ALASKA
Ballot Measure 8 - Approved November 3, 1998 by 58% of the vote. Effective: March 4, 1999 Eliminated criminal penalties on the use, possession and cultivation of marijuana by patients who possess a written recommendation from their doctor advising that they "could benefit from the use of medical marijuana."

 

 

Approved Medical Conditions: Cancer, chronic pain, cachexia, epilepsy and other disorders characterized by seizures, HIV or AIDS, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis and other muscle spasticity disorders, and nausea. Other conditions are subject to approval by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.

Possession & Cultivation: Patients or their caregivers can legally possess no more than one ounce of usable marijuana, and may cultivate a maximum of six marijuana plants, of which only three can be mature. The law establishes a confidential state-run patient registry that issues identification cards to qualifying patients.

Amended: Senate Bill 94
Effective: June 2, 1999

Mandates all patients must enroll in the state patient registry and possess a valid identification card to garner legal protection under this act. Patients who are not enrolled in the registry cannot argue the "affirmative defense of medical necessity" if arrested on charges of marijuana possession.

Update: Alaska Statute Title 17 Chapter 37

Creates a confidential statewide registry of medical cannabis patients and cannabis caregivers with identification cards.

Website:

Alaska Marijuana Registry

Patient Registry Fee:
$25 new application / $20 renewal application

Accepts registry ID cards from other states?
No

Registration:
Mandatory

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	Yes (Effective Feb 24, 2015)
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	03/04/1999
Non-Profit	Yes
Cultivation Limits	N/A
Term for Grows	Marijuana Product Manufacturing Facilities
Term for Centers	Marijuana Retail Stores
How is infused weight tracked?
Licensing Authority	Dept of Health & Social Services.
Link to Licensing authority	Adult Use: Marijuana Control Board: MarijuanaInitiativeFAQs.aspx
Future Market Potential
Links to State Laws	Adult Use: 13PSUM-Proposed-Law.pdf
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)	N/A
Patient Sales Limit	1 ounce
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	Immature = 3 Mature = 3
Delivery	Ballot Measure 2, the law that legalized marijuana in Alaska, allows for delivering, distributing, or selling marijuana or marijuana products to consumers. The major reason Alaska legalized deliveries is because there so many outposts where no local source of supplyis available.
For Profit	No
Vertical Integration required	No
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail
Reciprocity for Medical	No
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	Statewide registry of patients and caregivers.
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	Dept of Health & Social Services.
Testing Required
Plant Count Limits (Patients)	3 mature, 3 immature.

ALABAMA

ARIZONA
Ballot Proposition 203 "Arizona Medical Marijuana Act" - Approved November 2, 2010 by 50.13% of voters. Allows registered qualifying patients (who must possess a physician's written recommendation that they have a debilitating condition and would receive benefit from medical marijuana) to receive marijuana from a registered non-profit dispensary, and to possess or use medical cannabis to treat their condition. The Arizona Department of Health Services is required to establish a registration and renewal application system for patients and non-profit dispensaries. Requires a online verification system for law enforcement and dispensaries to verify patient registry cards. Allows certification of the number of dispensaries to not exceed 10% of the pharmacies in the state (capping the number of dispensaries around 124).

 

 

Specifies that a registered patient's use of medical cannabis is equivalent to the use of any other medication under the supervision of a physician and does not disqualify a them from medical care, including organ transplants.

Specifies that employers may not discriminate against registered patients unless the employer will lose money or their business license under federal law. Employers may not penalize registered patients solely for testing positive for THC in drug tests, although the law does not allow patients to use, possess, or be impaired by cannabis on the business premises or during the business hours.

Approved Medical Conditions: Glaucoma, Cancer, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, Crohn's disease, ALS, Alzheimers, cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe and chronic pain, nausea, seizures (including epilepsy), severe or persistent muscle spasms (including multiple sclerosis), and PTSD.

Possession & Cultivation: Qualified patients or their registered caregivers can obtain a maximum of 2.5 ounces of marijuana in a 14-day period from a registered nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary. If the patient resides more than 25 miles from the closest dispensary, the patient or caregiver may grow up to 12 marijuana plants in an enclosed, secure facility.

Amended: Senate Bill 1443
Effective: Signed by Governor Jan Brewer on May 7, 2013

"Specifies the prohibition of possessing or using cannabis on a post-secondary educational campus does not apply to medical research projects involving marijuana that are conducted on the campus, as authorized by applicable federal approvals and on approval of the applicable university institutional review board."

Website:
AZ Medical Marijuana Program

Patient Registry Fee:
$150 Registration Fee  and $75 for Nutrition Assistance Program participants

Accepts registry ID cards from other states?
Yes, but does not permit visiting patients to obtain marijuana from an Arizona dispensary

Registration:
Mandatory

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	No
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	11/02/2010
Non-Profit	Yes
Cultivation Limits	Center may grow their own, purchase from another grow or dispensary, or purchase from a patient/caregiver who is authorized to grow.
Term for Grows	Grows.
Term for Centers	Dispensary is the state license term and most commonly used.
How is infused weight tracked?	Plant matter
Licensing Authority	Dept of Health Svcs
Link to Licensing authority	www.azdhs.gov
Future Market Potential	~12 dispensaries from original license awards in 2013 may open in 2014. New license apps accepted in 2015.
Links to State Laws	N/A
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)	2.5oz in any 14 day period
Patient Sales Limit
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	patients can only cultivate if they live more than 25 miles from the nearest center and applies for authorization from DHSS.
Delivery	Yes
For Profit	No
Vertical Integration required	Yes
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?	126
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	80
Reciprocity for Medical	Yes
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	State Registry. Currently a dual entry system.
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	Handled by the State
Testing Required	No
Plant Count Limits (Patients)	N/A

Constitutional amendment legalizing medical cannabis in Arkansas and setting up a system for cultivation, acquisition, and distribution of marijuana.

Approved Medical Conditions: Glaucoma, cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, ALS, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, PTSD, Tourette's syndrome, fibromyalgia, severe arthritis, Alzheimer's disease; A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces one (1) or more of the following: cachexia or wasting syndrome; intractable pain, which is pain that has not responded to ordinary medications, treatment, or surgical measures for more than six months; peripheral neuropathy; severe nausea; seizures, including epilepsy; or severe and persistent muscle spasms, including multiple sclerosis; Any other medical condition or its treatment approved by the Department of Health

Possession & Cultivation: 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana per 14-day period

Website: Arkansas Medical Marijuana Registry

Patient Registry Fee: $50 Application Fee, $50 Renewal Fee

Accepts registry ID cards from other states?

Yes

Registration:

Mandatory

CALIFORNIA
Ballot Proposition 215 - Approved November 5, 1996 by 56% of voters. Effective: Nov. 6, 1996

Eliminates criminal penalties for patients who possess a "written or oral recommendation" from their physician on the use, possession and cultivation of marijuana if he or she "would benefit from medical marijuana." Patients with any debilitating illness where the use of medical marijuana has been "deemed appropriate and is recommended by a physician" are afforded legal protection under this act.

Approved Medical Conditions: Cancer, AIDS, anorexia, arthritis, chronic pain, cachexia, glaucoma, migraine, persistent muscle spasms including spasms related to multiple sclerosis, seizures including seizures related to epilepsy, severe nausea; Other chronic or persistent medical symptoms.

Amended: Senate Bill 420
Effective: Jan. 1, 2004

Imposes statewide guidelines on how much medicinal marijuana patients may grow and possess.

Possession & Cultivation: Qualified patients and their primary caregivers may possess no more than eight ounces of dried marijuana and/or six mature (or 12 immature) marijuana plants. However, S.B. 420 allows patients to possess larger amounts of marijuana when recommended by a physician. The legislation also allows counties and municipalities to approve and/or maintain local ordinances permitting patients to possess larger quantities of medicinal pot than allowed under the new state guidelines.

S.B. 420 also grants implied legal protection to the state's medicinal marijuana dispensaries, stating, "Qualified patients, persons with valid identification cards, and the designated primary caregivers of qualified patients ... who associate within the state of California in order collectively or cooperatively to cultivate marijuana for medical purposes, shall not solely on the basis of that fact be subject to state criminal sanctions."

Ballot Proposition 64 - Approved November 9, 2016 by 57% of voters. Effective: January 1, 2017

California approved adult-use cannabis on November 9th. Technical language in Proposition 64 led to medical marijuana being tax free until 2018. Until now there has been no state regulatory oversight. The state is currently finalizing medical and adult-use regulations, which will implement a comprehensive statewide system that every cannabis business will need to comply with (once the regulations are in effect). Compliance is required starting January 1st, 2018.

Attorney General's Guidelines:
On Aug. 25, 2008, California Attorney General Jerry Brown issued guidelines for law enforcement and medical marijuana patients to clarify the state's laws.

Website:
CA Medical Marijuana

Patient Registry Fee:
$60 non Medi-Cal / $30 Medi-Cal, plus additional county fees

Accepts registry ID cards from other states?
No

Registration:
Voluntary

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	Yes
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	11/09/2016
Non-Profit	Yes
Cultivation Limits	100 sq. ft.
Term for Grows
Term for Centers	Collective or Dispensary are most common terms.
How is infused weight tracked?
Licensing Authority
Link to Licensing authority	www.cdph.ca.gov
Future Market Potential	2021 Projected Medical Sales : $1,480,300,000 2021 Projected Adult Use Sales : $4,320,600,000
Links to State Laws
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)
Patient Sales Limit	No state guideline. Often based on the city Richmond 2oz per day San Fran 2oz per day
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	Immature = 12 Mature = 6
Delivery	Yes, counties and cities decide whether to allow delivery
For Profit	Yes, starting in 2018
Vertical Integration required	No
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	2000+/- (?)
Reciprocity for Medical	No
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	Recommendation
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	No
Testing Required	No
Plant Count Limits (Patients)

Approved Medical Conditions: Glaucoma, Cancer, HIV/AIDS positive, cachexia; severe pain; PTSD; severe nausea; seizures, including epilepsy; or persistent muscle spasms, including multiple sclerosis. Other conditions are subject to approval by the Colorado Board of Health.

