Northern Mariana Islands Cannabis Laws

Is Weed Legal in the Northern Mariana Islands?

The Northern Mariana Islands has legalized both medical and recreational adult-use cannabis.

What are the medical marijuana laws in the Northern Mariana Islands?

Both medical and recreational cannabis was made legal in the Northern Mariana Islands in 2018 by House Bill 20-178. There was a previous attempt at legalization in 2010.

What medical conditions qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card in the Northern Mariana Islands?

The Northern Mariana Islands law lists the following medical conditions as qualifiers for a medical cannabis card:

• ADD/ADHD
• AIDS/HIV
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease
• Cancer
• Cachexia/wasting syndrome
• Crohn’s Disease
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Ulcerative colitis
• A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition (or its treatment) that produces: stroke; diabetes; Parkinson’s disease; Wilson’s disease; traumatic brain injury; muscular dystrophy; cerebral palsy; asthma; other types of immune-modulated inflammatory diseases; severe, debilitating pain; severe nausea; seizures; neurological disorders; or severe and persistent muscle spasms.

How do I get certified for medical cannabis in the Northern Mariana Islands?

Leafwell currently isn’t open in the Northern Mariana Islands. You can get certified by a local doctor and then complete any necessary steps with the state program, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Cannabis Commission, developed after establishing the Taulumwaar Sensible Cannabis Act of 2018.

Is telemedicine allowed for medical cannabis consultations in the Northern Mariana Islands?

Yes, telemedicine is legal in the Northern Mariana Islands, and you can get certified for cannabis online.

How much cannabis can I possess in the Northern Mariana Islands with an MMJ Card?

A person aged 21 or over may possess and transport up to one ounce of marijuana, 16 ounces of marijuana products in solid form, 72 ounces of cannabis in liquid form, five grams of extracts, and six immature plants.

They may also gift this amount to another person aged 21 or over. There are no specified limits for medical marijuana patients, suggesting that limits are based upon the qualifying physician’s decision.

IHow Many Marijuana Plants Can You Grow in the Northern Mariana Islands?

Registered adults and patients may cultivate cannabis at home if they pay the annual $5 fee to the Homegrown Marijuana Registry.

Medical patients

• Patients and their caregivers may exceed the non-medical adult use cultivation and possession limits should their qualifying physician deem it necessary. In such circumstances, they may cultivate no more than 12 mature and 24 immature plants per household.

Recreational users

• No more than six mature and 12 immature plants per household or cultivation location.
• No more than eight ounces of marijuana may be possessed per household or cultivation site at a time.

Does the Northern Mariana Islands accept out-of-state cards?

The Northern Mariana islands do not have medical marijuana reciprocity, so they do not honor out-of-state medical marijuana cards.

Will my Northern Mariana Islands card be accepted in other states?

A medical marijuana card issued by the territory of the Northern Mariana Islands is recognized by some U.S. states with medical marijuana reciprocity allowances in their programs.

The following states accept or recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards:

• Arizona
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Utah
• Washington, D.C.

However, this does not always mean you can purchase cannabis at a medical marijuana dispensary (non-medical adult use is acceptable) – just that the state’s medical marijuana laws protect you to some extent. It is wise to call the dispensary ahead if you are a medical cannabis patient from another state and intend to purchase medical marijuana.

The qualifying condition usually has to match between states, so if your qualifying condition is accepted in one state and not your visiting state, your recommendation is not necessarily valid. You are also accountable to the visiting state’s medical marijuana laws, not the state that issued your card.

The following states accept out-of-state applications, allowing visiting patient application to use medical cannabis for the duration of their stay:

• Arkansas
• California
• Hawaii
• West Virginia (cancer patients only)

Are there employment laws protecting medical cannabis cardholders in the Northern Mariana Islands?

We cannot find specific laws regarding medical marijuana use and employment protections in the Northern Mariana Islands.

What are the medical cannabis product testing requirements in the Northern Mariana Islands?

Medical cannabis in Northern Mariana must be tested for pollutants, contaminants, pesticides, mycotoxins, and moisture/water content.

Where is it safe to purchase cannabis in the Northern Mariana Islands?

In all states with a medical marijuana program, the only way to purchase medicinal cannabis products is via a legally-licensed dispensary or pharmacy or another legally designated space to buy cannabis. Only those with a legal license to sell cannabis can do so.

Where is it safe to consume marijuana in the Northern Mariana Islands?

All states with a medical marijuana program have some restrictions on where a person can legally use cannabis. Near schools, nurseries, parks, or other places where children are expected to be, using cannabis is illegal. Use of cannabis on or in federal land or buildings, hospitals, or any other such healthcare space is also illegal. Private members’ clubs and landowners may also prohibit cannabis use on their property or restrict it at their discretion.

The safest place to use medical cannabis is in the safety of your own home. It is wise to use common sense, generally keep consumption out of public view, and utilize discreet consumption methods wherever possible.