6 things to know about Alaska's medical marijuana program
Alaska has had a medical marijuana registry since voters approved it in 1998, and it is kept by the state's vital records office. Patients send a paper application, a physician statement and a copy of their Alaska driver's license or state ID by mail with a small fee. The physician must have personally examined the patient within the prior 16 months as part of a genuine doctor-patient relationship. Adult-use cannabis has been legal for people 21 and older since 2015, so the registry mainly protects home growing and use by patients, including minors with a parent caregiver.
6 things to know
- Alaska's medical program dates from a 1998 ballot measure.
- Applications are made on paper and mailed to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in Juneau.
- The new-card fee is $25 and the renewal fee is $20.
- Registered patients may grow up to six plants, with three flowering at once.
- The physician exam must have taken place within 16 months before applying.
- Adult-use cannabis is also legal for anyone 21 or older.
At a glance
- State fee: $25
- Card lasts: 1 year
- Processing: Department reviews within 30 days; an application not denied within 35 days is treated as approved
- Patient limit: 1 ounce of usable marijuana
- Home grow: Up to 6 plants, with no more than 3 mature and flowering at once
- Recreational sales: Legal for adults 21+
- First visit online: No — in person first
Sources
- Alaska Department of Health - Medical Marijuana
- Alaska Department of Health - Medical Marijuana Registry information (PDF)
- Alaska Statutes 17.37.010 (Registry)
- Alaska Statutes 17.37.040 (Possession limits)
- Alaska Statutes 17.37.070 (Definitions)
This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Laws change — confirm details with your state agency. State facts last checked October 7, 2026.