Many Washington State residents seeking medical marijuana evaluations are concerned about whether a medical authorization could affect their federal benefits — SNAP (food stamps), Section 8 or HUD housing, Social Security disability (SSDI/SSI), Medicaid, or veteran's benefits. The answers vary by program and are nuanced. Here's what's actually known.

SNAP (Food Stamps / EBT)

Short answer: Your SNAP benefits are not at risk from getting a medical marijuana authorization.

SNAP eligibility is determined by income and household size. Drug use history — including cannabis use — is not a factor in SNAP eligibility in Washington State. The federal SNAP regulations do not test for drug use as a condition of eligibility (the federal drug felony exclusion for SNAP applies only to drug trafficking convictions, not use). Washington State has opted out of that exclusion entirely.

You cannot use EBT/SNAP benefits to purchase cannabis — dispensaries are not authorized merchants. But having a medical marijuana authorization does not affect whether you receive SNAP benefits.

HUD / Section 8 Housing

This is the most complicated area. Federal public housing and Section 8 housing assistance are governed by the Drug-Free Public Housing Act of 1988, which requires housing authorities to deny assistance to individuals who use controlled substances. Cannabis remains federally controlled.

In practice:

Public housing authorities have discretion — HUD policy allows (but does not require) housing authorities to deny or evict based on drug use. Many Washington State housing authorities have adopted policies that don't actively enforce against medical marijuana patients who don't use on the premises.
On-premises use is the trigger — the most common enforcement basis is using cannabis at the housing unit. Using your authorization off-premises is lower risk, but the underlying federal prohibition still applies.
No universal answer — policies vary significantly by housing authority. Contact your specific housing authority to understand their current policy before getting your authorization if this is a concern.
Private landlords with HUD subsidies — similar issues apply to privately-owned apartments participating in Section 8. These landlords may include cannabis clauses in leases.

Social Security Disability (SSDI and SSI)

Medical marijuana authorization does not affect SSDI or SSI eligibility.

Social Security Disability benefits are determined by your work history, contribution record, and medical disability — not drug use. The Social Security Administration evaluates disability based on your qualifying medical condition, not your treatments. Using medical marijuana as part of your treatment does not disqualify you from SSDI or SSI, and the SSA does not screen for cannabis use.

Note: if your underlying disability claim involves drug or alcohol addiction as the primary disabling condition, different rules apply — but that's about the addiction claim, not cannabis use for a separate qualifying condition.

Medicaid / Apple Health in Washington

Medicaid eligibility is not affected by medical marijuana use.

Apple Health (Washington Medicaid) eligibility is income-based. Cannabis use is not a factor in eligibility. However, Medicaid does not cover medical marijuana evaluations or cannabis products — those are out-of-pocket costs.

VA Benefits (Veterans)

The VA cannot deny benefits solely because a veteran participates in a state medical marijuana program.

However, VA providers cannot prescribe or recommend cannabis, and VA drug testing may show positive results. See our Veterans and PTSD guide → for more detail.

Your Green Wellness evaluation is HIPAA-protected

Your medical marijuana authorization and evaluation records are protected health information under HIPAA. Green Wellness does not report your information to SNAP agencies, HUD, SSA, housing authorities, or any benefit-administering entity without your written consent. The DOH MMED registry (optional $1 registration card) is similarly confidential and not accessible to benefit agencies.

If you have specific concerns about your situation, consider consulting a Washington State benefits attorney or a patient advocacy organization before proceeding.

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Medical Marijuana and Federal Benefits in Washington State