Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana Card in New York

How Many Medical Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Treatment in New York?

New York no longer has specific qualifying medical conditions for receiving medical marijuana treatment. Healthcare providers in the state have the sole discretion of deciding whether their patients’ debilitating conditions qualify for medical cannabis access or not.

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Card in New York 2024

The New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) dropped the requirement for qualifying medical conditions for patients applying to join the state’s medical marijuana program. It also no longer issues medical marijuana cards. Patients only need provider certifications, and valid government-issued photo IDs, to purchase medical cannabis at licensed dispensaries in the state.

Does New York Add New Qualifying Conditions to its Medical Marijuana Program?

With the state dropping the requirement for specific qualifying conditions, there is no reason to add new qualifying conditions for medical marijuana access in New York.

Does New York Allow Physicians to Recommend Medical Cannabis for Non-Qualifying Conditions?

Yes. Healthcare providers decide which medical conditions are qualifying for medical cannabis in New York.

Do You Need a Doctor’s Recommendation for Medical Marijuana in New York?

Yes. A healthcare certification for medical marijuana is a compulsory requirement for accessing medical cannabis in the State of New York. The state requires healthcare providers seeking to certify patients for medical cannabis use to join its medical cannabis program. In addition, they must also:

• Take an OCM-approved medical use of cannabis course and complete a minimum of a two hours of the course
• Be registered, licensed, or certified by the state to prescribe controlled substances in New York
• Have valid DEA registrations for New York

The New York Department of Health publishes a list of eligible medical practitioners registered in the state’s medical cannabis program, approved to certify patients for medical marijuana and consent to having their information made public.

Who Qualifies for a Medical Marijuana Card in New York?

New York no longer issues a medical cannabis card and does not accept out-of-state medical cards at its dispensaries. Only patients with valid certifications from New York healthcare providers can access medical cannabis in the state.