Medical marijuana has become a widely accepted form of treatment for various health conditions in the United States. With the legalization of medical cannabis in 37 states and Washington D.C., patients can now access the benefits of this natural plant-based medicine. However, the laws regarding medical marijuana vary significantly from state to state, which can be confusing for patients, especially when traveling. In this blog, we will discuss which states accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards or I.D.s from other states, reciprocity laws, and answer some frequently asked questions to help patients navigate the legal landscape of medical marijuana across the United States.

Can you use your MMJ card in a different state? 

As cannabis legalization continues to evolve across the country, it’s crucial to understand the nuances of out-of-state cannabis consumption. The legalization of cannabis is divided into two broad categories: medical and recreational. In some states that permit recreational use, out-of-state patients with medical marijuana cards may be able to purchase recreational cannabis, while others allow access to medical dispensaries. Not all states differentiate between medical and recreational cannabis for sale, though most states apply varying tax rates to medicinal users versus recreational users.

List of states that have medical marijuana in 2023

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington
• Washington, D.C.
• West Virginia

What is medical marijuana reciprocity? 

Medical marijuana reciprocity is a system that allows patients who hold valid medical marijuana cards or recommendations from their home state to legally access and use MMJ in another state that recognizes reciprocity. 

In simpler terms, it means that a patient who is registered to use medical marijuana in one state can use their medical marijuana card in another state that recognizes reciprocity without having to obtain a new card or recommendation. However, the rules and regulations governing medical marijuana reciprocity vary from state to state. 

States that allow for out of state MMJ reciprocity

Below is a list of states that offer some form of reciprocity for medical cannabis. 

• Alaska — Alaska doesn’t accept out-of-state medical cards but allows patients to purchase up to an ounce of cannabis at a recreational dispensary as long as they’re 21 or older.

• Arizona — Arizona allows limited reciprocity for visiting qualifying patients. Those with an out-of-state medical cannabis card who live outside Arizona or have been in the state for less than 30 days can purchase cannabis as long as they have a medical condition that meets Arizona’s criteria for medical cannabis use. Visitors can also purchase up to 2.5 ounces at a recreational dispensary.

• Arkansas — Visiting patients with out-of-state medical cards can buy medical marijuana in Arkansas after completing a visiting patient form, submitting proof of their out-of-state registration, and paying a $50 fee, which allows them to buy medical marijuana for a 30-day period; registered patients in Arkansas can purchase up to 2.5 ounces from a dispensary every 14 days.

• California — California doesn’t accept out-of-state MMJ cards, but adults can purchase from recreational dispensaries. You can possess up to 28.5 grams of cannabis flower and 5 grams of cannabis concentrate.

• Colorado — Colorado doesn’t accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards, but adults can purchase up to an ounce of recreational cannabis.

• Illinois — Illinois doesn’t accept med cards from other states, but adults can purchase 15 grams of cannabis, 250 milligrams of infusions, and 2.5 grams of concentrate from recreational dispensaries.

• Washington, DC — D.C. accepts medical cards from patients from specific states that have an equally functional program; though cannabis is legal for recreational use, only authorized MMJ patients can purchase from dispensaries due to the prohibition of retail sales of cannabis in D.C. However, visitors can bring a limited amount of marijuana, and possess of up to 2 ounces of cannabis flower for personal use is allowed. At the same time, concentrates and hash remain illegal, and consuming cannabis on federal land is strictly prohibited.

• Maine — Maine allows adults 21 years or older to possess and use marijuana, and although the opening of retail sites was expected by 2018, it has been delayed. Nevertheless, adults can possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower and 5 grams of concentrates or hashish. Similar to Washington DC, only certain medical marijuana patients from other states can purchase from any of Maine’s medical dispensaries with proper identification.

• Massachusetts — Massachusetts allows all adults over 21 years old to use cannabis for recreational or medicinal purposes, with possession limits of up to 1 ounce of cannabis flower and 5 grams of cannabis concentrate, as long as they have valid government-issued identification.

• Michigan — While Michigan dispensaries have the choice to recognize an out-of-state medical marijuana card, the state legalized recreational cannabis in 2018, allowing adults 21 years and older to possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower or 15 grams of concentrates and medical marijuana dispensaries are available throughout the state.

• Montana — Montana allows medical marijuana cardholders from other states to possess and consume cannabis, but it was previously illegal to bring your own into the state as none of its bordering states had legalized medical marijuana. However, with the recent legalization of cannabis in South Dakota, this may change in the future. As of Jan. 1, 2021, recreational marijuana is legal in Montana, allowing those 21 and older to possess, use, and grow up to 1 ounce of marijuana.

• Nevada — In 2017, Nevada legalized recreational marijuana, permitting individuals who are 21 or older to purchase and consume cannabis for personal use. Previously, medical marijuana had been legal in the state since 2000, and Nevada recognized reciprocity with all other states. The law permits adults to possess up to 1 ounce of cannabis in various forms for recreational use, while medical cannabis patients and caregivers can possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis per two-week period.

• New Hampshire — Medical marijuana patients from other states can possess up to 2 ounces of usable cannabis in New Hampshire but cannot buy from local dispensaries. Additionally, they must have the same medical conditions that are recognized under New Hampshire’s medical marijuana program.

