How To Get A New York Medical Marijuana Card

If you’re interested in getting a New York medical marijuana card, the following steps will guide you through the process. The card is your key to the dispensary and we look forward to serving you.

Step 1: PROOF OF NEW YORK RESIDENCY

The first step is to determine whether you meet the residency criteria for the program. In order to participate in New York’s medical marijuana program, you must be able to demonstrate current residency in New York State. You’ll need to provide one of the following proofs of residency:

- ID number from your New York State Driver’s License or New York State Non-Driver ID Card. - Copy of a government-issued ID card that contains your name and New York State address. - Copy of a utility bill or other document showing your residency issued within the previous two months. The document must contain your name and address. - Copy of a current lease or similar document showing your residency within New York State. - Other documentation as approved by DOH containing sufficient information to show proof of residency in New York State.

Temporary residents who are receiving treatment in New York for a qualifying medical condition may demonstrate residency by providing a lease, utility bill, hospital bill, or other documentation as approved by the Department of Health.

Step 2: ELIGIBILITY

If you live in New York and you have a qualifying medical condition, you are eligible to apply for your medical marijuana card. Patients diagnosed with any of the following medical conditions are eligible to apply for a patient certification:

- Chronic Pain - PTSD - Neuropathy - Inflammatory Bowel Disease - Epilepsy - Parkinson’s Disease - Huntington’s Disease - ALS - Cancer - HIV/AIDS - Multiple Sclerosis - Spinal Cord Injury with Spasticity - Any condition for which an opioid could be prescribed

The associated or complicating conditions include:

- Cachexia/Wasting Syndrome - Opioid Use Disorder - Severe or Chronic pain - Severe Nausea - Severe or Persistent Muscle Spasms - Seizures

Additional qualifying conditions are being considered and added to the program on an ongoing basis.

Step 3: PATIENT CERTIFICATION

If you can prove NY residency and you have a qualifying medical condition, the next step is to obtain a patient certification from a participating physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner. When discussing medical marijuana with your care provider, it’s important to be honest about your health situation and explain why you believe medical marijuana treatment will be beneficial to you. If they agree to approve you for the program, they must submit a patient certification form on your behalf.

Please note that in order to approve you, the doctor or nurse must be licensed in New York and registered with the medical marijuana program. If your doctor or nurse hasn’t yet registered with the program, they must follow these instructions in order to sign up. If your care provider is unwilling or unable to issue a patient certification for you, they may refer you to a practitioner who is registered with the program. Your provider can access a list of participating physicians and nurses by clicking here and following the instructions in the “Physician Access to Registered Practitioners” section. Referrals are only available from your doctor and cannot be provided by the dispensary.

Step 4: PATIENT APPLICATION

Once you’ve received your patient certification, you’ll need to complete an online patient application for the medical marijuana program. The first step is to create an account at NY.gov and click on ”Health Applications” then “Medical Marijuana Data Management System” in order to access the online application form. The form will request basic information from you including your proof of New York residency. If your application is approved, you’ll receive your medical marijuana card in the mail.