How to become a medical cannabis patient in Washington State
Check whether you qualify, get your recognition card, and buy DOH-tested products free of the 37% excise tax. A free resource from The Cannabis Alliance.
Becoming a patient takes four steps
Washington’s medical cannabis program is run by the Department of Health (DOH). Here’s the whole process at a glance — each step links to a plain-language guide.
See a healthcare provider
An MD, DO, ND, PA, or ARNP confirms you have a qualifying condition and signs your authorization form.
How to get authorizedGet your recognition card
Visit a medically endorsed store, where a certified consultant registers you and issues your card (fee starts at $1).
How the card worksShop tax-free
Your card removes sales tax and the 37% excise tax on DOH-compliant products at endorsed stores.
See all card benefitsRenew every year
Authorizations and cards expire after one year. Renewal options now include telemedicine in some cases.
Renewal detailsWhere would you like to go?
I’m a patient (or want to be)
Check the qualifying conditions, learn what an authorization costs, and decide whether joining the registry is right for you.
Read the Patient GuideI need a provider or consultant
Browse our directory of cannabis-knowledgeable healthcare providers and certified medical cannabis consultants across Washington.
Find a ProviderI’m looking for a store
Learn what makes a product DOH-compliant, then use our map of every medically endorsed store in Washington to find one near you.
Stores & ProductsI’m a healthcare professional
Continuing education, certification for cannabis consultants, and DOH rules for practitioners who authorize medical cannabis.
Professional ResourcesNew in 2026
Ryan’s Law
Passed effective June 11, 2026: qualifying patients with a terminal condition have the right to access and use their medical cannabis during care at hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice centers (no smoking or vaping). Facilities must comply by January 1, 2027.
What it means for patientsCompassionate care renewal
If in-person renewal would cause you severe hardship, your designated provider can pick up your renewal card at an endorsed store, and your practitioner may renew your authorization by telemedicine after your first in-person visit.
Renewal optionsFull tax exemption
Registered cardholders pay no sales tax and no 37% excise tax on DOH-compliant products at medically endorsed stores — a meaningful savings on every purchase.
How to claim it
“The Cannabis Alliance is proud to partner with doctors, patients, medical cannabis companies, and other like-minded groups to bring you this incredible resource of information, education, and connection.”— Caitlein Ryan, PhD · Executive Director, The Cannabis Alliance