Does cancer qualify for a medical card in Washington?
Yes. The Washington Medical Cannabis Program lists Cancer as a qualifying condition. A Washington-licensed provider still has to evaluate you and agree that cannabis is appropriate.
About cancer
Cancer and its treatment — chemotherapy, radiation, surgery — can cause pain, nausea, vomiting, appetite loss and trouble sleeping.
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 Washington 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
Before you start. CBD can affect liver enzymes that process some chemotherapy and targeted drugs, so your oncology team must know about any cannabis you use. A few small studies have raised questions about whether cannabis use may affect how well immunotherapy works, which is worth discussing with your oncologist.
Read more: medical marijuana for cancer.
How to get certified in Washington
- Confirm you have one of Washington's listed qualifying conditions.
- Book an in-person visit with an MD, DO, ND, PA or ARNP willing to authorize medical cannabis (the state does not publish a provider list).
- Get the signed medical cannabis authorization form if the practitioner agrees cannabis may help.
- Optionally (required for minors), take the authorization and your ID to a medically endorsed cannabis store.
- Have a certified medical cannabis consultant enter you in the database and issue your recognition card for a minimum $1 fee.
- Shop tax-free for DOH-compliant products at endorsed stores using your recognition card.
Washington requires your first certification visit in person. Renewals can usually be done online.
Costs and timeline
- State fee: $1 minimum for the recognition card (stores may charge more)
- Card lasts: Up to 1 year for adults; up to 6 months for minors
- Processing: Recognition card issued during the in-person store visit
- Patient limit: With a recognition card: 3 oz usable cannabis, 48 oz solid infused, 216 oz liquid infused, 21 g concentrate, plus up to 8 oz (or 16 oz if authorized) from home grow
- Home grow: 4 plants with an authorization only; 6 plants with a recognition card, up to 15 if the practitioner authorizes; 15 plants max per household
- Recreational sales: Legal for adults 21+
- First visit online: No — in person first
See the full Washington cost breakdown and Washington program overview.
Other qualifying conditions in Washington
- Anorexia & appetite loss
- 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
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Cancer in nearby states
Frequently asked questions
Do I need medical records for cancer?
Helpful records include: pathology or imaging reports confirming your cancer diagnosis; recent notes from your oncologist describing your stage and current treatment plan; a full list of medicines, including chemotherapy, anti-nausea drugs, pain medicines and blood thinners. Many patients are still evaluated on their history alone, and your Washington provider will tell you if more is needed.
How long does certification take in Washington?
The provider visit takes about 15 minutes. Recognition card issued during the in-person store visit.
Can I renew online in Washington?
In most cases, yes. Before the authorization expires, get a new one from your practitioner, which can be by telemedicine if the practitioner allows it, then renew the recognition card at an endorsed store. A designated provider can pick up the renewal card if an in-person visit would cause the patient severe hardship.
Sources
- Medical Cannabis - Washington State Department of Health
- Medical Cannabis Patient Information - Washington State Department of Health
- Medical Cannabis Frequently Asked Questions - Washington State 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.