Travel Guide
FOR U.S. MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARDS
Travel Guide
FOR U.S. MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARDS
Medical Marijuana Reciprocity &
Recreational Use Laws In The United States
Map current at time of writing. *AZ, MT, NJ, & SD have approved recreational or medical marijuana legislation awaiting enactment in 2021.
Can I Use My Kentucky Medical Marijuana Card In Other States?
The short answer is yes, you can! Unfortunately, it’s a little more complicated than just showing up to a dispensary in another state with your Kentucky medical marijuana card. However, the majority of states have either legalized recreational adult use or medical marijuana laws that include reciprocity for medical marijuana cards from other states.
What Is Medical Marijuana Reciprocity?
Regarding medical marijuana card laws, reciprocity refers to one state recognizing the medical marijuana certification card from another state. The rules vary state by state, so if you plan on using your Kentucky medical marijuana card in another state, you may want to do a little research before you travel. We’ve provided a brief state-by-state travel guide as a beginner’s reference for using your Kentucky medical marijuana card outside of the Show-Me State.
Which States Accept Out-Of-State Medical Marijuana Cards?
While over 2/3 of states have legalized medical marijuana or adult recreational cannabis use, not all of them have medical marijuana reciprocity laws. In the United States, 26 states currently accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards or have legalized recreational adult cannabis use.* However, the rules regarding medical marijuana card reciprocity, as well as what constitutes a qualifying condition, differ from state to state.
The following states have legalized recreational adult cannabis use:
- Alaska
- Arizona*
- California
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Maine
- Massachussetts
- Michigan
- Montana*
- Nevada
- New Jersey*
- Oregon
- South Dakota*
- Vermont
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
In these states, any adult over the age of 21 may legally purchase cannabis products from a dispensary and/or legally possess cannabis products for recreational use. It is still a good idea to check into the specific rules in any state you plan on visiting while traveling, even those with legalized recreational marijuana use, since the amounts you are allowed to possess also varies by state. The medical marijuana possession limit is also different than the recreational marijuana possession limit in these states, so it is always best to do a little research beforehand. Know before you go!
*AZ, MT, NJ, & SD have approved recreational or medical marijuana legislation awaiting enactment in 2021.
These states offer reciprocity programs for out-of-state medical marijuana cards:
- Arkansas
- Hawaii
- Mississippi
- Kentucky
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Utah
In these states, medical marijuana is legal and you can use your Kentucky medical marijuana card to purchase cannabis products from a dispensary and/or legally possess cannabis products while traveling. The laws are different state-to-state, so always make sure you check directly with the state’s official government web resources regarding medical marijuana card reciprocity and cannabis possession rules.
As a starter guide, we’ve provided a brief summary of the rules and regulations in each state in the above list. Keep in mind that new laws are enacted and old laws are changed frequently, so this should not be considered a comprehensive list, nor is it a valid substitute for any of the above state governments’ official website information. Although this list is current at the time of writing, and we will seek to update it often as rules and regulations change regarding medical marijuana card reciprocity, we cannot overemphasize the importance of checking the appropriate state government information directly for guidelines on using your Kentucky medical marijuana card while you are traveling in the U.S.
Many states that have legalized medical marijuana require visitors to apply for a temporary-use permit with a fee, which typically allows you to purchase and possess medical marijuana within that state for a set number of days using your Kentucky medical marijuana card. In this case, it is best to plan ahead because you may need to file your temporary-use permit application in advance of your trip (and consider that it may take a few weeks for the state to approve your application.)
Medical Marijuana Reciprocity Rules & Regulations by State
Arkansas
Visiting patient application fee: $50
Visiting patient card duration: 30 days from issue date
Government Website: https://healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/medical-marijuana
Arkansas allows qualified visiting patients to use the state’s medical cannabis program. Eligible visiting patients must possess a Kentucky medical marijuana card or its equivalent issued by their home state and have a qualifying condition that has been approved in Arkansas in order to legally possess medical marijuana and purchase cannabis products from an Arkansas dispensary. Visiting patients must fill out the visiting patient application and pay a non-refundable $50.00 fee. Visiting patients should also be prepared to provide a valid and current state-issued identification such as a Kentucky driver’s license. It is essential that patients who intend to travel to Arkansas plan ahead, as the processing of obtaining a visiting patient card may take up to two weeks. Once issued, the card is valid for 30 days.
