Qualifying Conditions for a Medical Marijuana Card in New York (2025)
New York’s Medical Cannabis Program, managed by the Office of Cannabis Management, allows residents diagnosed with various medical conditions to access medical cannabis legally. Since 2022, the state no longer restricts medical marijuana certification to specific qualifying conditions. Instead, licensed healthcare practitioners can recommend medical cannabis for any condition they believe may benefit from treatment, making eligibility more inclusive. Patients do not receive physical cards but are issued certifications with registry IDs for use at licensed dispensaries.
Qualifying Medical Conditions
In New York, there are no strict qualifying conditions required to obtain medical marijuana certification. Healthcare providers may recommend medical cannabis for any medical condition they determine cannabis will help. Common conditions for which patients seek certification include:
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Autism
- Cancer
- Chronic Pain
- Depression and Anxiety
- Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders
- HIV/AIDS
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Substance Use Disorder
- Other chronic or debilitating health conditions as deemed appropriate by a certifying practitioner
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a resident of New York State
- Be at least 18 years old (patients under 18 require parental or guardian consent and must have a registered caregiver)
- Receive certification for medical cannabis from a healthcare practitioner licensed and registered with the New York State Medical Cannabis Program
Application Process
- Consult a Licensed Practitioner: Schedule an in-person or telehealth appointment with a New York-licensed medical provider registered with the program to determine if medical cannabis is appropriate.
- Certification Submission: If approved, your healthcare provider submits your certification electronically to the state’s Medical Cannabis Program, automatically registering you.
- Use Certification to Purchase: Present your certification ID and a government-issued photo ID at any licensed medical dispensary to purchase medical cannabis.
- Renewal: Certification is valid for one year unless otherwise specified by the certifying practitioner; renewals follow the same certification process.
Caregivers and Minors
Patients under 18 must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian and designate a registered caregiver who is authorized to assist in obtaining and administering medical cannabis.
Booking an Appointment with Licensed Doctors
For New York residents looking for fast certification, same-day appointments with licensed medical marijuana doctors are available at:
This service offers telehealth consultations with state-licensed providers to help patients get certified efficiently and start accessing medical cannabis promptly.