If you have a medical cannabis card, you may wonder, “Can you use a medical marijuana card in another state?” Unfortunately, the answer to this question is not a simple yes or no. The rules vary per state depending on whether the state has legalized cannabis and whether it honors medical marijuana programs from other states.
In this article, LeafMed, a Mississippi medical marijuana dispensary, explains using a medical marijuana license in another state.
Reciprocity in Medical Marijuana Programs
States with medical cannabis programs may or may not recognize cardholders from out of state. The industry refers to programs that honor cards from other states as “reciprocal.” Below, we discuss which states do and do not offer medical marijuana reciprocity and the legality of taking medical cannabis across state lines.
States with Medical Marijuana Reciprocity
The following states have reciprocal medical marijuana programs that honor out-of-state licenses:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- Washington, D.C.
Before you visit an out-of-state medical marijuana dispensary, review the relevant state laws to understand the conditions for using your medical cannabis license in that area. Some states only require you to bring your state ID and medical cannabis license to the dispensary, while others require separate applications, and qualifying conditions may vary.
For example, Arizona allows medical cannabis purchases only for visiting patients with qualifying medical conditions listed in the state’s cannabis laws. If Arizona law does not include your qualifying condition, you will have to make purchases on the recreational side.
Non-Reciprocal States with Marijuana Legalization
The answer to the question, “Can you use a medical marijuana card in another state?” is “no” for some states with medical marijuana programs. Although these states have legalized cannabis for medical (and sometimes recreational) use, they don’t honor out-of-state medical marijuana cards:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
Some states, like North Dakota, have either decriminalized the possession of small amounts of cannabis or plan to allow medical cannabis use in the future. Because these states do not yet have medical marijuana programs, the above list does not include them.
Some states, such as California and Hawaii, that don’t offer reciprocity allow visitors to apply for medical cannabis cards through their state programs. For example, a registered patient may apply online for permission to purchase and possess medical marijuana while visiting Hawaii.
Other states, like Iowa, allow out-of-state cardholders to possess and use medical marijuana but do not allow them to make purchases within the state.
Taking Medical Cannabis Across State Lines
Because marijuana remains listed as a Schedule I substance under federal law, you may NOT legally transport it across state lines unless it contains less than 0.3% THC. For example, you can legally travel across state lines with CBD products containing less than 0.3% THC but not with other cannabis products, even those used for medicinal purposes.
States with no legalization that have fully or partially decriminalized the possession of cannabis up to specific amounts include:
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- North Dakota
- South Carolina
The current states with no cannabis legalization or decriminalization include:
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Tennessee
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Please note that this state-specific information is subject to change. New states are decriminalizing and legalizing cannabis every year. As laws continue to change, so will the rules regarding where you can use your state-issued medical cannabis license. Always do your research before traveling out of state.
Visit LeafMed for Medical Cannabis in Mississippi
Now that you can answer the question, “Can you use a medical marijuana card in another state?” you can travel the country knowing where you can and cannot obtain your medicinal cannabis.
If you have a medical marijuana card in Mississippi, visit LeafMed, a group of dispensaries owned by healthcare professionals. Visit us today in Gulfport, Vicksburg, or Bay St. Louis.