Last verified: March 2026

Getting Certified

To obtain a medical cannabis certification in New York:

1. Schedule an appointment with a registered practitioner
2. The practitioner evaluates your condition and determines if cannabis is appropriate
3. If certified, you receive a patient certification that allows you to purchase from medical dispensaries
4. Registration is processed through the OCM patient portal

There is no fixed list of qualifying conditions — practitioners can certify any patient they believe will benefit from medical cannabis.

Why Get a Medical Card

With adult-use cannabis now widely available, you might wonder why a medical card matters. The advantages are significant:

• Tax savings — Medical cannabis is taxed at 3.15% versus approximately 20-22% for adult-use
• Enhanced employment protections — Medical patients have stronger workplace protections than recreational users
• Dedicated service — Medical-only locations and dedicated hours at co-located dispensaries
• Practitioner guidance — Ongoing medical supervision for your cannabis use

Registered Organizations

New York currently has 19 Registered Organizations operating medical cannabis dispensaries. Major ROs include:

• Curaleaf — Six locations statewide
• PharmaCann/Verilife — Multiple locations including Albany, Bronx, and Western NY
• The Botanist (Acreage Holdings) — Four locations from Long Island to Buffalo

Patient Count

New York's medical cannabis program had approximately 111,700 certified patients as of mid-2024, down from a peak of about 151,000 in late 2021. The decline reflects some patients shifting to the more accessible adult-use market.

Official Resources

• OCM Patient Portal
• Find a Registered Practitioner