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Who Accepts Out of State Medical Marijuana Cards?

Mar, 2022
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Most U.S. states now have medical marijuana programs in place, but what if you’re traveling? We all know how helpful medical marijuana can be, and you shouldn’t have to go without it when you are outside of your home state. So do medical marijuana cards work in other states? If you are seeking out of state medical marijuana, you need to know where the medical marijuana reciprocity states are located.

Elevate Holistics is here to tell you what MMJ reciprocity is, what states allow it, what the rules are in those states, and other regulations patients need to know while traveling. We’re also here to answer questions like: does Florida allow out-of-state medical marijuanas? What states offer recreational weed? Can you bring your medical marijuana with you to other states?

out of state medical marijuana

Do Medical Marijuana Cards Work in Other States?

First of all, do medical cannabis cards work in other states? Yes, if that state offers medical marijuana reciprocity (more on that below). It depends on the state’s laws, and oftentimes there are local regulations specific to the state’s medical cannabis reciprocity. Let’s start by looking at what states have a medical marijuana program.

States that currently offer a medical marijuana program:

What is Medical Marijuana Reciprocity?

So what is medical marijuana reciprocity? Medical marijuana reciprocity states tell patients that if they hold a medical card from another state, they can possess and purchase MMJ when traveling to the state that offers reciprocity. But MMJ reciprocity laws vary from state to state. For example, just because a state accepts out-of-state medical marijuana cards doesn’t mean you can go into a dispensary and buy medical cannabis.

Some places allow their dispensaries to accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards from all other states, while others just allow out-of-state patients to possess medical marijuana. Others with MMJ reciprocity will allow patients to purchase cannabis with an out-of-state medical marijuana card as long as the patient is just a temporary visitor (or has only lived in the state for a certain time period.) Other states will only recognize MMJ reciprocity if your medical ailment is on their list of qualifying MMJ conditions. 

So what states offer medical marijuana reciprocity and what are their specific regulations? Does Florida allow out-of-state medical marijuanas reciprocity? What about Maryland? Let’s find out.

Medical Marijuana Reciprocity States

Cannabis laws are always changing. Check with the dispensary you are wanting to visit before presenting your medical marijuana card. Currently, the following states offer medical cannabis reciprocity with their own distinct stipulations:

  • Arizona: Arizona offers limited reciprocity for “visiting qualifying patients” who are licensed in their home state and meet one of the state’s qualifying conditions. Patients must live outside of Arizona or have only lived in Arizona for fewer than 30 days. Patients can purchase up to 2.5 ounces of medical marijuana every two weeks. Recreational cannabis is legal in Arizona, with a possession limit of up to 2.5 ounces.
  • Arkansas: Arkansas allows patients from other states to purchase medical marijuana upon approval. Patients must provide proof of their medical marijuana card and pay a $50 application fee 30 days prior to their visit. Patients are then able to purchase up to 2.5 ounces of medical marijuana every two weeks and can be in possession of less than 1 ounce.
  • Maine: Patients from certain states (such as Arkansas, California, Connecticut, and others with equivalent programs) can use their medical marijuana card status to purchase from Maine’s dispensaries, but they must register with the Maine MMJ program. Recreational cannabis is legal in Maine, with a possession limit of up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower and 5 grams of concentrates.
  • Michigan: Your medical card may be accepted in Michigan, but only if your home state also allows for reciprocity. Patients can buy as much as 2.5 ounces of medical marijuana each day, with a monthly purchase limit of 10 ounces of flower or equivalent product. Recreational cannabis is legal in Michigan, with a possession limit of up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower and 15 grams of concentrates.
  • Montana: Montana recognizes medical marijuana cards from other states upon verification. Recreational cannabis is freshly legal in Montana, and customers can purchase up to one ounce of marijuana per transaction. Possession of up to one ounce of cannabis is legal in Montana.
  • Nevada: Nevada has medical cannabis reciprocity with all states and also offers recreational cannabis. MMJ patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis products every two weeks. Adults 21 and older can possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana edibles, flower, or topicals, and 3.5 grams of marijuana concentrates. 
  • New Jersey: Does New Jersey honor out of state medical cards? Yes, NJ accepts all other states’ MMJ cards. The state also offers recreational cannabis with a possession limit of up to 6 ounces of cannabis flower and 17 grams of concentrates.
  • New Mexico: NM recognizes medical marijuana cards from all other states and has some of the most relaxed cannabis laws in the U.S. The Land of Enchantment also offers recreational cannabis, with a possession limit of up to 2 ounces of cannabis flower and up to 16 grams of concentrates.
  • Oklahoma: Oklahoma accepts out of state medical cards, but it’s a little more complicated than that. To get OK MMJ, patients must apply for a temporary license. The temporary license costs $100 and is valid for 30 days before needing renewal. Patients can possess up to three ounces of cannabis flower, up to one ounce of concentrates, and up to 72 ounces of edibles.
  • Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico accepts medical cards from throughout the US and allows cardholders to purchase from a dispensary legally. Although medical marijuana is legal in Puerto Rico, it has to be purchased and consumed in a non-smokable form (oils, creams, and concentrates.)
  • Rhode Island: Patients must bring two forms of identification and their physical MMJ card to access dispensaries in this state. Patients can possess up to 2.5 ounces of medical marijuana. 
  • Utah: Utah accepts out of state medical cards, but you must meet one of the state’s qualifying conditions, (just like Arizona.) Patients may obtain up to a “30-day supply of medical cannabis products” as specified by a cannabis physician.
  • Washington D.C.: Washington D.C. honors reciprocity from states that have an equivalent MMJ program. Cannabis is decriminalized and legal for recreational use in D.C., but only authorized MMJ patients can purchase from dispensaries. In D.C., patients can possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis flower. Concentrates and hashish are still illegal.

