Get your Rhode Island medical marijuana card in minutes.

Unfortunately, Leafwell cannot provide online consultations to patients in Rhode Island at this time. Rhode Islanders must visit a physician in person to be approved for a medical marijuana card; costs vary depending on the provider.

There are no state fees to apply for a medical marijuana card in Rhode Island. Caregivers can also apply for free, but they must pay for — and arrange — their own background checks.

The state does charge $10 for replacement medical marijuana cards.

In Rhode Island, the following conditions may qualify you for a medical marijuana card:

• AIDS/HIV
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
• Cancer
• Chronic pain
• Epilepsy and seizure disorders
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (must be 18+)
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to, those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis or Crohn’s Disease
• Severe nausea

You cannot apply for a medical marijuana card online in Rhode Island. Instead, you must first visit a qualifying physician in person to receive your recommendation.

Once you have a recommendation, you must gather the necessary documents needed for your application:

• Proof of citizenship and Rhode Island residency. Proof of citizenship and residency can be a driver’s license, vehicle or voter registration, car insurance bill, or other official documents that show your full name and home address.
• Medical records.

Complete your application and send it to the state with your supporting documents. There is no fee to apply for a medical marijuana card in Rhode Island.

The state agency will contact you if your application is approved to take your photograph. This can be done in person or online.

You’ll receive your Rhode Island medical marijuana card in the mail within two to four weeks.

You must be at least 18 to apply for a medical marijuana card in Rhode Island. Caregivers must be at least 21.

Medical marijuana patients in Rhode Island can have a caregiver or an authorized purchaser. A primary caregiver can assist with the patient’s use of medical marijuana. An authorized purchaser can assist with purchasing and delivering the patient’s medical marijuana. Both caregivers and authorized purchasers must be designated by the patient.

Caregiver Requirements:

• 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 must 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.
  • Caregivers who will grow for their patients must register the grow location with the Rhode Island Department of Health.
  • Plant tags must be purchased from the Department of Business Regulation and will be subject to the department’s rules and regulations for tag use.
• There is no state fee for caregivers.
• Background check required. More information can be found here.
  • 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 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 Requirements:

• 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. More information can be found here.
  • 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 application. You do not need to get a new background check.
• An authorized purchaser 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 application.

State Resources:

• Requirements for Medical Marijuana Caregivers

Getting Your Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Card

1. Download and print the Patient Application Form
2. Complete the Patient Application Form and sign it by hand
   1. Designate a caregiver (if applicable)
   2. Designated an authorised purchase (if applicable)

1. Send the completed application (with the check or money order payable to the Rhode Island General Treasurer) to:

   Rhode Island Center For Professional Licensing

   Room 105A – 3 Capitol Hill

   Providence, RI 02908-5097

2. Receive your medical marijuana card in the mail in 2-4 weeks
3. Legally purchase medical marijuana
   1. To purchase medical cannabis, you must bring your medical cannabis card and a valid form of photo identification, such as a driver’s license, with you to the pharmacy.