Get a Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Card Online

Next steps after approval

Before you start, have these supporting documents ready:

• Your Practitioner Written Certification Form, filled out by a medical marijuana physician qualified to see patients in Rhode Island.

Getting your Rhode Island medical marijuana card:

1. Go to the Rhode Island Cannabis Licensing Portal and register a new account.
2. Once you are logged into your account, you will see the Apply for Licenses page. Click the Apply button under Medical Marijuana Cards.
3. Click the Go to Apply button to start your application.
4. Scroll through the Application Information section and click Next.
5. Fill out the Patient Form with your information and then click Next.
6. On the Practitioner Information page, enter all the required information.
   1. Click on Upload/Choose File to attach your Practitioner Written Certification Form.
   2. Click Upload Files on the Document Upload pop-up, and then Upload.
   3. Click on Next to go to the next step.
7. On the Attachments page, you need to upload all of the required documents.
   1. Click on Upload/Choose File.
   2. Click Upload Files on the Document Upload pop-up, and then Upload.
   3. Click on Next to go to the next step.
8. On the Caregiver Information screen, if you want to designate a Caregiver, select Yes on the drop-down and then type in all the required information in the Caregiver Details section. If you do not want to designate a Caregiver, select No from the drop-down. Click Next to go to the next step.
9. On the Authorized Purchases Information screen, if you want to designate an Authorized Purchaser, select Yes on the drop-down and then type in all the required information in the Authorized Purchaser Details section. If you do not want to designate an Authorized Purchaser, select No from the drop-down. Click Next to go to the next step.
10. On the Signature screen, read the information. If the statement is true, click on Sign the Document. You will see a warning pop-up on your screen. Click OK to go to the next step.
11. Click on Sign Here to add your official electronic signature to the document, and then click Finish.
12. You’ll be taken back to the Signature page. Click Submit to submit your application.
13. If you want to go back and see a submitted application, click on Navigate To My Applications.

Additional Resources:

Cannabis Licensing Portal User Guide

Cannabis patient renewal information

Can I renew my Rhode Island medical marijuana license online?

Yes, Leafwell can help you renew your medical marijuana certificate and card in Rhode Island. If you’re a returning patient, all your information is stored in our HIPAA-compliant platform, and the process is quick and easy.

Here’s the full process to renew your RI medical card:

1. Sign in to your Leafwell account or register as a renewal patient here.
2. Speak to a licensed medical marijuana doctor about qualifying medical conditions.
3. Get approved and arrange a time to pick up your certification in person.
4. Complete and submit the renewal application online using the Rhode Island Cannabis Licensing Portal.
5. Receive your new card within 5-10 business days and legally purchase cannabis from a licensed dispensary.

Note: New to Leafwell renewals will also need to submit the Practitioner Written Certification Form found in the new patient application, page 4. This is the same form that is automatically generated and given to patients with a wet signature after their Leafwell approval. They will need to submit the form with the provider’s wet signature.

Next steps after renewal

Before you start, have these supporting documents ready:

• Your Practitioner Written Certification Form, filled out by a medical marijuana physician qualified to see patients in Rhode Island.

Renewing your Rhode Island medical marijuana card:

1. Go to the Rhode Island Cannabis Licensing Portal and log into your account.
2. Once you are logged into your account, you will see the Apply for Licenses page. Click the Apply button under Medical Marijuana Cards.
3. Click the Go to Apply button to start your application.
4. Scroll through the Application Information section and click Next.
5. Fill out the Patient Form with your information and then click Next.
6. On the Practitioner Information page, enter all the required information.
   1. Click on Upload/Choose File to attach your Practitioner Written Certification Form.
   2. Click Upload Files on the Document Upload pop-up, and then Upload.
   3. Click on Next to go to the next step.
7. On the Attachments page, you need to upload all of the required documents.
   1. Click on Upload/Choose File.
   2. Click Upload Files on the Document Upload pop-up, and then Upload.
   3. Click on Next to go to the next step.
8. On the Caregiver Information screen, if you want to designate a Caregiver, select Yes on the drop-down and then type in all the required information in the Caregiver Details section. If you do not want to designate a Caregiver, select No from the drop-down. Click Next to go to the next step.
9. On the Authorized Purchases Information screen, if you want to designate an Authorized Purchaser, select Yes on the drop-down and then type in all the required information in the Authorized Purchaser Details section. If you do not want to designate an Authorized Purchaser, select No from the drop-down. Click Next to go to the next step.
10. On the Signature screen, read the information. If the statement is true, click on Sign the Document. You will see a warning pop-up on your screen. Click OK to go to the next step.
11. Click on Sign Here to add your official electronic signature to the document, and then click Finish.
12. You’ll be taken back to the Signature page. Click Submit to submit your application.
13. If you want to go back and see a submitted application, click on Navigate To My Applications.

