Legal Age for Medical Cannabis in All 50 States
The legal age to possess or consume medical cannabis varies across the country, as each U.S. state regulates marijuana internally. Multiple states share the same age restrictions, such as having to be 18 or 21 years or older to qualify for a medical marijuana card. Minors with severe medical disorders are often permitted to access certain medical cannabis products with the consent of a caregiver and with one or two physicians' recommendations.
Some of the qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana card include mental afflictions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and physical conditions such as chronic pain and epilepsy. Below is a comprehensive list of states and the legal age for purchasing and consuming medical cannabis.
List of States and Legal Age for Medical Cannabis
Each state has different rules governing the legal age for medicinal marijuana use. 40 states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) have some form of medical cannabis program as of January 2025.
Some states have fairly generous laws surrounding medical cannabis. For instance, the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act permits registered MMJ patients 18 years and older to purchase 2.5 ounces of marijuana (in any form) every two weeks. MMJ patients in Hawaii can have up to 4 ounces of cannabis on hand.
1. Alabama: In Alabama, you must be 19 years old to purchase medical cannabis. Only patients with specific and debilitating conditions can qualify for a medical marijuana card. Alabama will imprison residents for possessing recreational cannabis, no matter what age.
2. Alaska: In Alaska, qualifying patients must be at least 21 years old to purchase or consume medical or recreational marijuana. Minors in Alaska with eligible conditions can be approved for medical cannabis with the consent of their parents or caregivers.
3. Arizona: In Arizona, you need to be 18 years old to purchase medical marijuana. You must have an AZ qualifying condition and obtain a medical marijuana card. You will then need to renew your AZ MMJ card every two years to keep your patient privileges. Arizona minors with a qualifying condition can have a parent or legal guardian apply for a medical marijuana card on their behalf. They will need a designated caregiver to purchase cannabis for them and administer their treatment.
4. Arkansas: In Arkansas, adults 18 years or older can purchase medical cannabis with a medical marijuana card. Patients in Arkansas must have a qualifying medical condition like cancer or post-traumatic stress disorder to be approved for a medical marijuana card. Minors can qualify for medical cannabis in Arkansas with a legal guardian’s consent.
5. California: In California, you need to be 18 years old to purchase medical cannabis. Patients under the age of 18 must go through the process of getting an MMJ card with their legal guardian.
6. Colorado: Patients in the state of Colorado must be at least 18 years old to possess or cultivate medical marijuana. They will need a physician’s recommendation and also register with the state’s medical marijuana program. Minor patients may qualify for medical cannabis with parental consent and certification from two physicians.
7. Connecticut: Medical marijuana is legal in Connecticut for patients 18 years or older with certain qualifying medical conditions. Minors under 18 can possess cannabis with a designated caregiver’s consent and approval from a registered pediatrician.
8. Delaware: Patients must be at least 18 years of age to be in possession of medical cannabis in Delaware. Qualified patients who are under 18 years old can possess medical cannabis, but a legal guardian or parent is responsible for purchasing medical marijuana for them.
9. Florida: Medical marijuana is legal for individuals 18 years or older in Florida. Minors will need an adult caregiver or legal guardian to obtain medical marijuana on their behalf.
10. Hawaii: Medical cannabis is legal for consumption for individuals 18 years or older in the state of Hawaii. Minors can qualify for medical marijuana with parental consent. Medical cannabis patients in Hawaii are allowed to possess up to four ounces of weed at a time.
11. Illinois: In Illinois, medical cannabis may be purchased by a qualifying patient who is 18 years of age or older. You will need to obtain a health care provider certification and will then need to register in the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System (ICTS). The parent or guardian of an eligible minor patient can register on the child’s behalf as their caregiver. Minors are only allowed “medical cannabis infused products” from registered dispensing organizations.
12. Iowa: Medical marijuana is allowed for Iowa patients who are at least 18 years or older. Only residents of Iowa can apply for a medical marijuana card, and minors under 18 must only access this card through the consent of a legal guardian and a practitioner certification.
13. Kentucky: In Kentucky, you have to be 21 years old to buy “vaporizing” methods of medical marijuana. A minor patient’s caregiver can be legally authorized to buy medical marijuana on their behalf.
14. Louisiana: The legal age for consumption of medical marijuana in Louisiana is 18 years old. Minors can qualify with parental consent, and the marijuana card process is streamlined and relatively straightforward. All that is needed is a valid Louisiana ID and a physician’s recommendation.
15. Maine: In Maine, you have to be 21 years old to buy either medical or recreational cannabis. Minors are eligible for medical marijuana on the condition that they and their legal guardians have been fully informed of the risks of treatment by their physician.
16. Maryland: Patients must be 18 years old, registered, and fulfill specific health requirements to be able to purchase and use medical cannabis in Maryland. Minors can access medical cannabis through a state-registered caregiver who must be at least 21 years old.