Possession & Cultivation: A patient or a primary caregiver who has been issued a Medical Marijuana Registry ID card may possess a maximum of two ounces of a usable marijuana and no more than six plants, with three or fewer being mature, flowering plants that are producing a usable form of marijuana.

Patients who do not join the registry or possess larger amounts of marijuana than allowed may argue the "affirmative defense of medical necessity" if they are arrested on marijuana charges.

Amended: House Bill 1284 and Senate Bill 109
Effective: June 7, 2010

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed the bills into law and stated the following in a June 7, 2010 press release:

"House Bill 1284 provides a regulatory framework for dispensaries, including giving local communities the ability to ban or place sensible and much-needed controls on the operation, location and ownership of these establishments.

Senate Bill 109 will prevent fraud and abuse, ensuring that physicians who recommend medical marijuana for their patients actually perform a physical exam, do not have a DEA flag on their medical license and do not have a financial ties with a dispensary."

Ballot Amendment 64 - Approved November 6, 2012 by 55% of voters. Effective: January 1, 2014 Allows adults 21 and older to purchase up to an ounce of cannabis from specialty marijuana dispensaries and grow up to six marijuana plants in their residences. Possession is limited to a maximum of one ounce for personal use, however selling marijuana without a license, purchasing marijuana from a someone who is not licensed, and public use of marijuana will remain illegal.

Website:
Colorado Medical Marijuana Registry

Patient Registry Fee:
$15 Registration Fee Online

Accepts registry ID cards from other states?
No

Registration:
Mandatory

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	Yes
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	01/01/2014
Non-Profit	No
Cultivation Limits	Center must cultivate 70% of the product they sell.
Term for Grows	OPC (Off Premise Cultivation) is the state license term. Grow or OPC are commonly used.
Term for Centers	MMC (Medical Marijuana Center) is the state license term. MMC, dispensary, or store are all commonly used.
How is infused weight tracked?	Allowed to do infusions and track infused concentrate weight.
Licensing Authority	Dept of Revenue, Med Marijuana Enforcement Division (MMED) for actual enforcement and administration of the program. Dept of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) manages the patient registry.
Link to Licensing authority	www.colorado.gov
Future Market Potential	License restrictions ease in 2014, but the market is probably close to saturation.
Links to State Laws
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)	Medical: 2 oz on hand per patient, unless otherwise recommended by a doctor. Adult Use: <1 ounce.
Patient Sales Limit	Medical: 2 oz per patient per day. Adult Use: 1/4 ounce per day for CO residents, 1/8 ounce per day out-of-state resident.
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	(Medical Immature = 3 Mature = 3) Adult Use = none
Delivery	Yes for Medical as long as they are not done for profit.
For Profit	Yes
Vertical Integration required	Yes for medical and currently for retail. Will soon allow a three-tiered model in August (potentially)
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?	Unlimited
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	~500 dispensaries, 750 cultivation, 130 MIPS
Reciprocity for Medical	No
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	Recommendation and state registration.
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	State, Marijuana Enforcement Division "MED" which is an arm of Dept. of Revenue.
Testing Required	Yes for Adult Use. No for Medical Use.
Plant Count Limits (Patients)	Medical: 6 per patient (3 Veg, 3 Flower) Unless otherwise recommended by Doctor. Adult-Use: Unlimited for commercial grow. 3 plants for personal grow.

CONNECTICUT
HB 5389 - Signed into law by Govenor Dannel P. Malloy (D) on May 31, 2012. Approved: By House 96-51, by Senate 21-13. Effective: Some sections from passage (May 4, 2012), other sections on Oct. 1, 2012 "A qualifying patient can register with the Department of Consumer Protection... prior to engaging in the use of marijuana. A qualifying patient who has a valid registration certification... shall not be subject to arrest or prosecution, penalized in any manner,... or denied any rights.

 

 

"Patients must be Connecticut state residents at least 18 years old. "Prison inmates, or others under the supervision of the Department of Corrections, would not qualify, regardless of medical condition."

Approved Medical Conditions: "Cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome [HIV/AIDS], Parkinson's disease, damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity, epilepsy, cachexia, wasting syndrome, Crohn's disease, PTSD, or... any medical condition, medical treatment or disease approved by the Department of Consumer Protection..."

Possession & Cultivation: Qualifying patients can possess "an amount of usable marijuana necessary to ensure uninterrupted availability for a period of a month, as determined by the Department of Consumer Protection."

Updates: The Connecticut Medical Marijuana Program website provided an update on September 23, 2012 with registration instructions for the program starting October 1, 2012. "Patients who are currently receiving medical assistance for debilitating medical conditions named in the law may qualify for a temporary registration certification beginning Oct. 1, 2012. To qualify, a patient must be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the state of Connecticut."

Draft Regulations on Medical Marijuana were posted on January 16, 2013.

On April 3, 2014, the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection produced the names and locations of the first six dispensaries that were authorized by the state. The first dispensary opened on August 20, 2014.

Website:
Connecticut Medical Marijuana Program

Patient Registry Fee:
$100

Accepts registry ID cards from other states?
No

Registration:
Mandatory

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	No
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	05/04/2012
Non-Profit	No
Cultivation Limits	Dispensaries to purchase wholesale on open market from the 4 state licensed grow operators.
Term for Grows	Producer/Processor.
Term for Centers	Dispensary. Pharmacy. Wellness Center
How is infused weight tracked?	Yes. Track weight of concentrates and edibles and related.
Licensing Authority	Dept of Consumer Protection. State of CT.
Link to Licensing authority	www.ct.gov
Future Market Potential	No new licenses are likely for a couple of years.
Links to State Laws	www.ct.gov
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)	Undefined.
Patient Sales Limit	One month supply as prescribed by physician. Maximum of 2.5 ounces per month.
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	No
Delivery	No
For Profit	Yes
Vertical Integration required	No
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?	4 Cultivation. 5-6 Dispensaries.
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	4 grow. 5 dispensaries.
Reciprocity for Medical	No
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	Dr. Prescription with state registration.
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	Dept. of Consumer Protection.
Testing Required	Yes
Plant Count Limits (Patients)	Unlimited

DELAWARE
Senate Bill 17 - Signed into law by Gov. Jack Markell (D) on May 13, 2011. Approved: By House 27-14, by Senate 17-4. Effective: July 1, 2011 Under this law, a patient is only protected from arrest with a physician written recommendation, that the patient has a debilitating medical condition and the patient would receive therapeutic benefits from medical cannabis. The patient must provide a copy of the written certification to the state Department of Health and Social Services, and the Department will then issue an ID card after verifying the certification. As long as the patient complies with the law, they will not be arrested.

 

 

The law does not allow patients or caregivers to cultivate cannabis at home, but does allow for state-regulated, non-profit distribution of medical cannabis by compassionate care centers.

Approved Medical Conditions: Approved for treatment of debilitating medical conditions, Cancer, HIV/AIDS, decompensated cirrhosis (Hepatitis C), ALS, Alzheimer's disease. Also approved for "debilitating diseases or medical conditions or its treatment that produces any of the following: cachexia or wasting syndrome; severe, debilitating pain dooes not responded to previously prescribed medication or surgical measures for more than 3 months or for which prescribed treatment options produced unwanted side effects; intractable nausea; seizures; or severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those characteristic of multiple sclerosis."

"Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) does qualify as a debilitating medical condition when it manifests in severe physical pain, such as chronic nausea and vomiting, or otherwise impairs the patient's physical ability to perform activities of daily life."
("Medical Marijuana Questions & Answers," dhss.delaware.gov (accessed Apr. 21, 2014))

Possession & Cultivation: Patients 18 years old and older with debilitating conditions can possess a maximum of six ounces of marijuana with a doctor's recommendation. A compassionate care center is not allowed to dispense over 3 ounces of cannabis to a qualifying patient in a 14-day period, and a patient is only allowed to register with one compassion center. Home production is not allowed. Senate Bill 17 provides a provision that allows for an affirmative defense for patients "in possession of no more than six ounces of usable marijuana."

Updates: On February 12, 2012, Govenor Markell released the this statement in its entirety, in response to a letter from US District Attorney Charles Oberly:

"I am very disappointed by the change in policy at the federal department of justice, as it requires us to stop implementation of the compassionate care centers. To do otherwise would put our state employees in legal jeopardy and I will not do that. Unfortunately, the shift in the federal position will stand in the way of people in severe pain receiving treatment. Our law sought to provide that in a manner that was highly regulated and safe."

On August 15, 2013, Govenor Markell announced in a letter to Delaware lawmakers his intention to relaunch the state's medical marijuana program, despite his previous action to stop implementation. Markell wrote that the Department of Health and Social Services "will proceed to issue a request for proposal for a pilot compassionate care center to open in Delaware by next year."

On June 23, 2015, Govenor Markell signed Rylie's Law, SB 90, allowing the use of non-smokable cannabis oil that is a maximum of 7% THC for minors with intractable epilepsy or dystonia.

On June 26, 2015, the state's first medical marijuana dispensary opened close to Wilmington, Delaware.

Website:
Delaware Medical Marijuana Program

Patient Registry Fee:
$125 (a sliding scale fee is available based on income)

Accepts registry ID cards from other states?
No

Registration:
Mandatory

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	No
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	07/01/2011
Non-Profit	Yes
Cultivation Limits	150 plants for the state.
Term for Grows
Term for Centers	Compassion Center. Dispensary.
How is infused weight tracked?	Not in pilot program.
Licensing Authority	Delaware Dept of Health & Social Services.
Link to Licensing authority	https://dhss.delaware.gov/dph/hsp/medmarhome.html
Future Market Potential	No new licenses are likely for a couple of years.
Links to State Laws	regulations.delaware.gov
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)	Not defined.
Patient Sales Limit	3 ounces per 14 days. 6 ounces usable.
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	No
Delivery	Yes
For Profit	No
Vertical Integration required	Yes. 100%
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?	1 integrated grow and dispenary
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	1
Reciprocity for Medical	No
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	Recommendation
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	Dept. of Health and Social Services.
Testing Required	Yes
Plant Count Limits (Patients)	Not defined. 150 plants for the State.

