Does your medical marijuana card work in other states?

Currently, 36 states in the United States, including the District of Columbia, have medical marijuana programs. With so many states now allowing the use of medical marijuana, it makes sense to wonder if you can use your medical marijuana card in another state.

If you are a certified medical cannabis patient traveling within the US, there are a few ways you can continue using your herbal medication. Because medical cannabis programs vary by state, we’ve put together an in-depth overview that covers everything you need to learn about medical marijuana reciprocity in the United States.

What is medical marijuana reciprocity?

Before we get into the details, it’s important to understand how the idea of ​​mutuality relates to medicinal cannabis. Medical marijuana card reciprocity arises when one state’s medical marijuana program accepts the validity of another state’s medical marijuana card and certificate. If you have a valid medical marijuana ID in one state, you can legally use marijuana in another state if you travel there. However, you are subject to the rules of the state you are visiting.

Eleven of those 36 states, including Washington, DC, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, currently grant medical marijuana program reciprocity to state-issued medical cannabis cardholders. However, each state has its own reciprocity rules. Depending on the state you are visiting, you may be required to fill out a “visitor application” before travel, sign documents at a local dispensary, or present your medical marijuana license or other form of identification before purchasing anything from a dispensary.

RELATED: How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Your State

Please note that not all states allow medical marijuana patients to purchase all types of cannabis products. For example, some states may not allow patients with medical conditions to consume cannabis-infused treats, such as cookies or smokable flower.

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States accepting foreign MMJ cards

Medical marijuana mutual states typically allow medical cannabis patients to use their cards to access dispensaries and purchase their medications. However, some states are more lenient than others in this regard. To purchase cannabis out of state, patients are typically required to present both an ID card and a current state-issued medical marijuana ID card. The following states accept out-of-state medical cannabis cards:

Arizona

Visitors who are in possession of a valid state marijuana card from their home state or equivalent may possess and use medical cannabis in Arizona. An ounce of marijuana can be possessed or used by qualified non-residents. Please remember that out-of-state patients cannot purchase from Arizona-licensed pharmacies.

Arkansas

Before being allowed to purchase medical marijuana in Arkansas, nonresidents must apply as visiting patients and have a medical marijuana card from their home state. The application costs $50 and can be processed within 14 business days. When permitted, visiting patients in Arkansas have 30 days to purchase medical marijuana.

Please note that although medical marijuana dispensaries in Arkansas offer delivery, you are not qualified to do so as the product must be delivered to the location specified on your medical marijuana license, which must be an address outside of Arkansas becomes. Non-resident visitors must purchase their medical marijuana there.

Hawaii

Hawaii’s out-of-state patient program is open to nonresident adult and minor medical marijuana patients (along with their legal guardian/guardian) who hold valid, state-issued medical cannabis cards. This program allows out-of-state patients to possess, use, and purchase marijuana from authorized dispensaries in Hawaii. Registered overseas patients can purchase up to four ounces every two weeks.

Maine

Patients with a state-issued registration card or other form of identification may purchase medical marijuana from a licensed Maine dispensary. A maximum of 2.5 ounces of cannabis products may be purchased in any continuous 15-day period.

Michigan

In Michigan, anyone with a valid, state-issued medical marijuana card and ID card can purchase medical marijuana. However, pharmacies can decide whether to sell or not. So check again with your preferred pharmacy to see if they accept patients from abroad.

The maximum amount of cannabis you can own or purchase is 2.5 ounces. Due to the requirement that the shipping address match the address on the medical cannabis card, out-of-state medical marijuana patients cannot receive medical marijuana through Michigan delivery providers.

Nevada

Patients with a state or local government-issued medical marijuana card may purchase medical marijuana at a licensed Nevada dispensary.

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New Hampshire

Due to limited reciprocity, visitors who meet the requirements are only allowed to have two ounces of usable cannabis in New Hampshire. Visitors must present a valid, state-issued medical cannabis ID and a certificate from their doctor certifying that they have a qualifying medical condition (under New Hampshire law). Please note that visitors are not allowed to purchase medicinal cannabis from a pharmacy.

New Mexico

Patients may apply for a “reciprocity license” at an authorized New Mexico dispensary if they have a valid, state-issued medical cannabis ID, driver’s license, or other form of identification. Before visiting your preferred pharmacy, call and confirm they offer this service, as pharmacies must be authorized to issue mutual licenses.

RELATED: Evaluating Each State’s Medical Marijuana Program — How Well Did Your State Do?

You must complete the paperwork at an approved dispensary to obtain a reciprocal license to purchase tax-free medical marijuana in New Mexico. Domestic and overseas patients visiting patients are allowed to possess and purchase up to the exact amount of medical marijuana. 230 units can be purchased every 90 days (8 ounces of dried cannabis flower). 200 milligrams of food, substances applied topically or

Oklahoma

Patients under the age of 18 and patients with US state-issued medical marijuana cards may apply for a temporary patient identification card in Oklahoma. For 30 days, visitors to Oklahoma can legally purchase, use, and grow marijuana with this temporary ID.

Puerto Rico

You’re in luck if you have a US medical marijuana card and are traveling to Puerto Rico! With a legitimate, state-issued medical marijuana identification card, Puerto Rico permits reciprocal use of the drug. Upon arrival, you will be required to register at a nearby dispensary and provide proof of identity for your state-issued medical marijuana ID card.

Please note that visitors are not permitted to purchase dried marijuana flowers. It is legal to purchase medicinal cannabis cartridges or infused goods.

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Rhode Island

Rhode Island offers full reciprocity to US citizens with out-of-state medical marijuana cards. To register as an out-of-state patient, go to a Rhode Island medical cannabis dispensary with your government-issued ID and state medical marijuana ID. Every 15 days, domestic and foreign medical marijuana patients are allowed to purchase up to 70 grams of cannabis.

Utah

Medical cannabis users who are traveling to Utah with a serious illness (as defined by Utah) and have a valid state medical marijuana card are eligible to apply for a “non-Utah resident card.” Utah residents who have lived there less than 45 days can also apply for a card identifying them as non-Utah residents.

This card allows qualified new Utah residents and visiting patients to purchase marijuana for 21 days from authorized dispensaries there.

Washington, D.C

Non-residents must present a government-issued photo ID, their government-issued medical marijuana registration information (either physical or digital), and the name and license number of their prescribing physician. Please note that health cards issued by NuggMD are not eligible.

Conclusion

Cannabis-related laws can change over time. Before traveling, be sure to confirm all applicable laws with the state cannabis office or the convenience store you will be visiting.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.