Connecticut

A LEGAL MEDICAL CANNABIS PATIENT ...

1. Is a resident of Connecticut. 

2. Has one of the following medical conditions: 

The following debilitating medical conditions have been approved for the use of medical marijuana by the Board of Physicians:

For Adults (18 years of age and older):

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Damage to the Nervous Tissue of the Spinal Cord with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity
• Epilepsy
• Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome)
• Crohn's Disease
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Sickle Cell Disease
• Post-Laminectomy Syndrome with Chronic Radiculopathy
• Severe Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Type 1 and Type II
• Cerebral Palsy
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity
• Terminal Illness Requiring End-Of-Life Care
• Uncontrolled Intractable Seizure Disorder
• Spasticity or Neuropathic Pain Associated with Fibromyalgia
• Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
• Hydrocephalus with Intractable Headache
• Intractable Headache Syndromes
• Neuropathic Facial Pain
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta
• Chronic Neuropathic Pain Associated with Degenerative Spinal Disorders
• Interstitial Cystitis
• Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS Syndrome)
• Vulvodynia and Vulvar Burning
• Intractable Neuropathic Pain that Is Unresponsive to Standard Medical Treatments
• Tourette Syndrome
• Chronic Pain of at least 6 months duration associated with a specified underlying chronic condition refractory to other treatment intervention
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Associated with Chronic Pain
• Chronic Pancreatitis, and
• Movement disorders associated with Huntington's disease
• Autism Spectrum Disorder 
• Female Orgasmic Difficulty/Disorder

3. is not an inmate in a correctional institution or facility under the supervision of the Department of Corrections; and,

4. Is certified by a Connecticut-licensed physician, advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) or physician assistant (PA) who is treating you for a qualifying debilitating medical condition.

5. Is registered with 

4. Enrollment is up to date (expires every year). 

ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider

Make an appointment with the physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse who is treating you for the debilitating medical condition for which you are seeking to use medical marijuana.

Step 2: Ask your provider to submit a certification

Your healthcare provider must submit a certification to the Department confirming that:

• You have been diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition; and
• In their professional opinion, the potential benefits of the palliative use of marijuana are likely to outweigh the health risks.

You will not be able to complete your registration until the Department receives this certification.

Step 3: Submit your patient information and documents

After your healthcare provider submits the certification, the Department will ask you to provide additional information to complete your registration.

This includes documents proving your identity and Connecticut residency.

Step 4: Wait for the Department to review your application

Once the Department receives your certification and required documents, it will review your application to determine whether you are eligible for a registration certificate.

Step 5: Receive your registration certificate

If your application is approved, the Department will email your registration certificate to you.

Applying Online

You are ready to begin your online application once:

• Your healthcare provider has started your application and certified you;
• You have your proof of identity saved on your computer or device, and
• You have your proof of Connecticut residency saved on your computer or device.

Step 1: Create a BizNet account

Go to https://biznet.ct.gov/dcp-mmrp and create an account on BizNet, the Department of Administrative Services’ Business Network.

Step 2: Verify your email address

After creating your account, check your email and follow the instructions to verify your account.

Step 3: Log in to the registration system

Return to https://biznet.ct.gov/dcp-mmrp and log in using the email address and password you used to create your BizNet account.

Step 4: Select “I Am a Patient”

Select “I Am a Patient.” You will be asked to enter your date of birth and email address so the system can verify that you are the correct patient.

Review the information on the Patient Information page carefully. If anything is incorrect, contact your provider’s office so it can be corrected.

Step 5: Add caregiver information, if applicable

If your provider authorized a caregiver based on your debilitating medical condition, enter your caregiver’s information, including their email address.

Step 6: Upload your documents

Upload your proof of identity and proof of Connecticut residency from your computer or device into the online system.

Step 7: Answer the attestation questions

Answer the attestation questions in the application. These questions confirm that you understand the responsibilities and requirements of participating in the Medical Marijuana Program.

Step 8: Submit your application for review

Once your application is complete, the Department will review the information you submitted and decide whether to issue you a medical marijuana registration certificate.

Your registration certificate expires one year after you were certified by your provider. You must renew your certification every year to continue participating in the Medical Marijuana Program.

PATIENT RENEWAL

Patients registered in Minnesota's Medical Cannabis Program must re-enroll every 3 years to continue participating. For more details, visit How to Reenroll in the Medical Cannabis Program.

ENROLLING MINOR PATIENTS 

Eligible Conditions for Minors:

• Cerebral Palsy
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity
• Severe Epilepsy
• Terminal Illness Requiring End-Of-Life Care
• Uncontrolled Intractable Seizure Disorder
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta
• Intractable Neuropathic Pain that is Unresponsive to Standard Medical Treatments
• Tourette's Syndrome for patients who have failed standard medical treatment
• Chronic Pancreatitis for patients whose pain is recalcitrant to standard medical management

Step-by-Step Guide for Parents or Guardians Registering a Minor Patient

Step 1: Schedule appointments with two physicians

Before a minor patient can be registered, the parent or guardian must schedule appointments with two physicians who can confirm that the palliative use of marijuana is in the minor patient’s best interest.

