Qualifying Conditions for a Medical Marijuana Card in Kentucky

Reviewed by Dr. Shatha Atiya, PsyD. Updated March 23, 2024

As January 1, 2025, the day when you can register for medical marijuana approaches, Kentuckians like you are curious whether they are eligible. Let’s find out.

By the end of this page, you will have the answers to these questions:

  • What are the requirements for a Kentucky medical cannabis card?
  • What are the Kentucky medical marijuana conditions?
  • Do I qualify for a medical marijuana card in Kentucky?

All the information provided here is sourced directly from the official Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program website. So, you can trust that you are reading an accurate and up-to-date resource.

Kentucky Medical Marijuana List of Qualifying Conditions – 2024

These illnesses are part of the Kentucky medical marijuana conditions:

Kentucky Medical Marijuana Card Requirements

There are three basic requirements for the Kentucky medical marijuana card:

1. You must be a resident of Kentucky.

2. A state-licensed medical marijuana doctor must certify that you have one of the Kentucky medical marijuana conditions.

3. You must not have a disqualifying felony offense conviction.


It is worth noting that non-residents may also qualify for the Kentucky medical marijuana card. Minors (patients below 18) can also get a medical card, but their parents or legal guardians must be their caregivers. Further ahead, we will take a look at the qualifications for medical marijuana for minors and out-of-state patients.

Requirements for Minors

Patients below 18 will be able to get medical marijuana in Kentucky as long as they have a qualifying condition. However, they must receive custodial parent or legal guardian consent. The parent or legal guardian must serve as the child’s caregiver. While minors can qualify for medical cannabis, Kentucky law bars them from buying or possessing the medicine. Instead, their caregiver will assist them.

The information and documents below are necessary for minors to get the Kentucky medical marijuana card:

  • The applicant’s ID
  • A written certification from a medical cannabis doctor
  • Medical marijuana doctor information
  • Designated caregiver information and attestation
  • Notification of clinical trials
  • Attestation of information sharing
  • Notarized signature form
  • Documentation supporting that the minor has a qualifying medical condition. (From a practitioner other than the certifying cannabis doctor)
  • Statement from a custodial parent or legal guardian

Requirements for Caregivers

The role of a caregiver is to assist qualified patients with buying and administering medical cannabis.

To become a caregiver, you must meet the following qualifications:

  • Kentucky residency
  • You must be at least 21 years old
  • You must not have any disqualifying felony convictions
  • Must not assist more than three (3) registered patients

As mentioned earlier, minors in Kentucky need a caregiver to access medical marijuana. This caregiver must be the child’s custodial parent or legal guardian responsible for their healthcare decisions.

Also, a registered patient can designate their guardian, limited guardian, conservator, or limited conservator as a caregiver in Kentucky.

When applying as a caregiver in Kentucky, you must provide the following information and documentation:

  • Applicant’s identifiable information
  • Name and registry ID card number of qualified patient
  • Designated caregiver information and attestation
  • Attestation of information sharing
  • Notarized signature form

And just like qualified patients, caregivers must pay $25 annually for their medical cards.

Out-of-State Requirements

Kentucky requires residency for its medical marijuana card. Still, out-of-state patients with valid MMJ cards can also access medicinal cannabis once it becomes available.

Below are the qualifications out-of-state patients must meet to get medical cannabis:

  • Must be a non-resident of Kentucky or a new Kentucky resident who has resided in the state for fewer than 30 days.
  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Not have a disqualifying felony offense
  • Have a valid out-of-state medical marijuana card
  • Have documentation showing a diagnosis of one of the Kentucky medical marijuana conditions

Visiting patients cannot use their out-of-state medical cards to lawfully access medical cannabis in Kentucky. So, they must apply for a visiting patient medical card, which costs $25. During the application process, out-of-state patients must provide the following information and documentation:

  • Applicant’s identifiable information
  • Attestation of information sharing
  • Notarized signature form
  • Documentation showing the diagnosis of a qualifying medical condition
  • Copy of valid out-of-state registry ID card

What documents do I need for a Kentucky Medical Marijuana Card?

