Qualifying medical conditions for medical card under the Washington state law that are eligible for a medical recommendation in Washington are:

• Cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), multiple sclerosis, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, or spasticity disorders.
• Intractable pain, limited for the purpose of this chapter to mean pain unrelieved by standard medical treatments and medications.
• Glaucoma, either acute or chronic, limited for the purpose of this chapter to mean increased intraocular pressure unrelieved by standard treatments and medications.
• Crohn’s disease with debilitating symptoms unrelieved by standard treatments or medications.
• Hepatitis C with debilitating nausea or intractable pain unrelieved by standard treatments or medications.
• Diseases, including anorexia, which result in nausea, vomiting, wasting, appetite loss, cramping, seizures, muscle spasms, or spasticity, when these symptoms are unrelieved by standard treatments or medications.
• Chronic renal failure requiring hemodialysis.
• Posttraumatic stress disorder.
• Traumatic brain injury.

The medical marijuana program in Washington state is orchestrated differently from most other states. Once qualified by a physician, patients can visit any medically endorsed marijuana stores to speak with a certified consultant to enter into a medical marijuana authorization database and obtain a recognition card. This card enables patients to purchase, possess, and grow a limited number of marijuana plants in their residence. The state’s medical marijuana program is overseen by the Washington Department of Health. Health-care practitioners may authorize the use of marijuana for any patient as long as it’s medically appropriate under state law and the profession’s standard of care.