One of the physicians must be the patient’s primary care provider. The second physician must be board-certified in an area of medicine involved in the treatment of the debilitating medical condition for which the minor patient is being certified.

One of the two physicians must log into the medical marijuana registration system and certify that the minor patient has a qualifying medical condition. During this process, the physician will ask the parent or guardian for a valid email address and primary telephone number so the Department can communicate about the minor patient’s registration.

The second physician must provide a letter confirming that the palliative use of marijuana is in the minor patient’s best interest.

A letter or certification from a physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse cannot be used to register a minor patient for the palliative use of marijuana.

Step 2: Complete the patient registration process

After the physician appointments are completed, the minor patient should have a record in DCP’s medical marijuana registration system.

The parent or guardian must then complete the patient registration online by creating a free account in the State’s Business Network system at biznet.ct.gov/DCP-MMRP. This is a one-time account setup that provides access to the online medical marijuana registration system.

After creating the account, the parent or guardian should log in using the email address and password created during the Business Network registration process. Once logged in, select “I am a Patient.” The system will ask for the minor patient’s date of birth and the email address that was provided to the certifying physician.

The system will display a pre-filled form with the patient information entered by the physician. If any information is incorrect, the parent or guardian must contact the physician’s office to have it corrected.

After confirming the minor patient’s information, the parent or guardian will be asked to select the dispensary facility where they intend to purchase medical marijuana. The system will then ask for information about the parent or guardian who will serve as the patient’s caregiver.

Step 3: Complete the caregiver registration process

After the patient registration section is complete, the parent or guardian will move into the caregiver portion of the registration system.

The system will show a pre-filled screen with the patient information entered by the physician and the caregiver information entered by the parent or guardian. The parent or guardian will be asked to answer several questions confirming their understanding of the caregiver role and their willingness to act as a responsible caregiver.

The caregiver must upload proof of identity and proof of residency. The caregiver must also upload the letter from the second physician confirming that the minor patient will benefit from the palliative use of marijuana.

Step 4: DCP reviews the application

Once both the patient and caregiver portions of the application are complete, DCP will review the submitted information.

The parent or guardian will receive an email confirming that the registration has been approved or identifying any missing information that must be provided.

DCP will send the caregiver’s medical marijuana registration card to the email address on file. DCP does not issue ID cards for minor patients. The minor patient’s email confirmation, together with the caregiver card, can serve as proof of registration. Law enforcement also has secure access to the registration system to confirm a patient’s registration status.

• Manage the well-being of a registered patient with respect to the patient’s palliative use of marijuana;
• Be at least 18 years old;
• Not be the patient’s physician;
• Be responsible for only one patient, unless there is a parental, guardianship, conservatorship, or sibling relationship with each patient; and
• Be a parent, guardian, or legal custodian if the adult patient lacks legal capacity.

Before You Start the Application

Only the patient’s physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse can start the application. The provider must certify that the patient has a qualifying medical condition and indicate that the patient needs a caregiver due to their debilitating medical condition.

A caregiver applicant can only access the online registration system if:

• The patient’s provider indicates that the patient needs a primary caregiver; and
• The patient identifies the caregiver applicant as their primary caregiver.

The patient must include the caregiver’s identifying information in the patient registration application, including:

• A valid email address; and
• A primary telephone number.

The email address should be one the caregiver can access and is comfortable using for medical marijuana registration communications. The telephone number should be a personal number the Department can use to contact the caregiver about the registration.

Documentation Requirements

Before starting the caregiver application, the caregiver should save proof of identity on their computer or device so it can be uploaded into the online system.

Acceptable forms of proof of identity include:

• Connecticut or out-of-state driver’s license;
• Connecticut-issued ID;
• Connecticut pistol or firearm permit;
• U.S. passport or passport card;
• Permanent resident card;
• Certificate of Naturalization; or
• Certificate of Citizenship, subject to age restrictions.

Caregivers do not have to provide proof of Connecticut residency.

Applying Online

You are ready to begin the caregiver application once:

• The patient’s provider has started the application and certified the qualifying patient;
• The qualifying patient has completed their portion of the application and identified you as their primary caregiver; and
• You have your proof of identity saved on your computer or device.

Step 1: Create a BizNet account

Go to biznet.ct.gov/dcp-mmrp and create an account on BizNet, the Department of Administrative Services’ Business Network.

Step 2: Verify your email address

After creating your account, check your email and follow the instructions to verify your account.

Step 3: Log in to the registration system

Return to biznet.ct.gov/dcp-mmrp and log in using the email address and password you used to create your BizNet account.

Step 4: Select “I Am a Caregiver”

Select “I Am a Caregiver.” You will be asked to enter your date of birth and email address so the system can verify that you are connected to the correct patient.

Review the information on the Patient Information page carefully. If anything is incorrect, the patient or provider may need to correct it before the application can be completed.

Step 5: Upload your proof of identity

Upload your proof of identity from your computer or device into the online system.

Caregivers do not need to upload proof of Connecticut residency.

Step 6: Answer the attestation questions

Answer the attestation questions in the application. These questions confirm that you understand the responsibilities and requirements of serving as a caregiver in the Medical Marijuana Program.

