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Apply for Your New York Medical Marijuana Card

  • A medical card can save you money on every marijuana purchase.
  • See a healthcare provider on your schedule.
  • Pay only $149 for the appointment — and get your money back if not approved!
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How to Get a New York Medical Marijuana Card Online

  1. 1

    Book an Appointment with Leafwell

    Speak to a Leafwell healthcare provider to get approved for a New York medical marijuana card online.

    The consultation costs $149, and you’ll get your money back if you’re not approved.

  2. 2

    Get Approved for Medical Marijuana

    Once approved, your healthcare provider will send your information and medical cannabis certification to the State of New York.

  3. 3

    Visit a Licensed Dispensary

    The State of New York no longer sends out physical medical marijuana cards.

    Instead, you only need to show a copy of your MMJ certificate and a valid ID at a licensed NY dispensary to purchase medical marijuana products legally.

Benefits of Having a Medical Card in New York

In New York, anyone older than 21 can smoke, buy, sell, and even grow cannabis for recreational purposes (within limits).

However, even if you live in a recreational state like New York, a medical card still has numerous benefits.

Lower Costs

If you purchase cannabis regularly, getting a medical card may save you thousands of dollars.

Cannabis purchased through the legal recreational market is taxed more than if you have an MMJ card.

In New York, a retail tax of 13% is levied on all adult-use cannabis products, compared to 7% for medical marijuana.

Higher Possession Limits

Even though it’s legal to possess and use marijuana in New York, limitations exist.

For one, recreational users can buy no more than 3 ounces at a time or 24 grams of concentrated cannabis.

Medical marijuana users, on the other hand, are allowed to possess enough products to last two months and grow up to 12 plants per household.

Lower Age Restrictions

In most states, a person must be 21 to purchase marijuana for recreational use.

But if you’re younger than 21 and have a debilitating medical condition, this restriction makes getting the medicine you need harder.

If you have a New York medical marijuana card, you may be able to buy cannabis products for conditions like epilepsy – even if you aren’t 21.

For patients under 18, a guardian can apply as a caregiver on their behalf.

Eligibility Requirements

New York residents must be at least 18 to be eligible for medical marijuana certification.

New York does not have a list of qualifying conditions, so it is up to your healthcare provider to decide if you would benefit from enrollment into New York’s medical cannabis program.

The first step is connecting with a healthcare provider.

Even though there are no rigidly specific qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in New York, having documentation of your medical condition(s) with you during your appointment is a good idea.

Can Minors Get a Medical Card in New York?

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

Registered caregivers must be 21 and complete the medical card registration process on behalf of the minor in their care.

Caregivers

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

Patients of age who cannot follow up on the process may also use a caregiver to access medical cannabis.

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

  • 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.
  • A patient may designate up to five caregivers to assist in purchasing and/or administering their medical cannabis products.

Medical Conditions

New York does not have a list of qualifying medical conditions. It's up to your healthcare provider to decide if cannabis may help you live a better, healthier life.

Common qualifying conditions for medical cannabis include, but are not limited to:

What You’ll Need to Apply

You’ll need to provide the following to apply for a New York MMJ card:

  • A copy of the medical marijuana recommendation from your doctor.
  • Proof of identity (a state-issued driver’s license or ID card).
  • Proof of New York residence.
    • Acceptable proof of residence is anything that shows your current address, like:
      • Utility bills.
      • Medical bills.
      • Current property tax statements.
      • Voter registration cards.
      • Health insurance statements.

Costs

Online consultations with one of Leafwell’s New York healthcare providers are $149. You’ll get your money back if you’re not approved.

The State of New York no longer charges a separate application fee.

Leafwell can also help you to renew your NY MMJ card for $149.

We recommend renewing your medical card at least 30 days before it expires to continue purchasing marijuana products without disruption.

Medical Marijuana Reciprocity

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

That said, there are plenty of other states and territories that recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards, including:

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

States that have recreational cannabis for those 21 and older but do not accept out-of-state cards include:

Where to Buy Medical Marijuana in NY

The State of New York lists licensed dispensaries on its website.

