Does cancer qualify for a medical card in North Dakota?
Yes. The North Dakota Medical Marijuana Program lists Cancer as a qualifying condition. A North Dakota-licensed provider still has to evaluate you and agree that cannabis is appropriate.
About cancer
Stronger evidence. The National Academies found conclusive evidence that oral cannabinoids prevent and treat chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. There is not enough evidence that cannabis treats or cures cancer.
Symptoms North Dakota patients most often hope to ease:
- Nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy
- Loss of appetite and unwanted weight loss
- Cancer-related pain
- Burning or tingling nerve pain from chemotherapy
- Trouble sleeping
Read more: medical marijuana for cancer.
How to get certified in North Dakota
- Make sure you have a qualifying condition and an ongoing treatment relationship with a North Dakota physician, PA or APRN.
- Create an account on the Medical Marijuana Registration Portal (mmregistration.health.nd.gov) and verify your email.
- Fill out the patient application with your North Dakota address, a photo for your card and a copy of your North Dakota ID.
- Enter your provider's name and email address correctly; the provider completes the written certification online.
- Name up to five caregivers if needed, then sign the attestation and pay the $40 fee online or by mail.
- Allow 2-4 weeks for processing, then buy from a registered North Dakota dispensary.
North Dakota requires your first certification visit in person. Renewals can usually be done online.
Costs and timeline
- State fee: $40 (No fee for hospice patients; fee may be waived for minors whose parent/guardian is their caregiver and lives with them)
- Card lasts: 2 years
- Processing: 2-4 weeks after a complete application, payment and provider certification
- Patient limit: 3 oz of dried flower (7.5 oz with an enhanced amount) and 500 mg of THC in edibles at any time
- Home grow: Not allowed
- Recreational sales: Not legal
- First visit online: No — in person first
See the full North Dakota cost breakdown and North Dakota program overview.
Other qualifying conditions in North Dakota
- ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
- Alzheimer's disease
- Anorexia & appetite loss
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Cachexia & wasting syndrome
- Chronic back pain
- Chronic pain
- Cirrhosis
- Crohn's & IBD
- Degenerative disc disease
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Endometriosis
See every qualifying condition in North Dakota
Cancer in nearby states
Frequently asked questions
Do I need medical records for cancer?
How long does certification take in North Dakota?
Can I renew online in North Dakota?
Sources
- Medical Marijuana - ND Department of Health and Human Services
- Adult Patient Application Instructions (3/2026, ND HHS PDF)
- Patient Application FAQs (8/2025, ND HHS PDF)
- NDCC Chapter 19-24.1 Medical Marijuana (ND Legislative Branch PDF)
- 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.