What "medical cannabis near me" means

A medical cannabis dispensary is a store licensed by a state to sell cannabis to patients. You need a certification from a physician and, in most states, a registry card from the state health agency. Medical cannabis is not sold at pharmacies. Federal law lists cannabis as a Schedule I drug, so a doctor writes a certification or a recommendation, not a prescription. As of 2025, 38 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia run medical cannabis programs.

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How to find a licensed dispensary

  1. Open your state health department or cannabis regulatory agency website.
  2. Find the licensee list or dispensary directory. Names, addresses, and license numbers are posted.
  3. Check the dispensary site for hours, menu, and patient entry rules.
  4. Call before you drive. Some stores serve medical patients on set days.

Unlicensed sellers are not dispensaries. A state license number is the marker to look for.

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What to bring

Registration fees run from $0 to about $200 per year. Some states waive the fee for veterans or low-income patients.

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Limits, taxes, and payment

States set possession caps. Common limits are 1 to 3 ounces of flower per 30 days, with separate caps on concentrates. Dispensaries record each sale in a state tracking system. Medical sales carry lower tax than adult-use sales in states with both markets. Most stores take cash. Some take debit cards. Federal banks do not serve cannabis businesses, so most credit cards do not work.

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Federal status

Cannabis stays Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act. In 2024 the DEA proposed moving it to Schedule III. A final rule has not taken effect. The FDA has approved Epidiolex for certain seizure disorders and two synthetic THC drugs. It has not approved smoked cannabis. Rules on possession, transport across state lines, and employment vary by state. Check your state agency page for current numbers.