Step 7: Submit your application for review

Once your application is complete, the Department will review the information you submitted and decide whether to issue you a caregiver registration certificate.

Your caregiver registration certificate expires one year from the date the patient was certified by their physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse. You must renew the registration every year to continue participating in the Medical Marijuana Program.

Possession limit:

Registered  patients may have up to 5 ounces of medical cannabis

Dispensaries: 

After your enrollment is approved. You can pick up medical cannabis at your nearest medical cannabis dispensary. Find Medical Cannabis Dispensary Locations.

Home Cultivation:

Patients should use medical cannabis only in private settings where use is allowed. State law prohibits the use of medical cannabis in public places and in several specific locations and situations.

Medical cannabis may not be used:

1. In a bus, school bus, or any moving vehicle
2. In the workplace
3. On school grounds or on public or private school, dormitory, college, or university property
4. In any public place; or
5. In the presence of anyone under 18.

Registering with the Medical Marijuana Program provides important benefits that are not available to people who are not registered patients. These benefits may include stronger legal protections, access to medical support, more product options, higher purchase limits, and cost savings.

Federal Protections Apply Only to Registered Patients

Some federal protections are now available, but only to patients who are officially registered in their state’s medical cannabis program.

A federal order issued April 28th,2026,  AG Order No. 6754-2026, treats a state medical cannabis certification or registration as similar to a prescription under federal law.  This means that being registered is not just a state requirement; it may also affect whether a patient qualifies for federal protections.

To receive these protections, a patient’s registration must stay active, current, and in good standing. Learn more here.

Access to Pharmacists

Medical cannabis dispensaries have pharmacists on staff who can help registered patients choose products and approaches that best fit their condition, symptoms, and treatment goals.

This support can be especially helpful for patients who are new to medical cannabis, managing multiple symptoms, using other medications, or trying to understand different product types, strengths, and methods of use.

Access to More Products and Higher Potencies

Registered patients have access to different types of medical cannabis products and higher-potency options than people who are not registered in the Medical Marijuana Program.

This can give patients more flexibility in finding products that meet their medical needs.

Higher Purchase Limits

Registered patients may purchase more cannabis than someone who is not registered. Program participants may be able to purchase up to 5 ounces of cannabis, depending on program rules and individual limits.

Tax-Free Medical Cannabis Purchases

Registered patients can save money because medical cannabis products purchased from a dispensary facility or hybrid retailer are tax-free for program participants.

Priority Entry at Hybrid Retailers

Registered patients may receive priority entry at hybrid retailer establishments, helping patients access their medicine more efficiently.

No Registration Fee

There is no fee for medical marijuana patients and their caregivers to register with the Department.

Cannabis Expungement:

In 2021, Connecticut legalized the adult use of cannabis under Senate Bill 1201. This required the automatic relief for possession convictions for up to four ounces, which took place between January 1, 2000, and September 30, 1015. Individuals with convictions for more serious offenses can petition the court for cannabis erasure.

Connecticut has both medical and adult-use cannabis programs, but its medical cannabis program is limited to residents only.  While visiting patients cannot utilize the medical cannabis dispensaries, patients who are at least 21 years of age or older with a valid state-issued identification from their home state, such as a driver’s license, may purchase cannabis at the adult-use licensed retail outlets. Unfortunately, this excludes access for visiting minors. Patients, especially minors, should travel with their medical cannabis ID cards (or their equivalents) in case of any potential interaction with law enforcement.

• Adult Use Possession Limit: 5 oz of cannabis flower or its equivalent or up to 5 oz in a locked container.
• Adult Use Purchase Limit: 1/4 oz of cannabis flower or its equivalent per transaction

For more information about traveling as a medical cannabis patient, check out our Travel Guide.

*UPDATE: AG ORDER NO. 6754-2026 CHANGED FEDERAL CANNABIS LAWS  ON APRIL 28, 2026: Learn more here.

Federal cannabis laws affect far more than whether a patient can access medical cannabis. For decades, federal prohibition has limited protections for medical cannabis patients under laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act (FHA). As a result, patients have often been denied the basic protections that people with other serious health conditions expect in employment, housing, healthcare, and access to federal programs.

Federal prohibition has also affected patients’ access to essential healthcare, housing, and financial support programs, sometimes forcing patients to choose between the medicine they need and the benefits they depend on. It has also created barriers to federal employment, healthcare autonomy, firearm ownership, and other aspects of daily life.

As federal and state cannabis laws change, implementation matters. Advocates must stay vigilant to ensure public agencies, private institutions, employers, housing providers, and healthcare systems update their policies in ways that respect patient rights and protect safe, legal access to medical cannabis.

It is important to stay active, engaged, and informed. Sign up to get ASA updates and learn more about ending patient discrimination. 

Rights and protections for medical cannabis patients are evolving. In some cases, outdated policies may impact how patients are treated. In other cases, like those in the military, policy changes will have to come from Washington, DC. In the case of organ transplants, stigma still plays a role in medical cannabis patients having access to life-saving treatment, even if state laws ban discrimination.  Please use the resources below to better understand patient rights and how to navigate these programs and services.