17. Massachusetts: In order to qualify for the Massachusetts medical cannabis program, patients must be residents, 18 years old, and suffer one of the specific qualifying medical conditions. Minors must be certified by at least two registered physicians and have parental consent.
18. Michigan: Patients must be at least 18 years old and be diagnosed with one of the qualifying debilitating medical conditions to purchase medical cannabis in Michigan. For minors to qualify for a medical marijuana card, their legal guardians must provide written authorization and consent to be the official caregivers.
19. Minnesota: The use of medical marijuana in Minnesota is restricted to patients of 18 years and older and for the treatment of specific qualifying health conditions. Minors with serious medical conditions can also access medical cannabis with medical consent and through a registered caregiver.
20. Mississippi: Patients must be at least 18 years old and suffer from one of the qualifying health conditions to purchase medical cannabis in Mississippi. Minors can enroll in the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program through their legal guardians.
21. Missouri: To be eligible for the state-issued medical marijuana card in Missouri, individuals must be 18 years or older and have one of the state’s qualifying medical conditions. Pediatric patients under the age of 18 may qualify with parental consent and must have assistance from primary caregivers.
22. Montana: Patients must be at least 18 years old and suffer from one of the qualifying medical conditions to purchase medical cannabis in Montana. Patients under the age of 18 must provide a statement by two state-licensed physicians (unless the minor’s physician is either an oncologist, epileptologist, or neurologist). The use of medical cannabis by minors is restricted to ingestion, and no smoking is allowed.
23. Nebraska: On November 5, 2024, Nebraskan voters approved a series of initiatives making medical cannabis legal. Patients 18 and older with qualifying health conditions and recommendations from a healthcare provider will have access to medical marijuana treatment in Nebraska. Physician certification and parental consent will be required for patients under 18.
24. Nevada: The legal age for use of marijuana in Nevada is 21, and for medical purposes, 18 years. Conditions for registry for a Nevada Medical Marijuana Card include a recommendation from a physician for the treatment of at least one of the state-approved medical conditions. Minors may use medical cannabis but must have their legal guardians sign their consent and serve as their primary caregivers.
25. New Hampshire: In New Hampshire, medical cannabis is legal for adults 18 years of age or older. The patient must have one of the state’s specified debilitating and/or terminal medical conditions. A recommendation from a licensed health provider is also required. In order for minors to qualify, they must be registered by their legal guardian, who must agree to act as a caregiver.
26. New Jersey: The legal age for the use of medicinal marijuana in New Jersey is 18. Patients must have a certification from a physician and an eligible medical condition to qualify. Minors must suffer from a chronic debilitating condition in order to qualify. A designated caregiver is required to purchase and administer the treatment on behalf of underage patients.
27. New Mexico: Patients 18 years or older who are diagnosed with qualifying medical conditions are eligible for treatment with medical marijuana in the state of New Mexico. For a minor to obtain a medical card, they must have a qualifying medical condition and parental consent.
28. New York: In New York, medical marijuana is available to all adult state-resident patients, 18 years or older, who are diagnosed with qualifying medical conditions. Minors are only eligible with parental consent.
29. North Dakota: In North Dakota, the legal age for applying for medical marijuana treatment is 19, although younger patients are eligible with parental approval and the appointment of a designated caregiver. All patients must meet state-approved health conditions.
30. Ohio: The legal age for the purchase and consumption of medical marijuana in Ohio is 18. Applicants must have one of the state’s qualifying health requirements. Minors with qualifying health conditions can obtain medical cannabis with parental consent, a recommendation from a physician, and the appointment of a designated caregiver.
31. Oklahoma: In Oklahoma, adult residents who are 18 years old and meet the state’s medical requirements can apply to the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) for a card. The state issues a specific medical marijuana minor patient license for patients under the age of 18. Two healthcare practitioners' health certifications and parental consent are required.
32. Oregon: In Oregon, medical marijuana is available to patients 18 or older who have been diagnosed with specific qualifying medical conditions. Cannabis can be purchased legally in Oregon by any resident aged 21 or above. Minors who meet the requirements can access medical marijuana through designated caregivers.
33. Pennsylvania: In Pennsylvania, patients must be at least 18 years old and suffer from a severe condition as certified by an approved physician to gain access to medical cannabis. Pennsylvania does not issue medical marijuana cards to minors; however, they can obtain medical cannabis through designated caregivers.
34. Rhode Island: Medical marijuana is legal in Rhode Island for patients 18 years or older with one of the state’s approved medical conditions. Patients under 18 are required to have consent from a legal guardian and a registered caregiver.
35. South Dakota: Patients must be 18 and over to register for a medical marijuana card in South Dakota. They must suffer from one of the state’s approved medical conditions. Qualifying minors can access medicinal marijuana with the consent of a legal guardian, who would also need to be their primary caregiver.
36. Utah: In Utah, medical marijuana is legal for adult patients who suffer from specific health conditions. Minors with qualifying conditions are issued a provisional patient card, and parents or legal guardians of qualifying minors are issued a guardian card.
