What conditions qualify for a Connecticut medical cannabis card?

Connecticut recognizes 42 adult qualifying conditions including cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's, MS, epilepsy, PTSD, chronic pain (6+ months), autism spectrum disorder, Crohn's, sickle cell disease, opioid use disorder, fibromyalgia, chronic migraine, Female Orgasmic Difficulty/Disorder, and many others. There are also 11 qualifying conditions for minors.

Can children get medical cannabis in Connecticut?

Yes, minors can qualify for Connecticut's medical cannabis program with parental or guardian consent and a registered caregiver. However, minors cannot smoke, inhale, or vaporize cannabis — only non-inhalable forms like edibles, tinctures, capsules, and topicals are permitted. There are 11 qualifying conditions for minors including severe epilepsy and cerebral palsy.

Is chronic pain a qualifying condition in Connecticut?

Yes. Chronic pain lasting 6 or more months is a qualifying condition and the most commonly certified condition in Connecticut's medical cannabis program. The pain must be ongoing and documented by a licensed provider. Additional pain conditions on the list include neuropathic pain, complex regional pain syndrome, chronic migraine, fibromyalgia, and phantom limb pain.

Connecticut's 42 Qualifying Conditions — Including Female Orgasmic Difficulty

Legal Disclaimer: This information reflects Connecticut cannabis law as of April 2026 and is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Laws and regulations change — always verify current rules with the Department of Consumer Protection or a qualified attorney. Cannabis remains illegal under federal law.

Last verified: March 2026

When Connecticut's medical marijuana program launched in 2012, it covered just 11 qualifying conditions. Through a series of legislative expansions, the list has grown to 42 adult conditions and 11 conditions for minors. This makes Connecticut's medical program one of the most expansive in the country, covering everything from common conditions like chronic pain and PTSD to less typical additions like autism spectrum disorder and Female Orgasmic Difficulty/Disorder.

Adult Qualifying Conditions (42)

Adults 18 and older with any of the following diagnosed conditions may qualify for a Connecticut medical cannabis card:

#	Condition	Notes
1	Cancer	Original 2012
2	Glaucoma	Original 2012
3	HIV / AIDS	Original 2012
4	Parkinson's disease	Original 2012
5	Multiple sclerosis (MS)	Original 2012
6	Spinal cord damage	Original 2012
7	Epilepsy	Original 2012
8	Cachexia / wasting syndrome	Original 2012
9	Crohn's disease	Original 2012
10	PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)	Early expansion
11	Sickle cell disease	Early expansion
12	Post laminectomy syndrome
13	Severe psoriasis
14	ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
15	Ulcerative colitis
16	CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome)
17	Cerebral palsy
18	Cystic fibrosis
19	Irreversible spinal cord injury
20	Terminal illness
21	Uncontrolled seizures
22	Fibromyalgia spasticity / neuropathic pain
23	Severe rheumatoid arthritis
24	Post herpetic neuralgia
25	Hydrocephalus headache
26	Intractable headache syndromes
27	Neuropathic facial pain
28	Muscular dystrophy
29	Osteogenesis imperfecta
30	Degenerative spinal chronic neuropathic pain
31	Interstitial cystitis
32	MALS (median arcuate ligament syndrome)
33	Vulvodynia / vulvar burning
34	Intractable neuropathic pain
35	Tourette's syndrome
36	Chronic pain (6+ months)	Added 2020 — watershed expansion
37	Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
38	Chronic pancreatitis
39	Huntington's disease movement disorders
40	Autism spectrum disorder	Added 2024
41	Female orgasmic difficulty / disorder	Added 2024 — only state in the U.S.
42	Wasting	Separate from cachexia

Conditions for Minors (11)

Patients under 18 may qualify for medical cannabis with parental or guardian consent and a registered caregiver. Minors face an important restriction: they cannot smoke, inhale, or vaporize cannabis. Permitted product forms include edibles, tinctures, capsules, tablets, and topicals.

The 11 qualifying conditions for minors include severe epilepsy, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, irreversible spinal cord injury, terminal illness, uncontrolled intractable seizure disorder, and other serious pediatric conditions. A full list is available through the DCP website.

Minor Patient Restrictions

Patients under 18 cannot smoke, inhale, or vaporize cannabis in any form. Only non-inhalable products (edibles, tinctures, capsules, topicals) are permitted. A parent or guardian must serve as the patient's registered caregiver.

Notable Additions

Chronic Pain (6+ Months)

Chronic pain lasting six months or longer is the most commonly certified condition in Connecticut's program, as it is in nearly every state with medical cannabis. The six-month requirement means the pain must be ongoing and documented by your provider.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Connecticut added autism spectrum disorder to its qualifying conditions, reflecting growing evidence of cannabis's potential to help with anxiety, aggression, and sensory issues associated with ASD. This has been particularly significant for families of children and young adults on the spectrum.

Female Orgasmic Difficulty/Disorder (2024)

Connecticut is the only state in the United States to specifically list Female Orgasmic Difficulty/Disorder as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis. Added in 2024, this reflects emerging research into cannabinoid receptors' role in sexual function and positions Connecticut as the most progressive state in this area of medical cannabis policy.

How to Get Certified

If you have a qualifying condition, the next step is to see a Connecticut-licensed physician, PA, or APRN for certification. Telehealth evaluations have been permitted since June 2023. See our medical card guide for the complete step-by-step process.

Connecticut Medical Cannabis Qualifying Conditions