Qualifying Conditions For A Medical Marijuana Card In Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut medical marijuana card doctors can only recommend cannabis to patients suffering from one of the qualifying conditions for a medical card in CT. Also, the qualifying conditions for a medical card in CT differ for adult patients and minor patients. Below are the CT medical marijuana 2021 list of conditions. You can find out more about how to get a medical card in Connecticut here.

For Adults – Qualifying Conditions For A Medical Marijuana Card in CT

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  • Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
  • Cancer
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Chronic Neuropathic Pain (associated with Degenerative Spinal Disorders)
  • Chronic Pain (lasting over six months and associated with a specified underlying chronic condition refractory to other treatment interventions)
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Type 1 and Type II
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Damage to the Nervous Tissue of the Spinal Cord with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity
  • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Associated with Chronic Pain
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Hydrocephalus with Intractable Headache
  • Interstitial Cystitis
  • Intractable Headache Syndromes
  • Intractable Neuropathic Pain (unresponsive to standard Medical Treatments)
  • Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury (with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity)
  • Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD)
  • MALS Syndrome (Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome)
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Neuropathic Facial Pain
  • Osteogenesis Imperfecta
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Post Herpetic Neuralgia
  • Post Laminectomy Syndrome with Chronic Radiculopathy
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Severe Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
  • Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Sickle Cell Disease
  • Spasticity or Neuropathic Pain Associated with Fibromyalgia
  • Terminal Illness Requiring End-Of-Life Care
  • Tourette Syndrome
  • Uncontrolled Intractable Seizure Disorder
  • Vulvodynia and Vulvar Burning

For Minors – Qualifying Conditions for a Medical Card in CT

  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity
  • Severe Epilepsy
  • Terminal Illness Requiring End-Of-Life Care
  • Uncontrolled Intractable Seizure Disorder
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Osteogenesis Imperfecta 
  • Intractable Neuropathic Pain that Is Unresponsive to Standard Medical Treatments
  • Tourette Syndrome for patients who have failed standard medical treatment

All conditions were approved by the Regulation Review Committee through the recommendation of the Board of Physicians and Commissioner of Consumer Protection.

The Most Common Qualifying Conditions For A Medical Card In CT

1. Chronic pain

Pain that lingers well beyond the expected recovery period, usually over six months, is chronic. Because of its overbearing nature, patients often experience a rapid decline in the quality of their lives.

Marijuana has proved very effective in diminishing chronic pain besides being a less intrusive form of therapy in terms of side effects compared to other available treatment options. Learn more about the benefits of marijuana for pain, how it works, and discover the best strains for pain and fatigue.

2. Cancer

Medical marijuana plays several important roles in cancer treatment. First, to treat the symptoms of cancer, for example, cancer pain. Secondly, to mitigate the side effects of cancer treatments, for instance, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Finally, marijuana can stimulate the death of cancer cells due to its antitumor properties.

Besides the benefits mentioned above, understand how marijuana and cancer may be an effective combination, plus find out the best edibles for cancer.

3. Glaucoma

This is a medical condition that occurs when there is damage to the optic nerve because of intraocular pressure.

Glaucoma is a common medical condition and is among the qualifying conditions for a medical card in CT— and rightfully so. Marijuana for glaucoma may result in several medical benefits. For instance, marijuana may reduce intraocular pressure. Additionally, marijuana may also offer protection to the optic nerve, consequently preventing damage. Find out how marijuana works in the treatment of glaucoma and discover whether CBD for glaucoma is a good choice.

4. Epilepsy

A bulk of traditional epilepsy medications may solve the problem of seizures associated with epilepsy. However, these medications do nothing to deal with the other issues, for example, depression and anxiety. Additionally, most epilepsy medications usually cause many adverse side effects such as insomnia, aggressive behavior, and irritability.

However, when these medications fail to stop seizures, they become even more unbearable.