 

Approved Nov. 8, 2016 by 71.3% of voters. Amends the Florida Constitution.

"Allows medical use of cannabis for individuals with debilitating medical conditions as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients’ medical use of cannabis. The Department of Health shall register and regulate compassionate care centers that cultivate and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not immunize violations of federal law or any recreational use, possession or culltivation of marijuana." Allows for Medical Cannabis Treatment Centers to be registered by the Department of Health.

Approved Medical Conditions: Cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, PTSD, HIV/AIDS, ALS, Parkinson's disease, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, or other debilitating medical conditions of the same class as or comparable to those enumerated, and for which a physician recommends that the medical use of marijuana would outweigh the potential health risks to a patient.

Possession & Cultivation: To be determined during the rulemaking process
Contact and Program Details

Website:
Florida Medical Marijuana

Patient Registry Fee:
$75

Accepts registry ID cards from other states?
Unclear

GEORGIA

HAWAII
Senate Bill 862 - Signed into law by Govenor Ben Cayetano on June 14, 2000. Approved: By House 32-18, by Senate 13-12. Effective: December 28, 2000 Eliminates state-level criminal penalties on the use, possession and cultivation of marijuana by patients who possess a certified recommendation from their physician confirming that he or she suffers from a debilitating condition and that the "potential benefits of medical marijuana would outweigh the health risks." The law establishes a mandatory, confidential state-run patient registry that issues ID cards to patients who qualify.

 

 

Approved Medical Conditions: Glaucoma, Cancer, positive status for HIV/AIDS; A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe nausea, severe pain, seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy, or persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic as multiple sclerosis or Crohn's disease. Other conditions are subject to approval by the Hawaii Department of Health.

Possession & Cultivation: The amount of cannabis that may be possessed jointly between the qualifying patient and the primary caregiver is deemed an "adequate supply," that shall not exceed 3 mature marijuana plants, 4 immature plants, and 1 ounce of usable marijuana per each mature plant.

Amended:HB 668
Effective: June 25, 2013

Establishes a medical marijuana registry fund to pay for the program and transfers the medical marijuana program from the Department of Public Safety to the Department of Public Health no later than January 1, 2015.

Amended:SB 642
Effective: January 2, 2015

Redefines "adequate supply" as 7 marijuana plants, whether immature or mature, and 4 ounces of usable marijuana at any given time; stipulates that physician recommendations need to be made by the qualifying patient's primary care physician.

Website:
Hawaii Medical Marijuana

Patient Registry Fee:
$25

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
No

Registration:
Mandatory

Topic	Details
Medical	No
Recreational (Adult-Use)	No
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	12/28/2000
Non-Profit
Cultivation Limits	3 mature. 4 immature.
Term for Grows
Term for Centers	N/A
How is infused weight tracked?	Not defined.
Licensing Authority	Hawaii Department of Public safety.
Link to Licensing authority	www.capitol.hawaii.gov
Future Market Potential	No legal structure for commercial marijuana business. Bill introduced for a regulatory model, but slim chance of it passing.
Links to State Laws
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)	1 ounce of usable marijuana per mature plant. 2015: Changes to 4 ounces at any given time.
Patient Sales Limit	3 ounces.
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	Immature = 4 Mature = 3
Delivery
For Profit
Vertical Integration required	Patient/Caregiver model. Yes.
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?	0
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	0
Reciprocity for Medical	No
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	Signed physician statement. State run patient registry. 2015 physician will have to be primary care physician.
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance
Testing Required	No
Plant Count Limits (Patients)	3 mature. 4 immature. 1 ounce of usable marijuana per mature plant. 2015: Changes to 7 plants total regardless of stage.

IDAHO

ILLINOIS
House Bill 1. Approved: April 17, 2013 by House, 61-57 and May 17, 2013 by Senate, 35-21. Signed into law by Govenor Pat Quinn on August 1, 2013. Effective: January 1, 2014 The Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Pilot Program Act establishes a patient registry program, protects registered patients and registered caregivers from "arrest, prosecution, or denial of any right or privilege," and permits for the registration of cultivation centers and dispensary organizations. Once the act is implemented, "a tax is incurred upon the privilege of growing medical marijuana at a rate of 7% of the sales price per ounce.

 

 

Approved Medical Conditions: "Debilitating medical conditions include 40 chronic diseases and conditions: Glaucoma, cancer, positive status of HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn's disease, agitation of Alzheimer's disease, cachexia/wasting syndrome, muscular dystrophy, severe fibromyalgia, spinal cord disease, Tarlov cysts, hydromyelia syringomyelia, fibrous dysplasia, Rheumatoid arthritis, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury and post concussion syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Arnold-Chiari malformation and Syringomelia, Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA), Parkinson's Disease, Tourette Syndrome, Myoclonus, Dystonia, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, RSD (Complex Regional Pain Syndromes Type I), Causalgia, CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type II), Neurofibromatosis, Chronic inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy, Sjogren's Syndrome, Lupus, Interstitial Cystitis, Myasthenia Gravis, Hydrocephalus, nail-patella syndrome or residual limb pain; or the treatment of these conditions."
"Frequently Asked Questions," idph.state.il.us (accessed Apr. 23, 2014)

On July 20, 2014, Govenor Quinn signed Senate Bill 2636, which amended the Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Act to allow minors under 18 to be treated with non-smokable forms of medical cannabis for the same conditions approved for adults. An underage patient's parent or guardian must be the caregiver, and signatures by two doctors are required. The bill,  effective Jan. 1, 2015, also added seizures, including those related to epilepsy, to the list of approved medical conditions.

Possession & Cultivation: "Adequate supply" is defined as "2.5 ounces of usable marijuana during a 14 day period and that is obtained solely from an intrastate source." The law does not allow patients or caregivers to grow cannabis.

Updates: Governor Pat Quinn's August 1, 2013 signing statement explains key points of the law and notes that it is a 4-year pilot program.

On January 21, 2014, the Department of Public Health released a draft of the proposed regulations for public comments. The proposal included a fingerprint-based criminal background check and an annual $150 application fee for patients who qualify. The rules also state that qualifying patients and caregivers "are not eligible for a Firearm Owners Identification Card or a Firearm Concealed Carry License."

On April 18, 2014, the Department of Health released revised preliminary regulation that removed from the previous versions the restrictions on gun owners applying for medical marijuana cards. The application fees were lowered to $100 ($50 for veterans and eligible patients on Social Security Insurance and Social Security Disability, and $25 for caregivers).

Website:
Illinois Medical Cannabis Program

Patient Registry Fee:
Patients: $100 - one year; $150 - two years; $200 - three years

Caregivers: $25 - one year; $50 - two years; $100 - three years

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
No

Registration:
Mandatory

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	No
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	01/01/2014
Non-Profit	No
Cultivation Limits
Term for Grows	Cultivation Center.
Term for Centers	Dispensary.
How is infused weight tracked?	Plant matter.
Licensing Authority	Dept. of Public Health.
Link to Licensing authority	No new licenses are likely for a couple of years.
Future Market Potential
Links to State Laws
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)
Patient Sales Limit	2.5oz per 14 days.
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	No
Delivery	Illinois allows delivery by a patientâs primary caregiver, but otherwise prohibits cannabis deliveries.
For Profit	Yes
Vertical Integration required	No
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?	60 dispensaries, 22 cultivation sites.
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	0
Reciprocity for Medical	No
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	Dept. of Public Health.
Testing Required	Yes
Plant Count Limits (Patients)

INDIANA

IOWA

KANSAS

KENTUCKY

LOUISIANA

MAINE
Ballot Question 2 - Approved November 2, 1999 by 61% of voters. Effective: December 22, 1999 Eliminates state-level criminal penalties on the use, possession and cultivation of cannabis by patients who possess a written "professional opinion" from their physician that he or she "might benefit from the medical use of cannabis." The law does not establish a state-run patient registry.

 

 

Approved diagnosis: glaucoma; epilepsy and other disorders characterized by seizures; multiple sclerosis and other disorders characterized by muscle spasticity; and nausea or vomiting as a result of AIDS or cancer chemotherapy.

Possession & Cultivation: Patients (or their primary caregivers) may legally possess a maximum of one and one-quarter (1.25) ounces of usable marijuana, and may cultivate a maximum of six marijuana plants, of which no more than three may be mature. Those patients who possess greater amounts of cannabis than allowed by law are afforded a "simple defense" to a charge of possession.

Amended: Senate Bill 611
Effective: Signed into law on April 2, 2002

Increases the amount of useable marijuana a person may possess from one and one-quarter (1.25) ounces to two and one-half (2.5) ounces.

Amended: Question 5 - Approved November 3, 2009 by 59% of voters.

List of approved conditions changed to include cancer, glaucoma, HIV, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, hepatitis C, Crohn's disease, Alzheimer's, nail-patella syndrome, cachexia or wasting syndrome, chronic intractable pain, severe nausea, seizures (epilepsy), severe and persistent muscle spasms, and multiple sclerosis.

Instructs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to implement a registry identification program for patients and caregivers. Stipulates provisions for the operation of nonprofit compassionate care centers.

Amended: LD 1062
Effective: Added without the governor's signature on June 26, 2013

Adds post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the list of approved conditions for medical cannabis use.

Website:
Maine Medical Marijuana 

Patient Registry Fee:
$0
Caregivers pay $300/patient(limit of 5 patients; if not cultivating marijuana, there is no fee)

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
Yes

"Law enforcement will accept certified authorization from a participating state, but the patient will not be able to purchase cannabis in Maine without registering. That requires a Maine physician and a Maine government issues identification. The letter from a physician in another state is only valid for 30 days." 

Registration:
Voluntary

"In addition to either a registry ID card or a physician recommendation form, all patients, including both non-registered and voluntarily registered patients, must also present their Maine government issued identification upon request." 

