Get a New York Medical Marijuana Card.

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 within 48 hours to your Leafwell profile.
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)

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 within 48 business hours.
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 within 48 business hours.
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).