Which States Offer Medical Cannabis for Mental Health Conditions?

Mental health is crucial to our well-being. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that more than one in five U.S. adults is currently living with a mental health condition.

The effort to destigmatize the conversations around mental health is recognized from Mental Health Awareness Month in May to World Suicide Prevention Day in September. Beyond the awareness events, more workplaces and institutions (such as universities) can offer resources to support mental health needs.

A significant obstacle to mental illness is access to available resources, as well as the affordability of these resources and treatment. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 

• 47.2% of U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2021
• 65.4% of U.S. adults with serious mental illness received treatment in 2021
• 50.6% of U.S. youth ages 6-17 with a mental health disorder received treatment in 2016
• 160 million people live in a designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Area

If you live in an eligible state, medical cannabis could be recommended for certain mental health conditions. Access to a medical card for the treatment of mental health can be a journey to wellness that could make an important impact on a person’s life.

How Many States Have Legalized Medical Marijuana In 2025?

As of writing, medical marijuana is legal in 39 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia.

Is Anxiety An Accepted Qualifying Condition In All States?

Social stigmas around those who live with anxiety have improved. Still, there are negative assumptions that can be held about those who struggle with one or multiple mental health disorders.

Many patients are curious about whether they can receive a medical card for anxiety.  At the time of writing, there are only five states that have clinical anxiety as a qualifying health condition for medical cannabis. 

Some patients with anxiety may be able to qualify under another diagnosed condition within their particular areas.

READ: Anxiety Now Qualifies Patients for Medical Marijuana in Pennsylvania

Where Can You Get A Med Card For Anxiety? State Guide

In 2024, 43% of adults shared feeling more anxious than the previous year, according to The American Institute of Stress. With an increase in anxiety disorders, several states recognize anxiety as a qualifying condition for a medical cannabis card.

If you live in one of the following states, you may qualify for a medical cannabis card to best suit your mental health needs.

• Pennsylvania
• North Dakota

• Oklahoma

• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Puerto Rico

Explore your state above to learn more about anxiety as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana. There are additional benefits to talking to a licensed cannabis doctor for your certification process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can A Psychiatrist Prescribe Medical Cannabis?

Cannabis is currently a Schedule I controlled substance. Because of this, it makes it federally illegal for psychiatrists to prescribe medical cannabis. However, a licensed physician can submit recommendations for the medical use of cannabis in states where it is available.

Only medical doctors (MDs), osteopathic doctors (DOs), or naturopathic doctors (NDs) can write qualified recommendations for medical cannabis. Doctors typically need to register in many states with the state’s cannabis management office.

Can You Get A Medical Card For Depression In Michigan?

Depression is not a direct qualifying condition for medical marijuana in Michigan. Symptoms of depression may also connect to conditions known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which are currently qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in the state of Michigan.

Connecting with a cannabis doctor could help with discussing your options for applying for a medical card.

What To Say To Get A Medical Card For Anxiety?

Speaking to a qualifying cannabis doctor who can submit your application will be one of the most official approaches to getting a medical card for anxiety.

• Share the impact of your condition. Talk through how anxiety affects your daily life and overall well-being. This can help the physician understand the seriousness of your need for relief.
• Discuss past failed treatment. Make sure to express if options such as sleep aids or anxiety medications leave you feeling groggy or other side effects that may impact the positive outcomes of traditional treatments.
• Express your awareness of medical cannabis. Demonstrate you have done some research into medical cannabis and its potential benefits for your anxiety. This shows you are making an informed decision about your well-being.
• Answer questions honestly. You may be asked some questions about your exposure to medical cannabis. If you have used cannabis in the past, express how it made you feel and how it was handled responsibly. If you are new to the plant, sharing that is truthful and can lead to additional resources to learn more about consumption.

Should You Use Marijuana For Anxiety?

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use marijuana for anxiety disorders differs from person to person. 

Many adults who have access to cannabis in their states consider trying cannabis to see how it may bring relief to their daily lives. Typical reports of cannabis use for anxiety can include an increased sense of feeling calm, more relaxation, and better sleep.

Still, it’s essential to consider the type of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) products that you choose to consume for the treatment of anxiety. For instance, high percentages of THC can sometimes induce more anxiety than they may relieve. In some cases, some prefer edibles over smoking or vice versa. 

When exploring cannabis products for treating anxiety, start low and slow. Find out if smoking induces relief or if you’re someone who enjoys the onset of edibles.

Is Anxiety An Accepted Qualifying Condition In All States?

As far as cannabis is concerned, it is not federally legal currently due to its Schedule I drug status in the United States. Anxiety can be a qualifying condition for a medical marijuana card, depending on whether your state offers it through its cannabis management office. 

We listed the states that consider anxiety as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis above to explore the details within the states that offer this.

In another regard, certain debilitating anxiety disorders can qualify for federal disability benefits.

What Mental Health Disorders Disqualify Patients For Medical Cannabis?

Most state-by-state cannabis management offices do not directly list what is a disqualifying mental health condition for medical cannabis.

Meeting with a physician who is certified to recommend a patient for medical cannabis will be an essential step in understanding if you have a mental health condition that may not be best suited for the use of medical marijuana. 

Schizophrenia and psychosis are a couple of more common conditions that may prevent an individual from accessing medical cannabis.