Can Minors Get Medical Marijuana?

Medical cannabis is becoming legal in more states than ever, and awareness is growing, leading many to wonder: can minors get medical weed? 

This article aims to give an overview of the requirements for getting an MMJ card for underage patients. 

Can Minors Get Medical Marijuana?

While every state tries to keep recreational cannabis out of the hands of minors, most states allow minors access to medical cannabis, but only under very strict conditions.

Adults 18 to  20 can’t legally purchase recreational cannabis in any state. However, in most states, adults under 21 can become medical cannabis patients. In states like Alabama and North Dakota, patients must be 19 years old to purchase medical cannabis on their own. Most other states, like California and Oklahoma, allow patients 18 and older to purchase their own medical cannabis.

Most states allow minors under 18 to access medical cannabis. In all cases, the requirements are more stringent, like in Colorado, which requires two physicians to recommend cannabis. Minor patients under the age of 18 are also not allowed to purchase from a medical dispensary; instead, this is the responsibility of their caregiver.

Nearly all states require a parent or guardian to agree to be a minor’s caregiver to manage and administer their medical cannabis for them. To learn more, find out your state’s specific medical cannabis laws.

What is a Caregiver?

Caregivers are individuals who provide care to medical patients in need of assistance during daily care routines and administering their medication. States that offer access to medical cannabis often allow patients to register a caregiver to help them access their cannabis recommendation.

Caregivers are able to legally register along with the patients they’re providing care for, receive a caregiver ID, and follow a specific set of laws outlined by the state. Caregivers can usually purchase a patient’s cannabis for them, cultivate their cannabis, and help administer their cannabis. 

In most states, a parent or legal guardian must serve as a minor patient’s caregiver.

Laws and requirements to become a caregiver vary from state to state, but in most cases, a caregiver must be an adult over 18 or 21, depending on the state. They must formally agree to care for the patient and take responsibility for managing the patient’s medication and helping them use it. 

Depending on the state, caregivers can usually only be responsible for one patient at a time unless they’re parents or guardians caring for their own children. In most cases, caregivers cannot be the patient’s doctor, and in some states, a caregiver must pass a criminal background check unless they care for their relatives. 

How Can a Minor Get an MMJ Card?

All state programs are more conservative about allowing minors access to medical cannabis. Much of the research on medical cannabis is in its infancy, and there are areas of concern when considering cannabis and the developing brain. That said, minors can get medical cannabis in most states with medical cannabis programs.

In nearly every state, a parent or legal guardian must agree to be the minor patient’s caregiver and take full responsibility for managing their medication and providing constant care. 

Some states have steeper requirements for a physician’s recommendation to a minor. Some require a patient to be evaluated by two physicians, and others require a minor patient to be evaluated by a physician with one of several specialties. Every state has its own limitations and qualifications, so it’s best to check the laws where you live. 

What States Allow MMJ Cards for Minors?

Every state has its own laws and requirements for medical cannabis, and those are often more specific for minors. Below, you’ll find a brief breakdown of which states allow medical cannabis for minors.

If you or a minor child are already patients and will be traveling, consider which states accept out-of-state medical cannabis cards.

State	Age of Eligibility Without Parental Consent	State Medical Cannabis Program Portal
AL	19 yrs Note: Patients under 19 can’t use cannabis with more than 3% THC	Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission
AK	18 yrs	Medical Marijuana Registry – State of Alaska
AR	18 yrs Note: Patients under 21 can’t smoke cannabis	Arkansas Department of Health
AZ	18 yrs  Note: Patients under 18 need a parent or guardian caregiver	Arizona Department of Health Services
CA	18 yrs	Department of Cannabis Control
CO	18 yrs Note: First time applicants 18-20 years old will need to submit certifications from two providers from two different medical practices	Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
CT	18 yrs Note: Patients under 18 need a recommendation from two independent physicians, one of whom must be the patient’s primary physician	Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection
DC	18 yrs Note: Patients 21 and over can self-certify without a doctor’s recommendation or qualifying condition	Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration
DE	18 yrs Note: Qualifying conditions and product types limited for patients under 18	Delaware Health and Social Services
FL	18 yrs	Florida Department of Health
GA	18 yrs	GA Access to Medical Cannabis Commission
HI	18 yrs	State of Hawaii Department of Health
IA	18 yrs	Iowa Medical Cannabis Program
ID	N/A	N/A
IL	18 yrs Note: Patients under 21 are only allowed infused products, only allowed for seizures if under 18	Illinois Department of Public Health
IN	N/A	N/A
KS	N/A	N/A
KY	18 yrs Note: Patients under 21 are not permitted to purchase inhalable cannabis products. Patients under 18 are required to get authorizations from two doctors for the use of medical cannabis.	Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis
LA	18 yrs Note: Patients under 21 need a specific recommendation from their physician for smokable cannabis. Patients under 18 with autism must also have certification from a pediatric subspecialist.	Louisiana Department of Health
MA	18 yrs  Note: Patients under 18 need parental consent and certification by two certifying health care providers, one of whom must be a pediatrician or pediatric specialist	Cannabis Control Commission
MD	18 yrs	Maryland Cannabis Administration
ME	18 yrs	Office of Cannabis Policy
MI	18 yrs	Michigan Medical Marijuana Program
MN	18 yrs	Minnesota Department of Health
MO	18 yrs unless emancipated	Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
MS	18 yrs	Mississippi State Department of Health
MT	18 yrs Note: patients under 18 can’t smoke	Cannabis Control Division
NC	N/A	N/A
ND	19 yrs Note: minor patients are limited to products with no more than 6% THC	North Dakota Department of Health
NE	N/A	N/A
NH	18 yrs	New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services
NJ	18 yrs	New Jersey Division of Medical Cannabis
NM	18 yrs	New Mexico Department of Health
NV	18 yrs	Nevada Department of Health and Human Services
NY	18 yrs	New York Office of Cannabis Management
OH	18 yrs	Medical Marijuana Control Program
OK	18 yrs	Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority
OR	18 yrs	Oregon Health Authority
PA	18 yrs	Pennsylvania Department of Health
RI	18 yrs	Rhode Island Department of Health
SC	N/A	N/A
SD	18 yrs Note: patients under 21 may not smoke	South Dakota Department of Health
TN	N/A	N/A
TX	18 yrs	(Low-THC only) Texas Department of Public Safety
UT	Patients under 21 must petition the Compassionate Use Board to join the program	Utah Department of Health & Human Services
VA	18 yrs	Virginia Board of Pharmacy
VT	18 yrs	Vermont Cannabis Control Board
WA	18 yrs	Washington Department of Health
WI	N/A	N/A
WV	18 yrs	Office of Medical Cannabis
WY	N/A	N/A

