How to get a medical card in Connecticut

Connecticut has had a medical marijuana program since 2012. Want to learn more about the state’s program, medical marijuana laws and how to obtain your own medical card? Read on and we’ll guide you through the essential info. 

Connecticut medical marijuana laws & regulations 

Connecticut residents with qualifying health conditions are eligible to receive medical marijuana certificates. Once obtaining their medical cards, patients can visit licensed CT dispensaries and purchase up to 3 ounces of medical cannabis a month. 

How to get a medical marijuana card in Connecticut 

If you’re a Connecticut resident and believe you have a qualifying condition, you’re eligible to apply for a CT medical marijuana card. After successfully following the steps, you will then be eligible to visit a licensed medical marijuana dispensary and purchase medicinal cannabis. 

How to apply for a medical marijuana card in Connecticut 

Your first step in getting an MMJ card is to visit a Connecticut licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse (RN) to be evaluated. The provider will assess whether you have a qualifying medical condition. Once a physician approves you for the program, you can complete the online application and submit the application fee. 

What documents are required? 

The qualifying physician you visit in Connecticut to determine if you’re eligible for a medical marijuana registration certificate will ask you for a valid email address and a primary phone number. Your certificate is valid for up to one year from the date your physician certified you. Connecticut requires you to have a primary email address because it’s the main way the state Department of Consumer Protection will communicate with you. 

When you fill out your online registration, you’ll also be asked to provide proof of identity and proof of state residency. Examples of documents you can use for Proof of Identity are as follows:

• Connecticut or Out-of-State Issued Driver’s License
• Connecticut Issued ID
• Connecticut pistol or firearm permit
• US Passport or Passport Card
• Permanent Resident Card
• Certificate of Naturalization
• Certificate of Citizenship

To prove you’re a Connecticut resident, you need to provide an additional document that shows your name and Connecticut address. These documents must be dated within 90 days of your application and be computer-generated, not typed or hand-written. The following documents are acceptable for Connecticut medical marijuana card proof of residency: 

• Computer-generated bill or statement from a bank or mortgage company, utility company, doctor or hospital
• Pre-printed pay stub showing both your name and address and your employer’s name and address
• W-2 form property or excise tax bill, or Social Security Administration or other pension or retirement annual benefits summary statement and dated within the current or prior year
• Medicaid or Medicare benefit statement
• Current valid homeowner’s, renter’s or motor vehicle insurance policy dated within the last year
• Current motor vehicle loan statement for a motor vehicle registered in your name
• Residential mortgage or similar loan contract, lease or rental contract showing signatures from all parties needed to execute the agreement and dated within the last year
• First-class mail addressed to your home address
• Connecticut voter registration card
• Survey of your Connecticut property issued by a licensed surveyor
• Connecticut handgun permit
• Motor vehicle registration

How long does it take to get a medical marijuana card in Connecticut? 

Getting a qualified patient application can take up to 30 business days. When your application is approved, the program will email your medical marijuana registration certificate. The state requests that applicants contact them if they don’t receive the medical marijuana certificate within 30 business days after they apply and pay the fee. 

Qualifying Debilitating Medical Conditions 

As of late 2021, these are Connecticut’s qualifying medical conditions for adults: 

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• Positive status for Human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
• Epilepsy
• Cachexia
• Wasting syndrome
• Crohn’s disease
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Sickle cell disease
• Post laminectomy syndrome with chronic radiculopathy
• Severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Ulcerative colitis
• Complex regional pain syndrome, Type 1 and Type II
• Cerebral palsy
• Cystic fibrosis
• Irreversible spinal cord injury with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
• Terminal illness requiring end-of-life care
• Uncontrolled intractable seizure disorder
• Spasticity or neuropathic pain associated with fibromyalgia
• Severe rheumatoid arthritis
• Post herpetic neuralgia
• Hydrocephalus with intractable headache
• Intractable headache syndromes
• Neuropathic facial pain
• Muscular dystrophy
• Osteogenesis imperfecta
• Chronic neuropathic pain associated with degenerative spinal disorders
• Interstitial cystitis
• MALS Syndrome (median arcuate ligament syndrome)
• Vulvodynia and vulvar burning
• Intractable neuropathic pain that is unresponsive to standard medical treatments\
• Tourette syndrome
• Chronic pain of at least 6 months duration associated with a specified underlying chronic condition refractory to other treatment intervention
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome associated with chronic pain
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Movement disorders associated with Huntington disease

For individuals under age 18, these are the qualifying medical conditions in Connecticut: 

• Cerebral palsy
• Cystic fibrosis
• Irreversible spinal cord injury with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
• Severe epilepsy
• Terminal illness requiring end-of-life care
• Uncontrolled intractable seizure disorder
• Muscular dystrophy
• Osteogenesis imperfecta
• Intractable neuropathic pain that is unresponsive to standard medical treatment
• Tourette syndrome for patients who have failed standard medical treatment
• Chronic pancreatitis for patients whose pain is recalcitrant to standard medical management

Can I go to a dispensary without a card in Connecticut? 

