What Does Medical Cannabis Mean?

Medical cannabis refers to the use of cannabis and cannabinoids to treat symptoms or conditions under the guidance of a licensed healthcare provider.

How Medical Programs Work

Getting Access

To access medical cannabis, you typically need:

1. Qualifying Condition - Diagnosed medical condition on the approved list
2. Doctor's Recommendation - Written certification from a licensed physician
3. Medical Card - State/country-issued patient identification card
4. Licensed Dispensary - Purchase only from approved medical facilities

Common Qualifying Conditions

Medical cannabis programs often cover:

• Chronic pain
• Cancer and chemotherapy side effects
• Epilepsy and seizure disorders
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• PTSD and anxiety disorders
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Crohn's disease and IBS
• Parkinson's disease

Specific conditions vary by location

Medical vs. Recreational

Aspect	Medical	Recreational
Requirement	Doctor's recommendation	Age 21+ only
Age	Often allows minors (with guardian)	Adults only
Potency	Higher THC products may be available	Limited potency in some areas
Taxes	Often lower or exempt	Higher taxes
Purchase limits	Typically higher	Lower limits
Legal protection	More protections (employment, housing)	Fewer protections

Map Indicators

On our status pages, you'll see:

🟢 Med: Legal - Medical cannabis program exists 🔴 Med: Illegal - No medical cannabis program

In locations showing "Medical Only", recreational use is illegal but medical programs are available.

Important Considerations

Medical-Only States

In places where only medical cannabis is legal:

• ❌ Recreational use remains illegal
• ✅ Patients with cards have legal protection
• ⚠️ Visitors often cannot access medical programs (requires residency)

Reciprocity

Some locations honor medical cards from other states/countries, but many don't. Always verify before traveling.

Employment

Medical cannabis patients may still face:

• Drug testing policies
• Employment restrictions
• Professional licensing limitations

Getting a Medical Card

General process (varies by location):

1. Schedule appointment with certified cannabis doctor
2. Medical evaluation - Discuss symptoms and history
3. Receive recommendation if you qualify
4. Apply for state card through official program
5. Wait for approval (processing time varies)
6. Visit dispensary with your medical card and ID

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Related Articles:

• What Does Recreational Mean?
• Tourist Regulations
• Possession Limits Explained