How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card In Connecticut Online

Ready to get your medical marijuana card in Connecticut? 

Good news. You can get your card by following a few quick and easy steps. And we have all the information you need to get it done right here in this article. 

Keep reading to find out exactly how you can get your Connecticut medical marijuana card online.

Connecticut Medical Marijuana Program

Connecticut launched their medical marijuana program in 2012. The Senate voted in favor of the program with a 21-13 vote and Governor Malloy followed suit by signing the program into law.

The program protects patients and caregivers who make purchases from a licensed dispensary. As long as they have a valid medical card they are free from arrest and prosecution by the state. 

The program underwent an expansion in 2016. This is when the Department of Consumer Protection approved three new dispensaries. 

By the end of 2018, nine more dispensaries obtained approval. This brought the state total up to 18 dispensaries. 

Despite this growth, the CT medical marijuana program still had its drawbacks. For example, it remained the only one in the country to not permit patients with chronic pain to use medical cannabis. 

What a bummer. 

But, In June of 2020, revisions finally changed this. Nonetheless, chronic pain patients still have many hoops to jump through. 

Physicians can only recommend medical cannabis treatment in CT for people who meet strict guidelines. They must have sought treatment for their chronic pain for at least six months. And the pain must be resistant to other treatments.

In June of 2021, the cannabis landscape in the state saw further significant changes. Governor Lamont signed Senate Bill 1201.

This bill makes it possible for adults 21 and over to possess up to one and a half ounces of cannabis legally without a medical card. Adults in the state can have up to 5 ounces in a locked trunk, locked glovebox, or safe location at home.

Now, dispensaries are gearing up for legal sales of cannabis throughout the state. But they are not expected to start until the end of 2022. 

Connecticut residents can look forward to cultivating their own marijuana soon too, with the date set for July of 2023.

Medical patients can currently buy up to 3.5 ounces of medical marijuana per month. But, physicians can restrict or expand a patient’s allotment of medication. They can do this on a case-by-case basis based on what they feel is necessary.

If your physician changes your prescription allotment you cannot exceed the set limit.

Dispensaries can provide up to 2.5 ounces at one time to patients with a valid MMJ card. They can give the remaining monthly amount of medical marijuana at any other time. 

Patients can choose to buy a variety of different products. These include:

• raw flower
• edibles
• concentrates
• oils
• topicals
• tinctures

Connecticut Medical Card Requirements

There are a few specific requirements you must meet to qualify as a patient. The Connecticut medical marijuana program requirements are the same for all patients. 

To start, you must be a legal resident of Connecticut. And you must be receiving treatment for a debilitating medical condition.

You can receive treatment for your condition from any of the following medical professionals:

• physician
• physician assistant
• advanced practice registered nurse 

They must have a license to practice in the state of Connecticut.

If you meet the above requirements and are 18 or older, you may apply for a Connecticut medical marijuana certificate.

Minors are still eligible to become medical marijuana patients. But they must have a caregiver help them complete the process.

A primary caregiver is someone who can assist a medical marijuana patient with their treatment. 

All caregivers must register with the Connecticut medical marijuana program. And they must pass a criminal background check for approval.

For minors, a designated caregiver must be a parent or legal guardian. Or, another person who shares legal custody of the pediatric patient.

The Department of Consumer Protection will not register a caregiver for any patient unless a request is made. The request needs to be from a physician, in writing. The physician should include the request in the written certification for the patient.

Primary caregivers must also be 18 years of age or older. 

Before they assist with any medication they must be approved. And they need to agree to take responsibility for managing their patient’s well-being. 

Caregivers cannot have any convictions related to controlled substances. 

Physicians are not allowed to act as a caregiver for any of their patients.

Unfortunately, inmates confined in a correctional institution in this state cannot be medical marijuana patients. Anyone in a facility under the supervision of the CT Department of Corrections is not eligible as a qualifying patient. 

Patients are only allowed one primary caregiver. And caregivers are only allowed one patient. Unless a caregiver is a parent or legal guardian of more than one minor who both qualify as patients.

To complete a caregiver application you need to complete the online registration application. 

Your patient needs to provide your contact information to their physician. The physician will add you to the registry system. 

When your information is added, you can log into the system and complete the rest of your application. You should have some documents ready to upload. You will need to upload proof of identity. And you will need to pay a $25 registration fee.

Connecticut Medical Marijuana Qualifying Conditions List

Connecticut has a long list of qualifying conditions. If you suffer from one of these you may be eligible for medical marijuana treatment. 

