of Pharmacy. 

Oklahoma

Qualifying Conditions: Up to the discretion of the physician.

Oklahoma legalized medical cannabis in 2018, and wasted no time in implementing one of the permissive policies in the entire country.  

Patients can qualify for the program by filling out the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority’s Physician Recommendation Form (with the assistance of a physician, of course) and submitting it online, along with their patient license application.

Oregon

Qualifying Conditions
Alzheimer’s disease Persistent muscle spasms
Post-traumatic stress Cachexia
Cancer Chronic pain
Glaucoma Nausea
AIDS HIV
Seizures Other conditions are subject to approval

Oregon has one of the longest-running medical cannabis programs in the country, having first legalized the plant for medicinal purposes in 1998 before voting to allow recreational use in 2014.

Medical cannabis users need a written certification from their doctor, which must be renewed each year, and then register with the state to receive their medical card. Patients under the age of 18 need the approval of their parent or guardian, and must fill out a separate application form.

Pennsylvania

Qualifying Conditions
Cancer HIV
Crohn’s disease Epilepsy
Glaucoma AIDS
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Huntington’s disease
Intractable seizures Multiple sclerosis
Opioid dependency Neuropathies
Parkinson’s disease Sickle cell anemia
Intractable spasticity Severe chronic or intractable pain
Inflammatory bowel disease Autism
Neurodegenerative disorders Dyskinetic/spastic movement disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Terminal illness (defined as 12 months or fewer to live)

Pennsylvania legalized medical cannabis in 2016 under tight restrictions: only pills, topicals, and liquids or tinctures were allowed. Today, vaporized herbal cannabis is also allowed, but smoking remains forbidden.

To qualify for the program (which over 116,00 people have already done), patients must enroll in the state registry, schedule an appointment with an approved physician, and submit an application along with a $50 fee. 

Rhode Island

Qualifying Conditions
Autism Cachexia
Cancer Chronic pain
Hepatitis C HIV/AIDS
Glaucoma Nausea
Crohn’s disease Alzheimer’s disease
Persistent muscle spasms Seizures
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Other conditions are subject to approval

Rhode Island has had legal medical cannabis since 2006, and nearly 19,000 people have enrolled in the program since then, according to the state’s Department of Health. 

Qualifying is a relatively simple process: patients need to schedule a consultation with a physician willing to fill out a certification form, then register with the state and wait to receive their medical cannabis identification card. 

Texas

Qualifying Conditions
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Multiple sclerosis
Terminal cancer, Epilepsy
Parkinson’s disease Autism

Once criticized for having the most useless medical cannabis program in America (it covered only a single condition, intractable epilepsy, and even patients suffering from it found it nearly impossible to qualify), Texas recently passed a bill that would broaden the number of conditions covered

However, medical cannabis patients will still find it difficult to access: at least two physicians must approve it as a treatment, and the patient must have tried other medications first. 

Vermont

Qualifying Conditions
Cachexia or wasting syndrome Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Crohn’s disease Glaucoma
HIV AIDS
Cancer Severe or chronic pain
Multiple sclerosis Parkinson’s disease
Severe nausea Seizures
Any patient receiving hospice care

Vermont legalized medical cannabis in 2004, with recreational legalization following in 2018, making it one of the most cannabis-friendly states on the East Coast.

Patients who wish to enroll in the medical program will need authorization from a doctor they’ve been seeing for at least three months. They’ll also need to select a designated dispensary from which to purchase their cannabis. 

Washington

Qualifying Conditions
Cachexia Cancer
Glaucoma HIV or AIDS
Nausea Seizures
Traumatic brain injury Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Intractable pain Persistent muscle spasms and/or spasticity
Crohn’s disease Hepatitis C
Any terminal or debilitating condition

Medical cannabis has been legal in Washington since 1998. In 2012, the state became the first one in America to make the plant legal for recreational use as well.

Over 39,000 people are currently enrolled in the state’s medical program, which is easy to access: anyone over the age of 18 is eligible with the authorization of a physician.

West Virginia

Qualifying Conditions
Cancer Epilepsy
AIDS HIV
Spinal cord damage Terminal illness
Multiple sclerosis Crohn’s disease
Parkinson’s disease Sickle cell anemia
Huntington’s disease Intractable seizures
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Neuropathies (chronic nerve pain)
Post-traumatic stress disorder Severe chronic or intractable pain

West Virginia legalized medical cannabis in 2016, but the program is still inactive — proponents had hoped that it will be up and running by now. However, the latest reports from the state’s Office of Medical Cannabis suggest that sales will be delayed until 2021 or 2022 at the earliest.

Niamh Tumilty
Niamh Tumilty
Niamh Tumilty is a writer and multimedia producer for cannabisMD where she is constantly evaluating the continued growth of CBD and its presence in the news. Her research and writing on cannabis and CBD can be found at niamhtumilty.com.

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