Once their application has been approved, visiting patients can obtain cannabis in the state’s dispensaries if they show their AR registry card or its equivalent from their home state. The dispensary will retain a copy of the card as well as a second form of ID, such as a driver’s license, and will require visiting patients to sign a form affirming that they have been diagnosed by a healthcare provider to have a qualifying condition. Visiting patients should be aware that Arkansas law prohibits the smoking of cannabis in any public place.
Hawaii
Visiting patient application fee: $49.50
Visiting patient card duration: 60 days from issue date (2 term-limit)
Government Website: https://health.hawaii.gov/medicalcannabis/
Hawaii provides an online application process for out-of-state patients who possess a Kentucky medical marijuana card (similar out-of-state equivalent) to apply for a Hawaii 329 Registration Card, which grants access to medical cannabis dispensaries. A visiting out-of-state patient who wishes to obtain a 329 card must submit his or her valid, unexpired Kentucky medical marijuana card (or similar out-of-state card) and an additional form of state-government-issued ID from the same state (e.g. a KY driver’s license), and bearing the same name as theKentucky medical cannabis card or out-of-state equivalent. Unlike some other states, Hawaii will not accept a Kentucky medical marijuana card certification/recommendation form in lieu of a state-issued Kentucky medical cannabis card. Visiting patients may apply for a 329 card up to 60 days before the requested start date. Note that passports and military ID cards are not accepted forms of ID for the purposes of obtaining a 329 card.
The Hawaii Dept. of Health has put together an instructional video and a checklist for visiting patients and urges visiting patients to ensure that the island they are traveling to has a dispensary with the products they need prior to submitting an application, as traveling between islands could involve crossing a federal waterway. Visiting patients should also be aware that Hawaii law prohibits the smoking of cannabis in any public place.
Mississippi
Visiting patient application fee: Unknown
Visiting patient card duration: Unknown
Government Website: https://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/30,0,425.html
Although Mississippi does not yet have a dedicated reciprocity program, Mississippi voters overwhelmingly approved medical marijuana access through constitutional amendment Initiative 65 in November 2020. Section 5 of the initiative indicates that the Mississippi State Department of Health will organize specific rules for the operation of the program, to include provisions permitting out-of-state patients to secure access in the state. However Kentucky medical marijuana patients visiting Mississippi will need to be patient, as the department has until August 2021 to begin licensing medical cannabis businesses and certifying eligible patients. Until then, visiting patients should take caution and adhere to all state laws pertaining to cannabis possession, use and sale, which is currently prohibited. Visiting patients are still encouraged to travel with their medical cannabis ID cards (or their equivalents) in case of any potential interaction with law enforcement.
Kentucky
Government Website: https://health.mo.gov/safety/medical-marijuana/patient-services.php
Kentucky provides explicit language under Amendment 2 Sec. 5 authorizing visiting patients with a valid and current medical cannabis program card issued by their home state to possess and use cannabis when visiting the Show-Me State. However, out-of-state visiting patients meeting this criteria cannot purchase cannabis at a licensed Kentucky medical cannabis retailer. As such, the state’s policy for visiting patients requires patients to violate federal law by transporting cannabis across state lines, which is still federally illegal even when patients are traveling between states that authorized cannabis possession, use and sale. Visiting patients are also advised that Kentucky prohibits consumption of cannabis in any public place.
New Hampshire
Visiting patient card required? No
Government Website: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/oos/tcp/
Patients visiting New Hampshire from Kentucky or another state with legal medical marijuana may use & possess medical cannabis but are as yet unable to purchase it in the state’s dispensaries. To benefit from New Hampshire’s medical cannabis law, the visiting qualifying patient must provide a current Kentucky medical marijuana card (or its equivalent from their home state) and a statement from their healthcare provider stating that the patient has a qualifying condition that is recognized by New Hampshire law. The visiting patient provisions only apply to those who are not residents or to residents who have been in the state for fewer than 30 days. New Hampshire prohibits consumption of cannabis in any public place.
