A complete guide to where and when you can use your medical cannabis card in another state.
When packing to travel somewhere in the United States, there is always a long list of things to remember:
- Your nice clothes for the high-end dinner
- Your casual clothes for the golf course
- Your laptop, cell phone, tablet, and camera
But, are you forgetting something?
If you’re a medical cannabis patient, you may want to consider packing your medical cannabis card to travel between states.
There are plenty of states out there that will let you use your card when visiting.
Here’s a complete guide to the states that allow for the use of another state’s medical cannabis card.
What states allow you to use a medical cannabis card from another state?
If you’re making plans to travel and want to know if your medical cannabis card will work in another state, we’ve created this quick guide to help you out.
Here are the states—along with a few qualifying remarks—that currently allow for visitors to use their out-of-state medical cannabis cards.
- Arizona
This state is a bit tricky.
In 2018, the courts upheld a ruling that visitors are allowed to use their medical marijuana cards in Arizona.
However, there is a statute that mandates dispensaries access a verification system before dispensing cannabis.
That verification system does not verify out-of-state cards.
- Arkansas
Visiting patients must register with Arkansas before their cards will be accepted there.
The registration process requires patients to pay $50 for the pleasure.
- Hawaii
In Hawaii, HB 2729 passed in 2018.
The bill allowed for travelers to use their medical cannabis cards in The Aloha State.
Patients can apply for reciprocity within 60 days prior to their desired start date.
- Maine
If you want to travel to Maine with your medical cannabis card, Public Law, Chapter 209 states that visiting patients have the same rights as local residents.
However, they cannot grow cannabis, among a few other caveats.
- Michigan
The licensing regulatory agency in Michigan, LARA, allows for reciprocity.
However, reciprocity is only extended to patients who come from states which offer the same.
- Nevada
Nevada allows for travelers to use medical cannabis cards.
They allow patients from most states with medical cannabis and entities such as the:
- Ely Shoshone Tribe
- Pyramid Lake Palute Tribe
- Yerington Palute Tribe
- Winnemucca Indian Colony
- New Hampshire
While patients are allowed to travel to New Hampshire with their medical cannabis cards, and those cards will offer them protection from prosecution, they are not allowed to purchase their medicine in New Hampshire.
- New Jersey
Out-of-state medical cannabis cards can be used in New Jersey.
However, patients may only bring in their own cannabis from out-of-state and possess it for up to six months.
Keep in mind, however, that crossing state lines with medical cannabis remains illegal at the federal level.
- New Mexico
A New Mexican court recently ruled that nonresidents may apply for a New Mexican medical cannabis card.
While reciprocity has been confirmed in New Mexico, the framework for the program is expected by March of 2020.
- Oklahoma
Oklahoma allows people to apply for reciprocity through a Temporary Adult Patient Application.
The permit allows patients to buy, use, and even grow medical cannabis in the state.
While permission only lasts 30 days, it can be renewed.
- Rhode Island
According to many sources, Rhode Island allows for “full reciprocity” of medical marijuana cards.
- Washington D.C.
While not technically a state, Washington D.C. does allow for out-of-state medical cannabis patients to access their system.
- West Virginia
Access for out-of-state medical cannabis is only available to terminally ill patients.
Which states disallow the use of another state’s medical cannabis card?
While two-thirds of states have some type of medical cannabis laws on the books, they don’t all allow visitors to participate in their medical cannabis program.
Here are the states that currently have medical cannabis laws allowing their residents to consume, but do not recognize medical cannabis cards from other states:
- Alaska
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Illinois
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- New York
- Oregon (though some sources say out-of-state patients can apply for a card)
- Pennsylvania
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
States with Uncertain or Unclear Reciprocity Laws
- North Dakota
- Ohio
We’ll try to keep this list updated as the system evolves.
Knowing if you can travel with your medical cannabis card is key to ensuring your safety and health.
Now that you know where you can and can’t go with your medical cannabis card, are you re-packing your bags?
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