Medical use of marijuana was made legal in the State of Washington in 1998 via Initiative 692, being among the leading states in making marijuana legal in the US. So, if you have a felony conviction and feel unsure about whether you qualify for medical marijuana, keep in mind that there is nothing to prevent you from doing so because there are no restrictions in Washington State due to any past convictions. The registration process in Washington State is among the most convenient and easy, with no costs incurred in the registration.
The Direct Answer: Felons Can Qualify as Patients
The Washington Medical Cannabis Program is overseen by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). There is no need for any background checks of the applicants. Your felonies, whether drug-related or otherwise, will never stand between you and your medical cannabis card.
If you are a Washington State citizen suffering from any of the approved illnesses under the watch of a doctor, then you are eligible.
How Washington’s Program Works: Authorization and Recognition Card
Washington’s system is slightly different from most states. Here is how it works:
Step 1 – Get a medical cannabis authorization
This process will be carried out by a licensed health care practitioner from Washington state authorized according to RCW Chapter 69.51A.210. If deemed qualified to receive medicinal marijuana, you will be issued a prescription form that has the signature of your evaluator.
Step 2 – Visit a medically endorsed retailer
Take the prescription with a form of valid photo identification to a medically-endorsed marijuana dispensing facility in Washington state. Staff working at the facility will then input your particulars into the Medical Cannabis Registry (MCR) that became effective June 30, 2025, and issue you your recognition card there.
Step 3 – Use your recognition card
Through the utilization of your recognition card, there are several benefits that you get in terms of access to the drug for patients in Washington through a medically-endorsed retailer. Some of these include higher possession limits, cultivation of the drug in one’s private premises, and tax relief.
There are no fees involved in the registration process in the state. In the case of a medically-endorsed retailer, they can impose a fee of up to $1-$10.
Washington’s Designated Provider System
Patients in Washington are allowed to select a designated provider who is supposed to acquire the drug for the patient. It should be noted that there is only one provider who may be selected at any particular time by a patient. While Washington does not have a felony disqualification, it is noteworthy that once one becomes a designated provider, he/she is included in the MCR and thus covered under state laws.
Key Benefits of a Washington Medical Card
Even though recreational marijuana is legal for people above 21 years of age in the state of Washington, there are significant advantages to having a recognition card in Washington state, as follows:
- No Sales Tax: Consumption of medicinal marijuana is tax-free in Washington state, given the fact that Washington state levies excise taxes on various products.
- Higher Possession: Medical patients are entitled to possess more marijuana, 3 ounces as compared to just one ounce of the drug for recreational consumers.
- Home Growth Rights: Medicinal consumers using recognition cards have the right to cultivate 6 plants of marijuana, but if done with a doctor’s consent, they can cultivate up to 15 plants at their homes, while recreational users have no such right because growing recreational marijuana is considered an offense punishable with imprisonment for five years at least in a state prison.
Availability of High Potency Products: Medical dispensaries might sell products that are prohibited for recreational buyers.
Employment Protections: A 2024 Update
According to RCW 49.44.240 (effective 2024), an employer in the state of Washington is barred from discrimination against the hiring or employment of someone based on the latter’s out-of-work usage of marijuana. While the provision applies to individuals beyond medical cardholders, it does not affect people employed in safety-sensitive positions, working in federal government agencies, or possessing a security clearance. If one has been charged with a felony and seeks to get back into their career, such a provision provides them with additional protection in private employment.
Cannabis Industry: 10-Year Felony Bar
On the other hand, while there are no restrictions on criminal records for accessing cannabis, the licensing process is quite rigorous in terms of its requirements. Specifically, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board will refuse to issue a business license within the cannabis market if the person applying for it has been charged with a felony offense in the last ten years. Moreover, a point system is used to bar some criminals from engaging in the cannabis trade.
However, it is a temporary, not a perpetual ban on doing business in the cannabis sector.
Legal Considerations for Felons
Federal Law
Marijuana is federally classified despite the DOJ Final Order, dated April 28, 2026, partially reclassifying medical marijuana to Schedule III. This is an important update, although state-based programs are still running independently. For offenders:
- Federal parole or probation: Cannabis usage will most likely be prohibited under your release terms, no matter what your state card says.
- Federal housing: HUD policies apply regarding cannabis usage at home.
- Federal work: You do not have off-duty protection as a federal worker or contractor under Washington law.
State Probation
Drug-free policies are common for Washington state probation. Having medical authorization will not override these policies. Seek legal advice before using any medical cannabis when you are on any type of probation.
Firearms
Marijuana users, even with a medical prescription, are prohibited by federal law from buying or owning firearms. Felons must also take care because this poses another threat to their gun rights.
Bottom Line
Being convicted of a felony does not preclude one from getting an approval card for marijuana use. Background checks are not performed on individuals seeking the approval cards, and one can easily access this program free of charge without having to undergo any registration process. This recognition card allows the individual access to the only legal way of growing his own marijuana at home, as growing recreational marijuana at home is still illegal in the state of Washington.
The 10-year restriction on felons from cannabis business licensing applies to people who want to work in cannabis-based businesses. Off-duty employment regulations introduced in 2024 ensure that employees have good protection.
There are some exceptions to consider when applying for the marijuana card while being on federal supervision, probation, or working in the federal government.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Washington State check criminal records when you apply for a medical cannabis recognition card?
No, because there is no criminal background check required for those who wish to be recognized as patients in Washington. Qualifying condition and residence in the state of Washington make you eligible.
Can a felon grow cannabis at home in Washington with a medical card?
Yes, but only if you have a recognition card. In Washington, growing cannabis plants at home for recreational purposes is illegal as it is a felony under Class C. Registered medical cannabis patients can cultivate up to six plants or even 15 plants, provided that there is a special permission from a specific healthcare practitioner. Having a medical recognition card is the legal way of cultivating cannabis at home.
Does Washington protect medical cannabis patients from employment discrimination?
Yes, mostly. Under RCW 49.44.240, which will become applicable from January 1, 2024, in Washington, most of the employers cannot discriminate against off-duty employees who use cannabis. There are certain exceptions, such as safety-sensitive positions, positions that require security clearance, or federal government positions.
Can I use my Washington medical card while on probation?
This will depend on your probation status. State probation policies may require that you remain drug-free, and your recognition card will not supersede your probation status. If you are under federal probation or parole status, then the prohibition of cannabis will apply irrespective of the state laws. Seek guidance from your attorney or probation officer before taking medical marijuana while under supervision.
Can a felon own or work at a cannabis business in Washington?
Maybe not in the immediate past. The WSLCB is likely to deny applications for business licenses from those with felony records within the preceding ten years; there may also be a point-based exclusion policy for some criminal backgrounds. This is only a temporary restriction and not a lifetime ban; furthermore, it only applies to cannabis businesses and not medical registrations.
How much does a Washington medical cannabis recognition card cost, and how long is it valid?
There are no state registration fees in Washington. Medically recommended retailers are likely to have a minimal processing fee of $1 to $10 during the issuance of your recognition card. Your card validity will be linked to your doctor’s authorization period. The cards for minors lapse after six months, while those for adults depend on the recommendation of the physician.