They are:

• Cancer
• Glaucoma 
• HIV or AIDS
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Damage to the Nervous Tissue of the Spinal Cord with Intractable Spasticity supported by Objective Neurological Indication
• Epilepsy 
• Cachexia 
• Wasting Syndrome
• Crohn’s Disease 
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 
• Sickle Cell Disease
• Post Laminectomy Syndrome with Chronic Radiculopathy
• Severe Psoriasis 
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
• Ulcerative Colitis 
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Type 1 and Type II 
• Cerebral Palsy
• Cystic Fibrosis 
• Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury with Intractable Spasticity with Objective Neurological Indication 
• Terminal Illness Requiring End-Of-Life Care 
• Uncontrolled Intractable Seizure Disorder 
• Spasticity or Neuropathic Pain Associated with Fibromyalgia
• Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis 
• Post Herpetic Neuralgia 
• Hydrocephalus with Intractable Headache 
• Intractable Headache Syndromes 
• Neuropathic Facial Pain 
• Muscular Dystrophy 
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta
• Chronic Neuropathic Pain Associated with Degenerative Spinal Disorders 
• Interstitial Cystitis
• MALS Syndrome
• Vulvodynia and Vulvar Burning
• Intractable Neuropathic Pain Unresponsive to Standard Medical Treatments
• Tourette Syndrome
• Chronic Pain of 6 months duration associated with specified underlying chronic condition refractory to other treatment intervention
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Associated with Chronic Pain 
• Chronic Pancreatitis
• Movement disorders associated with Huntington’s Disease

This state also has a specific list of conditions that will qualify a pediatric patient (under age 18). These conditions include:

• Cerebral Palsy 
• Cystic Fibrosis 
• Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury with Intractable Spasticity
• Severe Epilepsy 
• Terminal Illness Requiring End-Of-Life Care 
• Uncontrolled Intractable Seizure Disorder 
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta 
• Intractable Neuropathic Pain Unresponsive to Standard Medical Treatments
• Tourette Syndrome for patients who have failed standard medical treatment
• Chronic Pancreatitis for patients whose pain is recalcitrant to standard medical management

For pediatric medical marijuana patients (under 18), two physicians must confirm that medical cannabis treatment is in the patient’s best interest. 

One of the physicians has to be the patient’s primary care provider, usually a pediatrician. The other physician must be a board-certified specialist. It should be in an area of medicine related to the debilitating condition which the patient is certified for.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card In CT

Before you can apply to the state for a medical card, you must meet with a physician. It is their job to see if you are eligible for the program. 

You need to meet with someone who is a board-certified physician licensed to practice in Connecticut. If they determine you are eligible, they will give you a medical marijuana recommendation.

You can find a medical marijuana doctor to meet with offline (visit an office in person), or online (a quick video chat).

Consulting with a doctor online is much cheaper and easier than the alternative. Especially for elderly, disabled and patients who live far from a doctor’s office.

And the most well-established services have money-back guarantees. Meaning you get approved or you don’t get charged.

If you meet with a doctor in person and fail to get approved, there is no way to get back the time or money you spent. 

But, if you sign up to meet with a physician online, then you only need to spend about 15 minutes of your time to find out if you qualify. And if you don’t, you don’t waste a penny.

To get your medical marijuana card in Connecticut you just need to follow the simple 3 step process below:

1. Consult With A CT Certified Healthcare Professional

Here is the step you can choose to complete via an in-person appointment or through a telehealth video call. 

All prospective patients must consult with a medical marijuana doctor. You can’t register with the Department until they receive a certification from your physician.

If you meet with a doctor in person the appointment time frames and the fees can vary between offices. If you meet with a medical marijuana doctor online it usually takes about 15 minutes total. It is the fastest and most convenient way to complete the consultation and get a recommendation. 

The recommendation is valid for an entire two years. However, you can choose to pay a $50 state fee for one year, or a $100 state fee for two years in Connecticut.

The two telehealth services we recommend checking out are Leafwell or Veriheal. 

They are two telemedicine platforms that specialize in connecting patients to licensed physicians who can provide MMJ recommendations. 

Both of these services provide no-hassle money-back guarantees. And since they focus solely on medical marijuana patients they have a variety of other resources that help people learn the ropes when it comes to medical cannabis.

The fee to consult with a doctor and receive a recommendation through Leafwell is $199.

If you choose to use Veriheal, they also charge $199 for Connecticut consultation appointments. Your first visit may also include a free consultation with a Veriheal cannabis coach to help you customize a wellness plan.