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	No
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	12/22/1999
Non-Profit
Cultivation Limits	6 total. 3 mature, 3 immature.
Term for Grows
Term for Centers	Dispenary.
How is infused weight tracked?
Licensing Authority	Dept. of Health & Human Services.
Link to Licensing authority	www.maine.gov
Future Market Potential	No new licenses are likely for a couple of years.
Links to State Laws
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)
Patient Sales Limit	2.5oz per 14 days.
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	6 Plants.
Delivery
For Profit
Vertical Integration required
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?	8
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	8
Reciprocity for Medical	Yes
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	"Professional Opinion" from primary physician. Voluntary state registry.
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	Dept. of Heath & Human Services.
Testing Required	No
Plant Count Limits (Patients)	6 total per patient (3 mature, 3 immature).

MARYLAND
House Bill 881. Approved: April 8, 2014 by House, 125-11 and by Senate, 44-2. Signed by Govenor Martin O'Malley on April 14, 2014. Effective: June 1, 2014 The Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Marijuana Commission and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene are assigned with developing regulations for patient registry, identification cards, dispensary licensing, setting registration fees and possession limits, and more. The Commission will issue yearly requests for applications from academic medical centers to operate medical marijuana compassionate use programs.

 

 

Approved diagnosis: severe or chronic pain, cachexia, anorexia, or wasting syndrome, severe nausea, seizures, epilepsy, severe or persistent muscle spasms, or other conditions approved by the Commission.

Possession & Cultivation: Patients are allowed to possess a month's supply (amount to be determined by the Commission). "Beginning June 1, 2016, the Commission may issue the number of dispensary licenses necessary to meet demand for medical cannabis by qualifying patients and caregivers issued ID cards."

Website:
Maryland Medical Marijuana Commission

Patient Registry Fee:
$50

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
No

Registration:
Mandatory

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	No
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	07/01/2014
Non-Profit	Yes
Cultivation Limits	None
Term for Grows	Licensed Cultivation Facility
Term for Centers	Licensed Dispensary
How is infused weight tracked?	Yes, Licensed Processors are allowed to do infusions.
Licensing Authority	Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Marijuana Commission, and the Maryland Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Link to Licensing authority	mmcc.maryland.gov
Future Market Potential	May be adjusted by Commission.
Links to State Laws	www.dsd.state.md.us - 4213.pdf
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)	None
Patient Sales Limit	30-Day Limit / 120 usable Grams OR 36 grams of THC concentrate
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	No home growing. No patient/plant relationship.
Delivery	Yes
For Profit
Vertical Integration required	No
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?	94 Dispensaries, 12 Grows
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	94 Dispensaries, 12 Grows
Reciprocity for Medical	No
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	Dr. Recommendation
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Marijuana Commission.
Testing Required	Yes
Plant Count Limits (Patients)	None

MASSACHUSETTS
Ballot Question 3 - Approved November 6, 2012 by 63% of voters. Effective: January 1, 2013 "The citizens of Massachusetts agree that there should be no punishment under state law for qualifying medical marijuana patients, physicians and health care professionals, personal caregivers for patients, or medical cannabis treatment center agents for the use of marijuana.

 

 

In the first year after the effective date, the Department shall issue registrations for a maximum of thirty-five non-profit medical marijuana treatment centers, provided that at least one compassionate care center shall be located in each county, and no more than five shall be located in any one county."

Approved diagnosis:  Glaucoma, Cancer, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and other conditions as determined in writing by a qualifying patient’s physician."

Possession & Cultivation: Patients may possess "no more marijuana than is necessary for the patient's personal, medical use, not exceeding the amount necessary for a two month supply...

Within 120 days of the effective date of this law, the department shall issue regulations defining the quantity of marijuana that could reasonably be considered to be a sixty-day supply for qualifying patients, based on the available evidence."

"The Department shall issue a cultivation registration to qualifying patients whose access to a medical treatment center is limited by verified financial hardship, a physical incapacity to access public transportation, or the lack of a compassionate care center within a reasonable distance of the patient’s residence. The Department may deny a registration based on false information provided by the applicant. Such registration shall allow the patient or personal caregiver to grow a limited number of plants, sufficient to maintain a 60-day supply of cannabis, and can only cultivation and store cannabis in an enclosed, locked facility.

The department will issue regulations consistent with this section within 120 days of the effective date of this law. Until the department issues such final regulations, the written recommendation of a patient's physician shall serve as a limited cultivation registration."

Updates: The DPH website wrote on Oct. 8, 2014 that "the Medical Use of Marijuana Online System (MMJ Online System) is now available for qualifying patients to register to possess cannabis for medical reasons. You will need to register with the MMJ Online System by Jan. 1, 2015 in order to possess marijuana for medical purposes, even if you've already obtained a paper written certification from your physician. Paper written certifications will not be valid after February 1st, 2015."

Website:

Massachusetts Medical Marijuana

Patient Registry Fee:
$50

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
Unknown

Registration:
Mandatory

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	No
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	01/01/2013
Non-Profit	Yes
Cultivation Limits	N/A
Term for Grows	Grow
Term for Centers	RMH
How is infused weight tracked?	Yes. Track medicated weight of all products.
Licensing Authority	Dept of Public Health.
Link to Licensing authority	www.mass.gov/medicalmarijuana
Future Market Potential	Moderate chance of the state approving more dispensary licenses in 2015 once the program finally gets up and going.
Links to State Laws
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)	N/A
Patient Sales Limit	60 day supply. Definition of 60 day supply TBD.
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	No
Delivery	Yes
For Profit	No
Vertical Integration required	Yes
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?	35
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	20
Reciprocity for Medical	No
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	State Registry w/Dr. Recommendation. Anticipating a dual entry system to validate patient registry.
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Testing Required	Yes
Plant Count Limits (Patients)	N/A

MICHIGAN
Proposal 1 "Michigan Medical Marihuana Act" - Approved by 63% of voters on November 4, 2008. Effective: December 4, 2008 Approved Medical Conditions: Approved for treatment of debilitating medical conditions, defined as cancer, glaucoma, AIDS, HIV, hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn's disease, agitation of Alzheimer's disease, nail patella, cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe and chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, epilepsy, muscle spasms, multiple sclerosis, and PTSD.

 

 

Possession & Cultivation: Patients can possess up to two and one-half (2.5) ounces of usable marijuana and twelve marijuana plants kept in an enclosed, locked facility. The plants may be kept by the patient only if he or she has not specified a primary caregiver to grow the cannabis for him or her.

Amended: HB 4856
Effective: Dec. 31, 2012

Makes it illegal to "transport or possess" usable marijuana by car unless the cannabis is "enclosed in a case that is carried in the trunk of the vehicle." Violation of the law is a misdemeanor "punishable by imprisonment for no more than 93 days or a fine of no more than $500.00, or both."

Amended: HB 4834
Effective: Apr. 1, 2013

Requires proof of Michigan residency when applying for a registry ID card (driver license, official state ID, or valid voter registration) and makes cards valid for two years instead of one.

Amended: HB 4851
Effective: Apr. 1, 2013

Requires a "bona fide physician-patient relationship," defined as one in which the physician "has created and maintained medical records of the patient's condition in accord with medically accepted standards" and "will provide follow-up care;" protects patient from arrest only with registry identification card and valid photo ID.

Amended: State of Michigan vs. McQueen
Decided: Feb. 8, 2013

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled 4-1 that dispensaries are illegal. As a result, medical marijuana patients in Michigan have to grow their own cannabis or get it from a designated caregiver who can only serve five patients. Localities may create ordinances to allow them and regulate them.

Website:
Michigan Medical Marijuana

Patient Registry Fee:
$60 new or renewal application

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
Yes

The Office of Communications in the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs told ProCon.org in an October 30, 2014 email: "The law says that cards from other states are recognized. However, the Michigan Medical Marijuana Program does not have any control over enforcement of that section of the statute."

Registration:
Mandatory

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	No
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	12/04/2008
Non-Profit
Cultivation Limits
Term for Grows	Cultivation facility
Term for Centers	Collective or Dispensary
How is infused weight tracked?
Licensing Authority	www.michigan.gov
Link to Licensing authority	Highly volatile. Legislation is pending to allow and regulate dispensaries, but chance of passage is slim. Localities may create ordinances to allow them and regulate them.
Future Market Potential
Links to State Laws
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)
Patient Sales Limit
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	12 Plants
Delivery
For Profit
Vertical Integration required
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	100
Reciprocity for Medical	No
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	No
Testing Required
Plant Count Limits (Patients)

MINNESOTA
SF 2470 - Signed into law by Govenor Mark Dayton on May 29, 2014. Approved: By Senate 46-16, by House 89-40. Effective: May 30, 2014 Approved Medical Conditions: cancer (if the underlying condition or treatment produces severe or chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, or cachexia or severe wasting), glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, ALS, Tourette's syndrome, seizures/epilepsy, Crohn's disease, severe and persistent muscle spasms/MS, terminal illness with a life expectancy of under one year.

 

 

The commissioner will consider adding intractable pain and other conditions, and must report findings no later than July 1, 2016.

Possession & Cultivation: The Commissioner of Health must register two in-state manufacturers for the production of all medical marijuana within Minnesota. Manufacturers are required to ensure that the medical marijuana distributed contains no more than a 30-day supply of the dosage determined for the patient.

"Medical marijuana" is defined as any species of the genus cannabis plant delivered in the form of (1) liquid, including, oil; (2) pills; (3) vaporized delivery method that does not require the use of dried leaves or plant form. Smoking is not a method approved by the bill.

