Looking for medicinal marijuana in a state that has not yet legalized the drug for recreational use? It may be tempting to travel over state boundaries into adjacent states that have cannabis regulations that are more lenient. 

However, the number of states that will let qualifying patients participate in their medical marijuana programs even if they live in another state is still quite low.

However, this does not imply that you cannot participate in the medical marijuana programs a green state offers. Many jurisdictions either let patients access dispensaries or possess a certain quantity of cannabis for medicinal purposes, although both options are seldom available.

The rules governing cannabis are always being updated all over the United States, and it’s encouraging to see that the number of cannabis-friendly states is continually increasing. 

Which states will honor medical marijuana cards issued by other forms?

It is crucial to know what you’re searching for when it comes to consuming cannabis in another state if you live in a state with different degrees of cannabis legalization than the state in which you live. In its most basic form, the legalization of cannabis falls into two categories: medicinal and recreational.

It’s possible that some jurisdictions that allow recreational use may sell recreational cannabis to patients from other states who have medical marijuana cards, while other states could let you visit medical clinics if you have a medical marijuana card. 

The following list of states now have programs for medicinal marijuana use:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nevada
• State of New Hampshire
• The state of New Jersey
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington

Reciprocity Agreements Between States That Permit Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana cards do not ensure that you may purchase marijuana from a dispensary in a state that has legalized the material, even if you have the proper paperwork. In the following states, if you hold a medical marijuana card from another state, you may buy it there as long as the state has enacted reciprocity legislation.

• Alaska

Cards issued by medical marijuana programs in other states are not valid for participation in Alaska’s medicinal marijuana program. On the other hand, purchasing up to one ounce of cannabis for personal recreational use is entirely within the law.

• Arizona

People who are regarded to be “visiting qualified patients” are eligible for limited reciprocity in the state of Arizona. To be considered a qualified patient in Arizona, you must either have a medical cannabis card from another state and reside outside of Arizona, or you must have only been a resident of Arizona for less than 30 days. Patients who want to qualify must also have a license to practice medicine in their home state and have a condition that satisfies the requirements for an Arizona medical card.

• Arkansas

Those with a medical recommendation and card valid in another state are permitted to legally purchase medical marijuana in Arkansas, provided that they fill out a visiting patient form and can provide proof of their registration with the medical marijuana program in their home state. 

A separate application fee in the amount of $50 must be paid by visiting patients. An out-of-state patient may apply to buy medicinal marijuana in Arkansas for up to 30 days if their request is granted.

• California

Anyone at least 21 years old and with a government-issued identification card can legally purchase cannabis for recreational or medicinal use. The maximum amount of cannabis flower allowed in possession is 28.5 grams, and the full amount of cannabis permitted concentrate is 5 grams.

• Colorado

To the same extent as it is legal in California, travelers who are at least 21 years old and possess a government-issued identification card are eligible to purchase cannabis. Adults who are not residents of the state are only allowed to have one ounce.

• Columbia

There is an established reciprocity agreement inside the District of Columbia. Using a medical marijuana card from another state in the District of Columbia is possible if the program in your home state is operationally comparable to the one in the District of Columbia.

Possession limits for marijuana flowers in the District of Columbia are set at two ounces for medical marijuana patients. However, in contrast to many other jurisdictions with such programs, the legal drinking age in this state is 21, not 18. Cannabis usage by adults is legalized in theory in the District of Columbia. Retail distribution is prohibited for this item.

• Illinois

Even though Illinois does not permit medicinal marijuana reciprocity, the state has legalized cannabis for recreational use. In contrast to the majority of other states, citizens of other states are subject to several purchasing restrictions. Non-residents over 21 are permitted 15 grams of cannabis, 250 mg of cannabis-infused products, and 2.5 grams of cannabis concentrate.

• Maine

Marijuana use and possession are legal activities for people over the age of 21 in Maine. Although it was anticipated that retail locations would be accessible to the general public by 2018, it now seems that this target date will not be met. 

Adults are still permitted to have up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower and 5 grams of hashish or concentrate in their possession at any time. Patients with a valid medical marijuana card who reside in certain other states are eligible to utilize their card at any of Maine’s medical dispensaries, provided they provide the required documentation.

Regulations in the Other States Where Cannabis Use for Recreational Purposes is Legal

The following states have legalized the use of marijuana by adults: On the other hand, it’s not quite clear whether or not they have a formal reciprocity agreement in place.

• Alaska

Cannabis usage is legal for people over 21 in Alaska and does not need a medical recommendation. However, the maximum amount of “usable” marijuana a medical patient can possess is one ounce. 

Additionally, you are permitted to cultivate up to three mature plants and six plants in your space. Technically speaking, there is no reciprocity scheme that is currently active. The decision to accept a medical marijuana card from another state is solely in the hands of the dispensary.

• Arizona

The recreational use of cannabis was made legal by a referendum taken by voters of Arizona in November of 2020. It’s possible that sales won’t start until April of 2021. At this time, the state does recognize medical marijuana users who reside in other states. 

Governing medicinal cannabis in Arizona, you are permitted to carry cannabis into the state. On the other hand, this kind of behavior violates federal law.

• California

Many people consider California to be the most cannabis-friendly state in the US. This applies to anyone from the outside wishing to purchase cannabis of a high grade. The Golden State does not, on the other hand, have a specialized reciprocity scheme. 

However, after you are in California, you will have the opportunity to apply for a medical marijuana identification card. The only drawback is that the procedure might take up to a month to complete.