New Mexico
Visiting patient card required? No
Government Website: https://www.nmhealth.org/about/mcp/svcs/
In mid-2020, New Mexico initiated a widespread reciprocity program. It allows Kentucky medical marijuana card carriers (or any state with an active medical cannabis program) to legally purchase cannabis products from New Mexico medical marijuana dispensaries. Kentucky medical marijuana card carriers are allowed to buy marijuana for conditions other than what qualifies residents in New Mexico. If it qualifies in your state and you have proof of certification, you can take advantage of the NM medical marijuana program.
Visiting patients will need an active Kentucky medical marijuana card (or similar out-of-state equivalent) in order to use, possess, and purchase medical cannabis products from a licensed cannabis retailer. Visiting Kentucky medical marijuana patients may possess up to 8 ounces in 90 days, and will also need to provide a state-issued photo ID (such as a KY driver’s license) when purchasing from a medical cannabis dispensary. Visiting patients are advised that New Mexico prohibits consumption of cannabis in any public place.
Oklahoma
Visiting patient card required? Yes
Visiting patient application fee: $100
Visiting patient card duration: 30 days from issue date (renewable)
Government Website: https://oklahoma.gov/omma.html
Oklahoma offers temporary medical marijuana licenses for both minor and adult visiting patients, which allows visiting patients to use, possess, and purchase medical cannabis products from licensed retailers in Oklahoma. To obtain a temporary Oklahoma medical marijuana card, a visiting patient must submit a digital color copy of their valid Kentucky medical marijuana card (or similar out-of-state cannabis card equivalent) and a digital color copy of a valid state-issued photo ID (such as a KY driver’s license) or US passport. The visiting patient also must submit a passport-style photograph and pay a non-refundable $100 application fee by credit or debit card. The processing of a temporary patient license application can take up to 14 days, so it is important for travelers to plan ahead. The possession limit for visiting patients is 3 ounces of marijuana flower, one ounce of concentrate, or 72 ounces of edibles. Oklahoma law prohibits consumption of cannabis in any public place.
Pennsylvania
Visiting patient card required? Yes – program in development
Visiting patient application fee: Unknown
Visiting patient card duration: Unknown
Government Website: https://www.pa.gov/guides/pennsylvania-medical-marijuana-program/
Although medical marijuana is legal in Pennsylvania, at this time Pennsylvania does not have an operational medical marijuana reciprocity program in place. However, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has begun the process of implementation for out-of-state medical marijuana card reciprocity. Out-of-state patients visiting PA are encouraged to carry their Kentucky medical marijuana card (or similar out-of-state cannabis card equivalent) when traveling. Stay tuned for further development in Pennsylvania medical marijuana card reciprocity information!
Rhode Island
Visiting patient card required? No
Government Website: https://health.ri.gov/healthcare/medicalmarijuana/
Kentucky medical cannabis cards (or similar out-of-state equivalents) have the same force and effect as medical cannabis cards issued by the Rhode Island Department of Health. Therefore, visiting Kentucky medical marijuana patients or visiting patients from elsewhere in the United States may access Rhode Island’s compassion centers (dispensaries) with their Kentucky medical cannabis cards and another form of state-issued photo ID (such as a KY driver’s license.) Out-of-state patients will be required to complete a compassion center intake form to be entered into the compassion center’s tracking system, however the state does not require a fee to participate in the program.
Utah
Visiting patient card required? No
Government Website: https://medicalcannabis.utah.gov/
Although registered Kentucky medical marijuana card carriers and other out-of-state visitors cannot purchase medical cannabis from a Utah dispensary, a Kentucky medical cannabis cardholder may still legally possess and use medical cannabis in Utah as long as the patient has one of Utah’s qualifying conditions, and possesses medical cannabis in accordance with Utah’s legal medicinal dosage form and amount.
A new resident with an out-of-state card has the same regulations as a visiting cardholder for 45 days. After 45 days, the out-of-state card is no longer valid in Utah and the patient must apply for a Utah medical cannabis patient card with a recommendation from a Utah qualified medical provider.
Useful Resources For Further Information:
- The Medical Cannabis Patient’s Guide for U.S. Travel – Americans for Safe Access
- Marijuana Policy Project
- Medical Marijuana Laws in the United States – Leafly
- Map of Marijuana Legality By State – DISA