How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Rhode Island

To be eligible to apply for a Rhode Island medical marijuana card, you must be a resident of the state. Adults can apply on their own behalf, but minors require their parent's or legal guardian's consent. Furthermore, applicants must have been diagnosed with a medical condition approved by the Rhode Island Department of Health (DOH) (see Patient Qualifying Conditions listed below). Rhode Island permits qualified non-residents to purchase medical marijuana with a valid Medical Cannabis Identification Card or other approved patient documentation issued by another state. If you believe that you're eligible to apply, then follow these easy steps to getting a Rhode Island medical marijuana card.
01

Schedule a Consultation with a Rhode Island Healthcare Provider

The first step to getting a Rhode Island medical marijuana card is to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider. It is important to be aware that not every doctor in Rhode Island is willing to fill out the Practitioner Form on your behalf.

MMJCardOnline can help schedule an appointment for you by putting you in touch with cannabis-friendly doctors and healthcare providers in Rhode Island. The form can be filled out by Rhode Island-licensed physicians (MD/DO), physician assistants (PA), or advanced practice registered nurses (APRN). Bring all medical history forms to your consultation and a valid photo ID.

02

Apply Online

The next step is to complete the Patient Application Form online. Please note that The Rhode Island Department of Health will not accept forms submitted via fax or email. You must also supply a valid phone number and email address.

03

Receive Your Rhode Island MMJ Card

In contrast to other states, Rhode Island prints a patient’s MMJ card during their photo ID appointment. According to the Rhode Island MMJ Program, approved patients should get a photo ID appointment within 5 – 10 days of their application being approved. Patients must bring a valid Rhode Island driver’s license or state identification card to this appointment.

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How to Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Rhode Island
- A Step-by-Step Guide

  • Check your eligibility
  • Schedule an appointment with a Rhode Island healthcare provider
  • Get certified as a qualifying patient by your healthcare provider
  • Apply for your Rhode Island medical marijuana card online
  • Get approved
  • Attend your photo ID appointment, where your RI medical marijuana card will be printed for you

Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Card Qualifying Conditions

To be eligible for a Rhode Island MMJ card, you must have been diagnosed by a doctor with one or more of the following qualifying medical conditions:

Patient Qualifying Conditions

  • Glaucoma
  • Cancer (or treatment including chemotherapy and radiation)
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Cachexia (wasting syndrome)
  • Hepatitis C
  • Severe, debilitating, chronic pain
  • Seizures (including those characteristic of epilepsy)
  • Severe nausea
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Severe muscle spasms (inclusive of those associated with multiple sclerosis)
  • PTSD (must be 18 or older)
  • Alzheimer’s disease

General Guidelines

Next, we will outline how to renew your Rhode Island medical marijuana card and provide you with important information regarding caregiver rules.

Medical Marijuana Card Renewal in Rhode Island

Your medicinal marijuana card in Rhode Island is valid for one year. A renewal form should be sent to you and your doctor 30 to 60 days before the card’s expiration date.

If you do not receive this form and your expiration date is approaching, email the Rhode Island Registry to obtain the renewal form. Following that, you must make an appointment with a qualified Rhode Island healthcare provider to get certified for another year.

Caregiver Rules

MMJ patients in Rhode Island are allowed to select their own caregivers. You can also designate an authorized purchaser to buy medical marijuana on your behalf. Patients may select an authorized purchaser who lives outside of Rhode Island.

In Rhode Island, only people over the age of 21 can become caregivers or authorized purchasers. In addition, they will have to undergo a criminal background check.

A caregiver can help up to five patients with their medical marijuana needs. An authorized purchaser, on the other hand, can only assist one patient.

The caregiver application procedure takes 2-4 weeks from the time it is received by the DOH.

History of Cannabis in Rhode Island

Marijuana was initially prohibited in the state without a prescription in 1918. It took nearly 90 years for Rhode Island to reform its laws to legalize medical marijuana for qualified patients.

Senate Bill 0710, outlining lawful medical marijuana use in Rhode Island, was passed for the first time in June 2005. However, it was put on hold for several months due to a veto. The House eventually overrode the veto on January 3, 2006, and ultimately approved the Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act.

Adult-use marijuana became legal in Rhode Island in May 2022, and sales commenced in December 2022.

Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Laws and Rules

Possession of less than 1 ounce is now lawful for those over the age of 21. However, possession of more than an ounce is a misdemeanor, so you could face up to a year in prison and a $500 fine. While you have to possess more than 1kg of cannabis to be charged with a felony, if you sell more than an ounce, you will be charged with a felony and could face up to 30 years in prison!

What Types of Cannabis Can I Purchase in Rhode Island?

You can buy marijuana flower, edibles, extracts, tinctures, topicals, vape items, and more if you have an MMJ card in Rhode Island.

How Much Cannabis Can I Buy and Possess?

The current possession restriction for MMJ patients and caregivers is 2.5 ounces of useable marijuana. Patients can purchase up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana every 15 days, according to dispensary regulations. You can, however, have up to 10 ounces on your property, whether it is residential or non-residential.

Where can I Legally Purchase MMJ in Rhode Island?

You can legally purchase medical marijuana from these dispensaries (known as Compassion Centers) in Rhode Island:

Thomas C. Slater Compassion Center

  • 1 Corliss Street
  • Providence, RI 02904

Greenleaf Compassionate Care Center

  • 1637 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871

Summit Medical Compassion Center D/B/A RISE Warwick

  • Unit E2, 380 Jefferson Boulevard
  • Warwick, RI 02886

Plant-Based Compassionate Care D/B/A Sweetspot Dispensary

  • 560 South County Trail, Bldg. B
  • Exeter, RI 02822

Aura of Rhode Island, Inc. F/K/A Pinnacle Compassion Center, Inc.

  • 1136 Lonsdale Avenue
  • Central Falls, RI 02806

Mother Earth Wellness Inc.

  • 125 Esten Avenue
  • Pawtucket, RI 02860

Solar Therapeutics Rhode Island D/B/A Solar Cannabis Co.

  • 65 Meadow Street, Unit A
  • Warwick, RI 02886

Can I Take my MMJ to a Different State?

Marijuana is a controlled substance and is federally illegal; therefore, it is unlawful to travel across state lines with marijuana in your possession.

FAQ About Getting an MMJ Card in Rhode Island

How long does it take to get a Medical Marijuana Card in Rhode Island?

According to the Rhode Island MMJ Program, patients should expect to get their MMJ license 5 - 10 days after their application is granted. In contrast to other states, when you come in for your photo ID appointment where your Rhode Island MMJ card is printed.

What if I'm not approved after my initial consultation with a Rhode Island MMJ physician?

MMJCardOnline users 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.

How much is it for a Medical Card in Rhode Island?

There is no longer an application fee for a medical marijuana card in Rhode Island. There is also no caregiver application fee. A doctor's consultation can cost anywhere between $200-$300.

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