What Conditions Qualify for Medical Card in North Carolina (2025)
- North Carolina Cannabis
- North Carolina Medical Marijuana Card
- Qualifying Conditions
How Many Medical Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Treatment in North Carolina?
Patients must have at least one of the 18 qualifying chronic or debilitating health conditions to use medical cannabis under the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) medical cannabis program.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Card in North Carolina 2025
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians medical cannabis program only issues medical cannabis cards to individuals diagnosed with the following conditions:
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Crohn's disease
- Parkinson's disease
- Sickle cell anemia
- A medical condition related to HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
- An anxiety disorder
- Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
- An autism spectrum disorder
- Anorexia nervosa
- An autoimmune disorder
- Dependence upon or addiction to opioids
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- A medical condition or treatment for a recognized medical condition that produces for a specific patient, one or more of these:
- Nausea
- Cachexia
- Muscle spasms, including, without limitation, those caused by multiple sclerosis
- Severe or chronic pain
- Seizures, including but not limited to, seizures caused by epilepsy
- A terminal illness when the patient's remaining life expectancy is not more than six months
- A condition resulting in the patient receiving Hospice care
- Amyotrophic lateral syndrome
- A neuropathic condition, whether or not such condition causes seizures
Does North Carolina Add New Qualifying Conditions to its Medical Marijuana Program?
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians does not currently have any provisions for adding new qualifying conditions to its medical cannabis program. Unlike some states that have a petitioning system for citizens to propose the addition of medical conditions to currently approved conditions, no such system exists under the EBCI medical cannabis program.
Does North Carolina Allow Physicians to Recommend Medical Cannabis for Non-Qualifying Conditions?
No. Under the EBCI medical cannabis program, medical cannabis may only be used for qualifying conditions. It is illegal to use medical cannabis for conditions not approved for medical cannabis use.
Do You Need a Doctor’s Recommendation for Medical Marijuana in North Carolina?
You need a physician attestation when renewing the medical marijuana card issued by the EBCI medical cannabis program in North Carolina. This document confirms that you are living with one or more of the 18 qualifying medical conditions recognized by the program and still require medical cannabis. You can obtain this certification from a healthcare provider after a review of your medical records.
Who Qualifies for a Medical Marijuana Card in North Carolina?
Other than having one or more qualifying conditions, you must be aged 21 or older and be a current resident of North Carolina or an enrolled Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians member to qualify for a medical cannabis card under the EBCI medical cannabis program.
