Apply for a New York Medical Marijuana Card

Qualifying Conditions

On January 24, 2022, The medical cannabis program of New York dropped the requirements that patients must have particular conditions to get medical cards. Physicians are now able to prescribe medical cannabis for any condition if they feel the patient may benefit from its use. Along with a qualifying condition, a patient must prove they are a New York resident with a valid driver’s license or state identification card. The state has permanently waived the medical cannabis card application fee. Before 2020, it used to be $50 every year. After approval by the state, the patient will receive a temporary registration card while the state prepares and sends them a medical cannabis state card.

Becoming a Medical Marijuana Patient in NY

To become a medical marijuana patient in New York, there are three basic steps. First, you will book an appointment with a doctor from NY who will review your ailment(s) and medical condition(s). Second, once you are evaluated and approved, you will receive a medical cannabis recommendation from our licensed NY marijuana doctor and be registered with the NY DOH. The third and final step is once you receive your medical cannabis recommendation, you can request your NY medical marijuana card online from the New York DOH. It will arrive in a week and you can then begin to purchase medical marijuana from dispensaries in NY.

Registering a Caregiver in New York

A caregiver must also prove they are a resident of New York with a valid driver’s license or state identification card in order to be certified. Additionally, the caregiver must be listed on the patient’s application in order to be approved. Like the patient, a caregiver can possess a certain amount of medical cannabis at a time on behalf of the patient, who they have pledged to the state to assist. 

When a certified patient applies for their ID card from the Office of Cannabis Management, he or she may designate up to five caregivers that will assist the patient in obtaining and administering medical marijuana. To become a caregiver, the individual:

• Must be at least 21 years old, unless special permission is obtained from the NYSDOH;
• Must be a resident of New York State and have a valid New York State issued driver’s license or a New York State identification card;
• Must be someone other than the patent’s certifying physician.

After the patient’s application is approved, each caregiver must register with the DOH to receive a registry ID card that the caregiver can then use to obtain medical marijuana on the patient’s behalf.  Caregivers can follow the same registration instructions that are available for patients, which may be found here: http://www.health.ny.gov/regulations/medical_marijuana/patients/

Like the patient, each caregiver must pay the $50 application fee unless he or she can demonstrate financial hardship which will waive that fee. As of September 2020, New York is waiving the application fees for the time being as part of the Compassionate Care Act.

Renewal of the Registry ID Card

The duration of the caregiver’s registry ID card is based on the duration of the patient’s certification. Accordingly, a caregiver’s registry card will expire at the same time as the patient’s card.  After the patient obtains a new certification from the physician and renews his or her registry card, the caregiver can apply for a renewal of his or her card.

Regulations permit a designated caregiver to obtain payment from the patient for the following two expenses only:

(i)    The actual amount charged by the dispensary for the approved medical marijuana product purchased for the patient; and

(ii)  Reasonable costs incurred in the transportation and delivery of medical marijuana products to the patient.

Each designated caregiver must also comply with the following requirements:

• Must obtain a registry ID card for each certified patient;
• Must provide care to no more than five certified patients;
• Must not possess at any one time a cumulative quantity of medical cannabis that exceeds the amount allowed for each certified patient;
• Must not possess any form of medical marijuana other than those forms recommended specifically for the use of certified patients;
• Must not knowingly share, sell, trade or otherwise deliver medical cannabis to anyone who is not a registered patient;
• Must abide by the same reporting requirements as described above for patients, including the obligation to return registry ID cards issued in connection with those patients who no longer have an eligible condition.

Possession/Use Limits and Cultivation

Patients and caregivers are qualified to possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis in various forms at home or in public. You may be able to purchase up to 60 days worth of medical cannabis instead of the previous 30 day purchase limit. You can smoke cannabis in the same places you are able to smoke cigarettes except:

•       While inside your car or in designated smoking public spaces of foodservice establishments
•       Cigar bars
•       Federal property
•       Places where smoking is prohibited under the Clean Indoor Air Act

Certified medical marijuana patients are unable to grow cannabis at home until the state issues regulations for it later this year.  People over 21 who are not medical card holders will be unable to grow cannabis until late 2023 at the latest.  When people can grow, they will be allowed a total of 6 cannabis plants including 3 immature plants and 3 mature plants.  They will also be able to have up to 5 pounds of cannabis in their home legally but will still only be able to have 3 ounces outside of their homes.

More Info About New York

New York is one of the largest U.S. states on the East Coast in terms of actual area as well as the number of residents who reside in the state. NY is in the northeastern region of the United States and its capital is Albany.

While New York is home to many medical marijuana products and dispensaries, there are also many tourist attractions in New York. Many tourists like to visit Times Square and Central Park. New York is the home of the Statue of Liberty, a key symbol of the United States’ beliefs in freedom, equality, democracy, and opportunity.

How to Renew Your New York Medical Marijuana Card with Veriheal

To renew your New York medical marijuana card through Veriheal, you’ll need to schedule a renewal appointment with one of our physicians. They can confirm that you still need medical cannabis for your qualifying condition and help you with the renewal process. We will remind you when it’s almost time for your renewal appointment, or you can reach out to our Customer Service Department so we can assist you and apply a renewal discount for you.

How Long Does a Medical Marijuana Card Last in New York?

A medical marijuana card in New York is valid for 12 months.