RI Marijuana Qualification

Updated on June 5, 2020.  Medical content reviewed by Dr. Joseph Rosado, MD, M.B.A, Chief Medical Officer

Medical Marijuana Qualifications in Rhode Island

Patients in Rhode Island diagnosed with one of the following severe, debilitating, or life-threatening medical conditions, are afforded legal protection under Rhode Island’s medical marijuana law, as per Senate Bill 0710 — “Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act”:

• AIDS (Positive Status)
• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV (Positive Status)
• Hepatitis C
• Autism Spectrum Disorder(s)
• A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces:
  • Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome
  • Debilitating, Chronic and Severe Pain
  • Severe Nausea
  • Seizures, including but not limited to, those characteristic of Epilepsy
  • Severe and persistent Muscle Spasms, including but not limited to, those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis or Crohn’s Disease
  • Agitation related to or from Alzheimer’s Disease;
  • Or any other medical condition or its treatment approved by the state Department of Health.

The state’s Medical Marijuana Act permits Rhode Island residents with debilitating medical conditions to use marijuana if a physician certifies in writing that the marijuana may alleviate their symptoms and that the potential benefits of using medical marijuana would likely outweigh the health risks to the patient. This means that patients, caregivers, and authorized purchasers who are registered with the Department of Health’s Medical Marijuana Program may possess a limited amount of marijuana without violating state law.

Registered patients may designate one caregiver and one authorized purchaser. Individual caregivers may be responsible for up to five patients. Authorized purchasers can only be associated with one patient. There is no limit to the number of patients a compassion center may serve.

Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Program: Information

1. Patients must be over the age of eighteen (18). If a patient is under eighteen (18) years of age, the patient must designate a custodial parent or legal guardian as the primary caregiver and also sign and complete the Minor Form along with the Patient Form during the application.
2. Patients must be a Rhode Island resident and provide proof of residency. Acceptable Documents are: Valid Driver’s License or Identification Cards issued by the State of Rhode Island, Vehicle Registration, Voters Registration, Correspondence From Another State Agency with Current Date or Current Car Insurance Bill.
3. Patients must obtain a Written Certification Form after an evaluation. Find A Certified Practitioner In Rhode Island.
4. The Written Certification Form must show a diagnosis of one of the Qualifying Medical Conditions listed above.
5. Patients must then complete and sign a Patient Form and submit their Completed Application.
   • Patients must submit a Non-Refundable Application Fee of $50.00. If you are a recipient of Medicaid, SSI, SSDI, Federal Railroad Disability Benefit or Veteran’s Disability Photocopy of Medicaid Card, “ANCHOR” Card, the fee may be reduced to $25.00. Application Fee must be a Check or Money Order payable to RI General Treasurer.
6. All applications must be mailed to Rhode Island Center For Professional Licensing Room 105A – 3 Capitol Hill Providence, RI 02908-5097. Please keep a copy of the completed Application.
7. Once the application is submitted, the process will take two to four (2-4) weeks. Once approved, Medical Marijuana Identification Cards will be mailed to the address listed on the application.

Who Qualifies for Medicinal Marijuana in Rhode Island

While Senate Bill 0710 was initially approved in June 2005, it spent a number of years being suspended as it was vetoed and then over-ridden. Finally, in January 03, 2006, the House ultimately overrode the veto, passing the “Edward O. Hawkins and Thomas C. Slater Medical Marijuana Act”, effectively removing all state-level criminal penalties on the use and possession of marijuana by patients in possession of a written letter from a physician stating that he or she may benefit from the medical use of marijuana for alleviating symptoms caused by debilitating medical conditions and their medical treatments.