How To Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Washington

Cannabis became legal for medical purposes in the state of Washington in 1998 under Initiative 692, while for recreational purposes it was legalized in 2012 under Initiative 502, with sales starting in 2014.

As for adults over 21 years old who have the right to use cannabis recreationally, having a medical card offers several advantages, such as tax-exempt purchases, three times more permitted possession, higher THC content, growing marijuana plants, and eligibility starting at 18 years of age. The Department of Health oversees the Medical Cannabis Registry in Washington State. Most importantly, you will receive your card from a dispensary licensed to do so.

The Department of Health of Washington manages the Medical Cannabis Registry as well as sets the standards for products and consultants. The enhanced Medical Cannabis Registry (MCR) system started on July 1, 2025.

• DOH Medical Cannabis: doh.wa.gov/cannabis/medicalcannabis 
• Phone: 360-236-4819
• Email: MedicalCannabis@doh.wa.gov 

Washington State’s qualifications for obtaining a medical marijuana card include:

• Residency in Washington;
• Diagnosis of one of the conditions listed as qualifying by a licensed medical practitioner in Washington State; and
• Obtain a Medical Cannabis Authorization form from your health care provider.

There are no application fees in Washington, although you should pay for the examination by your doctor and $1 to obtain your card.

Registration for a medical marijuana card is voluntary for adults (18 years and above). However, failure to register will mean you miss out on some benefits. Registration is mandatory for minors, together with their providers.

The authorized prescribers must be physicians within the state of Washington who have an established physician-patient relationship with the individual. The qualified medical practitioners are MDs, DOs, Naturopathic Doctors, PAs, ARNPs, and podiatric physicians. Telemedicine is allowed.

The state of Washington has a static list of qualifying conditions; any changes to it require legislative action, as the petition process has been discontinued since 2015. Recognized conditions include:

• Cancer and HIV/AIDS
• Multiple sclerosis and intractable spasticity
• Epilepsy and other seizure disorders
• Glaucoma (unrelieved by standard treatment)
• Crohn’s disease (unresponsive to standard treatment)
• Hepatitis C (with debilitating nausea or intractable pain)
• Chronic renal failure (added by petition in 2010, before petitions were abolished)
• Terminal illness with a life expectancy of less than 12 months
• Diseases causing nausea, vomiting, wasting, appetite loss, cramping, seizures, or muscle spasms when unresponsive to standard treatment
• Any condition a specialist determines may benefit when referred by a primary care provider

Note: Mental health conditions (anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder) do not currently qualify due to insufficient clinical evidence.

Step 1: Get Authorized by a Licensed Washington Provider

Make an appointment with a licensed Washington State health care provider; telemedicine services are accepted. After becoming licensed, the health care provider will complete the Washington State Medical Marijuana Authorization Application on tamper-resistant paper that is valid for one year for adults and six months for minors.

Step 2: Schedule an Appointment at a Medically Endorsed Retail Store

Contact a retailer authorized by doctors (317 out of 464 authorized retailers). You will be asked to meet the following requirements:

• Fill out your approval form correctly
• Provide proof of your ID card with a photograph
• Provide your information to be added to the Medical Cannabis Approval Database
• Take your photograph
• Print and issue your Medical Cannabis Recognition Card on the spot

Your card is issued immediately – there is no waiting period, and no card is mailed.

Step 3: Pay the Card Fee

There is a mandatory minimum $1 card issuance fee. Some dispensaries can charge a little extra (ranging between $1-$10), but there isn’t an additional state fee.

Use your recognition card at any medically-approved retail store for full benefits as a patient.

Possession and Purchase Limits

In addition, patients registered with the program have up to 48 oz of cannabis products, 216 oz of solid cannabis products, and 21 grams of concentrate.

Tax Exemption

Registered patients and DPs are totally exempt from all government excise and sales taxes at approved stores, which means they save about 37% per purchase compared to recreational users.

High-THC Products

High THC content products are only accessible by registered patients, who can only obtain them from medically approved stores since their THC level exceeds that of the recreational limit.

Home Cultivation

Patients are entitled to cultivate six cannabis plants within their property. In case the doctor thinks the patient requires more plants, they may be allowed to cultivate fifteen plants by filling out the prescription document. Not more than fifteen plants are permitted for any property. They should be planted in an enclosed environment not accessible to children.

DPs can buy, grow, and procure cannabis on behalf of a patient. The age limit for DPs is 21 years and older, and they should be listed on the authorization form along with having their recognition card. One patient is allowed to have just one DP at any one time, who will also be able to work for only that individual patient. The minor patient has to have his/her parent or guardian as DP.

A maximum of four patients or DPs can register as a cooperative and grow cannabis together for their personal consumption in Washington State.

There is no reciprocity with other states; cards from other jurisdictions are not accepted in Washington. A temporary resident of the state can apply for authorization in Washington State by getting an authorization from a certified provider.

The authorizations are valid for one year (or six months for minors). Renewals require new authorizations from a provider, followed by a visit to any authorized store for a $1 minimum fee.

• The card is issued at the dispensary, not sent out via mail from the state
• Free from state fee, except a $1 minimum at the dispensary
• Voluntary for adult patients, mandatory for minor patients
• Patient gets triple the possession limit and total tax exemption
• A store can give a full experience only if approved by doctors
• Fixed the condition list; adding a new one requires legislation
• Anxiety and depression are not included in the condition list
• Patient receives only one DP, who is at least 21 years old