Do You Have to be a Resident to get a Medical Card?

In order to get a medical marijuana card in most states, you must be a resident of that state for a certain period of time. However, there are some states that do not have this requirement and the rules vary from location to location.

Almost forty states offer a path to purchasing and using medical cannabis through a state-wide registry, an MMJ card, or a medical marijuana certification. If you’re planning to travel out of state, you may wonder if your medical card is valid in another state.  

Medical marijuana laws vary significantly from state to state. These laws usually include using low-THC products and removing criminal penalties for Medical cannabis patient cardholders.  

Certain states allow out-of-state patients to purchase and possess specific amounts of cannabis; however, it varies significantly by location and their established medical marijuana program. Read on to find out if you need to be a resident to use MMJ in your state. 

The Basics of Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana patients can use medical cannabis to treat various conditions, ranging from chronic pain, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, and insomnia to cancer, PTSD, anxiety, depression, Multiple Sclerosis, or HIV/AIDS. Medical marijuana is still illegal under federal law but has been decriminalized or legalized in many areas.

In the United States, medical marijuana programs have been legalized in 37 states: the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Medical marijuana programs allow patients with specified conditions to own, grow and utilize cannabis products to aid in managing their condition, even if recreational cannabis users are not authorized.

Potential Therapeutic & Health Benefits

The potential benefits of medical treatment with cannabis are vast. Specific cannabinoids can produce a therapeutic potential for patients with different health conditions.

Several peer-reviewed studies suggest that cannabinoids have varying health benefits. They have been used throughout history to manage various health concerns and ailments. While research continues, more evidence suggests that cannabis and cannabinoids can benefit human health.  

Studies are being done worldwide to see how cannabis may aid in fighting cancer, slowing down tumor growth, and if cannabinol delays symptom onset for certain chronic pain conditions. It can help with addiction treatment, increase appetite, aid in sleep, improve muscle function, and manage seizures, and it has significant anti-inflammatory benefits. 

Possible Adverse Risks of Cannabis 

There aren’t many known side effects for CBD, and most side effects from marijuana come from higher doses and long-term use by medical marijuana patients.

Marijuana also affects brain development if used at an early age. When people begin using it as teenagers, it can impair cognitive functions and affect how the brain connects and communicates with other body areas. 

Other adverse side effects include:

• altered senses or sense of time
• changes in mood 
• impaired body function
• slowed cognitive skills
• hallucinations, delusions, psychosis (high doses, significant long-term use only) 

What is MMJ Reciprocity?

Out-of-state medical card reciprocity is when medical cannabis programs in one state honors an MMJ certificate from another state as valid allowing them to possess and purchase cannabis legally.

Suppose you are a valid medicinal cannabis patient in one state. In that case, you can continue to use cannabis products when you travel to a state with medical marijuana reciprocity and will need to follow the state laws where you are traveling.

Qualifying Conditions for Medicinal Cannabis

A state-issued medical cannabis card allows adults with certain qualifying conditions to purchase and use medical cannabis. Medical marijuana is still federally illegal but has been decriminalized or legalized in some states to treat specific qualifying ailments.

Board-certified physicians can prescribe cannabis as a treatment and recommend it to their state cannabis regulatory body to issue a medical marijuana card. Medical cannabis applicants must provide written documentation from their healthcare providers before applying for a card. 

To be eligible for a medical marijuana card, applicants must suffer from one of the qualifying conditions established by their state. The qualifying conditions for medical marijuana cards vary from state to state. 

The following are common conditions recognized by most states as qualifying for a medical marijuana prescription and card:

• Cancer
• HIV/AIDS
• Epilepsy
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Glaucoma
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Chronic pain
• Severe nausea 
• Wasting Syndrome
• Depression
• Arthritis

States that DO NOT Allow Non-Resident MMJ Cards

The following states do not offer out-of-state reciprocity for non-resident visitors. In some cases, the state allows visiting patients with a state-approved qualifying condition to possess cannabis but not purchase it. 

Georgia

Even though Georgia has approved a medical marijuana program, there is still no legal way to purchase it from state-approved dispensaries. 

Minnesota

Minnesota doesn’t accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards. Cannabis possession of fewer than 42.5 grams is a minor misdemeanor. A judge may order drug rehabilitation for first-time offenders.

New Jersey

New Jersey is one of the states that does not allow out-of-state MMJ cardholders to purchase or possess marijuana.

