Before receiving medical cannabis, patients must register with the New York Department of Health.

Current Estimated Patient Counts: 18,348 (updated 5/5/2017)

How can I obtain a New York Medical Marijuana Card?

Patients should first ask their treating physician if s/he is registered with the Department of Health’s Medical Marijuana Program. If your physician is not registered and does not plan to participate in the program, s/he can make a referral by accessing a database (called the Health Commerce System) that identifies a list of registered physicians who have consented to be listed, and their specialties. You may direct your physician to more information on registering with the program here.

Registration Facts

• Patients must first have a certification from their physician, who must be registered with the Department
• Certified patients will submit their application for registration using the Department’s online system that is accessed through NY.gov. Patients who do not have  a NY.gov account will need to visit https://my.ny.gov/ and click the “Don’t have an Account?” button to create a personal NY.gov ID first. Patients with a NY.gov account will login to https://my.ny.gov/, click the “Health Applications” icon, and then click the “Medical Marijuana Data Management System” link to register
• There is a $50 application fee pursuant to Public Health Law. This fee will be billed to you at a laterdate, unless you obtain a waiver for financial hardship
• Patients will be required to provide proof of their identity and residency during the application process
• Patients may designate up to two caregivers during the registration process. After the patient’s application is approved, the designated caregiver(s) must then register with the Department
• Patient registration expires when the certification that was issued by the practitioner expires
• The registry ID card will be mailed to the certified patient after the application is approved
• Patients must have the registry ID card and their certification in order to purchase approved medical marijuana products, as recommended by their certifying physician, from a registered organization’s dispensing facility
• Patients must always carry their registry ID card whenever they possess approved medical marijuana products
• No one may transport medical marijuana products outside of New York State
• New York State does not accept certifications or registry ID cards from other states
• A certified patient or designated caregiver who has been issued a registry ID card shall notify the Medical Marijuana Program of any change in his or her name, address, or if he or she no longer has the serious condition noted on the card within ten (10) business days of such change

Does my condition qualify for Medical Cannabis in New York?

• Cancer
• HIV infection or AIDS
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Spinal cord injury with spasticity
• Epilepsy
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Neuropathy
• Huntington’s disease
• Cachexia or wasting syndrome
• Severe or chronic pain
• Severe nausea
• Seizures
• Severe or persistent muscle spasms

Medical Cannabis Registration Fees for Patients

• $50 application fee (can be waived due to financial hardship)

Can a minor apply for a New York Medical Cannabis Card?

If the applicant for a registry identification card is under the age of eighteen (18) or a person who is otherwise incapable of consenting to medical treatment, the application must be submitted by an appropriate person over twenty-one (21) years of age. The applicant must designate at least one, and up to two, caregivers who must be among the following: (i) a parent or legal guardian of the certified patient; (ii) a person designated by a parent or legal guardian; or (iii) an appropriate person approved by the Department upon a sufficient showing that no parent or legal guardian is available or appropriate.

Patient FAQ

Caregivers are responsible for transporting medical marijuana from a dispensary to a registered patient. A patient will be able to designate up to two caregivers during the patient registration process. After patients have registered successfully, caregivers may then do so to obtain a registry identification card.

How do I register as a New York Caregiver?

A patient who is registered with the program must first designate you as a caregiver during the patient registration process. Upon approval of the patient’s registration, the caregiver(s) may register. The patient will have access to instructions for caregiver registration. To register with the Department as a designated caregiver, you must be a resident of New York State and have a valid NYS Driver’s License or New York State Non-Driver ID card.with departmental approval.

What do Caregivers need to do to be able to help a Certified Patients?

• A patient can designate up to two caregivers o If the patient is under 21, not allowed caregivers other than a legal guardian or parent unless a case if made to DOH that no legal guardian or parent is available
• No one can be a caregiver to more than 5 certified patients at one time
• Caregivers must register with DOH to obtain a registry identification card
• Caregivers can legal possess up to 30 day supply if registered with DOH (has to be right form and dose for the specified patient)
• Any changes to or terminations of caregivers must be conveyed to DOH immediately

New York Caregiver Fees

• $50 registration fee (may be waived due to financial hardship)
• $25 card replacement fee

New York Caregiver FAQ

Registered Practitioners are physicians that have undergone special training by the Department of Health and are authorized to recommend medical cannabis.

Who can recommend Medical Cannabis in New York?

The physician making the recommendation must be treating you for your eligible serious condition, and they must:

• Be licensed and practicing in New York State
• Be qualified to treat the serious condition for which medical marijuana is being recommended
• Have completed a 4 hour training course approved by the Department of Health (DOH)
• Have registered with the DOH as a recommending physician
• Must be caring for the patients for whom they are making recommendation, meaning that they have done a full assessment of patient’s medical history and current medical condition, and believe that the patient will benefit from the use of medical marijuana
• Must consult the prescription drug monitoring program and review the patient’s control substances history before issuing a recommendation

Where can I find a list of Registered Practitioners?

• A list of Registered Practitioners can be found here. Note that not all Registered Practitioners are listed, only those that consented to the publication of their registration.

New York Registered Practitioner Fees

• $249 for Certification Course

Registered Practitioner FAQ