Our medical reviewer for example, Dr. Abraham Benavides, is available by request for expert cannabis coaching At Veriheal in all 50 states.

The process for these online platforms is very similar. You will need to create an account by selecting your state and proving your name, phone number, and email address. 

You can also upload your medical records so your physician is up to date on your health situation and is ready to discuss MMJ options specific to you as soon as they jump on the call. All of your data and personal records are protected by HIPAA-compliant software.

2. Create a DAS Business Network Account for CT State

Getting your physician’s recommendation is a prerequisite for applying to the state. 

Now, with your recommendation, you need to create a DAS Business Network Account. This is how you will access the online certification system. This is also where you apply for the CT state application.

Once the department receives your recommendation you will provide additional information and documents to them. They are to prove that you are qualified to be a registered patient. 

There will also be a $100 registration fee. 

Once you have submitted everything and paid your fee they will review your information. If they agree that you are a qualifying patient you will be approved. You will receive a medical marijuana card in the mail.

3. Get Your CT Medical Card

Once you are approved for medical marijuana in Connecticut, you will have access to a temporary certificate. These temporary certificates are valid for up to 60 days.

A physical card will be dispatched directly to you from the state. This usually happens within 7 to 31 days. 

The card will be sent to the address given on your state application. If you don’t receive your card after waiting for more than a month you can contact the department of consumer protection for help.

CT Medical Marijuana Card Benefits

Even though recreational marijuana is an option now, there are still plenty of benefits for a medical cannabis patient. These include saving money due to lower taxes and having higher possession limits based on physician recommendations.

Adults purchasing recreational marijuana will have to pay a number of taxes. 

They include:

• a 6.35% state sales tax
• a 3% city or town sales tax
• additional tax based on THC content, as much as 10-15%

That is a total of up to almost 25% of taxes. But medical marijuana patients only have to pay the statewide sales tax of 6.35%.

And medical cannabis patients can access medication sooner than non-patients. The legal age to consume recreational marijuana is 21 years old. But patients can access their own cannabis at 18 years old. 

And minors can also access medical cannabis with the help of a registered caregiver and two recommended physicians.

Patients also get the chance to enjoy higher possession limits. Recreational users are limited to only one and a half ounces on their person at any given time. 

But a patient is allowed to purchase up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis at one time from their registered dispensary, and up to 3.5 ounces for a monthly period. If a physician thinks it’s appropriate they can increase the monthly allotment for their patients to even more than this.

Another advantage of being a medical patient is that you can get priority in terms of product selection. 

Dispensaries are the only organizations allowed to sell marijuana products in the state. And the products they have are strictly regulated. 

They must undergo third-party tests that ensure their efficacy and safety. These tests check for contaminants and microbes that can make people sick. 

And they test cannabinoid levels so they can accurately label products for proper dosing. Patients get the first selection of these high-quality products.

Lastly, medical marijuana patients can grow marijuana in their homes for personal use.

Can You Grow Medical Marijuana In Connecticut?

Yes, patients can grow their own marijuana plants at home for personal use. 

Patients with a valid medical card can grow up to three mature plants and three immature plants in their own homes. The most you can have is 12 plants per house. This is regardless of how many registered patients live in the home.

Does CT Accept Out Of State Medical Cards?

No, Connecticut does not accept out-of-state medical cards. Only residents of the state with a qualifying condition are allowed to join the medical marijuana program. 

Other states with medical marijuana reciprocity may accept a Connecticut-issued medical card. But that does not always mean you can purchase medical marijuana in these other states. Call before traveling to find out the details of the marijuana program in any states you plan to visit.

Wrapping Up: CT Medical Card

If you have a qualifying condition, getting a medical marijuana card in Connecticut is easy! Get a physician’s recommendation. Then apply to the state and get your card.

There are many advantages to becoming a medical patient. Like better products, higher possession limits, and tax savings. 

Speak with a physician today to get the process started.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a medical card in Connecticut?

It can take one to two months to receive your medical card in Connecticut. They review completed applications as they receive them. Once they approve someone they will send the card in the mail.

A temporary certificate will also be available to print. It is valid for up to 60 days. A physical copy of your card should arrive in the mail within 7 to 31 days.

Can I go to any dispensary with a medical card CT?

Yes, you can purchase cannabis products from any licensed dispensary in the state. As long as you have a valid medical marijuana card. 

Patients used to have to select a designated dispensary to buy their medication. But updates to the program in 2021 now allow patients to shop at any dispensary in the state.