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How to get a medical card in Washington - Renewals Only

  1. 1

    Register online with Leafwell

    Log in and book an appointment for your medical marijuana consultation.

  2. 2

    Discuss Medical Marijuana with your Doctor

    Speak to your physician about your reasons for requiring medical cannabis during your medical marijuana evaluation.

  3. 3

    Receive your certificate from Leafwell

    Your certification will be mailed to you after your appointment. You can purchase medical products with this certification.

  4. 4

    Apply for a Card with the State of Washington

    You can register with the Washington State Department of Health (DoH) for medical marijuana to get an MMJ ID card. You do not have to do this, although it is recommended.

    Registry to the Washington Medical Marijuana Program is voluntary. However, those who do register have higher possession and cultivation limits.

Benefits of Getting a Washington Medical Card

Having a valid medical marijuana certificate and official recognition of your need for medicinal cannabis has the following benefits:

  • Patients seeking to substitute opioids for cannabis may respond better to a strain higher in THC
  • Lower taxes to pay
  • Higher possession limits compared to recreational cannabis users
  • Medical cannabis patients may cultivate a greater number of cannabis plants

About Medical Marijuana in Washington

Both medical and recreational cannabis use is legal in Washington. It is one of the first states to recognize the power of cannabis as medicine and it has a long history of allowing patients to get the product they need.

Medical cannabis:

1979 – The state of Washington recognizes a legal defense for medical cannabis use in the case of State v. Diana.

1990s – Cannabis clubs were established to provide cannabis to medical patients.

1997 – Initiative 685 to legalize medical marijuana is proposed but fails.

1998 – Initiative 692 decriminalizes cannabis and effectively establishes a medical marijuana program, as it allowed physicians to recommend medical marijuana to patients with terminal or debilitating illnesses.

Recreational cannabis:

2003 – Seattle passes an initiative to make adult marijuana possession the lowest priority of law enforcement agencies in the city.

2010 – Two bills are proposed, one which would have legalized liquor store sales, and the other which would have decriminalized possession of 40 grams or less of cannabis, and both bills died. Initiative 1068 is also proposed, which would have removed all state-level penalties for cannabis use or possession for adults aged 18 or over.

2012 – Initiative 502 is passed. Possession of up to 1 ounce (28 g) of marijuana by adults became legal under state law on December 6; however, cultivation, sale, and even gifting remained illegal. Those without a Washington medical cannabis card cannot cultivate cannabis legally.


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How to qualify

You will need to book an appointment and undergo a medical marijuana evaluation by a Washington-licensed physician. You must be a resident of the state, and you will need to show proof of identity and address.

Renewals only - telemedicine in Washington is allowed for medical cannabis patients who may not travel due to ill health. House Bill 1094 established compassionate care renewals, allowing a healthcare practitioner to renew a qualifying patient's medical marijuana.

  1. Information for caregivers

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    The caregiver must be 21 years of age or older.


Medical Conditions

The Washington law lists the following medical conditions as qualifiers for a medical cannabis card:

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Possession and Growing

Adults aged 21 and over can purchase up to one ounce of useable marijuana (the harvested flowers, or "bud"), 16 ounces of marijuana-infused edibles in solid form, 72 ounces in liquid form, and 7 grams of marijuana concentrates.

Those entered in the state’s voluntary patient database may possess 48 ounces of marijuana-infused product in solid form; 3 ounces of usable marijuana; 216 ounces of marijuana-infused product in liquid form; or 21 grams of marijuana concentrates.

Qualifying patients can grow their own cannabis in Washington state, but the number of plants allowed varies. Residents can grow:

  • Up to four plants if you hold a medical marijuana certification but no medical card. You’ll also have an affirmative defense to criminal prosecution.
  • Up to six plants with a medical marijuana card from the state.
  • Up to 15 plants if a medical marijuana cardholder and authorized by a physician.

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Caregivers

Medical Marijuana patients in Washington can have a caregiver.

Washington has a Caregiver Program.

  1. 01

    The caregiver must be 21 years of age or older.

  2. 02

    The provider must also possess authorization from the qualifying patient’s health care professional or have been entered into an authorized database.

  3. 03

    The provider must only provide cannabis to the expressed patient.

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Reciprocity

Washington does not have medical marijuana reciprocity and does not recognize other states’ medical marijuana cards.

However, states with medical marijuana reciprocity may recognize a valid, Washington-issued medical marijuana card.

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

  • Arizona
  • Georgia (Low-THC Only)
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Montana
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • Oklahoma
  • Puerto Rico
  • Rhode Island
  • US Virgin Islands
  • Utah
  • Washington, D.C.
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Frequently asked questions in Washington

How much does a Washington Medical Marijuana certificate and card cost?

An online consultation for a medical marijuana authorization = $149 with Leafwell

It is optional to register with the state – you can do this at a medically-endorsed retail store. Fees range from $1 to $10.

What medical conditions qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card in Washington?

In Washington, the following conditions may qualify you for a medical marijuana certificate and card:

  • AIDS/HIV
  • Cancer
  • Chronic Renal Failure
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • Hepatitis C with Debilitating Nausea or Intractable Pain
  • Intractable pain (Defined as pain unrelieved by standard treatment or medications)
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
  • Wasting Syndrome
  • Diseases, including Anorexia, which result in nausea; vomiting; wasting; appetite loss; cramping; seizures; muscle spasms; or spasticity; when those conditions are unrelieved by standard treatments or medications, to the list of qualifying medical conditions
  • Other conditions subject to the approval of the Washington Board of Health
What do I need to know about applying for my Medical Cannabis Card in Washington online?

Here’s what you need do to get certified online with Leafwell:

  1. Book an appointment with a certified physician.
  2. Attend your appointment and get approved
  3. Receive your Medical Marijuana Authorization in the mail in 5-7 days
  4. Optional – Register into the medical marijuana database at a medically-endorsed retail store with a medical marijuana consultant and receive a card (charges range from $1 to $10 for this service)

Please note:

Minors need to be certified every 6 months.

Registry to the Washington Medical Marijuana Program is voluntary. However, those who do register have higher possession and cultivation limits.

How old do I have to be to apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Washington?

You must be at least 18 years-old in order to qualify for a Washington medical marijuana certificate and card for yourself.

Can I be/have a caregiver for a medical marijuana patient in Washington?

The caregiver must be 21 years of age or older. The provider must also possess either authorization from the qualifying patient’s health care professional or has been entered into an authorized database. The provider must only provide cannabis to the expressed patient

How do I apply for the state cannabis program in Washington?

Congratulations on getting approved for your medical certification. Here’s a guide to what you need to do next.

Once you’ve received your medical marijuana authorization, there is one more optional (but recommended) step.

This simple next step is recommended because patients and designated providers who hold valid authorizations but aren’t entered into the database may purchase only per the laws and rules for non-patients.

  1. They will have an affirmative defense to criminal prosecution if they possess no more than four plants and six ounces of usable marijuana.
  2. Take your authorization form to any licensed and medically endorsed marijuana store.
  3. The medical marijuana consultant will enter your details into the database.
  4. They will also take your photo and provide you with a card — there is a fee which ranges from $1 to $10.

You can find up-to-date information about medically endorsed stores here.