Washington State
How to qualify for a medical marijuana card in Washington
In Washington you qualify for a medical cannabis authorization if a licensed Washington health care professional evaluates you and determines you have one of the qualifying conditions defined in state law (RCW 69.51A.010). After you receive that authorization, you can be entered into the state's Medical Cannabis Authorization Database and issued a recognition card at a medically endorsed cannabis retailer. This guide walks through each step, the conditions Washington recognizes, who can authorize, the costs, and how renewals work.
This is general program information sourced to the Washington State Department of Health and Washington state law — not a determination that you personally qualify. Eligibility is decided by an individual evaluation with a licensed health care professional.
The steps, start to finish
- 1
Get evaluated by a Washington-licensed health care professional
They review your medical history and decide whether you meet the state's qualifying-condition definition. Green Wellness offers this evaluation by telehealth for Washington residents.
- 2
Receive your authorization
If the professional determines you qualify, they issue a Washington medical cannabis authorization on the state's official form. Under state law an authorization is valid up to one year for an adult patient and up to six months for a qualifying patient under 18.
- 3
Get your recognition card (optional but recommended)
To enter the Medical Cannabis Authorization Database and receive a recognition card, take your authorization and a photo ID to a medically endorsed cannabis retailer and schedule an appointment with a certified medical cannabis consultant, who can register you and issue the card.
- 4
Renew on schedule
Adults renew the authorization and card each year; patients under 18 renew every six months.
What conditions qualify in Washington?
Washington does not let a clinic invent its own list — the qualifying conditions are set by state law. Under RCW 69.51A.010, a "terminal or debilitating medical condition" is one severe enough to significantly interfere with the patient's activities of daily living and ability to function, and is limited to the following, as written in the statute:
- Cancer, HIV, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, or spasticity disorders
- Intractable pain — pain unrelieved by standard medical treatments and medications
- Glaucoma, either acute or chronic
- Crohn's disease with debilitating symptoms unrelieved by standard treatments or medications
- Hepatitis C with debilitating nausea or intractable pain unrelieved by standard treatments
- Diseases, including anorexia, that result in nausea, vomiting, wasting, appetite loss, cramping, seizures, muscle spasms, or spasticity unrelieved by standard treatments
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
This list is reproduced from Washington state law (RCW 69.51A.010) as published by the Washington State Legislature. It is presented here as the state's own criteria. Whether your specific situation meets one of these definitions is a clinical judgment made during an individual evaluation — this page does not make that determination.
Who can authorize medical cannabis in Washington?
State law (RCW 69.51A.010) names the license types that may authorize. A Washington medical cannabis authorization may be issued by a:
- Physician (MD) licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW
- Osteopathic physician (DO) licensed under chapter 18.57 RCW
- Physician assistant (PA) licensed under chapter 18.71A RCW
- Advanced practice registered nurse (ARNP) licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW
- Naturopath (ND) licensed under chapter 18.36A RCW
The professional must be licensed in Washington and must conduct an evaluation before issuing an authorization.
What does it cost?
There are two separate costs, and they are not the same thing:
- The evaluation fee— what you pay the clinic for the health care professional's visit and authorization. Medical cannabis evaluations are generally self-pay (most health insurance does not cover them because cannabis is not a covered prescription). Green Wellness publishes its evaluation fee on the pricing page.
- The recognition card fee — Washington law sets a minimum $1 fee for the recognition card itself, paid at the medically endorsed retailer that enters you in the database. Retailers are not prohibited from charging more than $1.
A recognition card in the state database also lets you purchase excise- and sales-tax-free medical cannabis products from a medically endorsed retail store — a benefit set by the state program, not by any clinic.
How do renewals work? (and can I renew by telehealth?)
- Adults: renew the authorization and recognition card every year.
- Patients under 18: renew every six months.
- Telehealth renewals: Washington allows a health care professional, after an initial visit, to note in your record that you may renew your authorization using telemedicine. Green Wellness offers Washington telehealth renewals where this applies — see how a telehealth visit works.
- Compassionate care renewal: if your health care professional determines that renewing in person would cause severe hardship, Washington allows a designated provider to obtain the renewal card at a medically endorsed retailer.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be a Washington resident?
A Washington authorization is issued under Washington law by a Washington-licensed professional. Bring a government- or state-issued photo ID to your recognition-card appointment. For specific residency questions, the Washington State Department of Health is the authority.
Is the authorization the same as the recognition card?
No. The authorization is the form your health care professional issues. The recognition card is what a medically endorsed retailer issues after entering you in the state's Medical Cannabis Authorization Database. The card is optional, but it unlocks the tax exemption and the database protections.
Can I do the whole thing online?
The evaluation can be done by telehealth for Washington residents. The recognition card itself is issued in person at a medically endorsed retailer, because that is where the state database registration happens.
How long is my authorization good for?
Up to one year for adults, up to six months for patients under 18, depending on the treatment plan your health care professional sets.
Where is the official source for all this?
The Washington State Department of Health Medical Cannabis program (doh.wa.gov) and RCW 69.51A (the Washington medical cannabis statute) are the authoritative sources. This page summarizes them; always confirm current rules with the state.
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This article is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not guarantee certification or eligibility, which depend on an individual evaluation and your state's program rules. Consult a licensed physician about your specific situation.
Sources: Washington State Department of Health — Medical Cannabis Patient Information; RCW 69.51A.010 and RCW 69.51A.060 (Washington State Legislature). Program rules can change; confirm the current requirements with the Washington State Department of Health.