Additional Resources:

Cannabis Licensing Portal User Guide

Legal limitations for RI cardholders

Navigating marijuana laws in different states can be tricky, but we’re here to break it down for you. Here are some key points you should be aware of if you have an official Rhode Island medical marijuana license.

Medical marijuana use is legal: The medical use of cannabis was legalized in 2006 with the passage of the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act, SB 0710. In 2009 official Rhode Island state marijuana dispensaries opened for business to service Rhode Island residents and visiting medical marijuana patients.

Possession limits:  The current possession limits in Rhode Island for medical cardholders are 2.5 oz. of flower on-person and up to 10 ounces on one’s property, residential or non-residential.

Recreational marijuana is legal:   Recreational marijuana use is legal in Rhode Island under the Rhode Island Cannabis Act. However, there are still some perks to getting a medical card including higher possession limits and lower taxes.

State taxes: 7% tax for medical marijuana patients and 13% for recreational users.

Cultivation is allowed: Qualifying patients may grow up to 12 mature marijuana plants and 12 seedlings. All marijuana must be cultivated in one location, and the plants must be stored in an indoor facility and tagged with plant tag certificates purchased from the Department of Business Regulation. Under the Rhode Island cannabis act, recreational cannabis users are permitted to grow up to 6 mature marijuana plants.

CBD and delta-8: While medical and recreational cannabis use are both legal, delta-8 THC is illegal under Rhode Island state law. While Rhode Island has legalized all derivatives, cannabinoids, and isomers of hemp, a separate law defines Delta-8 THC within the state’s classification of “THC” and prohibits its use for human consumption.

How to become a caregiver in Rhode Island

While medical and recreational cannabis use are both legal, delta-8 THC is illegal under Rhode Island state law. While Rhode Island has legalized all derivatives, cannabinoids, and isomers of hemp, a separate law defines Delta-8 THC within the state’s classification of “THC” and prohibits its use for human consumption.

Caregiver vs. Authorized Purchaser:

Caregiver: A primary caregiver can assist with the patient’s use of medical marijuana.

• A primary caregiver must be at least 21 years of age and live in Rhode Island.
  • As of January 1, 2017, anyone applying for a primary caregiver registration must be a resident of Rhode Island. Caregivers who received registrations on or before December 31, 2016, will keep their primary caregiver status, but will need to show proof of Rhode Island residency to qualify for renewal when their caregiver registration expires.
• A primary caregiver can assist no more than five patients with their use of medical marijuana. Patients can have one caregiver.
• Caregivers can grow and buy for patients.
• There is no state fee for caregivers.
• Background check required.
  • Each location will advise on any fees required.
  • The background check must include fingerprints.
  • The law enforcement agency will send the background check results directly to RIDOH. RIDOH will send a copy to you.
  • If you had a background check from the NCIC in the past two years, you can send a copy with your medical marijuana card application. You do not need to get a new background check.
• Caregiver information is always provided by the patient first. Once the patient designates a caregiver and shares the caregiver’s email, the caregiver will get an email with directions on how to use the portal to get approved as a caregiver.

Authorized Purchaser: A patient may designate an authorized purchaser to assist in purchasing and delivering marijuana from a compassion center.

• Each authorized purchaser can only assist one patient. Patients can have one authorized purchaser.
• An authorized purchaser must be 21 years old and pass a National Criminal Identification Check.
• An authorized purchaser does not need Rhode Island residency and may live out of state.
• Authorized purchasers can only pick up medication for patients.
• There is no state fee for authorized purchasers.
• The patient will designate an authorized purchaser during the state medical marijuana application.

Information for patients, caregivers, and authorized purchasers

Fact sheet for patients, caregivers, and authorized purchasers

Minor medical cannabis patient information

A parent/guardian must be designated as the caregiver if the person applying is younger than 18. The custodial parent or legal guardian must complete, sign, and upload a Declaration of Person Responsible for a Minor to Participate form with the medical marijuana card application.

All patients, including minors, must see a doctor semi-annually and renew their license every year.

Minor patients in Rhode Island are not able to be certified through Leafwell at this time.

Can you use a Rhode Island medical cannabis card in other states?

Rhode Island offers medical marijuana reciprocity to cardholders from other states. These states will also recognize your Rhode Island medical card:

• Arizona
• Arkansas *
• 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 medical marijuana program.