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Key benefits of a medical marijuana card in Washington

  • Save up to 37% on products

  • Access higher-potency cannabis products

  • Get legal cannabis at age 18+, rather than 21+

  • Cultivation

  • Higher possession

See how much you could save with a medical card

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Average monthly spend on cannabis product

How to get a medical marijuana card in WA

Get approved in minutes. It’s quick, easy, and convenient.

  1. step register

    1. Book an appointment

    To renew your Washington medical marijuana card, register with Leafwell on any device and consult with a licensed healthcare provider in minutes.

  2. step doctor

    2. Speak with a doctor

    Once approved, your provider will complete your medical marijuana authorization form.

  3. step card

    3. Get your card

    Find a medically-endorsed store through the Department of Health where you can register for the medical cannabis database and receive your card.

     

How much is a medical card in Washington?

Medical marijuana patients in Washington save more with Leafwell. Get your money back if not approved.

  • Medical marijuana certificate: $99
  • State fees: $1–$10
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Qualifying conditions for a medical card in Washington state

Healthcare providers in Washington may authorize medical cannabis use for any person, regardless of age, as long as it’s medically appropriate under state law.

In Washington, the following conditions may qualify you for medical cannabis:

  • Cancer
  • Chronic renal failure requiring hemodialysis
  • Crohn’s disease with debilitating symptoms unrelieved by standard treatments or medications
  • Diseases, including anorexia, which result in nausea, vomiting, wasting, appetite loss, cramping, seizures, muscle spasms, or spasticity, when these symptoms are unrelieved by standard treatments or medications
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorders
  • Glaucoma, acute or chronic, increased intraocular pressure unrelieved by standard treatments and medications

Important documents for a Washington medical marijuana card

  • Medical cannabis authorization form: Once your healthcare provider approves you, you’ll receive your medical cannabis authorization form in the mail seven to 10 business days later.
  • Proof of identity: You will need a government-issued photo ID, such as a Washington driver’s license or state ID card.
  • Medical records: During your onboarding with Leafwell, you can upload medical records as evidence of your qualifying condition(s). Minor patients must provide medical records to be eligible.
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Next steps after approval

Once you’ve received your medical marijuana authorization, it’s recommended, but not required, that you join the medical cannabis authorization database. Patients and designated providers who hold valid authorizations but aren’t entered into the database can only purchase according to the laws and rules for non-patients.

Patients entered into the database will also have an affirmative defense against criminal prosecution if they possess no more than four plants and 6 ounces of usable marijuana.

To join the authorization database, follow these steps:

  1. Take your authorization form to any licensed and medically endorsed marijuana store.
  2. The medical marijuana consultant will enter your details into the database.
  3. They will also take your photo and provide you with a card. There is a fee that ranges from $1 to $10.

You can find up-to-date information about medically-endorsed stores here.

How to renew your med card in Washington

Leafwell can only serve current medical marijuana patients in Washington at this time for renewals.

When you’re ready to renew with Leafwell, you’ll:

  1. Register with Leafwell or log in to your account.
  2. Meet with a medical marijuana doctor to discuss your medical conditions or symptoms, and then receive your medical cannabis authorization.
  3. Go to a medically-endorsed retail store to enroll in Washington’s medical marijuana database.
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How to become a caregiver in Washington

Medical marijuana patients may designate a caregiver on their medical cannabis authorization form.

This person can purchase medical marijuana products or grow cannabis for them. The designated provider will also receive an exact copy of the form printed on tamper-proof paper.

Each patient and designated provider must have their own medical marijuana authorization form provided by the patient’s healthcare practitioner.

Minor patients (under 18 years old) are required by law to have a designated provider.

Caregiver requirements

  • Designated providers must be at least 21 years of age.
  • The designated provider must be a parent or legal guardian of a qualifying patient who is under the age of 18, or a person whom the patient has designated to purchase, provide, or grow marijuana on the patient’s behalf.
  • Designated providers can only serve one patient at a time. A patient may only have one designated provider at a time.
  • Designated providers must be listed on the patient’s medical cannabis authorization form.
  • Caregivers must have a fully completed form also printed on tamper-resistant paper. The patient signs their copy of the authorization form, and the designated provider signs their own copy.
  • If the patient chooses to be entered into the medical cannabis database, designated providers must also enter and have a recognition card.