Patients with valid MMJ cards can purchase medical marijuana products from any dispensary in the Empire State.

Cultivation

You can cultivate up to 12 cannabis plants — six mature and six immature — if you’re a certified patient and at least 21.

A registered caregiver can also grow the same number of plants for their patient’s use.

However, you cannot possess more than five pounds of home-grown cannabis.

New York Medical Marijuana Laws to Know

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

  • Patients can possess up to 60 days’ worth of cannabis, an increase from the previous 30-day stipulation.
  • Medical marijuana can now be smoked. This overturns a ban on smoking that previously forced patients to consume their medicine orally or by applying lotions and balms.
  • The whole cannabis flower is now an approved form of medical cannabis. In the past, one could only use medical products made using cannabis.
  • A new research license allows people to produce, purchase, process, or possess marijuana for research purposes.
  • Minors and other people unable to take up the process independently – for example, the elderly – can designate up to five caregivers to do it for them.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a New York Medical Marijuana certificate and card cost?

An online consultation for a New York medical marijuana certificate is $149 for new patients and renewals.

The consultation fee includes a 1-year certification, and you’ll only be charged if approved. Plus, now you can sign up with a friend and each save 10% on your consultation with Leafwell.

There are no state registration fees or physical cards in New York. Patients will be automatically registered by the certifying provider and receive a certificate with a scannable barcode instead of an ID card.

Which medical conditions qualify patients for a New York medical marijuana card?

You no longer need to have certain medical conditions to get approved for a New York medical marijuana card.

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

How does the online evaluation process work for getting a medical marijuana recommendation letter/medical certificate in New York?

There are three simple steps to seeing a Leafwell healthcare provider to get approved for a New York medical marijuana card:

  1. Register with Leafwell and speak to a New York-licensed healthcare provider via our HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform, which involves creating a Leafwell account using a valid email address. You’ll be asked to complete a brief questionnaire of personal and health information and to either take or upload a photograph of identification (we’re required by law to verify your identity). You will need a smartphone, computer, or tablet with a reliable internet connection and a working camera to be seen by a Leafwell provider.
  2. Schedule an appointment or enter the virtual waiting room. You will receive a text message on your cell phone when the provider is ready to see you. You’ll be connected to a Leafwell healthcare provider for a video chat (i.e., a virtual doctor’s visit). During the visit, your provider will assess your medical condition(s) to determine if you qualify for a New York medical marijuana certification.
  3. Once approved, your provider will submit your medical cannabis certification to the State of New York, and you will also receive a copy of your certificate to download. Use your certificate and a valid government-issued ID to purchase cannabis from any licensed medical dispensary.
How old must I be to apply for a New York medical marijuana card?
Can I be/have a caregiver for a medical marijuana patient in New York?

Yes, medical marijuana patients in New York can have a caregiver. Caregivers will complete their own online registration after being designated as a patient’s caregiver.

Caregiver Requirements:

    • Must be 21 years of age or older.
  • Must be designated by an approved patient before the caregiver can register.
  • An individual may act as a designated caregiver for up to four (4) patients. A patient may designate up to five (5) caregivers.
  • Must present the caregiver’s barcoded registry ID, the patient’s certification, and a government-issued photo ID of the caregiver to verify identity when purchasing.

Here’s how the caregiver process works:

  1. Get designated: A certified patient or other appropriate person (for patients who are minors or incapable of consent) must designate you as a caregiver on the patient registration.
  2. Register online: After you complete your registration online, your registry ID can be printed or displayed on a smart device and used immediately in conjunction with a government-issued photo ID.
  3. Purchase medical cannabis: Visit a medical cannabis dispensary to purchase products for your patient. Bring your patient certification and government-issued ID with you.

Please note: The State of New York no longer sends physical medical marijuana cards.

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 certificate to download and present with a government-issued ID to a dispensary budtender to purchase medical cannabis products.

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