Does chronic pain qualify for a medical card in New York?
Yes. The New York State Medical Cannabis Program lists Examples OCM lists include autism, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, chronic pain, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, inflammatory bowel disease, PTSD, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, neuropathy, Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and substance use disorder as a qualifying condition. A New York-licensed provider still has to evaluate you and agree that cannabis is appropriate.
About chronic pain
Stronger evidence. The National Academies found substantial evidence that cannabis is an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults. Most trials looked at neuropathic pain and measured modest reductions in pain scores, and many patients use cannabis to cut back on other medications.
Symptoms New York patients most often hope to ease:
- Persistent aching or burning pain
- Nerve pain such as tingling, shooting or electric sensations
- Pain that keeps you from sleeping
- Muscle tension and spasms
- Side effects or limited relief from current pain medicines
Read more: medical marijuana for chronic pain.
How to get certified in New York
- Find a New York certifying health care provider (OCM publishes a provider database on data.ny.gov).
- Consult the provider in person or by telehealth about your condition.
- If the provider certifies you, you receive a paper or digital certification with a registry ID number.
- Optionally, designate up to five caregivers, who then register themselves.
- Take your certification and a government photo ID to a licensed medical dispensary and buy up to a 60-day supply.
New York allows the evaluation by telehealth, so you can see a New York-licensed provider by video. Our evaluation starts at $79 and is charged only if you're approved.
Costs and timeline
- State fee: Free (no fee to become a patient)
- Card lasts: Set by the certifying provider (up to 2 years per OCM's patient page)
- Processing: Immediate - the certification's registry ID can be used right away
- Patient limit: A 60-day supply, or 3 oz of cannabis / 24 g of concentrate if greater
- Home grow: Patients 21+ may grow 3 mature and 3 immature plants; no more than 12 plants (6 mature, 6 immature) per residence
- Recreational sales: Legal for adults 21+
- First visit online: Yes
See the full New York cost breakdown and New York program overview.
Other qualifying conditions in New York
- Alzheimer's disease
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Cancer
- Crohn's & IBD
- Epilepsy & seizures
- HIV/AIDS
- Multiple sclerosis
- Muscular dystrophy
- Neuropathy (nerve pain)
- Opioid use disorder
- PTSD
- Parkinson's disease
See every qualifying condition in New York
Chronic pain in nearby states
- Chronic pain in New Jersey
- Chronic pain in Pennsylvania
- Chronic pain in Vermont
- Chronic pain in Massachusetts
- Chronic pain in Connecticut
Frequently asked questions
Do I need medical records for chronic pain?
How long does certification take in New York?
Can I renew online in New York?
Sources
- Patients - NYS Office of Cannabis Management
- Medical Cannabis Program - NYS Office of Cannabis Management
- Medical Cannabis Program FAQs - NYS OCM
- Medical Cannabis Home Cultivation FAQs - NYS OCM
- 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.