There may be some illnesses that are eligible in certain states that are not listed here, so be sure to consult with your physician to check if your illness is indeed eligible in your state. All state laws highlight that those who have an illness that is not listed as eligible, do have the opportunity to consult with the state board of health to see if they could get an exception for their specific case.

We have compiled this list primarily as a method to look at the differences and strictness of each policy in each state.

Notes:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease)

DC, instead of generating a list, has issued this text ” any other condition as determined by rulemaking that is: (i) chronic or long-lasting, (ii) debilitating or interferes with the basic functions of life, (iii) a serious medical condition for which the use of medical marijuana is beneficial:  (a) that cannot be effectively treated by any ordinary medical or surgical measure and (b) for which there is scientific evidence that the use of medical marijuana is likely to be significantly less addictive than the ordinary medical treatment for that condition.”

Illinois has a very specific list, and currently does not accept considerations of illnesses that are not on their posted list. The continuation of the list: “spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA), Arnold Chiari malformation, myoclonus, Aremyoclonus, dystonia, causalgia, CRPS, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), neurofibromatosis, Sjogren’s syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, Lupus, myasthenia gravis, interstitial cystitis, nail patella syndrome, hydrocephalus and residual limb pain, or the treatment of any of these conditions.”

New Jersey includes inflammatory bowel disease with their definition of Crohn’s Disease. Also any terminal illness if a doctor has determined the Patient will die within a year.

Vermont, like DC, instead of generating a list, has issued this text”qualifying “debilitating medical condition,”  including those diagnosed with HIV or AIDS, cancer and Multiple Sclerosis.