New York

As New York prepares to allow recreational use, they do not accept medical cards from out-of-state residents. 

Ohio

Ohio does not offer reciprocity to out-of-state patients. Possession of fewer than one hundred grams of cannabis is a minor misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of 150 USD.

Virginia

Virginia doesn’t recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards. The state decriminalized marijuana in 2020. The maximum penalty for possessing one ounce of legal marijuana is a 25 USD fine.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has legalized cannabis use, but its’ laws remain strict. They do not extend reciprocity to out-of-state MMJ patients. 

Medical Marijuana Reciprocity States

Below we list the states that allow medical marijuana for non-resident visitors. There are often time limits and specific processes you will need to follow, so check local cannabis laws before traveling for the best results.

Per the Transportation Security Administration, it is a federal crime to travel across state lines without a medical card.

Arizona

Arizona provides limited reciprocity to visiting qualifying patients. As a visiting qualifying patient, the out-of-state medical cardholder must not be a resident of Arizona for less than 30 days. They must have a qualifying condition included in Arizona’s medical cannabis law to receive a state medical marijuana card. Recreational cannabis is legal in Arizona, with a possession limit of 2.5 ounces.

Arkansas

Those with out-of-state medical marijuana cards can legally purchase MMJ in Arkansas. Patients must fill out a visiting patient form and prove their out-of-state medical marijuana registration is valid. 

Maine

Medical patients visiting Maine are not required to obtain certification from a Maine medical provider or to designate a dispensary to obtain medical cannabis. Recreational use is legal in Maine. 

Massachusetts

Massachusetts doesn’t recognize out-of-state medical cards but allows recreational sales for adults. The state offers reciprocity for possessing one ounce of medical marijuana.

Michigan

Michigan’s dispensaries can accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards at their discretion. Recreational cannabis is legal for adults over 21 in Michigan.

Missouri

Missouri’s Amendment 2 suggests that those with a valid out-of-state MMJ card can legally possess the legal limit of four ounces of marijuana.

Montana

Montana recognizes other states’ medical marijuana cards. Licensed dispensaries will check your qualifications online, your medical marijuana card, and your state I.D.

Nevada

Nevada has lenient rules, and the state recognizes all out-of-state medical cannabis cards.

New Hampshire

If an out-of-state patient has a New Hampshire qualifying condition, the state will recognize your medical marijuana card. Qualified patients from out of state can’t purchase at New Hampshire dispensaries but can legally possess medical marijuana in the state.

New Jersey

New Jersey is a medical marijuana state that recognizes out-of-state medical cards. A medical marijuana patient registered under their states’ medical marijuana program can be in New Jersey’s medical marijuana program for six months while visiting the state after certification from an N.J. doctor. Patients can possess three ounces of cannabis, and adult use is legal. 

Oklahoma

The Oklahoma medical marijuana authority recognizes out-of-state medical marijuana certificates. Visiting patients must fill out a Temporary Patient Application Information form to legally purchase medical marijuana from a licensed dispensary.

Utah

Only authorized MMJ patients with an approved qualifying condition may possess and use medical marijuana in Utah. New residents with valid medical cards can possess medical cannabis for up to 45 days.

Washington, D.C

Washington, D.C. recognizes medicinal marijuana cards from a specific list of states with a possession limit of one ounce. of cannabis flower.

Recreational Adult-Use States

The following American states and territories have fully decriminalized and legalized recreational marijuana. They collectively have over 1,600 dispensaries and growing nationwide.

In these areas, you will not need a medical card; however, they can offer savings and increased possession limits for registered patients. 

• Colorado
• Washington
• Alaska
• Oregon
• California
• Massachusetts
• Nevada
• Michigan
• Vermont
• Illinois
• Arizona
• New Jersey
• New York
• Virginia
• New Mexico
• Maine
• Montana
• Connecticut
• Rhode Island
• Washington DC

Final Thoughts

Whether a state allows out-of-state patients to use, possess, or purchase medical cannabis dramatically depends on your location. Be sure to bring your medical card with you during your travels and be aware of using cannabis in federal or public places, as that is typically prohibited in all states regardless of legal status. 

Whether a state allows out-of-state patients to purchase, use, or possess medical cannabis dramatically depends on your state of residence. We recommend checking up on local laws for any location you plan to travel to, especially if you will be traveling with medical cannabis.