• Colorado

Another state that does not have an explicit exception or concession for cards that reside in other states is this one. On the other hand, if you are at least 21 years old, you will be authorized to possess up to one ounce of cannabis. For tourists to the state, the maximum amount that may be purchased is a quarter of an ounce.

• Massachusetts

In a technical sense, the state of Massachusetts is yet another one that does not have a reciprocity scheme. However, sales of marijuana for recreational use are still occurring, and individuals over the age of 21 are permitted to possess up to one ounce of the drug. Alternately, you can have up to 5 grams of cannabis concentrate in your possession.

• Michigan

Another state that just joined the list of states that allow recreational cannabis use recently in Michigan. It should be noted that there is no formal reciprocity scheme in place. It is possible that your medical marijuana card from another state will be accepted, but this will only be the case if the laws in your state permit reciprocity. 

Additionally, you are permitted to bring two ounces of cannabis into the state for personal use for ten days. However, it is against the law to transport cannabis from one state to another.

• Montana

This is another state with peculiar regulations regarding marijuana. Cardholders from other states are permitted to purchase, use, and possess cannabis in the form of Montana. However, they are not allowed to buy from any dispensaries in the state of Montana! The referendum to legalize cannabis for recreational use will take place in November 2020. The first adult sales are expected to occur in October of 2021.

• New Jersey

Cannabis use for recreational purposes became legal in New Jersey in November 2020. Although there is currently no hard evidence to support this prediction, there is optimism that sales will begin in 2021. There are also intentions to establish a reciprocity program; however, this program is not yet operational.

• Oregon

Another example of a region welcoming to the cannabis industry is the state of Oregon. On the other hand, it does not have an express reciprocity agreement for those with medical marijuana cards. Instead, marijuana may be purchased for recreational use by adults over 21. One ounce is the most that non-MMJ cardholders are allowed to possess at any one time.

• Vermont

There is no reciprocity agreement between the state of Vermont and any other states. In January 2018, cannabis use for recreational purposes became legal with House Bill 511. However, Governor Scott did not sign the measure until October 2020, which will finally allow for legal sales. Consequently, locals won’t be allowed to buy it until October 2022 at the earliest.

• The State of Washington

There is also no such thing as a reciprocity agreement in the state of Washington. It does not recognize medical marijuana cards issued by other states. To our great fortune, here is another condition that has legalized cannabis for recreational use. If you are above the age of 21, you can buy up to an ounce of marijuana or seven grams of concentrates. The state’s medical marijuana cardholders, on the other hand, are permitted to possess up to three times the quantity of recreational marijuana users.

States That Do Not Have Medical Marijuana Reciprocity

Even though these states have passed laws making medicinal marijuana legal, they do not accept patients from other states.

• Georgia

Even though Georgia has approved the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, there is still no legal way to acquire cannabis.

• Hawaii

Although Hawaii does not recognize medical marijuana cards issued by other states, it does allow people from other states to apply for their medicinal marijuana programs. Those dealing with life-threatening illnesses or diseases may have their applications processed more quickly.

• Minnesota

Cards certifying medicinal marijuana use from other states are not accepted in Minnesota. A minor misdemeanor is judged to have been committed when less than 42.5 grams (1.5 ounces) of cannabis is in a person’s possession. In spite of the fact that the law permits punishment of up to $300, first-time offenders may be forced to participate in drug rehabilitation.

• Missouri

By Missouri’s medical marijuana legislation, a patient with a medical cannabis card or certification from another state is not permitted to possess medicinal marijuana.

• New Jersey

Medical marijuana cards issued by residents of other states are not valid in New Jersey. According to some other websites, medicinal marijuana patients from other states may also be able to obtain certification from a New Jersey doctor. Patients are permitted to carry up to three ounces of cannabis flower in their possession at any time. Veriheal has verified with New Jersey’s Department of Health that the state does not provide reciprocity.

• New York

Marijuana usage for recreational purposes is illegal in New York, and the state does not recognize medicinal marijuana licenses or certifications issued by other states. Vaping marijuana is against the law in any location with a smoking ban, which is an intriguing fact to keep in mind for patients who qualify for medical marijuana use.

• Ohio

About its medicinal marijuana program, Ohio does not participate in reciprocal agreements. Those not registered with the state’s Medical Marijuana Control Program are regarded to have a minor misdemeanor, which may result in a fine of up to $150 if they have less than 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of cannabis in their hands.

• Virginia

Patients who seek medicinal marijuana treatment in Virginia from another state are not recognized. The state did decriminalize marijuana in 2020. At this time, the highest punishment for having up to 1 ounce of marijuana is a fine of $25, and there is no possibility of arrest or being placed on a criminal record.

• Pennsylvania

Even though medical cannabis is now allowed in Pennsylvania, the state’s rules are still considered to be somewhat restrictive. It used to be the case that minor medical marijuana patients from other states who lived outside of Pennsylvania may purchase cannabis in the state. However, it seems that this provision of the legislation has been recently repealed.

• West Virginia

The only people legally permitted to consume medical cannabis and make legal purchases in the form of West Virginia are cancer patients in other states who have medical cannabis programs that are equivalent to West Virginia’s. Please get in touch with the appropriate state agencies so that we can find out if other states have reciprocal agreements with West Virginia.

Conclusion

As you can see, it is not easy to purchase legal, medical cannabis if you have a medical marijuana card from another state. There is a reciprocity scheme in effect in less than half of the states where marijuana may be legally purchased. 

You do not need your medical marijuana card in places where recreational sales are legal. On the other hand, the restrictions on purchases and quantities that you may acquire are most likely smaller than what you are accustomed to.