Website:
Minnesota Medical Marijuana

Patient Registry Fee:
$200 / $50 for patients on Social Security disability, Supplemental Security Insurance, or enrolled in MinnesotaCare

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
No

Registration:
Mandatory

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	No
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	05/30/2014
Non-Profit
Cultivation Limits	TBD
Term for Grows	Manufacturer
Term for Centers	Dispensary
How is infused weight tracked?	TBD
Licensing Authority	Dept of Health
Link to Licensing authority
Future Market Potential
Links to State Laws
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)	TBD
Patient Sales Limit	TBD
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	No
Delivery	TBD
For Profit
Vertical Integration required
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?	8 distribution. 2 manufacturers.
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	0
Reciprocity for Medical
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	State registration.
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	Dept of Health
Testing Required	TBD
Plant Count Limits (Patients)	TBD

MISSISSIPPI

MISSOURI

MONTANA
Initiative 148 - Approved by 62% of voters on November 2, 2004. Effective: November 2, 2004 Approved Medical Conditions:  Glaucoma, Cancer, or positive status for HIV/AIDS, a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition that produces cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe nausea, severe or chronic pain, seizures, including epilepsy, or severe or persistent muscle spasms, including multiple sclerosis or Crohn's disease; or any other medical condition or treatment for a medical condition approved by the department by rule.

 

 

Possession & Cultivation: A qualifying patient and caregiver may each possess six cannabis plants and an ounce of usable marijuana. "Usable marijuana" means the dried leaves and flowers of cannabis and any mixture or preparation of marijuana.

Amended: SB 423 - Passed on April 28, 2011 and signed by the Governor on May 3, 2011
Effective: July 1, 2011

SB 423 adapted the application procedure to require a Montana driver's license or state issued identification. A second physician is mandatory to confirm a chronic pain diagnosis.

"A provider or marijuana-infused products provider may serve a maximum of three registered cardholders..." and "may not accept anything of value, including money, for any services or products provided to a registered cardholder."

Approved Medical Conditions: Glaucoma, Cancer, or positive status for HIV/AIDS; Cachexia or wasting syndrome; Severe, chronic pain that is persistent and significantly interferes with daily life as documented by the patient's primary physician; Intractable nausea or vomiting; Epilepsy or intractable seizure disorder; Chrone's Disease; Multiple sclerosis; Painful peripheral neuropathy; A central nervous system disorder resulting in painful spasticity or muscle spasms.

Possession & Cultivation: Amended to 12 seedlings (less than 12"), four mature flowering plants, and one ounce of usable cannabis.

On Nov. 6, 2012, Montana voters approved initiative referendum No. 124 by a vote of 56.5% to 43.5%, upholding SB 423.

Website:
Montana Medical Marijuana

Patient Registry Fee:
$75 new application/$75 renewal

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
No (reciprocity ended when SB 423 took effect)

Registration:
Mandatory

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	No
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	11/02/2004
Non-Profit
Cultivation Limits	N/A. Caregiver only.
Term for Grows	Cultivation facility Manufacturer.
Term for Centers	Dispensary
How is infused weight tracked?	Yes
Licensing Authority	Dept of Health & Human Services.
Link to Licensing authority	www.dphhs.mt.gov
Future Market Potential	Highly volatile. Court case is pending that may provide some protection to dispensaries, but legal landscape is currently unfavorable.
Links to State Laws
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)	N/A
Patient Sales Limit	1 ounce.
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	Seedlings = 12 Mature = 4
Delivery	N/A
For Profit
Vertical Integration required	Caregivers only
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?	N/A
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	30
Reciprocity for Medical	Yes
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	State registration. 2nd Dr. recommendation needed for chronic pain evaluation. Patient's from out of state may sign affidavit attesting to their right to use medical cannabis in another state.
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	Dept of Health & Human Services.
Testing Required	No
Plant Count Limits (Patients)	Caregiver per patient limits: 3 mature, 4 immature.

NEBRASKA

NEVADA
Ballot Question 9 - Approved November 7, 2000 by 65% of voters. Effective: October 1, 2001 Eliminates state-level criminal penalties on the use, possession and cultivation of cannabis by patients who have "written recommendation" from their physician that marijuana may benefit his or her condition.

 

 

Approved Medical Conditions: cancer; AIDS; glaucoma; and any medical condition or treatment to a medical condition that produces cachexia, persistent muscle spasms or seizures, severe nausea or pain, and PTSD. Other conditions may be subject to approval by the state Department of Human Resources health division.

Possession & Cultivation: Patients (or their caregivers) may legally possess a maximum of one ounce of usable marijuana, three mature plants, and four immature plants.

Registry: The law implements a confidential state-run patient registry that issues ID cards to qualifying patients. Patients who do not join the registry or possess larger amounts of cannabis than allowed by law may argue the "affirmative defense of medical necessity" if arrested on marijuana charges. Legislators added a preamble to the legislation stating, "The state of Nevada as a sovereign state has the duty to serve the will of the people of this state and regulate the health, medical practices and well-being of those people in a manner that respects their personal decisions concerning the relief of suffering through the medical use of cannabis." A separate provision requires the Nevada School of Medicine to "aggressively" seek federal permission to establish a state-run medical marijuana distribution program.

Amended: Assembly Bill 453
Effective: October 1, 2001

Created a state registry for patients whose physicians recommend medical cannabis and tasked the Department of Motor Vehicles with issuing patient identification cards. No state funds will be used for the program, which is funded entirely by donations.

Amended: Senate Bill 374
Signed into law by Govenor Brian Sandoval on June 12, 2013

"Provides for the registration of medical marijuana establishments authorized to grow or distribute marijuana or manufacture edible marijuana products or marijuana-infused products for sale to persons authorized to engage in medical marijuana use...

From April 1, 2014, through March 31, 2016, a nonresident must sign an affidavit attesting to the fact that he or she is certified to engage in the medical use of marijuana in his or her state. On and after April 1, 2016, the requirement for such an affidavit will be replaced by computer cross-checking between the State of Nevada and other jurisdictions." Patients who were growing cannabis before July 1, 2013 are allowed to continue cultivation in their home until March 31, 2016.

Updates: Nevada Marijuana Legalization Initiative, also known as Question 2, was voted in on November 8, 2016 by 54% of voters.

Question 2 was designed to allow adults 21 years old or older to possess, consume, and cultivate cannabis for recreational purposes. The initiative mandated a new 15 percent excise tax, with revenue from the tax to go towards enforcing the measure and schools. It authorizes and regulates cannabis retail stores, cultivation facilities, manufacturing facilities, testing facilities, and distributors.

Website:
Nevada Medical Marijuana

Patient Registry Fee:
$25 application fee, plus $75 for the card

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
Yes, starting Apr. 1, 2014 with an affidavit

Registration:
Mandatory

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	Yes
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	06/12/2013
Non-Profit	No
Cultivation Limits	None
Term for Grows	Cultivation
Term for Centers	Dispensary
How is infused weight tracked?	Yes
Licensing Authority	Dept. of Health and Human Services
Link to Licensing authority	https://health.nv.gov/medicalmarijuana.htm
Future Market Potential	Nevada has approved both medicinal and adult-use marijuana
Links to State Laws	https://leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-453A.html and https://leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-453A.html
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)	None
Patient Sales Limit	2.5 oz per 14 days
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	Immature = 4 Mature = 3
Delivery	Nevada permits the delivery of cannabis from a retail Medical Marijuana Establishment to any person who holds a valid registry identification card or his or her designated primary caregiver.
For Profit	Yes
Vertical Integration required	Yes
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?	60
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	TBD
Reciprocity for Medical	Yes
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	State Registry.
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	Department of Health and Human Services
Testing Required	At every stage.
Plant Count Limits (Patients)	12, if the patient lives more than 25 miles from a dispensary.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
House Bill 573. Approved: May 23, 2013 by Senate, 18-6 and June 26, 2013 by House, 284-66. Signed into law by Govenor Maggie Hassan on July 23, 2013. Effective: Upon passage The bill authorizes the use of medicinal cannabis in New Hampshire, establishes a state registry identification card system, allows for the registration of up to four non-profit compassionate care centers in the state, and establishes an affirmative defense for qualified patients and qualified caregivers with valid registry identification cards.

 

 

HB 573 also calls for the creation of a Therapeutic Use of Cannabis Advisory Council, which in 5 years is required to "issue an opinion on whether the program should be continue or be repealed."

A valid identification card from another medical marijuana state will be recognized, allowing the visiting patient to possess cannabis for medicinal purposes, but the "visiting qualifying patient cannot cultivate or purchase marijuana in New Hampshire or obtain marijuana from compassionate care centers..."

Approved Medical Conditions: Glaucoma, Cancer, positive status for HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, muscular dystrophy, ALS, Crohn's disease, agitation of Alzheimer's disease, chronic pancreatitis, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury or disease, traumatic brain injury, or "one or more injuries that significantly interferes with daily life as documented by the patient's physician; and a severely debilitating or terminal medical condition or its treatment that has produced at least one of the following: elevated intraocular pressure, chemotherapy induced anorexia, cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe pain that has not responded to prescribed medication or surgical measures or for which other treatment options produced unwanted side effects, constant or severe nausea, moderate to severe vomiting, seizures, or severe, persistent muscle spasms."

Possession & Cultivation: "A qualifying patient shall obtain a maximum of 2 ounces of usable marijuana directly or through the qualifying patient's caregiver during a ten day period." A patient may possess two ounces of usable marijuana and any amount of unusable marijuana.

Updates: On April 3, 2014, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) posted proposed Therapeutic Cannabis Program Registry Rules and began the rulemaking process.

SB 17, effective June 16, 2017, allows Hepatitis C as a qualifying medical condition without the treatment restriction of “currently receiving antiviral treatment.” 

HB 157, effective August 15, 2017, adds “moderate to severe chronic pain” as a qualifying medical condition.

HB 160, effective August 27, 2017, makes the following changes to the list of qualifying medical conditions:

• Adds “moderate or severe post-traumatic stress disorder” as a qualifying medical condition.
• Adds “severe pain that has not responded to prescribed medication or surgical measures 
• Adds “Ehlers-Danlos syndrome” as a qualifying medical condition. 