• Oklahoma — Oklahoma recognizes out-of-state cannabis cards and allows visitors with medical marijuana cards to purchase from dispensaries by obtaining a temporary license, which costs $100, takes about two weeks to process, and can be renewed after being valid for 30 days.

• Oregon — While Oregon doesn’t recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards, anyone over the age of 21 can legally purchase cannabis for recreational use in the state.

• Rhode Island — Visiting medical marijuana patients can access dispensaries in Rhode Island by bringing their physical medical marijuana card and a government-issued I.D. card from the same state. Out-of-state patients are allowed to possess the same amount of medical marijuana as in-state patients, which is up to 2.5 ounces of usable cannabis.

• Vermont — Vermont legalized cannabis for recreational use in 2018, allowing adults over the age of 21 to possess up to 1 ounce of cannabis, but commercial dispensaries are currently unavailable. Vermont residents who participate in the state’s medical marijuana program are the only ones who can purchase cannabis from state-licensed medical dispensaries.

• Utah — Utah, like other states on this list, only recognizes out-of-state medical marijuana cards from patients who meet its own qualifying conditions.

• Washington — Washington state permits the recreational use of cannabis, and adults over the age of 21 can buy it at retail sites across the state.

 

States that don’t have medical marijuana reciprocity 

Below is a list of states that don’t allow out of state medical marijuana cards to be used and have no plans in place to allow medical patients access to cannabis. 

• Georgia 
• Hawaii 
• Iowa 
• Minnesota 
• Missouri 
• New Jersey 
• New York 
• Ohio 
• Virginia 
• Pennsylvania 
• West Virginia 

 

States where recreational cannabis is legal 

In these states, adults 21 and older with a valid I.D. or driver’s license can purchase cannabis from recreational dispensaries without a medical card. 

• Alaska
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Illinois
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania (decriminalized)
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• Washington D.C.

Please note that laws regarding cannabis legalization and decriminalization are subject to change, so this information may not be up-to-date.

States where medical and recreational cannabis are still illegal 

In these states, cannabis is still illegal, so you won’t be able to purchase or use cannabis. You’ll want to avoid bringing cannabis to these states since you can get in serious trouble with local law enforcement. 

• Alabama
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Nebraska
• North Carolina
• Tennessee
• Wyoming

 

FAQs 

Below are a few of the most common questions about using a medical marijuana card out of state or shopping for cannabis in a different state. 

Q: Can I use my medical marijuana card in a different state?

It depends on the state you’re visiting. Some states have reciprocity agreements that recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards, while others don’t. It’s important to research the laws in the state you’re visiting before attempting to use your card. However, keep in mind that adults 21 or older are eligible to purchase recreational cannabis in states where recreational marijuana is legal. 

Q: Do dispensaries in other states accept an out-of-state I.D. or driver’s license? 

Yes. For all the states listed above that offer medical or recreational marijuana, your legal, valid driver’s license or I.D. should be accepted. If you’re unsure, be sure to contact the dispensary you intend to use before you go shopping. 

Q: What is reciprocity?

Reciprocity is when one state recognizes the medical marijuana cards issued by another state. This means that patients with out-of-state cards can legally use their medicine while visiting a state that has reciprocity.

Q: Can I buy medical marijuana in a different state?

If you have an out-of-state medical marijuana card and are visiting a state with reciprocity, you may be able to buy medical marijuana from a dispensary in that state. However, not all states with reciprocity allow out-of-state patients to purchase medical marijuana.

Q: Can I apply for a medical marijuana card in a state I don’t live in?

Some states allow out-of-state patients to apply for a medical marijuana card, but this varies by state. In some cases, you may need to have a qualifying medical condition that is recognized by the state you’re applying in.

Q: How can I find out if a state has reciprocity with my home state?

You can research the laws and regulations of the state you plan to visit or contact the state’s medical marijuana program to find out if they have a reciprocity agreement with your home state.

Q: Can I use my medical marijuana in public in a state with reciprocity?

This depends on the state you’re visiting. In some states, patients with out-of-state medical marijuana cards are allowed to use their medicine in public, while in others, it is strictly prohibited. It’s important to research the laws and regulations of the state you’re visiting before using medical marijuana in public.

Q: Can I travel with medical marijuana across state lines?

It is illegal to transport medical marijuana across state lines, even if both states have legalized it. Federal law still considers marijuana to be a controlled substance and prohibits its transportation across state lines.

Q: How much medical marijuana can I possess in a state with reciprocity?

The amount of medical marijuana you can possess varies by state. It’s important to research the laws and regulations of the state you plan to visit before traveling with medical marijuana.

Q: Can I transfer my medical marijuana card from one state to another?

No, you cannot transfer your medical marijuana card from one state to another. If you move to a new state, you will need to apply for a new medical marijuana card in that state.

Q: What are the requirements for obtaining a medical marijuana card in a different state?

The requirements for obtaining a medical marijuana card vary by state. In general, you will need to have a qualifying medical condition and be a resident of the state in which you are applying. Some states may also require a doctor’s recommendation and/or proof of residency.

Get Your Medical Card 

If you’re ready to explore your medical card options in Virginia, Maryland, or New York, you can count on Natural Green Healing. We’re here to make the process fast and easy, so sign up for a free consultation today to speak with our MMJ doctor in person or online.