Benefits of a medical marijuana card

Tax savings (Connecticut)

Connecticut's medical marijuana program describes tax-free purchases for certified patients — a savings that does not apply to adult-use retail purchases. For patients who purchase regularly, this can meaningfully offset the cost of certification over time.

Broader product access and selection

Medical dispensaries in both states typically carry a wider range of products, formulations, and potencies than adult-use retail locations, since medical patients are certified for specific use rather than general recreational purchase limits.

No age minimum for certification

Adult-use retail purchase requires patients to be 21 or older. Medical certification programs in New York and Connecticut allow younger patients to be certified, with appropriate parent or caregiver involvement, when a physician determines certification is clinically appropriate.

No separate state registration fee

Neither New York nor Connecticut charges a separate state registration fee for the medical program. Your certification fee with BuddMD covers the full evaluation and certification process.

A documented physician relationship

Certification is based on a documented evaluation by a licensed physician, rather than an anonymous retail purchase — some patients prefer having that evaluation on record as part of their broader healthcare picture.

Documentation for employers, courts, or legal requests

Some patients need to show proof of their medical cannabis certification to an employer, probation or parole officer, police officer, the courts, or an attorney. Your BuddMD certification itself serves as documentation of your status. For situations that require more detail, a Letter of Medical Necessity — curated to your specific condition and certification duration — is available as an add-on for $35. Acceptance of any documentation is at the discretion of the requesting party.

Why patients pursue certification

Patients pursue medical cannabis certification for many different personal health reasons — common examples include chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD, sleep difficulties, and the condition categories listed on our New York and Connecticut eligibility pages. BuddMD does not claim that medical cannabis cures or treats any specific disease. A licensed physician evaluates each patient individually and determines whether certification is clinically appropriate for that patient's circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

Ready to see if you're eligible? Start with New York eligibility or Connecticut eligibility, review pricing, or read how the process works.