Does cancer qualify for a medical card in Rhode Island?
Yes. The Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Program lists Cancer or its treatment as a qualifying condition. A Rhode Island-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 Rhode Island 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 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
- Alzheimer's disease
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Cachexia & wasting syndrome
- Chronic pain
- Crohn's & IBD
- Epilepsy & seizures
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis C
- Multiple sclerosis
- Nausea & appetite loss
- PTSD
- Severe muscle spasms & spasticity
Cancer in nearby states
Frequently asked questions
Do I need medical records for cancer?
How long does certification take in Rhode Island?
Can I renew online in Rhode Island?
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.