Cannabis is legal for recreational and medical use in the Northern Mariana Islands. The territory legalized both adult-use cannabis and medical marijuana in September 2018. Dispensaries opened to the public just under three years later in July 2021.

Marijuana Laws in the Northern Mariana Islands

Despite being reported to have some of the highest cannabis usage rates in the world, marijuana has only been legal in the Northern Mariana Islands since 2018, when legislators approved medical and recreational cannabis simultaneously. Laws are somewhat permissive for medical and recreational users, with equally high marijuana possession limits for both. The two main differences between medical and recreational laws on the islands are tax savings and cultivation limits.

Medical Cannabis Laws

Individuals with one or more qualifying conditions can receive medical certification through the commonwealth’s medical marijuana program. Patients under 21 are welcome to join the program but must have an adult caregiver. Retailers are taxed 7.5% on medical marijuana products, which is generally passed onto the medical patient. These taxes are half of the 15% levied on recreational sales.

Medical users possessing a Homegrown Registry Card can have up to 12 mature plants in their home, with an additional 24 immature plants. Other possession limits are the same for both medical and recreational users.

Recreational Marijuana Laws

Adults 21 or older can use cannabis in the Northern Mariana Islands. Recreational consumers will generally pay a 15% tax on retail sales. Recreational consumers with a Homegrown Registry Card can cultivate cannabis plants. Cultivation limits are exactly half of what is allowed for medical patients; adult-use consumers can have up to six mature plants in their home or grow site, with an additional 12 plants allowed in immature states. The territory also does not currently regulate CBD or hemp-derived cannabinoids, including cannabis’s semi-synthetic offshoots like delta-8.

What to Know About About Medical Cannabis in the Northern Mariana Islands

While marijuana is legal in the Northern Mariana Islands, there are certain rules and regulations that residents and visitors must follow. Additionally, despite its legality, visitors to the islands should leave their cannabis products at home and purchase marijuana at marijuana businesses in the area instead.

Only Certain Conditions Are Allowed

You may be eligible for a medical card in the Northern Mariana Islands if you’ve been diagnosed with at least one of the following conditions:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD/ADD)
• Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
• Cancer
• Cerebral palsy
• Chronic pain
• Crohn’s disease
• Diabetes
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
• Muscular dystrophy
• Neurological disorders
• Parkinson’s disease
• Persistent and severe muscle spasms
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Seizures
• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Stroke and traumatic brain injury
• Ulcerative colitis
• Wilson’s disease

Note that the CNMI Cannabis Commission may approve applications for other severe health problems not listed above.

Telehealth Is Not (Yet) Allowed

Legislators still need to establish guidelines for allowing patients to receive certification through telehealth platforms like Leafwell. We hope to be operating in the territory soon, so you can join our waitlist to be notified when we go live in your area.

Northern Mariana Island Does Not Accept Out-of-State Medical Cards

The Nothern Mariana Islands do not have cannabis reciprocity, meaning you cannot use a medical card from another state while visiting the territory. Thankfully, the state has an adult cannabis-use program, so most (but not all) visiting medical patients can still purchase cannabis.

Many other states have cannabis reciprocity or adult-use programs. The following states accept or recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards:

• Arizona
• Alaska ^
• Arkansas *
• California ^
• Colorado ^
• Connecticut ^
• Delaware ^
• Guam
• Hawaii *
• Illinois ^
• Maine
• Maryland ^
• Massachusetts
• Michigan (qualifying state must also have reciprocity with Michigan)
• Missouri ^
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey *
• New Mexico *
• New York ^
• Oklahoma *
• Oregon ^
• Pennsylvania (minors only)
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• U.S. Virgin Islands *
• Utah (max. 45 days, after which the patient must apply for a Utah MMJ card)
• Vermont ^
• Virginia ^
• Washington ^
• Washington D.C

States marked with * require visitors to complete a visiting patient application for the duration of their stay. States marked with ^ have adult use programs but do not accept out-of-state cards.

Can You Grow Cannabis in the Northern Mariana Islands?

Yes, you can grow cannabis in the Northern Mariana Islands, but you need permission to do so. To qualify for a Homegrown Marijuana Registry Card, you must be at least 21, or a medical patient, and meet the standards laid out by the CNMI Cannabis Commission.

Medical cannabis cardholders can grow up to 12 mature and 24 immature plants at their primary residence. Non-medical growers can cultivate six mature and 12 immature plants. Growers must also follow these rules:

• Marijuana plants should be cultivated out of public view.
• Reasonable precautions should be taken to protect anyone under 21 from accessing or consuming homegrown cannabis. You may be fined up to $1,000 and serve a 30-day jail term.
• Do not sell any homegrown cannabis.
• Ensure you have homeowner approval to cultivate crops if you’re renting. Landlords are entitled to prohibit growing cannabis on their premises.

The Bottom Line

The medical and personal use of cannabis are both legal in the Northern Mariana Islands. Cultivation is also allowed, but you must receive a license to do so. While many conditions qualify an individual for medical certification, you may have to see a doctor in person.

To be notified when Leafwell begins offering medical cannabis certification in the Northern Mariana Islands, join the waitlist.