Fortunately, patients taking medical marijuana for their epilepsy get a break from these side effects while at the same time experiencing better seizure control. Discover how medical marijuana works for epilepsy and the best medical marijuana strains for epilepsy and seizures.

5. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of diseases that attack the gastrointestinal tract. The most common forms of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Patients in Connecticut diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis stand to benefit from the therapeutic properties of marijuana for IBD. For instance, cannabis may help ease symptoms such as chronic pain, nausea and vomiting, intestinal inflammation, and bowel motility.

CT Medical Marijuana Program (CT MMP)

To qualify for medical cannabis in Connecticut, patients must get a recommendation from a marijuana doctor in the state. This recommendation verifies that a patient suffers from one of the qualifying conditions for a medical card in CT.

Moreover, the CT Medical Marijuana Program requires patients to register for a medical card on the DCP login page.

Before beginning the application progress, keep the following in mind:

  • All patient applications must be submitted online
  • The online application should be completed in a single session. 
  • Patients must pay the $100 CT medical marijuana card cost.

Similarly, primary caregivers should register with the CT Medical Marijuana Program and get their caregiver cards before serving a patient. Most importantly, the CT MMP won’t register patients that need a primary caregiver until their caregiver’s application is complete and approved.

Once a patient submits a complete application, the CT MMP may take up to 30 days to review and process it. Approved patients should receive an email with their official medical marijuana registration certificate (CT medical marijuana card). Patients have the option of printing the registration certificate or keeping it in its electronic form.

CT Medical Marijuana Card Requirements

Patients must meet the CT medical marijuana card requirements to apply for a medical card in the state. So, what qualifies for a medical marijuana card in CT?

  • You must be a resident of CT.
  • A registered CT medical marijuana card doctor must certify that you have one of the qualifying conditions for a medical card.
  • An inmate confined in a correctional institution or facility under the supervision of the Connecticut Department of Corrections does NOT qualify for a medical card.

Additionally, when filling out the Adult Patient Application on the Connecticut DCP web portal, patients are be required to submit the following documents:

  • A digital photograph.
  • Your Medical Marijuana Recommendation (dated within 30 days of application submission)
  • Proof of residency in Connecticut (digital, color copy of one of the following):
    • State-approved Connecticut driver’s license
    • Connecticut identification card
    • Connecticut-voter identification card
    • A utility bill for the calendar month preceding the date of application, excluding data carrier/mobile network and internet/broadband bills
    • A residential property deed to a property in the State of Connecticut
    • A valid rental agreement for a residential property located in the State of Connecticut
  • Proof of identity (digital, color copy of one of the following):
    • CT driver’s license
    • Connecticut identification card
    • U.S. passport or other forms of photo identification issued by the government.

Not from Connecticut?

Check out the Other States we cover.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get a medical card for depression in CT?

Depression is not a qualifying condition for a medical card in CT. Even so, if a qualifying condition causes depression then, you may qualify for a medical card. For instance, if post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) causes your depression.

Can you get medical marijuana for migraines in CT?

Yes. If your migraines are persistent (chronic) then, you qualify for a medical card in CT.

How easy is it to get a medical card in CT?

Getting a medical marijuana card in Connecticut is an easy two-step process. First, a patient should get a recommendation from a medical marijuana doctor in CT. Next, the patient should register for their medical marijuana card on the patient registration portal as required by the Connecticut Medical Marijuana Program (CT MMP).

Medical Marijuana Access in Connecticut

When buying medical marijuana, you or your designated caregiver must remember a few things:

  • Always take your medical marijuana patient card, plus a photo ID (CT ID or driver’s license) with you to the marijuana dispensary.
  • You can only possess a maximum of 2.5 oz of medical marijuana within 30 days.
  • Minor patients must be supervised by their primary caregiver when getting medication at a dispensary. Also, parents, guardians, or designated caregivers must present valid ID when buying medical cannabis.   
  • Most importantly, patients should follow the CT medical card laws to avoid any problems with law enforcement.