37. Vermont: In Vermont, the legal age for medical cannabis is 18 years or older, and patients will need to meet the specific health requirements for the consumption of medical marijuana. Minors with qualifying conditions are eligible for medical marijuana cards with the consent of a legal guardian.
38. Virginia: Medical marijuana is available to all patients in Virginia for whom their medical practitioner believes it would be beneficial. Adults 21 and above can possess and share up to 1 oz. of cannabis in Virginia without exchanging anything else of value, and dispensing facilities cannot market to persons under the age of 21. Virginia recently eliminated its list of specific qualifying health conditions. Proof of state residency is not required in the registration process. Minors need parental authorization and a designated caregiver.
39. Washington: To register for a medical marijuana card in the state of Washington, patients must be at least 18 years old, a resident of the state, and have been diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition. A minor qualifying patient can receive treatment with parental authorization and a designated caregiver.
40. West Virginia: In West Virginia, patients 18 years or older with a qualifying medical condition can access medical cannabis. They must enroll in the state's medical marijuana program to obtain a card. Cards can be issued to minors through a caregiver who must enroll on behalf of the minor patient.
District of Columbia (D.C): Marijuana is legal in D.C for adults 21 years or over, both recreationally and medically. Minors can obtain medical cannabis through a designated caregiver.
States without an MMJ Program that Allow Selective Use
The following ten states allow at least one form of CBD oil or another form of low-THC cannabis for certain qualifying conditions. They don’t have a full medical cannabis program at the time of writing.
1. Georgia: In Georgia, low-THC oil is permitted for consumption by individuals 18 years or older. The parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a minor with a qualifying condition can apply for a low-THC-oil card on their behalf. Georgia does not permit physicians to recommend other forms of cannabis for medical use. Growing, possessing, or consuming cannabis recreationally can result in criminal charges.
2. Idaho: Medical cannabis is illegal in Idaho and there are severe penalties for cultivating, possessing, or consuming marijuana. The state does allow the use of Epidiolex—an FDA-approved cannabidiol formulation that is free from THC. Epidiolex can be prescribed for children 2 years of age or older who have seizures caused by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome.
3. Indiana: In Indiana, anyone of any age could face misdemeanor charges and up to $1,000 in fines if caught with even small quantities of marijuana. Medical cannabis use is highly regulated in Indiana, and recreational use is illegal. Only patients who have treatment-resistant epilepsy may be approved to use CBD that contains less than 0.3% THC.
4. Kansas: Medical cannabis is illegal in Kansas. However, “Claire and Lola’s Law” (SB 28) provides an affirmative defense for the possession of CBD oil with up to 5% THC if the person has a debilitating medical condition certified with a letter written by a Kansas licensed physician. SB 28 also prevents children from being removed over CBD oil use (by the parent or child).
5. North Carolina: North Carolina allows for very limited use of medical marijuana; it is administered to patients suffering from intractable epilepsy by using cannabis with very low levels of THC. The Eastern Band Cherokee Indians has a medical marijuana program available to all residents of North Carolina aged 21 and over who have qualifying medical conditions. Cards are not issued to minors; however, a child with epilepsy can apply to the state program.
6. South Carolina: Medical cannabis is illegal in South Carolina. In 2014, the state legalized high CBD/low THC extracts for medical use for adults 18 years and older.
7. Tennessee: Qualifying patients in Tennessee can buy low-THC oil (no more than 0.9% THC) with verification from a licensed Tennessee physician. Information is not readily available about the legal age for purchasing low-THC oil in Tennessee.
8. Texas: Only low-THC medical cannabis is legal in Texas for adult patients 18 years or older with specific medical conditions. The parents and legal guardians of qualifying minors are authorized to purchase medicinal marijuana for the minor patient.
9. Wisconsin: Wisconsin allows adults 18 years or older to use CBD products with THC levels no higher than 0.3%.
10. Wyoming: In Wyoming, residents 18 years of age and over can purchase hemp-derived CBD. Patients with intractable epilepsy or seizure disorders can additionally participate in the state’s hemp extract program with a written statement from a neurologist. Qualifying patients must be 18 years of age to apply to the program. The parents or guardians of qualifying minors must apply on their minor child’s behalf.
Stay Abreast of Medical Marijuana Laws
Laws regarding medical marijuana are rapidly evolving, and each state has specific rules regarding age and the amount you can possess at any given time. It may be legal for MMJ patients of a certain age to consume medical marijuana, but not to purchase it.
Many states permit eligible minors under the age of 18 to use certain medical cannabis products. However, they will need an adult willing to act as their caregiver to buy and administer the products on their behalf.
It's also important to keep in mind that despite differing state laws, marijuana purchase, possession, and consumption are still illegal under U.S. federal law. This means that MMJ patients are not permitted to consume cannabis on federal property or transport it across state lines.
Keeping up with the regulations in your home state and any states you visit will ensure you take advantage of patient benefits and discounts, avoid legal problems, and benefit from your treatment in peace.
