How To Get a Medical Marijuana Card in North Dakota

What is an MMJ Card in North Dakota?

In North Dakota, a medical marijuana card is called a North Dakota Medical Marijuana Registry Identification Card. It permits a cardholder to buy and possess medical marijuana from licensed dispensaries legally. A person must be registered with the North Dakota Medical Marijuana Program under the Division of Medical Marijuana to be issued a medical marijuana card.

Who Can Apply for an MMJ Card in North Dakota?

A patient diagnosed with one or more qualifying medical conditions as listed in the North Dakota Compassionate Care Act and certified by an approved North Dakota-licensed healthcare provider can apply for a North Dakota Medical Marijuana Registry Identification Card. A qualifying patient must be a resident of North Dakota, must be 19 years old or over, and must have a bonafide relationship with a licensed healthcare provider who will recommend the use of medical marijuana.

In addition, minor patients, under the age of 19, may apply through their parents or legal guardians, who must serve as their caregivers. Caregivers designated by registered patients may also apply for the North Dakota Medical Marijuana Program. They must be 21 years or older and must reside in North Dakota.

Can a Minor Obtain a Medical Marijuana Card in North Dakota?

Yes. A minor can obtain a North Dakota Medical Marijuana Registry Identification Card provided a parent or legal guardian gives their consent and is willing to serve as the caregiver. A minor’s parent or legal guardian must apply as a caregiver and will apply on behalf of the minor for a medical marijuana card. However, a patient who is a minor must be registered with the Division of Medical Marijuana of North Dakota.

What Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Cards in North Dakota in 2024?

In North Dakota, a patient must be diagnosed by a healthcare provider and issued a written certification to obtain a North Dakota Medical Marijuana Registry Identification Card. The healthcare provider must review a patient's past medical records, create and maintain a personal history, complete an in-person medical evaluation, and monitor the patient's well-being during the program.

Qualifying conditions for North Dakota Medical Registry Identification Card include:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Brain injury
• Crohn’s disease
• Bulimia nervosa
• Anorexia nervosa
• Cachexia or Wasting syndrome
• Agitation from Alzheimer’s disease (or related dementia)
• Cancer
• Endometriosis
• Anxiety disorder
• Chronic or debilitating disease
• HIV/AIDS
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• Interstitial cystitis
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• Fibromyalgia
• Hepatitis C
• Intractable nausea
• Neuropathy
• Severe debilitating pain
• Migraine
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Multiple sclerosis
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Seizures
• Tourette syndrome
• Spinal stenosis
• Autism spectrum disorder

How Do I Apply for an MMJ Card in North Dakota in 2024?

The Division of Medical Marijuana manages the North Dakota Medical Marijuana Program and maintains the North Dakota Medical Marijuana Registry Identification Card. The following items are needed to apply for a medical marijana card in North Dakota:

• Written certification from a healthcare provider
• Photo of applicant
• Scanned copy or photo of a state-issued identification card
• Healthcare provider’s full name
• Healthcare provider’s email address
• Application fee

The North Dakota Medical Marijuana Registry card application can only be made online, but an applicant may send the application fee via mail or submit it in person. Payment can be mailed to:

NDDHHS, Division of Medical Marijuana

600 East Blvd Ave, Dept 325

Bismarck, ND 58505

For an in-person payment delivery, the payment must be dropped in the payment drop box located in the Division of Medical Marijuana building. The drop box is located on the Judicial Wing, 2nd floor (the building connected to the capitol tower), door 202. The drop box is affixed to the wall across door 202.

How Does a Primary Caregiver Get a North Dakota MMIC?

A primary caregiver is an adult, aged 21 or older, who has agreed to assist a medical marijuana patient in buying and administering medical marijuana to a patient who is a minor or has a disability. Individuals may apply as primary caregivers if designated by already registered patients. Caregivers applying for North Dakota MMIC must apply via the North Dakota Medical Marijuana Registry portal (BioTrackTHC system). They must also submit criminal background check reports by law enforcement agencies. The North Dakota Compassionate Care Act prohibits persons convicted of drug misdemeanors in the preceding 5 years or who have previously been convicted of felony offenses from applying as caregivers.

