How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in North Dakota
Schedule an Appointment with a North Dakota Healthcare Provider
You must select a doctor with whom you have a bona fide doctor-patient relationship and have an in-person consultation with them to get certified. If your doctor decides MMJ treatment would be beneficial for your condition, they will prepare a recommendation letter for you.
Create a North Dakota State Government Account
Next, go online and create an account with the ND BioTrackTHC system on North Dakota’s official state website. Fill out and submit your North Dakota medical marijuana card application.
When an applicant submits their health care provider’s full name and email address, that provider will be alerted and asked to complete the written certification for the applicant/patient.
Pay the Application Fee
Pay the $25 non-refundable application fee. If mailing in your application, send the payment to the following address:
NDDHHS, Division of Medical Marijuana
600 East Blvd Ave, Dept 325,
Bismarck, ND 58505
To guarantee that the money is posted to the correct account/application, write the application barcode number (10-digit alphanumeric number) on the payment.
Get Approved and Receive Your ND MMJ Card
It will take between 2-4 weeks to process your application after you have submitted all required documents and your provider has submitted your certification. You can check the status of your ND MMJ application at any time by signing into your account. Delays in processing may occur as a result of insufficient information, non-receipt of money, unclear photos, or issues with other supplied documents.
How to Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in North Dakota
- A Step-by-Step Guide
- Check your eligibility
- Schedule an appointment with a North Dakota healthcare provider
- Attend your appointment, and if approved, your physician will write a recommendation letter for you. Your doctor will submit your recommendation letter on your behalf
- Create a BioTrackTHC account and apply using the official online portal
- Pay the $25 non-refundable application fee
- Get approved and receive your ND MMJ card
North Dakota Medical Marijuana Card Qualifying Conditions
To be eligible for a North Dakota MMJ card, you must have been diagnosed by a doctor with one or more of the following qualifying medical conditions:
Patient Qualifying Conditions
- Alzheimer’s disease agitation or related dementia
- Anorexia
- ALS
- Autism
- Anxiety disorder
- Brain injury
- Bulimia
- Crohn’s disease
- Cancer
- Decompensated cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C
- Endometriosis
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Epilepsy
- Fibromyalgia
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Intractable spasticity
- Interstitial cystitis
- Migraine
- Neuropathy
- PTSD
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including MS
- Spinal stenosis or chronic back pain
- Terminal illness
- Tourette syndrome
General Guidelines
In the next sections, we’ll outline how to renew your North Dakota medical marijuana card and provide you with important information regarding caregiver rules.
Medical Marijuana Card Renewal in North Dakota
A North Dakota MMJ card is valid for one year, and renewal requires another visit to a registered physician. Please keep in mind that you must commence the renewal process within 45 days of your card’s expiration date. To renew your North Dakota medical marijuana card, use the BioTrackTHC system and patient portal.
Caregiver Rules
Patients can designate a caregiver who is a North Dakota resident over the age of 21. They must follow the same registration and application procedures as patients and undergo a criminal background check every two years. Individuals who have received a felony or misdemeanor drug conviction within the last five years are ineligible to participate in the program. A caregiver is permitted to represent up to five MMJ patients at a time.
History of Cannabis in North Dakota
In 2016, Governor Doug Burgum signed a medicinal cannabis bill (Measure 5) into law. In April 2017, the North Dakota Department of Health formally established the program. However, progress was slow, and no official production facilities were selected until May 2018.
Sales were expected to start in the spring of 2018. Unfortunately, the phrasing of Measure 5 made getting the initiative off the ground difficult. Governor Burgum signed new amendments into law in April 2019. Among these was expanding the number of qualifying circumstances. This new legislation simplified the certification process for doctors and allowed physician assistants to certify MMJ patients.
North Dakota Medical Marijuana Laws and Rules
Despite the fact that attempts to legalize recreational marijuana in North Dakota have failed, campaigners continue to advocate for adult-use marijuana.
In May 2019, the state abolished prison sentences for the possession of small amounts of marijuana. House Bill 1050 made it a civil infraction for adults over the age of 21 to possess up to half an ounce of marijuana. However, if you are convicted, you face a fine of up to $1,000!
If you are caught with more than half an ounce, a misdemeanor offense, you could get up to 30 days in jail. If you’re caught with 500 grams or more, you could face a year in prison.
The selling of ANY quantity is a criminal offense punishable by a prison sentence of 3-10 years. Cultivation is likewise prohibited, with penalties based on the total weight of the plants discovered.
What Types of Cannabis Can I Purchase in North Dakota?
The North Dakota MMJ program permits qualifying patients to purchase the following cannabis products:
- Pre-rolls with dried plants and flowers
- Capsules Solutions
- Extracts or concentrates
- Transdermal patches with a maximum of 50mg THC per dosage
- Topicals containing up to 6% THC
The initial campaign featured edible cannabis products, but they were withdrawn due to concerns over potential danger to children that may confuse them for ordinary confectionery.
How Much Cannabis Can I Buy and Possess?
Certified patients and caregivers can buy up to 2.5 ounces in 30 days. Originally, the maximum THC content was set at 4,000mg. However, in August 2023, the purchase limit increased to 6,000mg for solutions, concentrates, capsules, transdermal patches, and topicals. Those with cancer or who are otherwise eligible for a higher amount can purchase up to six ounces in 30 days. Minors who qualify are not permitted to purchase or consume dried leaves and flowers.
Where can I Legally Purchase MMJ in North Dakota?
MMJ can be purchased from one of eight dispensaries in North Dakota. Each one’s name and location are as follows:
- Pure Dakota Health of Bismarck – Bismarck
- Pure Dakota Health – Fargo
- Pure Dakota Health of Williston – Williston
- Curaleaf – Devil’s Lake
- Curaleaf – Jamestown
- Curaleaf – Dickinson
- Curaleaf – Minot
- Strive Life – Grand Forks
Can I Take my MMJ to a Different State?
No. Marijuana remains federally illegal under the Controlled Substances Act. It is thus unlawful to travel across state lines with marijuana in your possession.
FAQ About Getting an MMJ Card in North Dakota
You should receive your North Dakota medical marijuana card in 2-4 weeks after submitting all required documents. As mentioned, you can check the status of your application in your account at any time. If you request a new card, it may take up to 20 calendar days following approval to arrive.
Users of MMJCardOnline have an extremely high approval rate. To increase your chances of success, please read the information in this guide before applying. In the unlikely event, you're not approved, you will receive a full refund.
The North Dakota Department of Health announced a reduction in the cost of a medical marijuana card. In October 2022, the application fee was reduced from $50 to $25. The consultation price is between $150 and $250.