Does Alzheimer's disease qualify in Rhode Island?
Yes. The Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Program lists Agitation related to Alzheimer's disease as a qualifying condition. A Rhode Island-licensed provider still has to evaluate you and agree that cannabis is appropriate.
About Alzheimer's disease
A progressive brain disease that causes memory loss and, often, agitation and sleep problems.
Limited evidence. Small trials have looked at cannabinoids for agitation in dementia with mixed results. There's no evidence cannabis slows the disease.
Symptoms Rhode Island patients most often hope to ease:
- Agitation, irritability or aggressive outbursts
- Restlessness and pacing, especially in the late afternoon and evening
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep through the night
- Poor appetite and unwanted weight loss
- Anxiety and distress that are hard to calm
Before you start. THC can cause dizziness, unsteadiness and low blood pressure on standing, which raises the risk of falls and hip fractures in older adults. Cannabis can add to confusion, drowsiness and memory problems, so any worsening of thinking should be reported right away.
Read more: medical marijuana for Alzheimer's disease.
How to get certified in Rhode Island
- Confirm you are a Rhode Island resident with a qualifying debilitating medical condition.
- See a practitioner (a Rhode Island MD, DO, PA or APRN, or an MD/DO licensed in Massachusetts or Connecticut) with whom you have a bona fide relationship.
- Have the practitioner complete the Department of Health written certification naming your condition.
- Submit the patient application to the Rhode Island Department of Health with the certification and a copy of your RI driver's license or state ID.
- Name a caregiver or authorized purchaser if you want one, and indicate whether you plan to grow.
- If you plan to grow, apply separately to the Cannabis Control Commission for a free home-grow certificate before planting.
Rhode Island allows the evaluation by telehealth, so you can see a Rhode Island-licensed provider by video. Our evaluation starts at $79 and is charged only if you're approved.
Costs and timeline
- State fee: $0 (no application fee since December 1, 2022)
- Card lasts: 1 year
- Processing: Cards issued within 5 days of approval; an application not acted on within 35 days is deemed granted
- Patient limit: 2.5 oz of dried usable marijuana (or equivalent), plus home-grown plants under a home-grow certificate
- Home grow: Up to 12 mature and 12 immature plants with a free medical home-grow certificate from the Cannabis Control Commission; grown indoors, maximum 24 plant sets per dwelling
- Recreational sales: Legal for adults 21+
- First visit online: Yes
See the full Rhode Island cost breakdown and Rhode Island program overview.
Other qualifying conditions in Rhode Island
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Cachexia & wasting syndrome
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Crohn's & IBD
- Epilepsy & seizures
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis C
- Multiple sclerosis
- Nausea & appetite loss
- PTSD
- Severe muscle spasms & spasticity
Alzheimer's disease in nearby states
- Alzheimer's disease in Connecticut
- Alzheimer's disease in Massachusetts
Frequently asked questions
Do I need medical records for Alzheimer's disease?
Helpful records include: a diagnosis letter or recent notes from a neurologist, geriatrician or primary care doctor confirming Alzheimer's disease or dementia; results of memory or cognitive testing and any brain imaging, if you have them; a complete list of current medicines, including memory drugs, sleep aids, antipsychotics and blood thinners. Many patients are still evaluated on their history alone, and your Rhode Island provider will tell you if more is needed.
How long does certification take in Rhode Island?
The provider visit takes about 15 minutes. Cards issued within 5 days of approval; an application not acted on within 35 days is deemed granted.
Can I renew online in Rhode Island?
In most cases, yes. Cards expire one year after issue. Renew by submitting a new application with a current practitioner certification before the card expires; renewals follow the same rules as new applications.
Sources
- Medical Marijuana Program (216-RICR-20-10-3) - RI Department of State
- Caregiver Registration, Medical Home Grows and Personal Cultivation (560-RICR-10-15-1) - RI Department of State
- Medical Marijuana Licensing Information - RI Department of Health
- Medical Marijuana Information for Patients & Caregivers - RI Department of Health
- National Academies — The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids (2017)
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.