Since California legalized medical marijuana two decades ago, we have seen several states follow suit, and more are in the process. Also, some of them have legalized adult marijuana. Many patients and users do not know whether their state marijuana ID cards are valid out-of-state. Luckily, a few weed-legal states do accept out-of-state doctor authorizations, and there are high expectations others will start.
If you have an out-of-state marijuana medical card, the dispensary owner has all the authority to accept or reject your request. This mostly applies to stricter states like Michigan and Rhode Island. Make prior inquiries to avoid inconveniences.
Currently, only seven states accept out-of-state authorization, namely; Arizona, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. The rest are either in the process or prohibit.
Arizona
Arizonians can get out-of-state authorizations but out-of-state patients cannot buy from local state-licensed dispensaries. Provided your home state has registered you as a cannabis patient, you can freely walk with your weed in Arizona.
Here, patient limits are 2.5 ounces of usable weed.
Hawaii
Come Jan 1. 2018,Hawaii’s visiting medical cannabis patients will be allowed to buy and possess weed from the 8 licensed dispensaries in the state. There is plenty of information in Hawaii’s Medical Marijuana Laws.
Here possession limits are 8 ounces every 30 consecutive days or 4 ounces every 15 days.
Michigan
They allow out-of-state-licensed patients buy and possess weed but have plenty of restrictions, so flaunting your use may land you in serious trouble, as they have plenty of restrictions.
New Hampshire
They respect out-of-state medical weed recommendations. You won’t visit local dispensaries as they only allow legal possession of weed for medicinal use.
You cannot buy or possess more than 2 ounces and you to have been issued your state’s medical licensed on qualifying medical conditions similar to New Hampshire’s.
Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, it’s legal for a guardian or parent of a minor aged under 18 of age to obtain medical cannabis out-of-state for administration to the minor. This privilege is only for minors and the state plans to repeal it within 730 days.
The state’s Medical Cannabis Program FAQ has plenty of information on this.
Rhode Island
Here the law recognizes out-state-state medical cannabis patients and allows them possess the same amount of weed as in-patients, but doesn’t take patient registry cards from out-of-state patients.
The Island limits possession to 2.5 ounces of usable weed.
Nevada
Nevada dispensaries won’t demand your medical marijuana card, but the government will invalidate out-of-state cannabis cards by end of March 2018.Nevada may soon become a “stoners’ paradise” if plans to license bars and restaurants in a bid to increase cannabis tourism go through.
In Nevada, an adult with valid license can buy and possess 3.5 grams of cannabis concentrates and 1 ounce of cannabis, and those who need it for medicinal purposes are allowed 2.5 ounces of weed flower.
California
Many cannabis stores have been established in California since legalization of medical marijuana, but as from Jan. 1 when recreational use goes legal, the surge in demand may overwhelm. To qualify for medical use, you need a doctor’s recommendation and money. Not all doctors recommend use of marijuana so you have for the right one.
Currently, the only place where Californians can buy weed is weed dispensaries and must provide a doctor’s written recommendation. A medical marijuana ID isn’t a mandatory requirement, but you need it in case you have to interact with cops. This is about to come to an end because as from January 1,2018, any Californian over 21 will be allowed to buy without recommendations.
California is undoubtedly one of the most popular American states and has added another product to the list of its vast resources – weed. In recent years, weed was only to be used by in-state medical patients. But with passage of Proposition 64, any individual aged 21+ and with government-issued identification can buy and use as from Jan. 1.
California allows weed use for individuals aged 21+ only with state-issued identification. They may buy and possess up to 1 ounce of weed flower, and up to 5 grams of marijuana concentrate.
Other States
For more information aboutWashington, read Know The Law – I-502.
For more information about Oregon, read Oregon’s Recreational Marijuana Laws.
For more information about Massachusetts, read Massachusett’sCannabis Possession Laws.
For more information about Maine, read theMaine Medical Use of Marijuana Program.
For more information about Colorado, read Colorado’s Marijuana Use Laws.
Summary
As weed use becomes popular in the US, more and more states are legalizing it. To ensure public safety, each state is implementing more regulatory legislation. The legislation differs slightly from state to another, so whenever you are planning to travel to another state, we strongly recommend you read their weed laws so you can avoid getting into trouble with their law enforcement agencies.
