Nevada

A LEGAL MEDICAL CANNABIS PATIENT ...

1. Is a resident of Nevada;

2. Has one of the following medical conditions: 

• • • AIDS
    • Cancer
    • Glaucoma
    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
    • Cachexia (wasting and malnutrition associated with chronic disease)
    • Persistent Muscle Spasms (including Multiple Sclerosis)
    • Seizures (including Epilepsy)
    • Severe Nausea
    • Severe or Chronic Pain
    • A medical condition related to HIV
    • A neuropathic condition, whether or not it causes seizures,or 
    • Additional conditions specifically approved by the Nevada HHS

3. Is enrolled in the Nevada medical cannabis program,  

ENROLLMENT PROCESS

To apply for Nevada’s medical cannabis program, patients must first complete an Application Request Form (PDF). Patients who want to designate a primary caregiver may also request a caregiver application.

The application request must be mailed with the required fee, a copy of the front and back of the patient’s driver’s license or state ID, and, if applicable, a copy of the front and back of the caregiver’s driver’s license or state ID. 

After receiving the application packet, the patient must submit a completed application with written documentation from the patient’s attending physician. The physician documentation must state that the patient has been diagnosed with a chronic or debilitating medical condition, that the medical use of cannabis may help mitigate the symptoms or effects of the condition, and that the physician has explained the possible risks and benefits of medical cannabis use.

The application must also include the patient’s identifying information, proof of Nevada residency, the attending physician’s name and contact information, and the application processing fee. If the patient designates a primary caregiver, the caregiver application must include the caregiver’s identifying information and a written, signed statement from the patient’s attending physician approving the caregiver designation.

Patients should review the state’s Application Process instructions for the most current forms, fees, and mailing requirements.

PATIENT RENEWAL

Patients must renew their Nevada medical cannabis registration before it expires to remain active in the program. Renewal generally requires updated application materials, current physician documentation, and any required fees. Patients should begin the renewal process before their card expires to avoid a lapse in registration and protections.

ENROLLING MINOR PATIENTS 

If you are under 18 and wish to become a patient in Nevada, the application process is largely the same. First, you must be over the age of 10. Your parent or legal guardian must sign a "minor release" form and attach it to your application; they must also be designated as your primary caregiver and be responsible for obtaining your medication and administering treatment.

The minor release form includes a written statement confirming that:

• The attending physician of the minor has explained to both the minor and the custodial parent/legal guardian of the possible risks and benefits of the medical use of marijuana;
• The custodial parent/legal guardian consents to the medical use of marijuana for the minor;
• The custodial parent/legal guardian agrees to serve as the primary caretaker for the minor; and
• The custodial parent/legal guardian agrees to control the acquisition, dosage, and frequency of use by the minor.

If you wish to become a caregiver, you must be designated by the patient and receive a registration identification card from the State of Nevada. A patient may have only one designated primary caregiver at any given time. You may serve as a caregiver provided:

• You are 18 years of age or older
• You have significant responsibility for the well-being and care of the registered patient
• You are designated as a primary caregiver by the patient
• You will be issued a registry identification card from the State of Nevada on behalf of the patient

As a caregiver, you must not possess, produce, or deliver more than 12 plants or over 2 (1/2) ounces of cannabis in a single 14-day period**

• A patient and primary caregiver may not each possess 2 (1/2) ounces of cannabis in a single 14-day period
• A patient and primary caregiver may not each possess 12 plants for cultivation
• Home cultivation is restricted unless the patient lacks reasonable access to a dispensary. 

Possession limits 

• A patient and primary caregiver may not each possess 2 (1/2) ounces of cannabis in a single 14-day period
• A patient and primary caregiver may not each possess 12 plants for cultivation

Dispensaries: 

Medical cannabis patients and caregivers may purchase cannabis from licensed retail cannabis stores in Nevada. Patients should bring their valid medical cannabis registry card and government-issued identification when visiting a licensed retail location.

For a current list of licensed cannabis businesses, including retail cannabis stores, visit the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board’s list of licensees.

Home Cultivation:

Nevada medical cannabis patients should use medical cannabis only in private locations where cannabis use is allowed. Having a registry identification card does not protect a patient from prosecution for using medical cannabis in public places or in restricted settings.

A Nevada medical cannabis registry card does not protect a patient if they use medical cannabis:

• In a public place
• In a detention facility, county jail, or state prison
• While driving, operating, or controlling a vehicle or vessel
• While water skiing, surfboarding, or using a similar device
• While operating an aircraft
• While physically possessing a firearm
• While boarding or riding an amusement ride
• Patients are also not protected if they deliver medical cannabis to another person, even if they hold a registry card.

Nevada law also sets unlawful marijuana impairment limits for driving based on blood or urine testing. Patients should not drive or operate any vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or equipment while under the influence of medical cannabis.

Nevada has an adult-use cannabis program, but registering as a medical cannabis patient still offers important benefits. While the medical program may require additional steps, registration can provide patients and caregivers with added support, stronger protections, and access to medical guidance.

Legal Protections for Patients and Caregivers

Registered patients and caregivers are exempt from arrest and prosecution for conduct allowed under Nevada law, including purchasing and possessing medical cannabis obtained from a state-licensed dispensary.

Nevada law also provides some employment protections for medical cannabis patients. An employer generally may not fire an employee solely because of lawful medical cannabis use. However, employers are not required to allow medical cannabis use at the workplace or during work hours.

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.

Cannabis Expungement:

Individuals in the state of Nevada may petition to have their records sealed for any offense that is “no longer punishable as a crime”. Although if a prosecutor is able to establish “good cause” not to grant the petition, the petition will not stand. Those who were convicted of a minor cannabis offense (including those convicted of possessing 1 ounce or less) have been pardoned by Nevada’s Board of Pardons Commissioners. Review the state's record sealing FAQ and the Guide from Nevada Legal Services for more information.

Keeping the Medical Program Strong

Enrollment helps demonstrate continued patient need for Nevada’s medical cannabis program. A strong registry helps protect and sustain the program, supports continued access for patients with serious health needs, and reinforces the importance of maintaining a medical pathway alongside adult-use access.

Nevada recognizes Out-of-State patient registrations. For more information on this topic, please check out our comprehensive 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.