States That Offer Some Form of Reciprocity to Visitors

out of state medical marijuana

Some states do not have full medical marijuana reciprocity but offer some type of MMJ program to visitors or protection for patients with out-of-state medical cards.

  • California: California doesn’t accept out of state medical marijuana cards, but visitors can apply for a California medical marijuana identification card (MMIC).
  • Hawaii: Hawaii also allows patients from other states to apply for their medical marijuana program. Those with serious or terminal conditions can get their applications faster.
  • Massachusetts: Massachusetts does not accept medical cards from other states, but does allow out of state MMJ cardholders to possess up to 1 ounce of cannabis.
  • New Hampshire: Patients residing in other states can’t purchase from NH dispensaries. But as long as you have a qualifying condition that is on New Hampshire’s list of conditions, patients from out of state are legally allowed to possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis.

Does Florida Allow Out of State Medical Marijuanas Reciprocity?

Many people wonder, does Florida allow out-of-state medical marijuanas reciprocity? Florida medical marijuana reciprocity is not yet available in the state, meaning that Florida does not allow out-of-state MMJ patients to access local dispensaries. On top of that, Florida remains one of only 19 states that imposes jail time for simple possession.

Does Maryland Offer MMJ Reciprocity?

No, Maryland does not accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards. But can you use your Maryland medical marijuana card out of state? Since Maryland doesn’t offer reciprocity, you will also be unable to use your Maryland MMJ card in some other places.

If you live in Maryland, Elevate Holistics can walk you through a 100% online process to get your medical marijuana card.

States That Offer Recreational Weed

  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Guam
  • Illinois
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Montana
  • Nevada
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • Oregon
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Washington D.C.

States Where All Marijuana is Illegal

Some states don’t offer medical or recreational marijuana to residents or travelers. (Sounds medieval, right?) If you need cannabis for medical purposes or want it for recreational purposes, these are the places to steer clear from when traveling or even deciding where to live:

  • Alabama
  • Idaho
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Nebraska
  • North Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Wyoming

Can You Take Medical Marijuana Out of State?

out of state medical marijuana

No, patients cannot take medical marijuana across state lines since cannabis is still illegal at the federal level. Even if you’re driving through two medical cannabis reciprocity areas, it’s a federal crime to transport controlled substances across state lines. You could be charged with drug trafficking, which carries a minimum penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the first offense. 

It is especially critical to avoid flying with medical marijuana or cannabis products that contain THC. If you try to pass through security or board a flight with medical marijuana, you could be arrested. Since marijuana is still federally illegal, showing your state-issued medical marijuana card won’t help your case. 

Can I Travel With Cannabis Products That Don’t Contain THC?

Can you travel with cannabis products that don’t contain THC, like CBD oil? Yes, CBD products are legal to travel across the states with, as long as they contain less than 0.3 percent THC. When it comes to flying, T.S.A. now also allows travelers to carry products like CBD oil that contain less than 0.3 percent THC. But, compliant with T.S.A. rules, any liquids (oils, tinctures, creams) must be less than 3 ounces. CBD products don’t get you high and could be especially helpful for flyers that experience anxiety. 

So do medical marijuana cards work in other states? In some states, yes, and typically with certain rules. MMJ reciprocity laws (and weed laws in general) are forever changing, so it is important to research a state’s cannabis laws before trying to visit a dispensary when traveling. It is also crucial to stay up to date on each state’s possession laws to avoid any legal trouble.

Still need your MMJ card? Or are you traveling to a state that offers medical marijuana reciprocity? Elevate Holistics offers medical marijuana card certifications in many states across the U.S. Our fully online process connects you with a certified cannabis physician via telehealth appointment to get MMJ approval. We can even fill out your state application for you with our full-service add-on to make your experience as easy as possible.

Book an appointment with Elevate Holistics to get your medical marijuana card today.

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