What happens after your Puerto Rico medical cannabis permit is approved?
Updated August 2026
Once an independent physician approves your Puerto Rico medical cannabis tourist permit application, the permit is delivered to you by email. This page explains what you receive, what the permit authorizes, how to present it at a licensed dispensary, how long it is valid, and what you cannot do with it. MedCardPR is an application and coordination service; the official permit is issued by the Puerto Rico Department of Health under Act 42-2017.
Contents
How is the permit delivered after approval?
Your approved 30-day permit is emailed to you directly. There is no mailed card and no physical document that needs to arrive by post. Save the email or the permit file to your phone so you can present it at a licensed dispensary. Most tourist permits are reviewed within the hour after payment.
You also receive a confirmation email when you submit the application, with a personal link to check status at any time. Bookmark it. If your permit does not appear in your inbox, check your spam folder, then email [email protected] with your reference ID.
What does the approved permit authorize?
An approved Puerto Rico tourist permit authorizes the holder to purchase medical cannabis products at licensed Puerto Rico dispensaries during the 30-day permit window. It does not authorize use in public, on beaches, in vehicles, in most hotels, or on any federally regulated property. Recreational use is illegal in Puerto Rico and cannabis is federally illegal.
The permit is a medical authorization issued under Act 42-2017 by the Puerto Rico Department of Health. It makes no health claims. Always follow dispensary guidance, property rules, and local law.
How do you present your permit at a dispensary?
Show the emailed permit on your phone or a printed copy when a licensed dispensary requests it. Dispensary staff verify the permit is valid and within its 30-day window. Carry the same government ID you used in your application — dispensaries may also verify your identity.
Licensed dispensaries in Puerto Rico are the only places where permit holders may legally purchase medical cannabis products. The Puerto Rico Department of Health maintains the official registry of licensed dispensaries throughout the island.
How long is the tourist permit valid?
The tourist permit is valid for 30 days from the date it is issued. After 30 days it expires and is no longer valid. If you visit Puerto Rico again later, you would apply for a new permit at that time. There is no automatic renewal for the tourist permit.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Delivery method | Email (no physical card mailed) |
| Typical time after payment | Within the hour |
| Valid for | 30 days from issuance |
| Authorized use | Purchase at licensed PR dispensaries |
| Public consumption | Prohibited throughout Puerto Rico |
| Renewal | None — apply again on next visit |
What if your permit email is lost?
Email [email protected] with your reference ID and the permit will be resent. You do not need to reapply. Your reference ID was included in the original confirmation email sent when you submitted the application.
Where is use restricted, even with a valid permit?
Public consumption is prohibited throughout Puerto Rico. Even with a valid permit, use is not permitted in public spaces, on beaches, in parks, in vehicles, in most hotels or short-term rentals, or on any federal land. Cannabis is federally illegal and cannot be transported through airports or off the island of Puerto Rico.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly will I receive my permit after payment?
Most tourist permits are reviewed within the hour after payment and the approved permit is emailed to you. The application itself takes about five minutes.
Do I get a physical card in the mail?
No. The tourist permit is digital — emailed to you. There is no card mailed. Save it on your phone or print it for presentation at a dispensary.
Can I use the permit at any dispensary in Puerto Rico?
A valid permit authorizes purchase at any licensed dispensary on the island during the 30-day window. It is not limited to one city or region. Consult the Puerto Rico Department of Health for the official registry of licensed dispensaries.
What happens when the 30 days expire?
The permit expires and is no longer valid. The tourist permit does not auto-renew. If you visit Puerto Rico again, apply for a new permit at that time.
Can I bring my permit onto a plane?
Cannabis is federally illegal and cannot be taken through airport security, onto a plane, or transported across jurisdictions — including off the island of Puerto Rico. The permit authorizes purchases at licensed Puerto Rico dispensaries only.
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Apply for your 30-day visitor permit →Educational information only, current as of August 2026. MedCardPR is an application and coordination service operated by AZ Capital Holdings LLC, not a healthcare provider, dispensary, or pharmacy. We do not sell, dispense, or deliver cannabis and make no medical claims. Medical evaluations are performed by independent licensed physicians. Official permits are issued by the Puerto Rico Department of Health under Act 42-2017. Cannabis is not legal for recreational use in Puerto Rico and remains illegal under US federal law.