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Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration
 

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Medical Cannabis - Patients

 

ABCA issues medical cannabis registrations to both District residents and non-residents. Registered patients can legally purchase up to 8 ounces of medical cannabis within a rolling 30-day period.

Find a licensed retailer.

Registration by Residency Status

Registration requirements and options vary based on residency status. Please review and then gather all the required information and documents for your residency status, before starting your application.

Registration Process

All registrations are processed through ABCA’s Customer Portal. Upon submission of an application, DC resident patients will receive a temporary digital registration valid for 90 days, which can be used right away.

Requests for missing information are made and must be completed through the portal. A digital registration valid for two years is issued following a successful staff review. Non-DC resident patients will receive a registration valid for the entire duration selected.

Medical Cannabis Reciprocity

Licensed D.C. retailers are permitted to accept patient registrations from most U.S. states, territories, and select tribal nations. Before visiting a retailer, please confirm that your jurisdiction’s program is extended reciprocity and ensure you have your patient registration card or digital credential with you.

View the full list of approved reciprocal jurisdictions.

Login or Create an Account

⚠️ PATIENTS WITH VALID REGISTRATIONS
Do NOT create a new account unless your current registration has expired. You should only use the new system when it is time to renew.

  • Registrations submitted in the legacy system prior to 8:00 a.m. on August 18, 2026, will still process there. They will not transfer to this new portal.
     
  • Create an account to register, purchase a physical card, or to track allotment balance.
     
  • Personal details are never shared with District agencies, federal groups, or third-party entities, and retailers track purchases using a unique, random patient number instead of a name to ensure patient anonymity.

Side by Side Comparison

Feature DC Residents Non-DC Residents
Age All ages permitted (minors require and adult caregiver) 21 years of age and older only
Fee Free Varies from $10 to $100 depending on the selected valid period
Valid Period Two Years Five valid periods: 30, 90, 180, and 365 days.
Self-Certification Yes (individuals 21+ can self-certify) Yes, self-certification is required
Healthcare 
recommendation		 Yes, required for individuals 20 years and younger. Practitioners provide patients with an eight-digit number to enter. No, recommendations are not accepted.
Caregiver Yes, a caregiver can be affiliated with an adult or minor patient. No
Renewability Yes. If renewed within 30 days of expiration, the number stays the same. If renewed outside of the 30-day lapse window, it is treated as a new registration and issued a new registration number. Yes. If renewed within 30 days of expiration, the number stays the same. If renewed outside of the 30-day lapse window, it is treated as a new registration and issued a new registration number.
Discounted Medical Cannabis Product
(excludes paraphernalia) 		 Yes, with supporting documentation. Valid with permanent registration only; not applicable with temporary registration. No
Physical Card Yes, a fee applies. All retailers accept digital registrations. If you prefer a physical card, you can purchase initial or replacement cards through the customer portal. No, digital registration only
Government-Issued Photo ID Required with patient registration Required with patient registration
Purchase Amount 8 ounces on a rolling 30-day period 8 ounces on a rolling 30-day period
Temporary Registrations 

Yes (valid for 90 days while registration form is under review), may be used immediately.

 No

Required Information and Documentation

DC Residents

  1. Recommendation number if between 18-20 years old or not self-certifying

  2. DC DMV Real ID OR a government-issued photo ID and proof of DC residency

    1. Utility bills (electric, water, gas, internet)
    2. Bank or credit card statements
    3. Mortgage statements
    4. Rental agreements/leases
    5. Government-issued mail, such as tax assessments
  3. Only required if requesting a discounted medical cannabis product designation.
    1. Patient Medicaid or DC Alliance card or two (2) separate proofs showing their total household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
    2. Recent paystubs: Issued within the last 30 days.
    3. Tax returns: Most recent federal or District of Columbia tax filing.
    4. Job offer letter: Issued within one year
    5. Benefit statements: Official statements for Social Security, worker’s compensation, child support, or alimony.
    6. Asset statements: Current documentation for stocks, bonds, annuities, private pensions, or retirement accounts.
  4. Any alternative document deemed acceptable by ABCA or the ABC Board to prove current income

Non-DC Residents

1. Government-issued photo ID

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