There is no single national medical cannabis conditions list in the United States. Each state that runs a medical marijuana program writes its own list of qualifying conditions, so a diagnosis that qualifies in one state may not qualify in the next. Most state lists include chronic pain, cancer, epilepsy, and PTSD, while a few states name more than 20 conditions.
State-Specific Medical Cannabis Qualifications Buying Guide
Is there a federal medical cannabis conditions list?
No. Cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law, so no federal agency publishes a qualifying conditions list. State health departments publish the list that applies to patients who live in that state.
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What conditions commonly appear on state medical cannabis lists?
Most programs cover a core group of diagnoses, often called qualifying conditions or debilitating medical conditions. The exact wording and the required proof of diagnosis differ by state.
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- Chronic or severe pain
- Cancer, plus chemotherapy side effects such as nausea and vomiting
- Epilepsy and other seizure disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Multiple sclerosis and muscle spasticity
- Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other inflammatory bowel conditions
- HIV/AIDS, including wasting syndrome and appetite loss
- Glaucoma
- ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease
- Parkinson's disease
- Terminal illness or hospice care
- Migraine, arthritis, and neuropathy in some states
Which cannabis products are FDA approved, and for what?
The FDA has approved a small number of cannabis-related prescription drugs rather than a broad list of conditions. Epidiolex, a cannabidiol oral solution, is approved for seizures linked to Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex. Marinol and Syndros (dronabinol) and Cesamet (nabilone) are approved for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and dronabinol is also approved for AIDS-related appetite loss.
Does a qualifying condition guarantee approval?
No. A state-licensed physician or clinician must certify that you have the condition and that cannabis may help your symptoms. Many states also require a photo ID, proof of residency, and a registration fee before a card is issued.
How do you check your state's list before visiting a store?
Look up your state health department's medical marijuana page and read the qualifying conditions section and patient application steps. Bring your state medical cannabis card or written certification plus a government ID to the dispensary. Without valid documentation, a medical dispensary in most states cannot complete the sale, even if your diagnosis is on the list.
What if your condition is not listed?
Some states allow a physician to petition for a new qualifying condition, and a few permit clinical discretion for severe or debilitating symptoms. Ask your doctor about options, and check whether your state also allows adult-use sales, since recreational stores do not require a medical card. Staff at a cannabis store can explain what that store may legally sell to you, but they cannot diagnose a condition or issue a certification.