Medical Cannabis

DC residents, including minors, may legally be recommended, purchase, possess, and use, medical cannabis to treat a diagnosed qualified medical condition or related side effect. Non-resident patients may purchase medical cannabis from DC dispensaries if their jurisdiction has been extended reciprocity. A full list of eligible jurisdictions is detailed below.

Medical cannabis patients, including non-residents extended reciprocity, may purchase up to eight (8) ounces of cannabis within a rolling 30-day period and possess up to two (2) ounces at any time. Allowed formats include flowers, concentrates, edibles, transdermal products, seeds, and seedlings.

Federal laws continue to apply including the prohibition of transporting medical cannabis across state lines. The use of medical cannabis is not permitted in public.

To Apply or Renew

DC residents must submit a complete Medical Cannabis Patient Application (adult or minor version) and payment. Applications may be submitted online (recommended), by mail, or by placing in the Self-Service Kiosk directly outside ABRA's lobby.

In-person expedited same-day registration is available through ABRA's Turnaround Thursday initiative. Every Thursday through December 16, excluding Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Day, new and renewing applicants who submit a complete application and provide payment will be issued a physical and digital registration during their walk-in visit. Service hours are 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

To start your online application, select the healthcare practitioner who referred you to the Medical Cannabis Program. Hard copy applications are available at the bottom of this page.

Physician (MD, DO) Advanced Practice Registered Nurse / Nurse Practitioner (APRN/NP) Dentist Physician Assistant Naturopathic Physician

Valid Period and Fees

Emergency legislation aimed at ensuring patients have uninterrupted access to recommended medical cannabis is now in effect. Key modifications include:

- Patients whose registration expired or will expire between March 1, 2020 through January 31, 2022 will remain active and can continue to purchase medical cannabis using their previously issued digital or physical registration. Valid registrations are required effective February 1, 2022. - Persons whose new or renewal patient application is received by January 31, 2022 will receive a registration valid, if approved, for two (2) years from the date of issuance for the same fee as a one-year card. Registrations issued before November 9, 2021 and on after February 1, 2022 are valid for one (1) year from date of issuance.

Reduced fee patient and caregiver registrations are available to qualifying individuals. See Fee. Renewal Schedule.

Replacement Cards

If a patient or caregiver experiences the theft, loss, or destruction of their registration card, the cardholder must notify ABRA within 24-hours of the discovery. Replacement cards may be requested by completing. Submitting a Medical Cannabis Patient Card Replacement Form (see below). A replacement card fee applies.

Reciprocity

Non-resident patients must present their digital or physical government-issued medical cannabis registration. Medical cards or documents issued by private companies such as NuggMD, even if issued by a healthcare practitioner, are not eligible.

Reciprocity has been extended to patients registered in a medical cannabis program in the below U.S. jurisdictions. Reciprocity to DC patients is not guranteed.