How to get authorized as a visiting patient

If you're travelling to Puerto Rico without a medical cannabis card from another state, you can still buy legally. The path runs through a Puerto Rico-licensed physician.

Step 1 — Confirm you qualify

Puerto Rico authorizes medical cannabis for a list of debilitating conditions. The physician who evaluates you decides whether you qualify — it is not the dispensary's call.

Step 2 — Get evaluated by a PR-licensed physician

It has to be a physician authorized by the Board. Many offer the consultation by telehealth, which lets you start before you land. Find one in our physician directory — you can filter by language.

Step 3 — Register as a non-resident patient

With the physician's recommendation, your application goes to the Medical Cannabis Regulatory Board's registry. A fee of roughly $25 is commonly reported.

Step 4 — Buy at a licensed dispensary

With your authorization and photo ID, you can buy. The reported validity window for non-resident authorizations is around 30 days.

Check the timing. Processing times vary and have changed over the years. If your trip is short, start weeks ahead and confirm status directly with the Board.

What to bring

• Government-issued photo ID
• Medical records or documentation of your condition, if you have them
• A payment method — many dispensaries are largely cash-based