You need to have your medical marijuana card or identification card with you to go to a Connecticut dispensaries as a medical cannabis patient. However, any adult over the age of 21 can purchase cannabis at a dispensary within legal state limits.

How to renew a medical card in Connecticut 

Medical marijuana cards in Connecticut are good for one year. Your qualifying physician needs to recertify that you are eligible, up to 30 days before the previous registration expires.  

You can renew the card online through the Connecticut Medical Marijuana portal by providing a copy of your photo identification and proof that you still live in the state. [Source] 

Who are caregivers? 

Caregivers are individuals who are identified by certifying physicians or by qualified medical marijuana patients to manage the well-being of a registered patient in respect to their medicinal use of marijuana. Caregivers must meet the following requirements: 

• At least 18 years of age or older and can’t be the patient’s physician
• Have a clean criminal record with no convictions for violating the law related to illegally manufacturing, selling or distributing controlled substances

Caregivers can be responsible for only one patient unless they have a parent, guardian, sibling or conservator relationship with more than one qualifying patient. 

How many caregivers can I have? 

You can only have one primary caregiver for medical marijuana in Connecticut. 

How can a caregiver help me? 

The authorized primary caregiver can visit a licensed medical cannabis dispensary, purchase medical cannabis and deliver it to you. 

Where can I legally buy medical marijuana in Connecticut? 

With your medical marijuana registry certification, you can legally buy medical marijuana at a licensed dispensary in Connecticut. 

How can I join the RISE Connecticut Medical Marijuana community? 

Once you’re a qualified medical marijuana patient in Connecticut, you can join the RISE Connecticut Medical Marijuana community online. 

FAQ 

What forms and dosage amounts of medical marijuana are allowed? 

Connecticut allows the sale of marijuana flower, cigarettes, extracts, sprays, tinctures, oils, topical products, transdermal patches, baked goods and capsules or pills. Patients are allowed to purchase up to 5.0 ounces of marijuana flower a month, with the option for up to 3 ounces with a physician’s recommendation. As of June 2021, cannabis edibles have a limit of 2,500 milligrams of THC in any single cannabis product.  

Can I get a medical card for anxiety in Connecticut? 

Anxiety is not listed as one of the qualifying medical conditions for a medical card in Connecticut. 

Does Connecticut Medicaid cover medical marijuana? 

Medicaid does not cover medical marijuana. 

Can I go to a dispensary without a card in Connecticut? 

No, if it's a medical-only dispensary you need a CT medical card to enter. However, you can if it is a hybrid dispensary you may enter with a valid US ID.

Does Connecticut take out-of-state medical cards? 

Connecticut dispensaries do not take out-of-state medical cards. 

Who is eligible to become a medical cannabis patient in Connecticut? 

Patients who live in Connecticut and are diagnosed by a qualifying physician as having one of the qualifying medical conditions are eligible to become medical cannabis patients. 

Who are medical cannabis caregivers? 

Medical cannabis caregivers are people who are qualified, registered and authorized to purchase cannabis on the behalf of medical cannabis patients. 

Can I get fired for having a medical card in Connecticut? 

Connecticut is one of the states that protects the employment status of patients who are qualified under the Palliative Use of Marijuana Act (PUMA). The Act states “No employer may refuse to hire a person or may discharge, penalize, or threaten an employee solely on the basis of such person’s or employee’s status as a qualifying patient or primary caregiver.” 

Is marijuana legal for medical use in Connecticut? 

Yes, marijuana is legal for medical use in Connecticut. 

Can you get a medical marijuana card online in Connecticut? 

You can complete your application for a Connecticut medical marijuana card online. 

What is the limit for medical marijuana in Connecticut? 

The state limits the purchase of medical marijuana to 3 ounces in a 30-day period. 

Can I use my Connecticut medical card in another state? 

Several states accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards, including Arkansas, Hawaii and New Hampshire. Not all states recognize the same qualifying conditions. Other states require out-of-state medical cardholders to apply for a card in their state to purchase medical cannabis at a dispensary.  

How many caregivers can one patient have? 

Connecticut only registers one caregiver per patient. 

Can veterans get medical cannabis? 

Yes, veterans can get medical cannabis in Connecticut. 

Can a non-Connecticut resident get a medical card? 

No. Connecticut only issues medical cards to residents. 

Sources:

• Medical Marijuana Program | Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection
• Medical Marijuana Program | Connecticut Laws/Regulations
• Chapter 420f – Palliative Use of Marijuana