US cannabis information,
sourced and dated.
State-by-state legality and a qualifying-conditions library, written in plain language and cited to authoritative sources. Not medical or legal advice.
Map
Click a state for details.
Most-searched states
All 50 statesFlorida
Medical onlyQualifying conditions, possession limits, and patient registration.
California
Adult-use legalQualifying conditions, possession limits, and patient registration.
Texas
Medical onlyQualifying conditions, possession limits, and patient registration.
New York
Adult-use legalQualifying conditions, possession limits, and patient registration.
Ohio
Adult-use legalQualifying conditions, possession limits, and patient registration.
Pennsylvania
Medical onlyQualifying conditions, possession limits, and patient registration.
Conditions with the strongest evidence
All conditionsChronic Pain
Pain persisting beyond expected healing time, lasting months or longer. Cannabis and cannabinoids have substantial evidence for treating chronic pain in adults.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
A trauma- and stressor-related disorder that follows exposure to a traumatic event. The 2017 NASEM consensus report found limited evidence that nabilone is effective for improving sleep outcomes in PTSD; broader symptom relief evidence remains limited.
Cancer
Group of diseases involving uncontrolled cell growth. Cannabis and cannabinoids have substantial evidence for treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and moderate evidence for improving sleep disturbance among cancer patients; antitumor effects remain investigational.
Epilepsy
Neurological disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. Cannabidiol (CBD) has strong evidence for reducing seizure frequency in two rare childhood epilepsy syndromes (Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) and is FDA-approved as Epidiolex for those indications.
Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity
Patient-reported muscle spasticity in adults with multiple sclerosis. The 2017 NASEM consensus report found substantial evidence that oral cannabinoids improve patient-reported MS spasticity symptoms in adults.
Anxiety Disorders
Group of mental health conditions characterized by excessive fear or worry that interferes with daily life. Cannabis evidence is mixed. Low-dose CBD shows limited evidence for symptomatic relief, while higher-dose THC can paradoxically worsen anxiety.
How to qualify for a medical card
Eligibility rules, qualifying conditions, and certification steps vary by state. Start with your state page for the current list, then read the relevant condition pages for evidence summaries and ICD-10 codes your physician will use.
Latest articles
All articlesThe June 29 marijuana rescheduling hearing: what it can decide, what it cannot, and why the participant list is now locked
The DEA administrative-law-judge hearing on whether all marijuana follows the April 22 medical-only order down to Schedule III begins June 29, 2026. The deadline to request participation closed May 28, so the roster of who gets heard is now fixed. This is a preview of the proceeding mechanics: what the hearing is structurally able to do, what it is not, and the constitutional cloud hanging over any result.
Medical cannabis and cancer: what the evidence supports, what it does not, and the gap between symptom relief and the claim that cannabis cures cancer
Cancer is a qualifying condition under every comprehensive US medical-cannabis program. The symptom-relief evidence is real and is strongest for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The claim that cannabis treats the tumor itself is not supported in humans: antitumor research remains preclinical. Even cancer-pain evidence is weaker than commonly stated, with the pivotal nabiximols trials failing their primary endpoint. This article walks the distinction honestly.
Medical cannabis and chronic pain: the strongest evidence base in the field, the opioid-substitution question, and what the DEA rescheduling actually changed
Chronic pain is the single most common qualifying condition across the US medical-cannabis map, listed in 42 state programs. It is also the indication with the strongest published evidence. The 2017 NASEM consensus report rated cannabis efficacy for chronic pain in adults as conclusive or substantial, its highest tier. This article walks the prevalence, the evidence, the opioid-substitution debate, the CDC guideline update, and the rescheduling implications.
Medical cannabis and epilepsy: Epidiolex, the pivotal NEJM trials, and the difference between an FDA-approved pharmaceutical and a state-program product
Epilepsy is the indication with both the strongest cannabis pharmaceutical evidence base (three FDA-approved indications for cannabidiol, marketed as Epidiolex) and one of the more common state-program qualifying conditions, listed in 44 medical-cannabis states. The two pathways are different products, different regulatory regimes, and different evidentiary standards. Understanding the distinction matters for patients and clinicians.
Frequently asked questions
How many US states have legal medical cannabis?
As of 2026, 38 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands have comprehensive medical cannabis programs. An additional handful of states permit only low-THC or CBD products. See the state map above for current status.
How do I qualify for a medical marijuana card?
Each state sets its own qualifying conditions and certification process, but most require a state-licensed physician evaluation, proof of residency, and a state ID. Browse your state page for the full list of qualifying conditions and the registration steps your state uses.
Is cannabis still federally illegal in 2026?
Yes. Cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law. The DEA proposed rescheduling to Schedule III in 2024, but the rule is not final. State-legal activity is not protected from federal enforcement, though Congress has restricted DOJ enforcement against state medical programs annually since 2014.
What conditions does cannabis treat with the strongest evidence?
The 2017 National Academies (NASEM) report identified conclusive or substantial evidence for chronic pain in adults, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and multiple sclerosis spasticity. FDA-approved Epidiolex treats specific pediatric seizure disorders. Evidence is moderate to limited for other indications.