How to register as a cannabis caregiver in WA

  1. Submit the designated provider’s name, date of birth, and address during your Leafwell registration under the “Caregiver” section.
  2. After the patient is approved for medical cannabis, receive and sign a copy of the authorization form on tamper-proof paper.
  3. Register both the patient and caregiver with the state’s medical cannabis database.

Patients who want to designate a new provider must return to their healthcare practitioner for new authorization forms.

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Minor patient information

Patients under 18 can obtain a medical marijuana card in Washington but must have a parent or guardian as their designated provider.

This person acts as a caregiver authorized by the patient and a licensed physician to purchase, provide, or grow marijuana for their child or patient.

A designated provider must be at least 21 and can only care for one patient at a time.

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Can you use a Washington medical card in other states?

Washington does not have medical marijuana reciprocity, which means you cannot use another state’s medical marijuana card in Washington. However, anyone over 21 can legally purchase marijuana products in the state.

That said, other states and territories recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards. Washington medical cannabis cards may be recognized/used in:

  • Arizona
  • Arkansas*
  • Hawaii*
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Michigan (at the dispensary’s discretion)
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey*
  • New Mexico
  • Oklahoma*
  • Puerto Rico
  • Rhode Island
  • U.S. Virgin Islands*
  • Utah * (up to two 21-day periods in a calendar year)
  • Washington, D.C.

*Visitors must complete a visiting patient application with the state program.

How to get a WA medical card: Step-by-step video

Watch this video to learn more about getting a medical marijuana card in Washington.

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FAQs

Discover answers to the most frequently asked questions about medical marijuana in Washington.

How to get a medical marijuanas card in WA at 18?

You can get a medical marijuana card in WA at age 18 by speaking with a qualified doctor virtually or in person. They will determine if cannabis is medically appropriate for your condition and provide you with a certification.

Do I need a medical card to buy at a dispensary in Washington?

You don't need a medical card to buy at a dispensary in Washington state, as recreational cannabis use is legal if you're age 21 or older. A medical card still provides significant benefits in Washington, with cardholders saving up to 37% in state taxes and having higher possession limits than recreational users.

Do dispensaries check ID in WA?

Yes, all dispensaries in WA require that customers present a government-issued photo ID to confirm their age. Be sure to bring a valid ID and your medical cannabis card, if applicable, before visiting a dispensary.

How do I apply for the state cannabis program in Washington?

Once you've received your medical marijuana authorization, it's recommended, but not required, that you join the medical cannabis authorization database. To join the database, submit your authorization form at any medically-endorsed marijuana store, have a consultant enter your details into the medical marijuana database, and pay the applicable fee ranging from $1 to $10. The consultant will take your photo and provide you with a card.

Can I apply for my medical marijuana card online in Washington?

You can apply for a medical marijuana card renewal online in Washington state. Telemedicine can only be used for existing medical marijuana patients. For initial authorizations, you will need to meet with a physician in person.

Can I renew my Washington medical marijuana card online?

Yes, you can use Leafwell to renew your Washington medical marijuana authorization online.

How often do I need to renew my Washington medical marijuana card?

Adult patients must renew their Washington medical marijuana certificate once a year, while minor patients need to be certified every 6 months. Renewals can be completed online. Consider renewing 7 to 10 business days before your expiration date to avoid a lapse in coverage and limit any lost time on your current certification.

What are the new marijuana laws in Washington State?

Washington legalized medical cannabis in 1998 and was one of the first states to legalize recreational cannabis in​​ 2012. By 2014, state-licensed dispensaries began selling cannabis. In 2015, Washington established the Cannabis Patient Protection Act, aimed at combining the medical and recreational cannabis markets into a single cannabis system with stricter regulations for producers, processors, and stores.

How hard is it to get a medical marijuana card in Washington?

The process to get a medical marijuana card in Washington state is typically considered straightforward. Certifying providers in Washington may authorize medical cannabis use for any person as long as they deem it to be medically appropriate and legal. Patients in WA can also renew online using telehealth services like Leafwell's, which make it easy to keep medical marijuana access continuous.