Is Medical Marijuana Safe for Minors?

Medical cannabis research is still in its early stages, and there’s even less research on the effects of cannabis on minors. The research available is inconclusive at best and, at times, conflicting. 

Some of the common side effects of cannabis for anyone include:

• Tiredness
• Anxiety and paranoia
• Memory problems
• Temporarily reduced cognitive function
• Hunger
• Sleep disturbances

Some studies have linked cannabis to serious adverse effects in minors. Researchers suggest that these effects are mainly due to the still-developing state of a minor’s brain, but no causal links have been established. Additional risks for minors include:

• Increased risk of psychosis
• Increased risk of depression and suicide
• Lower IQ
• Increased risk of anxiety
• Impaired psychomotor function
• Increased cardiovascular risks

It’s important to note that evidence only shows an association between these effects and cannabis use in minors, and they are highly dependent on the dosage of THC and CBD. Other studies point to these associations arising from different factors. This means that cannabis use may not be the sole cause of these risk factors.¹ More research is necessary to understand these relationships. There is also evidence that minors can recover from these effects after stopping cannabis use.

When it comes down to deciding if medical cannabis is suitable for a minor patient, it’s important to weigh the benefits against the potential risks. This individual decision is best made based on the patient's needs with the help of a medical professional.

Will the child’s primary care doctor be informed of MMJ qualifications?

That depends entirely on the doctor. Unfortunately, not all doctors are well-informed about medical cannabis. While more doctors are exploring the possibilities of medical cannabis, you'll have to ask your child’s doctor where they stand on the issue.

What is Ashley’s Law?

Ashley’s Laws is an Illinois state law that allows a parent, guardian, or individual registered with the state’s Department of Health to administer medical cannabis products to a student on school grounds or a school bus.

What is Jojo’s Act?

In 2019, California passed Jojo’s Act, allowing K-12 schools to permit the possession and use of medical cannabis, except for inhalable products, at school under the supervision of a parent or guardian.

What is the minimum age for a minor to obtain an MMJ card?

In most states, the minimum age for a medical cannabis patient to obtain a medical cannabis card without parental consent is 18. Most states allow younger patients access to medical cannabis with the permission of a parent or legal guardian. In those instances, most states don’t have a legal minimum, so it would be at the discretion of medical professionals to recommend cannabis where appropriate.

What are the qualifying conditions for a minor to get a med card?

Each state maintains its own list of qualifying medical conditions, which vary by state. It’s best to check your state’s list.

How much will an MMJ card for a minor cost?

The costs for medical cannabis cards vary by state. Generally, the price of the card will be the same as the cost for an adult patient. However, a few additional costs may arise.

Minor patients require a registered caregiver. In some states, caregiver registration comes with an additional charge for the caregiver ID. This registration, like the patient’s, will need to be renewed when it expires, usually once per year.

Some states also require that minor patients be evaluated twice before they can obtain medical cannabis. There may be additional costs associated with visiting another doctor (insurance doesn't typically cover the cost of an evaluation) and purchasing cannabis products.

Conclusion

The process of getting a medical cannabis card can be complicated, but NuggMD is here to help. 

NuggMD has streamlined the process of getting a medical cannabis card in many states. We can help you connect with a knowledgeable doctor willing to talk about medical cannabis. NuggMD can also help you understand and navigate your state’s registration process. 

Resources

1. Aran A, Cayam-Rand D. Medical Cannabis in Children. Rambam Maimonides Med J. 2020;11(1):e0003. Published 2020 Jan 30. doi:10.5041/RMMJ.10386 ↩︎

The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.