Which States Accept Out-of-State MMJ Cards?

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:

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.

Table of Contents

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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Obtain a Med Card in your State

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Illinois Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexcio New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington DC Washington State West 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.

Which States Accept Out-of-State MMJ Cards? [Updated 2023]