Medical Cannabis by U.S. State

These American states have medical marijuana laws enacted. Modern research suggests that Cannabis is a valuable aid in the treatment of a wide range of medical issues. These include pain relief, nausea, spasticity, glaucoma, and movement disorders. Marijuana is also a powerful appetite stimulant and emerging research suggests that Marijuana's medicinal properties may protect the body against some types of malignant tumors, and are neuroprotective.

Alaska
The law took effect on March 4, 1999. Patients diagnosed with the following illnesses are afforded legal protection under this act: ( Other conditions are subject to approval by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. )
 * Cachexia
 * Cancer
 * Chronic pain
 * Epilepsy and other disorders characterized by seizures.
 * Glaucoma
 * HIV or AIDS
 * Multiple Sclerosis and other disorders characterized by muscle spasticity.
 * Nausea.

Patients (or their primary caregivers) may legally possess no more than one ounce of usable Marijuana, and may cultivate no more than six marijuana plants, of which no more than three may be mature.

The law establishes a confidential state-run patient registry that issues identification cards to qualifying patients.

Arizona
The law took effect on April 14, 2011. Patients diagnosed with the following illnesses are afforded legal protection under this act: ( Other conditions are subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Health Services. )
 * Alzheimer's disease
 * Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease)
 * Cancer
 * Crohn's disease
 * Glaucoma
 * Hepatitis C
 * HIV or AIDS
 * Any chronic or debilitating medical condition or its treatment that produces one or more of the following:
 * Cachexia or wasting syndrome
 * Severe or chronic pain
 * Severe nausea
 * Seizures, including those characteristic of Epilepsy
 * Severe or persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis

Patients (or their primary caregivers) may legally possess no more than two and one-half ounces of usable marijuana, and may cultivate no more than twelve marijuana plants in an "enclosed, locked facility."

The law establishes a confidential state-run patient registry that issues identification cards to qualifying patients. State-licensed nonprofit dispensaries may produce and dispense marijuana to authorized patients on a not-for-profit basis. Qualified patients who reside within 25 miles of a state-licensed dispensary facility will not be permitted to cultivate marijuana at home.

California
The law took effect on November 6, 1996. Patients diagnosed with the following illnesses are afforded legal protection under this act:
 * Arthritis
 * Cachexia
 * Cancer
 * Chronic pain
 * Epilepsy
 * HIV or AIDS
 * Migraine
 * Multiple Sclerosis

( Patients diagnosed with any debilitating illness where the medical use of marijuana has been "deemed appropriate and has been recommended by a physician" are afforded legal protection under this act. )

Qualified patients and/or their primary caregivers may possess no more than eight ounces of dried marijuana and/or six mature (or 12 immature) marijuana plants. However, S.B. 420 allows patients to possess larger amounts of marijuana when such quantities are recommended by a physician.

Senate Bill 420 also mandates the California Department of State Health Services to establish a voluntary medicinal marijuana patient registry, and issue identification cards to qualified patients. To date, however, no such registry has been established.

Colorado
The law took effect on June 1, 2001. Patients diagnosed with the following illnesses are afforded legal protection under this act:
 * Cachexia
 * Cancer
 * Chronic pain
 * Chronic nervous system disorders
 * Epilepsy and other disorders characterized by seizures
 * Glaucoma
 * HIV or AIDS
 * Multiple Sclerosis and other disorders characterized by muscle spasticity
 * Nausea.

( Other conditions are subject to approval by the Colorado Board of Health. )

Patients (or their primary caregivers) may legally possess no more than two ounces of usable marijuana, and may cultivate no more than six marijuana plants.

The law establishes a confidential state-run patient registry that issues identification cards to qualifying patients. Patients who do not join the registry or possess greater amounts of marijuana than allowed by law may argue the "affirmative defense of medical necessity" if they are arrested on marijuana charges.

Delaware
The law took effect on May 13, 2011. Patients diagnosed with the following illnesses are afforded legal protection under this act:
 * Alzheimer's disease
 * Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease)
 * Cachexia
 * Cancer
 * Chronic pain (if the condition has not responded to previously prescribed medications)
 * HIV/AIDS
 * Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis.
 * Severe Nausea
 * PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
 * Seizures

Patients may legally possess up to 6 ounces of usable marijuana, if the marijuana is obtained from a state-licensed facility. Home cultivation of marijuana is not allowed under this act.

The law establishes a mandatory, confidential state-run patient registry that issues identification cards to qualifying patients.