Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Card Renewal

How to Renew Medical Marijuana Card in Rhode Island

Typically, a medical marijuana patient in Rhode Island should receive their medical marijuana card renewal paperwork from the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) about 60 days before their current card expires. Patients can also obtain the renewal forms by emailing the Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Program. After getting the required forms, a patient can contact the state's Department of Health at (401) 222-5960 for other inquiries on how to renew an expired medical marijuana card. Generally, they are required to see a licensed physician who will re-assess them and determine their continual need for medical cannabis. Some physicians may ask patients to bring their updated medical records, usually between the previous 6 to 12 months, to the evaluation appointment.

During the evaluation, the physician will determine that the patient's current medical condition still requires medical marijuana therapy. After this, the physician will sign the completed paperwork and return it to the patient, who must mail it to the Rhode Island Department of Health. Rhode Island medical marijuana card renewal applications are approved within 35 days of applying. The RIDOH also notifies patients whose medical marijuana card renewal requests are declined within 35 days.

Does Rhode Island Allow Medical Marijuana Card Renewal Online?

Yes. In March 2023, the state’s Department of Health launched the Rhode Island Cannabis Licensing Portal to facilitate medical marijuana card renewal online. New qualifying cannabis patients can also apply for their cards via this portal. With the introduction of this portal, patients no longer need to complete and mail paper documents to the RIDOH for medical marijuana card renewal.

Since the Rhode Island Cannabis Licensing Portal is relatively new, qualifying patients and caregivers must create new accounts in the portal in order to renew their medical marijuana cards online. The RIDOH Cannabis Licencing Portal User Guide provides patients with instructions on how to use the portal, including the medical marijuana card renewal process. Patients applying for card renewal must upload the following documents on the portal:

• Completed Practitioner Written Certification Form
• Completed Practitioner Written Certification Form for Use With Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis (if applicable)
• Proof of residency in Rhode Island (if a patient's address has changed)

Patients can submit their applications online after filling out the necessary information and uploading the required documents. Once approved, the RIDOH will mail their medical marijuana cards to them. Caregivers and authorized purchasers can also renew their Rhode Island medical marijuana registration online. However, the patients under their care must provide the caregivers' and authorized purchasers' names and email addresses in their profiles on the RIDOH Cannabis Licensing Portal. Once a patient provides this information, their caregiver and/or authorized purchaser will receive an email containing a link allowing them to renew their registration cards online.

How Often Do You Have to Renew Your Medical Marijuana Card in Rhode Island?

A Rhode Island medical marijuana card expires one year after the date it was issued. Hence, registered cannabis patients and caregivers in the state must renew their registrations annually.

Do You Need a Medical Marijuana Card Renewal Doctor in Rhode Island?

Yes. A licensed physician must assess a medical marijuana patient in Rhode Island and certify that they could benefit from the state's medical marijuana program based on their medical conditions. After the assessment, the physician must complete a Practitioner Written Certification Form for the patient who intends to renew their medical marijuana card. The physician must be must any of the following:

• A Rhode Island-licensed medical doctor (MD), an advanced registered practice nurse (APRN), physician assistant (PA), or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO)
• A doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) or medical doctor (MD) licensed in either Massachusetts or Connecticut

Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Card Renewal Cost

There is no Rhode Island medical marijuana card renewal fee for patients, caregivers, or authorized purchasers. The state's Department of Health only charges them a $10 fee if they need to replace stolen or lost cards or if they want to change any information on their medical marijuana cards.

Where to Do Medical Marijuana Card Renewal Near Me in Rhode Island

After completing the relevant medical marijuana card renewal forms, patients are required to mail their paperwork to the RIDOH at:

Rhode Island Department of Health

Licensing Unit - Medical Marijuana Licensing

3, Capitol Hill Room 105A

Providence, RI 02908-5097

Patients, authorized purchases, and caregivers are now encouraged to submit their medical marijuana card renewal requests online via the state's Cannabis Portal.

Can I Use a Medical Marijuana Card from Another State in Rhode Island?

Yes, Rhode Island has medical cannabis reciprocity with every state in the United States and accepts out-of-state medical marijuana cards. However, out-of-state cannabis patients must present valid medical marijuana cards/documents in order to purchase medical cannabis at Rhode Island-licensed medical cannabis dispensaries, also known as compassion centers. Additionally, they must have valid government-issued identification cards. A licensed compassion center in Rhode Island may refuse to sell medical cannabis to an out-of-state patient who cannot provide a valid form of ID even if their medical marijuana card/document is valid.