The following information and documents are necessary when you register for the Kentucky medical marijuana card:

1. Your ID and proof of Kentucky residency in the form of a state-issued ID or driver’s license.

2. A signed statement saying you will not share your medical cannabis (Notarized signature form).

3. A signed certification from a medical marijuana doctor licensed in Kentucky.

4. Medical cannabis doctor information.

5. Designated caregiver information and attestation (if applicable).

6. Notification of clinical trials.

7. Attestation of information sharing.

I am Eligible–How do I Get My Medical Marijuana Card in Kentucky?

Kentucky will not be issuing medical marijuana cards until 2025. Still, the Medical Cannabis Program has provided a framework for what to expect during the application process. Here it is:

1. Book an appointment with a medical marijuana doctor in Kentucky.

2. Get your marijuana certification (if eligible).

3. Apply for your medical card through the Patient and Caregiver Registry Portal.

4. Pay the $25 application fee and wait for approval.

5. Download your Kentucky medical marijuana card.

At Quick Med Cards, we pride ourselves in being the cheapest and easiest way to get a medical card in the 20+ states we serve. We can’t wait for January 1, 2025, to help you get your Kentucky medical marijuana card and live a fuller life with better symptom relief.

Key Takeaways

  • To qualify for a Kentucky medical marijuana card, you must be a resident with a qualifying condition and free from a disqualifying felony offense.
  • Medical marijuana will be available to Kentuckians starting January 1, 2025.
  • Minors may also qualify for the KY medical card if their parents/ legal guardians consent to the treatment. Moreover, the parent/ legal guardian must serve as the child’s caregiver.
  • Caregivers in Kentucky must be at least 21 and free from any disqualifying felony offenses to be eligible for caregiver cards.
  • Kentucky allows visiting patients with out-of-state MMJ cards to access medical marijuana through the state’s program.

Speak with Our Medical Marijuana Doctor Today

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Common Questions about the Kentucky Medical Marijuana Conditions

Do you still have questions about qualifying for a medical marijuana card in Kentucky? You may find your answer below.

When can I apply for a medical cannabis card in Kentucky?

You can apply for the Kentucky medical marijuana card on January 1, 2025, once the state launches the Patient and Caregiver Registry Portal.

What conditions will qualify for medical marijuana in Kentucky in 2024?

Below is the list of qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana card in Kentucky:

  • Cancer (Any type, regardless of stage)
  • Chronic nausea or cyclical vomiting syndrome that is resistant to other conventional medical treatments
  • Chronic, severe, intractable, or debilitating pain
  • Epilepsy or any other intractable seizure disorder
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS), muscle spasms, or spasticity
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Can I get medical cannabis if I am not a resident of Kentucky but have a valid out-of-state MMJ card?

Yes. You can obtain medical cannabis in Kentucky as a visiting patient with a valid out-of-state MMJ card.

Can patients under 21 years of age use medical cannabis in Kentucky?

Yes. Kentucky residents aged 18 and older with a valid medical marijuana card can use medical cannabis. Additionally, qualifying minors (patients below 18) can use medical cannabis as long as their parent or legal guardian consents and serves as their caregiver.

What are the disqualifying felony offenses for a medical marijuana card in Kentucky?

Kentucky medical marijuana laws define a disqualifying felony offense as:

  • Any violent felony under KRS 439.3401.
  • A felony drug conviction, except for:
    • Offenses completed over five years ago.
    • Conduct that would not be a crime under current law if it happened before this law or was prosecuted outside Kentucky.

Patient Resources and Forms

How to Contact the Kentucky Medical Cannabis Program

State Agency: Cabinet for Health and Family Services

Address:
275 East Main Street
Frankfort, Kentucky 40621

Contact Form: https://secure.kentucky.gov/formservices/CHFS/KYMEDCAN/

Website: https://kymedcan.ky.gov/patients-and-caregivers/Pages/default.aspx