The Division of Medical Marijuana provides detailed information on applying as a caregiver via the Designated Caregiver Application Instructions on its website. Designated caregivers are exempted from paying North Dakota MMIC application fees.

How long does it take to get a North Dakota MMIC?

Applications for North Dakota Medical Marijuana Registry Identification Cards are processed within 2 to 4 weeks after submitting all the necessary documentation, including healthcare providers’ written certifications. Applicants can track the status of their applications via the registration portal.

Getting a North Dakota Medical Marijuana Card Online

A person can apply for a registry identification card through the North Dakota Medical Marijuana Registry portal (BioTrackTHC system). Patients desiring to submit registry identification card applications must visit their healthcare providers and obtain written certifications before submitting their online applications. Healthcare providers may be physicians (doctors of medicine or osteopathy) or physician assistants (PA) with valid licenses from the North Dakota Board of Medicine, and advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) with valid licenses from the North Dakota Board of Nursing. There must be a bonafide patient-provider relationship before a healthcare provider can issue a written certification for a patient. Healthcare providers are required to forward written certifications directly to the North Dakota Medical Marijuana Program. A medical marijuana card applicant in North Dakota is required to provide the following information on the BioTrackTHC system:

• Applicant name
• Address
• Date of birth
• Email address
• Phone number
• First and last name of healthcare provider
• Email address of healthcare provider

Applicants’ names and birth dates must match the information on their North Dakota-issued identification cards. Also, all information provided must be recent to avoid delay in the application process and the receipt of the ID card.

Furthermore, applicants will need to submit the following:

• The front copy of an uploaded copy of the applicant’s North Dakota state-issued non-driver identification card or North Dakota state-issued driver’s license
• A digital photograph (applicant must be facing the camera directly with eyes open using a plain white or off-white background and avoid wearing tinted, dark glasses, head coverings, or hats when taking the photo; the photo should be non-filtered, not in black and white/sepia but should be in color; and the digital photo will be accepted in png and jpeg image formats)

An applicant must sign a medical release of information form concerning the applicant’s debilitating medical condition. The law requires that an applicant consent to their healthcare provider providing information to the North Dakota Division of Medical Marijuana on medical information related to a patient’s qualifying medical condition. Once a patient has submitted their healthcare provider’s full name and email address, the healthcare provider will be notified to complete the written certification for the patient.

How Much Does a Medical Marijuana Card Cost in North Dakota?

It costs $25 to obtain or renew a North Dakota Medical Marijuana Card. The application fee is non-refundable and only paid by patients. It can be paid via a credit card, electronic check, or debit card. Also, payment can be made through checks, money orders, or cashier’s checks made payable to the Department of Health and Human Services.

What Documents Do I Need to Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in North Dakota?

The documents required to apply for a North Dakota Medical Marijuana Registry Identification Card are:

• Patient application for the use of medical marijuana form - To be completed online by qualifying patients
• Written certification for the use of medical marijuana form - To be completed by a certified healthcare provider
• Caregivers application form for the use of medical marijuana by a patient - To be completed by designated caregivers
• Minor patients application form for the use of medical marijuana - For minor patients and to be completed by the patient's parent or legal guardian
• A valid government-issued identification card

What Information appears on a North Dakota Medical Marijuana Card?

The information imprinted on a North Dakota Medical Marijuana Registry Identification Card includes:

• Program name: North Dakota Medical Marijuana
• Issuing authority: North Dakota Department of Health, Division of Medical Marijuana
• Cardholder's status: Patient or caregiver
• Patient's or caregiver's name
• Patient's or caregiver's unique identification number
• Date of birth (DOB)
• Issue date
• Expiry date
• Permitted to consume dried leaves and flowers: (No, Standard - 3 ounces, or Enhanced - 7 ounces)

Can Someone Track me Down through the North Dakota Registry?

No, a patient or caregiver cannot be tracked down through the North Dakota Medical Marijuana Registry. The registry records are not publicly available and are classified as confidential. Furthermore, the North Dakota Medical Marijuana Program complies with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The HIPAA prevents health institutions from disclosing identifiable health information of patients without their consent.