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Get a New York Medical Marijuana Card.

See a NY-licensed medical marijuana doctor online in minutes and get the cannabis care you deserve.

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Quick and Easy Process

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The key benefits of a medical marijuana card in New York

  • Tax savings

    Save up to 6% in state taxes compared to recreational users. Save up to $108 per year based on $150 monthly spend.

  • Cultivation

    Medical card holders can grow up to 6 cannabis plants. The same limit is applied to recreational users (adults 21+)

  • Higher possession

    Medical card holders can possess a 60 days supply of cannabis products, while recreational users can only possess 3 oz.

  • Access to higher quality / more potent products

    Medical patients may have access to higher-potency cannabis products (compared to recreational users).

  • Lower age restriction

    Patients 18+ can qualify for a medical card.

    Minors can also apply for a medical card if they have an approved caregiver.

    Recreational dispensaries are available to residents aged 21+.

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Get your NY med card approved in minutes.
It’s quick, easy, and convenient.

Getting approved for a New York medical marijuana card has never been easier. With our online platform, you can register, consult with a doctor, and receive your certification in just a few minutes. Our process is designed to be quick, easy, and convenient, so you can get the relief you need without the hassle. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, anxiety, or another qualifying condition, our streamlined system ensures you can access medical marijuana swiftly and efficiently.

  1. step register

    1. Sign Up

    Register with Leafwell and speak to a New York-licensed provider online.

  2. step doctor

    2. Get Approved

    Get approved and the provider submits your registration directly to MCDMS.

  3. step state

    3. Get Your Certification

    A copy of your state-issued certification will be uploaded to Leafwell the same day. You will receive an email as soon as it is available to download.

  4. step card

    4. Use It at New York Dispensaries

    With your medical marijuana certification, you can now purchase medical cannabis products at a licensed medical dispensary.

A few more questions about the process?

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

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How much does the NY med card cost?

NY medical cannabis patients save more with Leafwell. Get your money back if not approved.

label New with Leafwell Renewal with Leafwell
Medical marijuana certificate$99$99
State application fee$0$0
Total$99$99
Apply Now

How to qualify for a mmj card in New York

You no longer need to have certain medical conditions to get approved for a New York medical card. Residents must be at least 18 to be eligible for a New York medical marijuana certification. Minor patients must have a registered caregiver.

It’s up to your healthcare provider to decide if medicinal cannabis has the potential to help you live a better, healthier life. Visit our medical conditions pages to see a wide range of conditions that the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in cannabis may help improve.

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With Leafwell, you'll be matched up with a highly knowledgeable, empathetic, licensed New York medical cannabis doctor or provider.

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3 documents needed to apply for a New York medical marijuana card

  1. Medical Marijuana Recommendation
    Approval by a licensed healthcare practitioner – they’ll submit your details straight to the state and then upload a copy of the state-issued certification to your Leafwell profile the same day.
  2. Proof of Identity
    NY Driver’s License or NY State ID, or Photo ID with proof of residency.
  3. Proof of New York Residence

Acceptable proofs of residency:

  • Utility bills (within 60 days, must show “Service” address, NO mobile phone bills),
  • Medical/Hospital bills (within 60 days) or Assisted living/Nursing home statement,
  • Lease, mortgage agreement, or property deed (signed, current),
  • Property taxes (current), NYS non-driver ID (valid),
  • Health insurance/Explanation of benefits statement (current), SSA/SSA benefits statement (current),
  • Homeowners/Renters insurance (current), Pay stub (within 60 days),
  • Voter registration card (current),
  • Jury duty notice (within 60 days),
  • College/Army housing statement (current, on official letterhead),
  • Assisted living/Nursing home statement (current, on official letterhead),
  • NYS state/local government official correspondence (within 60 days)
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Next steps after approval

Congratulations on getting approved for your medical certification. Here’s a guide on what to expect next.

  1. A copy of your state-issued certification will be uploaded by your certifying provider to Leafwell the same day.
  2. You will receive an email from Leafwell as soon as it is available to download.
  3. You can legally purchase cannabis from a licensed dispensing facility. You must present a copy of your certification and a government-issued ID at the dispensary!

How to renew your card

Initial registration and renewal processes are the same. However, if you are a medical cannabis patient who was approved prior to March 20, 2023, you will need to register with the state.

Steps to Renew Your Card

  1. Register with Leafwell and speak to a New York-licensed physician online.
  2. Once approved, the provider will enter the patient’s details into the state website and upload a copy of the certification to Leafwell – you will receive an email from us at that time.
  3. The medical marijuana patient can legally purchase cannabis from a licensed dispensing facility.

Next steps after renewal

Congratulations on getting approved for your renewal certification. The state made some major changes in March of 2023, so here’s a guide on what to expect next.

  1. A copy of your state-issued certification will be uploaded by your certifying provider to Leafwell the same day.
  2. You will receive an email as soon as it is available to download.
  3. You can legally purchase cannabis from a licensed dispensing facility. You must present a copy of your certification and a government-issued ID at the dispensary!