Website:
New Hampshire Medical Marijuana

Patient Registry Fee:
$50

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
Yes

Registration:
Mandatory

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	No
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	06/26/2013
Non-Profit	Yes
Cultivation Limits	2 ounces in possession at any given time.
Term for Grows	Cultivation
Term for Centers	Alternative Treatment Center
How is infused weight tracked?
Licensing Authority	Dept of Health and Human Services.
Link to Licensing authority
Future Market Potential	MMJ program likely won't be operational until 2015. Not likely to see much growth in the number of approved licensees for a couple of years.
Links to State Laws	www.dhhs.state.nh.us
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)	TBD
Patient Sales Limit	2 ounces per days
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)
Delivery	No
For Profit	No
Vertical Integration required
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?	4
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	0. DHHS announced on 4/23/14 that it is not 'currently' accepting applications.
Reciprocity for Medical	Yes
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	State registration with Dr. recommendation.
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	Therapeutic Use of Cannabis Advisory Council. To provide formal review of pilot program in 2018 to contine or cease medical cannabis program.
Testing Required	No
Plant Count Limits (Patients)	TBD

NEW JERSEY
Senate Bill 119. Approved: January 11, 2010 by House, 48-14; by Senate, 25-13. Signed into law by Govenor Jon Corzine on January 18, 2010. Effective: July 18, 2010 Protects "patients who use cannabis to alleviate suffering from debilitating medical conditions or diseases, as well as their physicians, primary caregivers, and those who are authorized to produce cannabis for medical purposes" from "arrest, prosecution, property forfeiture, and criminal and other penalties.

Also provides for the establishment of compassionate care centers, "at least two each in the northern, central, and southern parts of the state. The first two centers issued a permit in each region must be nonprofit entities, and any subsequent centers issued permits may be nonprofit or for-profit entities."

Approved Medical Conditions: Cancer, Seizure disorder, including epilepsy, intractable skeletal muscular spasticity, glaucoma; severe or chronic pain, severe nausea or vomiting, cachexia, or wasting syndrome resulting from HIV/AIDS or cancer; Lou Gehrig's Disease, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, or inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease; terminal illness, if the physician has provided a prognosis of less than 12 months of life or any other medical condition or its treatment that is approved by the Department of Health and Senior Services.

Possession & Cultivation: Physicians decide how much cannabis a patient should use and give written instructions to be shown to a compassionate care center. The maximum amount for a month is two ounces.

Amended: SB 2842
Signed into law by Govenor Chris Christie on September 10, 2013.

Allows edible forms of marijuana only for qualifying minors, who must receive a recommendation by a pediatrician and a psychiatrist.

Updates: S119 was supposed to become effective 6 months after it was enacted on January 18, 2010, but the legislature, DHHS, and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie had problems coming to an agreement on the details of how the program would operate.

The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services created draft rules describing the registration and application process on October 6, 2010. A public hearing to go over the proposed rules was held on December 6, 2010 at the New Jersey Department of Health, according to the New Jersey Register.

On December 20, 2011, Senator Nicholas Scutari (D), lead sponsor of the medical marijuana bill, submitted Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 140 declaring that the "Board of Medical Examiners proposed medicinal marijuana program rules are not consistent with legislative intent." The New Jersey Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens committee held a public hearing to discuss SCR 140 and a similar bill, SCR 130, on Jan. 20, 2010.

On August 9, 2012, the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program opened the patient registration system on its website. Patients must have a physician's recommendation, a government-issued ID, and proof of New Jersey residency to register. The first dispensary is expected to be licensed to open in September.

On October 16, 2012, the Department of Health issued the first dispensary permit to Greenleaf Compassion Center, allowing it to operate and dispense marijuana. The center opened on December 6, 2012, as New Jersey's first medical marijuana dispensary.

As of April 23, 2014, there were Compassionate Care Centers with permits to operate in three regions of the state as designated by the medical cannabis program: north, central, and south.

Website:
New Jersery Medicinal Marijuana

Patient Registry Fee:
$200 (valid for two years). Reduced fee of $20 for patients qualifying for state or federal assistance programs

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
No

Registration:
Mandatory

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	No
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	06/18/2010
Non-Profit	Yes
Cultivation Limits
Term for Grows
Term for Centers	ATC (Alternative Treatment Center) is the state license term and the only term commonly used.
How is infused weight tracked?	Lozenges only, and only for minors with approved Dr. "approval."
Licensing Authority	Dept. of Health.
Link to Licensing authority	https://www.nj.gov/health/medicalmarijuana/
Future Market Potential	Remaining 3 approved dispensaries are likely to open in 2014 or early 2015.
Links to State Laws	www.state.nj.us
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)
Patient Sales Limit	2 ounces per 30 days maximum, or as prescribed by physician, whichever is less.
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	No
Delivery	No
For Profit	No
Vertical Integration required	Yes
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?	6
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	3
Reciprocity for Medical	No
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	State registration with Dr. recommendation.
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	Dept. of Health.
Testing Required	No
Plant Count Limits (Patients)

NEW MEXICO
Senate Bill 523 "The Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act". Approved: Mar. 13, 2007 by House, 36-31; by Senate, 32-3. Effective: July 1, 2007Eliminates state-level criminal penalties on the use and possession of cannabis by patients "in a regulated system for alleviating symptoms caused by debilitating medical conditions" The New Mexico Department of Health is responsible for administering the program and registering patients, caregivers, and providers.

 

 

Approved Medical Conditions: As of April 23, 2014, the 19 current qualifying conditions for medical cannabis were: severe chronic pain, painful peripheral neuropathy, intractable nausea/vomiting, severe anorexia/cachexia, hepatitis C infection, Crohn's disease, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), cancer, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with intractable spasticity, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, hospice patients, cervical dystonia, Inflammaory Autoimmune-mediated Arthritis, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease.

Possession & Cultivation: Patients have the right to possess up to six ounces of usable cannabis, four mature plants and 12 seedlings. A primary caregiver can provide services to no more than four qualified patients under the Medical Cannabis Program.

Website:
New Mexico Medical Marijuana

Patient Registry Fee:
No fee

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
No

Registration:
Mandatory

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	No
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	06/01/2007
Non-Profit	Anticipate non-profit
Cultivation Limits	4 mature plants and 12 seedlings. 4 patients per caregiver.
Term for Grows	Providers
Term for Centers	Providers
How is infused weight tracked?	TBD
Licensing Authority	Dept. of Health
Link to Licensing authority	https://nmhealth.org/MCP/
Future Market Potential	Discussions underway to increase the number of licensees, unclear yet how many new licenses will be created.
Links to State Laws
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)	TBD
Patient Sales Limit	Possession of up to 6 ounces.
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	Immature = 4 Mature = 12
Delivery	TBD
For Profit
Vertical Integration required	Yes
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?	23
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	23
Reciprocity for Medical	No
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	State registration with Dr. recommendation.
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	Dept. of Health.
Testing Required	No (but likely in 2015)
Plant Count Limits (Patients)	TBD

NEW YORK
Assembly Bill 6357. Approved: June 19, 2014 by Assembly, 117-13; June 20, 2014 by Senate, 49-10. Signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo on July 5, 2014. Effective: Upon Governor's signatureThe Department of Health has 18 months to establish regulations and register dispensing organizations. Marijuana taxed at 7%, to be paid by the dispensary. The law automatically expires after seven years.

 

 

Approved Medical Conditions: Cancer, HIV/AIDS, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord damage causing spasticity, epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, neuropathies, or Huntington's disease. The Department of Health commissioner uses discretion to add or delete conditions and must decide whether to add Alzheimer's, muscular dystrophy, dystonia, PTSD, and rheumatoid arthritis within 18 months after the law becomes effective.

Possession & Cultivation: 30-day supply to be determined by the health commissioner during the rule making process or by the physician.

Smoking is not a method approved by the bill.

Website:
New York Medical Marijuana

Patient Registry Fee:
$50

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
No

Registration:
Mandatory

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	No
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	07/05/2014
Non-Profit	Not Required
Cultivation Limits	Enough for 1 year of product for each brand.
Term for Grows	Manufacturing Facility
Term for Centers	Dispensary
How is infused weight tracked?	Yes. Total Cannabinoids.
Licensing Authority	New York State Department of Health
Link to Licensing authority	www.health.ny.gov
Future Market Potential	Bound by legislation.
Links to State Laws	assembly.state.ny.us
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)	No Maximums
Patient Sales Limit	Max 30 day supply.
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	No
Delivery	No
For Profit	Not Required
Vertical Integration required	Yes
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?	5 Registered Organizations
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	5 Cultivation, 5 Processing, 20 Dispensaries
Reciprocity for Medical	No
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	Yes
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	NY DOHMH
Testing Required	Yes
Plant Count Limits (Patients)	None

NORTH CAROLINA

NORTH DAKOTA
State and Relevant Medical Marijuana Laws

 

 

Initiated Statutory Measure 5 "North Dakota Compassionate Care Act" – Approved November 8, 2016 by 63.7% of the voters

"This initiated measure added a new chapter to Title 19 of the North Dakota Century Code creating an Act providing for the medical use of cannabis... To participate in the program, the Act would create ID cards with specific criteria before they can be issued by the Department of Health for patients, caregivers, compassion centers and other facilities. The Act would create procedures for monitoring, inventorying, dispensing, and cultivation of marijuana to be regulated and enforced by the Department of Health."

Approved Medical Conditions: Cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, ALS, PTSD, Alzheimer's disease, dementia, Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis or chronic back pain including neuropathy or damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity, glaucoma, epilepsy; A chronic or debilitating disease medical condition or its treatment that produces one or more of the following: cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe debilitating pain that has not responded to previously prescribed medication or surgical measures for more than three months or for which other treatment options produced serious side effects, intractable nausea, seizures, or severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those characteristic of multiple sclerosis; Any other medical condition or its treatment added by the North Dakota Department of Health.

Possession & Cultivation: 3 ounces of usable marijuana per 14-day period

Website:
North Dakota Medical Marijuana

Patient Registry Fee:
$50

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
Unclear

OHIO
State and Relevant Medical Marijuana Laws 

House Bill 523 Approved: May 10, 2016 by House, 71-26; May 25, 2016 by Senate, 18-15

Signed into law by Governor John Kasich on June 8, 2016 Effective: September 8, 2016

Authorizes the use of cannabis for medical purposes and establishes the Medical Marijuana Control Program.

"Only the following forms of medical marijuana may be dispensed under this chapter: oils, tinctures, plant material, edibles, patches." The smoking of medical marijuana is prohibited while vaporization is permitted.

