Do You Need Medical Records to Get a Washington State MMJ Card?

One of the most common reasons people put off booking a medical marijuana evaluation is the assumption that they need to bring a stack of medical records, or that their regular doctor has to refer them. Neither is true. Here's exactly what's required — and what's not.

You don't need a referral or medical records

Washington State medical marijuana evaluations are standalone consultations. You don't need:

• A referral from your primary care doctor
• Medical records from another provider
• Lab results or imaging studies
• A prior diagnosis from a specialist
• Documentation showing you've already tried other treatments

Your Green Wellness provider will conduct an independent evaluation. Your own account of your symptoms, their duration, and how they affect your daily life is the foundation of that evaluation. Washington's law does not require documentation from another provider — it requires a licensed healthcare provider to determine that you have a qualifying condition and that cannabis may benefit you.

What you do need

The requirements are simple:

• Be 18 or older (minors can qualify with a parent/guardian co-signer and additional requirements)
• Be a Washington State resident
• Have a qualifying condition — or a condition that your provider determines is debilitating enough to qualify
• A valid photo ID (Washington driver's license, state ID, or passport)

That's it. You can book today and come to your appointment with just your ID.

When records can be helpful (but aren't required)

While you don't need records, they can sometimes be useful:

• They speed up the evaluation — if your condition has a specific diagnosis on paper (e.g., a neurologist's MS diagnosis, an oncologist's cancer diagnosis), the provider can confirm the qualifying condition quickly without relying solely on your reported history
• They help with medication review — your current medication list (even a handwritten note) helps your provider check for drug interactions and give personalized dosing guidance
• They can support borderline cases — for conditions that don't have a specific qualifying diagnosis (e.g., anxiety that hasn't been formally diagnosed), a therapist's letter or documented treatment history can strengthen the evaluation

None of these are required. They're helpful context. If you have records handy, bring them. If you don't, come anyway.

What happens at the evaluation

The evaluation takes 15–20 minutes and is a straightforward conversation. Your provider will ask about:

• Your condition and symptoms
• How long you've had the condition
• How it affects your daily life
• What treatments you've tried and how they've worked
• Your current medications (for interaction checking)

If you qualify, your provider will issue a written authorization the same day. You'll leave with documentation that's valid at all licensed Washington dispensaries — and you can optionally register with the Washington DOH for the $1 recognition card that gives you the full tax exemption.

Same-day appointments available

Green Wellness locations in Lynnwood, Spokane, Olympia, and Vancouver typically have same-day or next-day availability. Telehealth is available for returning patients renewing their authorization. New patient evaluations are $175.

Book now — no records required →