How to get a medical cannabis card in Puerto Rico as a tourist
Updated June 2026
Under Puerto Rico's Act 42-2017, US-citizen visitors can apply online for a 30-day medical cannabis tourist permit issued by the Puerto Rico Department of Health. The whole process is done from your phone — no in-person visit — and is typically reviewed within the hour. MedCardPR is an application and coordination service; the official permit is issued by the Department of Health, not by us.
Can tourists get a medical cannabis card in Puerto Rico?
Yes. Puerto Rico's Act 42-2017 lets US-citizen visitors obtain a 30-day medical cannabis tourist permit issued by the Puerto Rico Department of Health. You apply entirely online, are evaluated by an independent licensed physician, and — if approved — receive a permit that authorizes purchases at licensed dispensaries during your visit. No Puerto Rico residency is required.
How do you get the tourist permit, step by step?
There are five steps: confirm you qualify, start the online application, upload your ID and a selfie, complete an independent physician evaluation, and pay the flat $99.99 all-in fee. Once submitted, most tourist permits are reviewed within the hour and the approved permit is emailed to you — no office visit and no mailed card.
- Confirm you qualify. You must be a US citizen visiting Puerto Rico with a qualifying medical condition recognized under Act 42-2017. Residency in Puerto Rico is not required for the tourist permit.
- Start the online application. Enter your name, date of birth, contact details, and qualifying condition on the secure form. It takes about five minutes from a phone.
- Upload your ID and selfie. Provide a photo of a valid government-issued ID (passport or US state driver's license) and a clear selfie so the physician's office can verify your identity.
- Complete the physician evaluation. An independent Puerto Rico-licensed physician reviews your application and condition. They make all clinical decisions independently; MedCardPR does not.
- Pay the flat $99.99 all-in fee. Pay the $99.99 all-in total — Puerto Rico tax and government fees included, no add-ons. Most tourist permits are then reviewed within the hour and emailed to you.
What do you need to apply as a visitor?
You need three things: proof of US citizenship and identity (a passport or US state driver's license), a clear selfie for verification, and a qualifying medical condition under Act 42-2017. You do not need Puerto Rico residency, a local address, prior medical records (the physician can evaluate you), or an in-person appointment.
Everything is submitted through the secure online form, and your Social Security number is encrypted before storage. If you do not have medical records on hand, the independent physician can still evaluate your qualifying condition during review.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
The MedCardPR tourist permit is a flat $99.99 all-in — that total already includes Puerto Rico tax and government processing fees, with no hidden add-ons. There is no recurring subscription. Most tourist permits are reviewed within the hour after payment, and the approved 30-day permit is emailed to you directly.
Tourist permit at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 all-in (tax + government fees included) |
| Valid for | 30 days |
| Who | US-citizen visitors to Puerto Rico |
| Process | 100% online — no in-person visit |
| Typical review time | Within the hour after payment |
| Issued by | Puerto Rico Department of Health |
Is the permit legal, and what does it actually let you do?
The permit is authorized under Puerto Rico's Act 42-2017 and issued by the Department of Health. It lets an approved visitor purchase medical cannabis products from licensed Puerto Rico dispensaries during the 30-day window. It is not a recommendation to consume, makes no health claims, and does not authorize use outside Puerto Rico law.
Cannabis remains federally illegal and is not legal for recreational use in Puerto Rico — the permit is strictly a medical authorization. Always follow dispensary guidance and local law on where products may be used.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to be a Puerto Rico resident to get the tourist permit?
- No. The 30-day tourist permit under Act 42-2017 is specifically for US-citizen visitors and does not require Puerto Rico residency or a local address.
- Will my mainland US medical card work in Puerto Rico?
- No. Puerto Rico does not recognize out-of-state medical cannabis cards. Visitors need a Puerto Rico permit issued by the PR Department of Health to buy at licensed dispensaries.
- How fast can I get approved?
- 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.
- Is there an in-person appointment?
- No. The entire process — application, ID verification, and the independent physician evaluation — is completed online from your phone.
Ready for your 30-day visitor permit?
Flat $99.99 all-in · about 5 minutes from your phone · typically reviewed within the hour.
Apply for your 30-day visitor permit →Educational information only, current as of June 2026. MedCardPR is an application and coordination service operated by AZ Imports 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.