Approved Medical Conditions: AIDS/HIV, Alzheimer's disease, ALS, cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Crohn's disease, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, hepatitis C, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic, severe, or intractable pain, Parkinson's disease, PTSD, sickle cell anemia, spinal cord disease or injury, Tourette's syndrome, traumatic brain injury, ulcerative colitis

Possession & Cultivation: The law allows for a maximum of a 90-day supply, to be determined during the rulemaking process.

Smoking is not a method approved by the bill.

"The Ohio Department of Commerce and the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy are required by law to take all actions necessary to ensure that Ohio's Medical Marijuana Control Program is fully operational by September 2018. At that time, there will be an established structure for Ohio citizens with a qualifying medical condition to obtain a recommendation for medical marijuana, purchase medical marijuana from a licensed dispensary, and consume medical marijuana."
 

Website:
Ohio Medical Marijuana

Patient Registry Fee:
To be determined

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
"The state board of pharmacy shall attempt to negotiate and enter into a reciprocity agreement with any other state under which a medical marijuana registry identification card or equivalent authorization that is issued by the other state is recognized in the state of Ohio."

Registration:
Mandatory

OKLAHOMA

OREGON
Ballot Measure 67 - Approved by 55% of voters on November 3, 1998. Effective: December 3, 1998Eliminates state-level criminal penalties on the use, possession and cultivation of cannabis by patients who possess a signed recommendation by their physician stating that marijuana "may mitigate" debilitating symptoms.

 

 

Approved Medical Conditions: Cancer, glaucoma, positive status for HIV/AIDS, or treatment for these conditions; A medical condition or treatment for a medical condition that produces cachexia, severe pain, severe nausea, seizures, including seizures caused by epilepsy, or persistent muscle spasms, including spasms caused by multiple sclerosis. Other conditions are subject to approval by the Health Division of the Oregon Department of Human Resources.

Possession & Cultivation: A registry ID cardholder or the designated primary caregiver of the cardholder may possess up to six mature plants and 24 ounces of usable marijuana. A registry identification cardholder and the designated primary caregiver of the cardholder may possess a combined total of up to 18 marijuana seedlings.

Amended: Senate Bill 1085
Effective: Jan. 1, 2006

State-qualified patients who possess marijuana in amounts exceeding the new state guidelines will no longer retain the ability to argue an "affirmative defense" of medical necessity at trial. Patients who fail to register with the state, but who possess medical cannabis in amounts compliant with state law, still retain the ability to raise an "affirmative defense" at trial.

The law also redefines "mature plants" to include only those marijuana plants that are more than 12 inches in height and diameter, and create a state-registry for those authorized to produce medical cannabis to qualified patients.

Amended: House Bill 3052
Effective: July 21, 1999

Mandates that patients (or their caregivers) may only grow marijuana in one location, and requires that patients must be diagnosed by their physicians at least 12 months prior to an arrest in order to present an "affirmative defense." This bill also states that law enforcement officials who seize cannabis from a patient pending trial do not have to keep those plants alive. Last year the Oregon Board of Health approved agitation due to Alzheimer’s disease to the list of debilitating conditions qualifying for legal protection.

In August 2001, program administrators filed temporary procedures further defining the relationship between physicians and patients. The new rule defines attending physician as "a physician who has established a relationship with the patient;... is primarily responsible for the treatment of the patients... has reviewed a patient's medical records at the patient’s request, has conducted a thorough physical examination, has provided a treatment plan and/or follow-up care, and has documented all activities in a patient file."

Amended: SB 281
Signed by Govenor John Kitzhaber on June 6, 2013

Adds post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the list of approved conditions for medical marijuana use.

Amended: HB 3460
Signed by Goveor John Kitzhaber on Aug. 14, 2013

Creates a dispensary program by allowing the state licensing and regulation of medical marijuana facilities to transfer marijuana to registry ID cardholders or their designated primary caregivers.

Updates: On March 3, 2014, the program began accepting applications from people seeking a license to operate a medical marijuana dispensary.

On March 19, 2014, Senate Bill 1531 was signed into law. The bill allows local governments to restrict the operation of dispensaries, including the moratoriums up through May 1, 2015.

On April 18, 2014, the Medical Marijuana Dispensary Program approved 15 dispensary applications, bringing the total number of approved dispensaries to 58.

Updates: On November 4th, 2014, Measure 91, The Oregon Legalized Marijuana Initiative, was approved by 56% of the vote.

Gov. Kate Brown signed legislation on July 27, 2015, moving the first legal sale date for cannabis up by one year to October 1, 2015.

Measure 91 legalized recreational marijuana for people 21 and older, allowing adults to possess up to eight ounces of "dried" cannabis and a maximum of four plants. Additionally, the measure tasked the Oregon Liquor Control Commission with regulating sales of marijuana. The initiative was sponsored by the group New Approach Oregon.

Website:
Oregon Medical Marijuana 

Patient Registry Fee:
$200 for new applications and renewals; $100 for application and annual renewal fee for persons receiving SNAP (food stamp) and for Oregon Health Plan cardholders; $20 for persons receiving SSI benefits

An additional $50 grow site registration fee is charged if the patient is not their own grower.

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
No

Registration:
Mandatory

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	Yes
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	10/01/2015
Non-Profit	Yes
Cultivation Limits	up to 18 plants per patient.
Term for Grows	Cultivation/Grow.
Term for Centers	Collective or Dispensary.
How is infused weight tracked?
Licensing Authority	Public Health Authority.
Link to Licensing authority	Public.health.oregon.gov
Future Market Potential	Oregon now legal for recreational adult-use
Links to State Laws
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)	A patient, caregiver and grower may possess a combined total of up to 24 ounces of usable marijuana.
Patient Sales Limit	No limit as long as 24 oz. rule is met.
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	patients can designate a caregiver and can also grow for themselves., 6 mature, 18 immature.
Delivery	Yes
For Profit	No
Vertical Integration required	No
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?	Doesn't seem to be a limit, but most counties and cities have banned dispensaries.
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	200
Reciprocity for Medical	No
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	State registration with Dr. recommendation.
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	Oregon Public Health Authority. Adult Use: Oregon Liquor Control Commission
Testing Required	Yes
Plant Count Limits (Patients)	A patient, the caregiver, and grower combined may possess up to 18 plants for each patient at a registered growsite.

Senate Bill 3 -- Apr. 12, 2016 by Senate, 42-7, and Apr. 13 by House, 149-46
Signed into law by Govenor Tom Wolf (D) on April 17, 2016

Effective: 30 days after passage

Approved Medical Conditions: Cancer, HIV/AIDS, ALS, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity, epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, neuropathies, Huntington's disease, Crohn's disease, PTSD, intractable seizures, glaucoma, sickle cell anemia, severe chronic or intractable pain of neuropathic origin or severe chronic or intractable pain in which conventional therapeutic intervention and opiate therapy is contraindicated or ineffective, autism.

Possession & Cultivation: 30-day supply; According to SB 3, "Medical cannabis may only be dispensed to a patient or caregiver in the following forms: (i) pill; (ii) oil; (iii) topical forms, including gel, creams or ointments; (iv) a form medically appropriate for administration by vaporization or nebulization, excluding dry leaf or plant form... (v) tincture; or (vi) liquid. Unless otherwise provided in regulations adopted by the department under section 1202, medical cannabis may not be dispensed to a patient or a caregiver in dry leaf or plant form."

Smoking is not a method approved by the bill.

Update:
On June 24, 2016 , Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Karen Murphy announced new guidelines for a Safe Harbor provision: "In July [2016], parents, legal guardians, caregivers, and spouses will be able to apply to the department for a Safe Harbor Letter that will allow them to administer medical marijuana obtained from outside of Pennsylvania to minors in their care. Once approved, the letter should be carried whenever medical marijuana is being transported outside of an individual’s home."

Website:

Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana

Patient Registry Fee:
$50

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
Unknown

Registration:
Mandatory

RHODE ISLAND
Senate Bill 0710 - Approved by state House and Senate, vetoed by the Governor. Veto was over-ridden by House and Senate.

Timeline

1. June 24, 2005: passed the House 52 to 10
2. June 28, 2005: passed the State Senate 33 to 1
3. June 29, 2005: Govenor Carcieri vetoed the bill
4. June 30, 2005: Senate overrode the veto 28-6
5. Jan. 3, 2006: House overrode the veto 59-13 to pass the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act (Public Laws 05-442 and 05-443)
6. June 21, 2007: Amended by Senate Bill 791.
Effective: Jan. 3, 2006

Approved Medical Conditions: Cancer, glaucoma, positive status for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, or the treatment of these conditions; A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces cachexia or wasting syndrome; severe, debilitating, chronic pain; severe nausea; seizures, including but not limited to, those characteristic of epilepsy; or severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to, those characteristic of multiple sclerosis or Crohn's disease; or agitation of Alzheimer's Disease; or any other medical condition or its treatment approved by the state Department of Health.

If you have a medical marijuana registry ID card from any other state, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia you may use it in Rhode Island. It has the same force and effect as a card issued by the Rhode Island Department of Health.

Possession & Cultivation: Limits the amount of cannabis that can be possessed and grown to up to 12 marijuana plants or 2.5 ounces of grown marijuana. Primary caregivers may not possess an amount of marijuana in excess of 24 marijuana plants and five ounces of usable marijuana for qualifying patients.

Amended: H5359 - The Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act (substituted for the original bill)

Timeline:

1. May 20, 2009: passed the House 63-5
2. June 6, 2009: passed the State Senate 31-2
3. June 12, 2009: Govenor Carcieri vetoed the bill
4. June 16, 2009: Senate overrode the veto 35-3
5. June 16, 2009: House overrode the veto 67-0

Effective June 16, 2009: Allows the creation of compassion care centers, which may acquire, possess, cultivate, manufacture, deliver, transfer, transport, supply, or dispense marijuana, or related supplies and educational materials, to registered qualifying patients and their registered primary caregivers. Rules & Regulations last updated Dec. 2012.

