Wondering how a medical marijuana card in North Carolina can transform your cannabis experience?
| Benefit | Card | No Card |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase Low-THC Products | ||
| Possess Low-THC Products | ||
| Use Low-THC Products |
Embarking on your journey to relief in North Carolina is simple. Let our caring specialists guide you through the state-specific steps to obtain your medical cannabis card.
Leafwell is coming to North Carolina soon! Join our waitlist to be notified when we’re live in the state. You can book an appointment with a North Carolina-licensed healthcare provider when we open. For now, North Carolina residents may qualify for medical cannabis by applying to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Cannabis Control Board. Patients do not need to reside within the Qualla Boundary to be eligible.
At your appointment, your provider will evaluate your condition and whether or not you qualify for medical cannabis or CBD.
Once you have undergone your medical CBD evaluation and have your certificate, you can obtain a registry identification card from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Apply for North Carolina
Eligibility / Patient To qualify for medical CBD in North Carolina, you must be 18 years of age or older (or have parental consent), have a current diagnosis of a qualifying condition, and hold an official written certification from a physician. Patients must be residents of North Carolina with proof of residency, such as a valid NC driver’s license or ID card. This is especially important for those living within the Qualla Boundary on Cherokee land.
Caregiver Some patients may be eligible for an MMJ card but need help to apply for one themselves. For example, should the patient be under 18, or if the patient needs assistance accessing medical cannabis, a caregiver can be assigned to complete the process on their behalf. Caregivers must be 21 in North Carolina.
Can Minors Qualify? Yes. With parental consent, minor patients can qualify for North Carolina’s medical CBD program. Parents or guardians are also required to serve as the patient’s caregiver.
Current North Carolina law only allows those diagnosed with intractable epilepsy to qualify for low-THC cannabis use.
The list of qualifying conditions for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) medical cannabis program is more extensive. Here's a list of the qualifying conditions according to the EBCI-CCB website:
North Carolina has a low-THC medical CBD program, and those living on Tribal lands may qualify for medical cannabis.
Medical and adult-use possession and growing of cannabis is illegal in North Carolina, except on Tribal lands. Possession of a half-ounce or less of cannabis is decriminalized.
Medical cannabis patients from the Qualla Boundary may buy up to 1 ounce of marijuana each day and only up to 6 ounces each month. Patients can possess up to a 30-day supply, as determined by their physician. Cannabis extracts must contain less than nine-tenths of 1% THC and at least 5% CBD by weight.
North Carolina does not currently have any medical marijuana dispensaries. This means that medical marijuana patients need to purchase their medicine in another state that allows out-of-state medical marijuana cards, the closest being Pennsylvania.
Medical marijuana caregivers can assist qualified medical marijuana patients in administering medical cannabis for their patients’ use.
Per the Epilepsy Alternative Treatment Act, MMJ patients must appoint a caregiver. The caregiver must be older than 18 and the patient’s legal parent, guardian, or custodian.
Caregivers in North Carolina must register with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and obtain written approval before assuming their duties. Caregivers must also carry this written letter on their person when possessing low-THC cannabis.
Patients may have more than one caregiver if they meet the above requirements.
The state of North Carolina does not recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards.
The following states accept or recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards:
States marked with * require visitors to complete a visiting patient application for their stay.
States marked with ^ have adult use programs but do not accept out-of-state cards.
We are unable to certify North Carolina patients for medical marijuana at this time but hope to open in the future.
You cannot currently get certified online for medical cannabis or CBD in North Carolina using Leafwell.
You must be at least 18 years old or over to qualify for a medical CBD card in North Carolina. Those under this age will need parental consent. To qualify for a medical cannabis card from the Eastern Board of Cherokee Indians, you must be at least 21 years old.
