Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana Card in New York (NY)

To access medical mj in New York, patients must have a New York State (NYS) medical card. However, just like in many other states with medical mj, patients must first be diagnosed with at least one of the qualifying conditions for a medical card in New York (NY).

What Qualifies for Medical MJ in NY: Qualifying Conditions

Here is the complete list of qualifying conditions for a medical card in NY:

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Cancer
Chronic pain
Epilepsy
HIV/AIDS
Huntington’s disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Neuropathy
Pain that degrades health and functional capability as an alternative to opioid use or substance use disorder.
Parkinson’s disease
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Spinal cord injury with spasticity
Additionally, patients qualify if they are diagnosed with a severe debilitating or life-threatening condition that is accompanied by one or more of the following associated or complicating conditions:
- Cachexia or wasting syndrome
- PTSD or opioid use disorder
- Seizures
- Severe nausea
- Chronic or severe pain
- Severe or persistent muscle spasms

How to Qualify For Medical MJ in New York

Qualifying patients must register with the ‘Medical MJ Program’ using their NY.gov accounts.

First and foremost, patients must book an appointment, attend their online evaluation, then get certified for medical mj by a registered mj doctor in New York.

2. Once certified, patients must log in https://my.ny.gov/. Patients who don’t have an NY.gov account should click the “Don’t have an Account?” button to create a personal NY.gov ID first.

3. Next, patients should select the “Health Applications” icon, and then click the “Medical MJ Data Management System” link to register. For step-by-step instructions on how to register as a patient or caregiver, select the “HELP” link within the Medical MJ Data Management System.

Under the Compassionate Care Act, there is normally a $50 application fee. However, the Department is currently waiving the $50 fee for all patients and their designated caregivers.

4. Patients may designate up to two caregivers during the registration process. After the patient’s registration is processed, the designated caregiver(s) must then register with the Department using the same online system described.

5. Once a patient or caregiver’s registration is approved, the Department will issue a temporary registry identification card through the My.NY.gov account. This may be used in conjunction with government-issued photo identification to buy approved medical mj products as the patient/caregiver awaits his/her registry identification card (ID card) in the mail.

Most importantly, registrations expire when the certification that was issued by the practitioner expires. So, patients and caregivers must re-register each time a new certification number is issued.

Learn more on how to get a medical card in New York.

Not from New York?

Check out the Other States we cover.

Qualifications for a Medical MJ Card in NY

Patients must be at least 18 years old. If the qualifying patient is under 18, then a registered and approved caregiver can apply on their behalf (Through Proxy Applicant Registration).
Patients must be residents of New York.

What documents do I need to submit?

All patients must have the following documents to register for the New York State Medical MJ Program:

A signed certification from an NYS registered practitioner.
Photo ID. For example, NYS Driver’s License or NYS Non-Driver ID card. Patients don’t need to upload a copy of their ID, they only need to enter the 9 digit number in the NYS DMV field provided on the registration screen.
A recent photo of the patient inclusive of their head and shoulders and against a plain background if they lack photo ID.
Proof of NYS residency. For example, current lease agreement, pay stubs dated within the last 2 months, or mortgage statements from one of the last 2 months.
A birth certificate for patients under 18 years old.

How do I get medical mj in New York?

You can buy medical mj products from a dispensary in New York State if you are a certified patient or caregiver registered with the NYS Medical MJ Program.

You must bring your medical mj card (registry ID) and your certification to the dispensary when buying medical mj products. Caregivers who are purchasing medical mj on behalf of their patients must bring their caregiver registry ID cards and their patients’ certifications to the dispensing facility.

Additionally, NYS medical mj patients can enjoy the convenience of home delivery services provided by some registered mj dispensaries in NY.

Common questions about the qualifying conditions for a medical card in NY

Can I get medical marijuana for PTSD in New York (NY)?

Yes, you can get medical marijuana for PTSD in NY. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) became a qualifying condition for a medical card in NY on November 11, 2017. It is worth noting that it is ill-advised for PTSD patients under 18 years of age to use medical marijuana. You can find more guidelines on the Practitioner Guidance for PTSD.

Can I get medical marijuana for anxiety in NYC?

No. Unfortunately, patients cannot get medical marijuana for anxiety in NYC. To qualify for medical marijuana, you must be diagnosed with an illness on the New York State medical marijuana 2021 list of conditions. For example, ALS, cancer, chronic pain, epilepsy, IBD, neuropathy, and PTSD.

Does chronic pain qualify me for medical marijuana in NY?

Yes. Chronic pain is one of the qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana card in NY. New York marijuana law defines chronic pain as pain that degrades life and functional capability. Additionally, patients can substitute opioids with medical marijuana when treating severe debilitating pain.

What qualifies you for a medical card in New York?

To qualify for a medical card in New York, you must be a resident of New York. Additionally, you must be at least 18 years old. Most importantly, a registered marijuana doctor must diagnose you with a qualifying condition for a medical card in NY. For example, ALS, cancer, chronic pain, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, Huntington’s disease, IBD, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy, Parkinson’s disease, and PTSD.

What conditions are on the New York State medical marijuana 2021 list of conditions?

Medical conditions on the New York State medical marijuana 2021 list of conditions include: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cachexia or wasting syndrome, cancer, chronic pain, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, Huntington’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy, opioid use disorder, Parkinson’s disease, PTSD, seizures, severe or persistent muscle spasms, and spinal cord injury with spasticity.

Get more information on the New York State (NYS) Medical MMJ Program.