The first dispensary, the Thomas C. Slater Compassion Center, opened on Apr. 19, 2013. Compassion centers must be operated on a not-for-profit basis.

Website:
Rhode Island Medical Marijuana 

Patient Registry Fee:
$75/$10 for applicants on Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
Yes, but only for the conditions approved in Rhode Island

Registration:
Mandatory

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	No
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	01/03/2006
Non-Profit	Yes
Cultivation Limits	12 plants. Caregiver may not possess more than 24 plants and 5 ounces for qualifying patients.
Term for Grows	Cultivation Center.
Term for Centers	Compassion Center.
How is infused weight tracked?
Licensing Authority	Dept. of Health
Link to Licensing authority	/www.health.ri.gov
Future Market Potential	RI will likely consider legalization in 2018. No increase in licenses anticipated for the medical program.
Links to State Laws	www.health.ri.gov
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)
Patient Sales Limit	2.5 ounces.
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	Can grow your own. 12 plants.
Delivery	Yes
For Profit	No
Vertical Integration required	Yes
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?	3
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	3
Reciprocity for Medical	Yes
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	Dr. recommendation with state registration.
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	Dept. of Health.
Testing Required	No
Plant Count Limits (Patients)

SOUTH CAROLINA

SOUTH DAKOTA

TENNESSEE

TEXAS

UTAH

VERMONT
Senate Bill 76 - Approved 22-7; House Bill 645 - Approved 82-59"Act Relating to Marijuana Use by Persons with Severe Illness"

Govenor James Douglas (R), allowed the act to pass into law unsigned on May 26, 2004. Effective: July 1, 2004
Amended: Senate Bill 00007 Effective: May 30, 2007

 

Approved Medical Conditions: Cancer, AIDS, positive status for HIV, multiple sclerosis, or the treatment of these conditions if the disease or the treatment results in severe, persistent, and intractable symptoms; or a disease, medical condition, or its treatment that is chronic, debilitating and produces severe, persistent, and one or more of the following intractable symptoms: cachexia or wasting syndrome, severe pain or nausea or seizures.

Possession & Cultivation: No more than two mature marijuana plants, seven immature plants, and two ounces of usable marijuana may be collectively possessed between the registered patient and the patient’s registered caregiver.

Amended: Senate Bill 17 "An Act Relating To Registering Four Nonprofit Organizations To Dispense Marijuana For Symptom Relief"
Signed by Govenor Peter Shumlin on June 2, 2011

The bill "establishes a framework for registering up to four nonprofit marijuana dispensaries in the state... A dispensary will be permitted to grow and possess at any one time up to 28 mature marijuana plants, 98 immature marijuana plants, and 28 ounces of usable marijuana."

On September 12, 2012, the State of Vermont Department of Public Safety announced conditional approval of two medical marijuana dispensaries. In June 2013, two dispensaries opened in Vermont.

Website:
Vermont Medical Marijuana

Patient Registry Fee:
$50

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
No

Registration:
Mandatory

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	No
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	01/01/2004
Non-Profit	Yes
Cultivation Limits	28 mature plants, 98 immature plants per cultivation center.
Term for Grows	Cultivation Center.
Term for Centers	Dispensary
How is infused weight tracked?	Yes
Licensing Authority	Dept. of Public Safety
Link to Licensing authority	vcic.vermont.gov
Future Market Potential	Two additional dispensary licenses may be approved in 2014.
Links to State Laws	vcic.vermont.gov
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)	28 ounces.
Patient Sales Limit	2 ounces at any given time.
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	Can grow your own. 2 mature plants. 7 immature plants.
Delivery	Yes
For Profit	No
Vertical Integration required	Yes
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?	4
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	4
Reciprocity for Medical	No
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	State registration w/Dr. recommendation.
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	Dept of Public Safety.
Testing Required	No
Plant Count Limits (Patients)	Not defined per patient.

VIRGINIA

WASHINGTON
Chapter 69.51A RCW Ballot Initiative I-692 - Approved by 59% of voters on Nov. 3, 1998. Effective: Nov. 3, 1998Eliminates state-level criminal penalties on the use, possession and cultivation of marijuana by patients who possess "valid documentation" from their physician confirming that he or she suffers from a debilitating condition and that the "potential benefits of the medical use of marijuana would outweigh the health risks."

 

 

Approved Medical Conditions: cancer; cachexia; HIV or AIDS; epilepsy; glaucoma; intractable pain (defined as pain unrelieved by standard treatment or medications); and multiple sclerosis. Other conditions are subject to approval by the Washington Board of Health. Additional conditions as of Nov. 2, 2008: Crohn's disease, Hepatitis C with debilitating nausea or intractable pain, diseases, including anorexia, which result in nausea, vomiting, wasting, appetite loss, cramping, seizures, muscle spasms, or spasticity, when those conditions are unrelieved by standard treatments or medications. Added as of Aug. 31, 2010: chronic renal failure.

Amended: Senate Bill 6032
Effective: 2007

Amended: Final Rule based on Significant Analysis
Effective: Nov. 2, 2008

Possession & Cultivation: A qualifying patient and designated provider may possess a total of no more than 24 ounces of usable marijuana, and a maximum of fifteen plants. This quantity became the state's official "60-day supply" on November 2, 2008.

Amended: SB 5073
Effective: July 22, 2011
Govenor Christine Gregoire signed sections of the bill and vetoed others, as explained in the April 29, 2011 veto notice. Govenor Gregoire struck down sections related to creating state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries and a voluntary patient registry.

Updates: On January 21, 2010, the Supreme Court of the State of Washington ruled that Ballot Initiative "I-692 did not legalize marijuana, but rather provided an authorized user with an affirmative defense if the user shows compliance with the requirements for medical marijuana possession." State v. Fry.

SB 5052 passed the House by a vote of 60-36 on Apr. 10, 2015 and the Senate by a vote of 41-8 on Apr. 14, 2015. Gov. Jay Inslee signed the bill into law with partial vetoes on Apr. 24, 2015.

The law creates a voluntary registry and allows registered patients to possess three times as much marijuana as allowed by the recreational marijuana law. Patients will be allowed to purchase medical-grade products at some stores that sell legal recreational marijuana.

Updates: On November 6, 2012, Initiative 502, was approved by 55% of the vote.

The proposed measure legalized the production, possession, delivery and distribution of marijuana. The initiative also regulated the sale of small amounts of marijuana to people 21 years old and older. Marijuana farms and food processors would need to be licensed by the Washington State Liquor Control Board.

Website:
Washington Medical Marijuana 

Patient Registry Fee: $1

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
No

Registration:
None

Topic	Details
Medical	Yes
Recreational (Adult-Use)	Yes
CBD Only	No
Date Law Went into Effect	11/03/1998
Non-Profit	Medical
Cultivation Limits	up to 15 plants per patient on medical. 2 million sq ft. canopy for retail.
Term for Grows	Producer
Term for Centers
How is infused weight tracked?
Licensing Authority	LCB
Link to Licensing authority	MedicalMarijuanaCannabis.aspx
Future Market Potential	Volatile market. Likely that the existing medical program will be phased out over 2014-2015. Retail market is still in the first stages of launch.
Links to State Laws	app.leg.wa.gov
Individual on Hand Limits (Retail)	No limit. Inventory must be pre-packaged by processor.
Patient Sales Limit	Retail = 1 oz Medical = 24 oz
Patient Limits (Can you grow your own or assign plants?)	Can grow your own and designate, 15 Plants.
Delivery	Yes
For Profit	Retail
Vertical Integration required	Medical: n/a Retail: vertical integration not allowed
Number of Licenses Available or Limited To?	336 retail licenses. 2 Million Sq Ft of canopy in 2014 for all producers.
Current Best Estimate of the Number of Different Operating Licensees in Each: Grow, Processing, Retail	Grow: 25, Processing: 0, Retail: 0. Medical: 275.
Reciprocity for Medical	No
State Registry or Dr. Recommendation	Dr. Recommendation only for medical. 21+ ID for retail.
Established Agency to Regulate Compliance	No regulatory agency for medical. WSLCB for Retail.
Testing Required	Medical: No Retail: Yes
Plant Count Limits (Patients)	15 plants for medical. Canopy limit overall in Retail. Producers can only use 60% of the canopy they applied for, and only get one license out if they applied for multiples. 2 Million Sq Ft limit.

WEST VIRGINIA

WISCONSIN

WYOMING

WASHINGTON DC
Amendment Act B18-622 "Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Amendment Act of 2010" - Approved 13-0 by the Council of the District of Columbia on May 4, 2010; signed by the Mayor on May 21, 2010. Effective: July 27, 2010[After being signed by the Mayor, the law underwent a 30-day Congessional review period. Neither the Senate nor the House acted to stop the law, so it became effective when the review period ended.]
Approved Medical Conditions: HIV, AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, conditions characterized by severe and persistent muscle spasms, such as multiple sclerosis; patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or using azidothymidine or protease inhibitors.

 

 

Possession & Cultivation: "Patients are permitted to purchase up to two (2) ounces of dried medical marijuana per month or the equivalent of two ounces of dried medical marijuana when sold in any other form." ("Patient FAQ," doh.dc.gov, May 2013)

Updates: On Apr. 14, 2011, Mayor Vincent C. Gray announced the adoption of an emergency amendment to title 22 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR), which added a new subtitle C entitled "Medical Marijuana." The emergency amendment "will set forth the process and procedure" for patients, caregivers, physicians, and dispensaries, and "implement the provisions of the Act that must be addressed at the onset to enable the Department to administer the program." The final rulemaking was posted online on Jan. 3, 2012.

On Feb. 14, 2012, the DC Department of Health's Health Regulation and Licensing Administration posted a revised timeline for the dispensary application process, which listed June 8, 2012 as the date by which the Department intends to announce dispensary applicants available for registration.

The first dispensary, Capital City Care, was licensed in Apr. 2013.

Website:
Washington DC Medical Marijuana

Patient Registry Fee:
$100 initial or renewal fee /$25 for low income patients

Accepts other states' registry ID cards?
No

Registration:
Mandatory