As cannabis legalization grows throughout the nation, knowing what to look for when buying cannabis out-of-state is vital. Cannabis is authorized on two levels: medicinal and recreational. (Not all states sell medical and recreational cannabis, but most do.) out-of-state patients with medicinal marijuana licenses may purchase recreational cannabis in certain places where it is legal.
Current medicinal marijuana programs include:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
These are the states that presently accept out-of-state MMJ cards:
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Nevada
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Puerto Rico
- Washington
- Washington DC.
States That Allow Medical Marijuana Reciprocity
Just because you have a medical marijuana card doesn’t imply you can buy it at a dispensary in a legal state. You may buy medicinal marijuana in the following states with an out-of-state card.
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AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIllinoisKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexcioNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashington DCWashington StateWest Virginia
Arizona
Arizona allows limited reciprocity for “visiting qualified patients.” An out-of-state medical cannabis card is required, as is residency in Arizona for less than 30 days. Individuals must also be licensed in their home state to qualify for an Arizona medical card. Those are:
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- Human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
- Hepatitis C
- Amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis
- Crohn’s disease
- Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
- Cachexia or wasting syndrome
- Severe and chronic pain
- Severe nausea
- Seizures, including those characteristics of epilepsy
- Severe or persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristics of Multiple Sclerosis
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
With a valid Arizona medical marijuana card, you may buy up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis from a dispensary or a certified caregiver every two weeks. Recreational cannabis is legal to purchase in Arizona as of 2021, with a possession limit of up to 2.5 ounces.
Arkansas
Medical marijuana is permitted in Arkansas for those with valid out-of-state medical marijuana recommendations and cards who complete a visiting patient form and provide documentation of their registration. Patients must additionally pay a $50 application fee. A visiting patient may buy medicinal marijuana in Arkansas for 30 days if authorized. Registered patients are permitted to buy up to 2.5 ounces every 14 days.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. only accepts reciprocity from states that have a similar scheme. Among them:
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Virginia
- Washington
D.C. currently has no retail marijuana legislation. However, since it is decriminalized, only approved MMJ patients may obtain cannabis from dispensaries. If your state isn’t listed, you may still carry your medication as long as you keep it minimal. Concentrates and hashish are still prohibited, but you may own up to 2 ounces of cannabis flower. If you visit Washington, D.C., avoid smoking cannabis on government grounds and only consume it on private property.
Maine
Adults over the age of 21 may possess and consume marijuana in Maine. The deadline for public access to retail premises was originally set for 2018. Adults may still own up to 2.5 oz of cannabis flower and 5 g of hashish or concentrates, though. Patients from specific states may utilize their patient status to acquire marijuana at any of Maine’s medicinal dispensaries. Maine now accepts qualifying patients from these states:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Washington
- Washington, DC.
Michigan
In 2018, Michigan legalized recreational cannabis. Adults over the age of 21 may possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower or 15 grams of concentrates. There are medicinal marijuana dispensaries all around the state. Medical marijuana cards from other states may be accepted by Michigan shops.
Montana
Montana has reciprocity with other states, enabling medical marijuana cardholders to possess and use marijuana when visiting. Meanwhile, no Montana border state has authorized medicinal marijuana, making it unlawful to carry it into the state. Since South Dakota has legalized cannabis, this may change. Montana has legalized recreational marijuana since January 2021. Ages 21 and above may possess, consume, and cultivate up to one ounce of marijuana on sale in 2022.
New Hampshire
Out-of-state medical marijuana users may possess up to 2 ounces of useable cannabis in New Hampshire but may not buy from local shops. The patient must also meet the criteria for New Hampshire’s medicinal marijuana program.
New Jersey
N.J. just legalized recreational marijuana. Medical marijuana cards from other states are accepted. Those enrolled in their home state’s medicinal marijuana program may get six months of reciprocity in New Jersey. Patients from other states may also be eligible to obtain certified by a New Jersey doctor. Patients may own up to 3 oz. of cannabis flower.
Oklahoma
Yes! Oklahoma accepts out-of-state pot cards. Out-of-state medicinal marijuana users may buy from dispensaries in Oklahoma after qualifying for a temporary license. The temporary license is $100, valid for 30 days, and maybe renewed. Upon approval, patients can:
- Up to eight ounces of marijuana at home
- Up to three ounces of marijuana on their person
- Up to one ounce of concentrated marijuana
- Up to 72 ounces of edible marijuana
Rhode Island
Visiting patients may enter dispensaries in Rhode Island if they carry their actual medical marijuana card and a state-issued I.D. Patients from other states may also possess the same quantity of Rhode Island, medicinal marijuana residents. 2.5 ounces of useable cannabis is the limit.
Utah
Like the other states on this list, Utah requires patients to fulfill one of its own qualifying conditions. Among the requirements are:
- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Autism
- Cachexia
- Cancer
- Crohn’s Disease
- Debilitating Seizures
- Epilepsy
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Multiple Sclerosis Or Persistent And Debilitating Muscle Spasms
- Ulcerative Colitis
- A Terminal Illness When the Patient’s Life Expectancy Is Less Than Six Months
- A Condition Resulting In the Individual Receiving Hospice Care
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Persistent Nausea That Is Not Significantly Responsive To Traditional Treatment, Except For Nausea Related To:
- Pregnancy
- Cannabis-Induced Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome
- Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
- This rare condition or disease affects less than 200,000 people in the U.S. Despite attempts to treat it with conventional medications (other than opiates) or physical interventions, it is not well managed.
- Pain that persists for more than two weeks and is not well managed by a qualified medical provider despite treatment with non-opioid medications or physical interventions
- A Compassionate Use Board Condition That Approves Case-by-Case
After reading the content above, yes, some dispensaries do allow mmj card reciprocity but it is always helpful if you call ahead and ask. Still, more often than not, there are rules in place prohibiting patients from another state from purchasing medical cannabis. What having a valid medical marijuana card does do, however, is give you some level of legal protection under another state’s medical marijuana program. This list may change in the future, and hopefully, more states will recognize other states’ medical marijuana programs.
In South Dakota those with out-of-state medical marijuana cards can apply for SD Medical Cannabis Cards if their qualifying condition is recognized by the state of South Dakota’s Medical Cannabis program. My marijuana Cards has an easy process in which to do this.