Legal limitations for NY cardholders

Below are a few need-to-know marijuana laws in New York.

  • Recreational use is legal: New York legalized recreational marijuana use for adults at least 21 with the passage of The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) in March 2021. Medical cannabis treatment and recreational cannabis use are legal in New York.
  • Public consumption: Public consumption of cannabis is allowed wherever smoking tobacco is permitted, but it is prohibited in locations such as schools, workplaces, and vehicles. Some cities also have additional rules on where residents can consume cannabis.
  • Possession: Under the new law, individuals can possess up to three ounces of cannabis or 24 grams of concentrated cannabis for personal use.
  • Employment protections for NY patients: New York law provides employment protections for medical marijuana cardholders, prohibiting employers from discriminating against employees based on their status as medical marijuana patients.
  • Cannabis product testing: All cannabis products in New York must be tested for safety and quality, including cannabinoid content, residual solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, and microbial contamination.

How to become a caregiver in New York

Medical patients under 18 will need a caregiver older than 21 to apply for a NY medical marijuana card on their behalf.

Medical marijuana patients of age who cannot follow up on the process may also use a designated caregiver to access medical cannabis.

As of 2023, New York state has simplified the caregiver process. The following rules apply:

  • Designated caregivers may be added anytime after the approving provider completes the patient’s state registration.
  • Caregivers must register with the MCDMS via their personal my.ny.gov account.
  • Patients must designate the caregiver on their registration via their personal my.ny.gov account before the caregiver can register.
  • An individual may act as a designated caregiver for up to four (4) patients to assist in purchasing and/or administering their medical cannabis products.

Can you use a New York medical card in other states?

New York state does not offer medical marijuana reciprocity to cardholders from other states with medical cannabis programs. However, any person who is at least 21 can purchase recreational cannabis in the state.

That said, other states have either legalized the recreational use of marijuana or recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards. If you have a med card from New York, you can obtain medical marijuana products in:

  • Arizona
  • Arkansas *
  • Delaware
  • 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.


Minor patient medical card information

Patients under 18 can still benefit from New York’s medical marijuana program with the help of a parent or caregiver.

Patients under the age of 18 or incapable of consent are required to have one designated caregiver who will be auto-registered at the time of certification by the certifying healthcare provider. The caregiver will be able to bring the patient’s certification, the caregiver registry ID, and their government-issued photo ID to the dispensary.

See the Caregivers section for requirements.

Important Information for Patients under 18 or Incapable of Consent: If your patient is a under the age of 18 or incapable of providing consent for medical treatment, at the time of patient registration, this patient will require the following:

  • Someone over 18 years old, with a valid DMV ID (driver license or non-driver ID card), to register the patient on the patient’s behalf.
  • At least one designated caregiver who possesses a valid DMV ID (it can be the same person who’s registering on behalf of the patient).

FAQs

Check out the most frequently asked questions about the medical cannabis program in New York.

How do I apply for the state medical marijuana program in New York?

Patients no longer have to complete a separate state application to get approved for a New York medical marijuana card. Instead, your Leafwell healthcare provider will submit your information to the state once you’re approved. You’ll then receive a medical cannabis card to download and present with a government-issued ID to a dispensary budtender to purchase medical marijuana products.

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

It's not difficult to get a medical marijuana card in New York, especially with Leafwell! Speak to one of our doctors online today!

How fast can I get a medical marijuana card in New York?

Once you have been approved by a healthcare provider for medical cannabis, you will receive your digital NY medical marijuana certification, typically on the same day.

Can I go to a dispensary without a card in NY?

Yes, adults aged 21 and over can visit recreational dispensaries in New York without a medical marijuana card, and purchase up to 3 ounces of cannabis for personal use.

Who can prescribe medical marijuana in NY?

As cannabis is a controlled substance, it cannot be prescribed. However, it can be recommended by a healthcare professional licensed to practice in New York . This can include a physician, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner (NP).

Is medical marijuana covered by insurance in NY?

New York lawmakers have approved a bill requiring public health insurance providers to include medical marijuana as a covered prescription drug. Private insurers may choose to do the same. Medical cannabis products are not a covered benefit under New York State Medicaid. However, practitioner office visits related to patient evaluation and certification for medical cannabis are Medicaid reimbursable services, if the healthcare professional participates in the Medicaid program. State Medicaid, Child Health Plus, workers compensation, and EPIC programs are required to treat cannabis from certified dispensaries the same as conventional pharmaceuticals for the purposes of coverage.

Is medical marijuana the same as recreational in NY?

The laws regarding medical marijuana patients and adult users in New York are different in many ways. As for the cannabis itself, there is no difference between medical and recreational marijuana except for the intentions behind use. That is, a medical marijuana patient intends to use cannabis for a specific health problem, whereas a recreational user does not.

Can I get my medical marijuana card through my primary doctor in New York?

Yes, you can get a medical marijuana recommendation and card through your primary doctor if they are a registered practitioner with the New York State Department of Health's Medical Marijuana Program. However, many doctors are not, so going through a platform like Leafwell can be much easier (as well as more discreet).