What is Medical Marijuana Reciprocity? Which States Allow It?

In May 2021, thirty-six states, District Of Columbia, and four union territories of the United States allowed for the medical use of cannabis products, especially medical marijuana. Along with this, in June 2021, eighteen states, two territories, and the District of Columbia passed a bill to regulate marijuana for non-medical use. Along with all this information, some states also allowed Medical Marijuana Reciprocity.

But what is the MMJ card reciprocity? And how can it be helpful for patients who seek medical cannabis for relief or treatments?

Here are the answers:

What is the Medical Marijuana Card Reciprocity?

Before knowing about medical marijuana card reciprocity, we need to know what reciprocity is? As per the reciprocity definition, reciprocity represents the rights of reciprocal exchange among people, markets, states, and countries. When we define reciprocity along with cannabis or medical marijuana, this term leads us to the rights of reciprocal exchange that allow a state or country to accept medical marijuana cards or medical cannabis recommendations from another state or country.

What are The Benefits of Medical Marijuana Card Reciprocity?

The foremost benefit of the law of reciprocity for cannabis is that people can have the advantages of a medical marijuana card in their state and other states with medical marijuana. Now, most people have questions in their minds, such as do medical marijuana cards work in other states? Does Illinois accept out-of-state medical cards, or does Michigan accept out-of-state MMJ cards? Or can I use my medical card in another state? The following information will help you to clear all your queries regarding the states that accept out of state MMJ cards:

States that Allows Medical Marijuana For Medical Use

As we mentioned above in the introduction, there are a total of thirty-six states and four union territories that have the medical marijuana program. Here are the following states and union territories that allow using medical marijuana for treatments:

Medical Marijuana Card Reciprocity States

From all the states as mentioned earlier and union territories, some of the following states that permit medical marijuana card reciprocity:

Arizona

The state laws of Arizona allow medical marijuana card reciprocity. A qualifying patient from another state with a valid MMJ card or equivalent allotted by the patient’s home state to use or purchase cannabis can acquire medical marijuana in Arizona. But, a visiting patient will not be able to purchase medical marijuana/cannabis from a dispensary because before selling marijuana, the dispensary should have to access a verification system that is not available.

Arkansas

Recently the state government of Arkansas has been allowed to apply for medical marijuana cards for visiting patients. To apply for an medical marijuana card Arkansas, you will require a medical marijuana card or equivalent issued by your home state. If your application is approved, you can acquire medical marijuana in Arkansas for 30 days per application.

District Of Columbia (D.C.)

The District of Columbia (D.C.) allow non-resident patients to purchase medical marijuana. But the patients must present their digital or physical government-issued medical cannabis registration. But keep in mind that the patient should have a government-issued MMJ card. Medical marijuana card issued by non-government organizations, even if issued by a healthcare practitioner, are not eligible. The residents of the following states can purchase and use medical marijuana with their valid out-of-state MMJ cards:

Delaware

Maine

Michigan

As per the Michigan state laws, if a visiting patient has a valid medical marijuana card or equivalent that allows the patient to purchase or use medical marijuana, the cardholder can buy or possess cannabis/marijuana. The cardholder should also have valid identity proof, such as a driving license, a government-issued ID card with the patient’s photograph, and more.

Missouri

If a patient has a valid medical marijuana card from another state along with a Department-issued patient identification card, the cardholder can purchase medical marijuana in Missouri.

Nevada

An out-of-state patient can acquire medical marijuana in Nevada if the cardholder qualifies the following conditions:

• If the state or authority privileged users from criminal accusers for the medical use of marijuana.
• The patient should have a valid MMJ card that has not yet expired.
• The cardholder should sign a testimony describing the entitlement to involve in the medical use of cannabis in the patient’s home state.

New Hampshire

New Hemisphere can recognize visiting patient if the cardholder provides the following information:

A legitimate registry ID card, or equivalent allotted by patient’s home state, territory, district, or republic
The department issues a valid registry identification card from the home state.
The provider’s written and signed affidavit declaring that the traveling patient has a qualifying medical situation!

Oklahoma

A patient from another state can lawfully acquire, use, and grow medical marijuana and cannabis products with the help of a medical marijuana temporary adult patient license in Oklahoma. These licenses are valid for 30 days. Out-of-state patients can not renew their temporary licenses, so they need to apply for a new license upon the termination of their provisional permit. Oklahoma’s state laws allow temporary applicants to submit their application within one week before the expiry of the temporary permit. The below-mentioned documents are needed to apply for the temporary card:

• Digital color copy of front and backside of Out-of-state medical marijuana license
• State-issued driver’s license
• State-issued identification card
• U.S. passport or other photo identification issued by the U.S government
• A clear, color, full-face digital photograph

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is the first union territory that allowed reciprocity. You will need valid identity proof along with the medical marijuana card issued by your home state to purchase medical marijuana and cannabis products in Puerto Rico.

Rhode Island

As per the state laws of Rhode Island, if a patient from another state has:

• Registry identification card, or equivalent that is allotted by U.S. territory, the District of Columbia, or another state
• Or to authorize a person to serve with a qualifying patient’s medical marijuana or cannabis use.

Then the cardholder can possess equal authority and impact as a registry identification card issued by the administration. This means the patient or caregiver can purchase medical marijuana for medical purposes.

Utah

As mentioned earlier, Utah requires visiting patients to have the following identity documents to authorize the medical use of marijuana:

• An MMJ card, or its equivalent, issued by the home state government
• Or a medical marijuana card along with the name of the caregiver who can buy medical marijuana.

States That Permit Visitors to Purchase Recreational Cannabis

Some states, including Alaska, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, allow out-of-state visitors to purchase recreational marijuana or cannabis products instead of medical use. You can not buy medical marijuana from any licensed dispensary. To buy marijuana from commercial dispensaries, you should have identity proof that you are 21 years old.