Medical cannabis permit for your San Juan concert weekend
Updated August 2026
Two sold-out concerts at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan on August 22 and 23, 2026, are bringing tens of thousands of visitors to Puerto Rico this weekend. If you hold a medical cannabis card from another US state, it will not be accepted in Puerto Rico — the territory runs its own program under Act 42-2017 with no out-of-state reciprocity. The good news: you can apply for a 30-day Puerto Rico visitor permit entirely online, and most applications are reviewed within the hour. Apply today and you are sorted before you land. MedCardPR is an application and coordination service; the official permit is issued by the Puerto Rico Department of Health.
Contents
Does my out-of-state medical cannabis card work in Puerto Rico?
No. Puerto Rico does not recognize out-of-state US medical cannabis cards and has no reciprocity for visitors. The territory operates its own program under Act 42-2017, and only a Puerto Rico permit issued by the Department of Health is accepted at licensed dispensaries on the island. If you are flying in from California, Florida, New York, or any other state, your home card will not get you served.
This applies regardless of how long you have held your home-state card or whether it is digital or physical. The only valid authorization in Puerto Rico is one issued under Act 42-2017 by the Puerto Rico Department of Health.
Is there still time to apply before the weekend concerts?
Yes — easily. The online application takes about five minutes, and most tourist permits are reviewed within the hour after payment. Apply today (Wednesday) and you will have your permit before you leave home. Apply Thursday or Friday evening and you are sorted before boarding. If you apply Saturday morning after landing in San Juan, most people are approved the same morning.
The entire process is online. There is no in-person appointment, no mailed card, and no office to visit. You can apply from your phone, at the airport, or from wherever you are right now.
What do you need to apply?
Three things: a valid US passport or US state driver's license, a clear selfie for identity verification, and a qualifying medical condition under Act 42-2017. Puerto Rico residency is not required. No prior medical records are required — an independent Puerto Rico-licensed physician evaluates your condition online as part of the review.
- 1
Confirm you qualify
You must be a US citizen visiting Puerto Rico with a qualifying medical condition recognized under Act 42-2017. No residency, no local address.
- 2
Complete the online application (~5 minutes)
Enter your name, date of birth, contact details, and qualifying condition through the secure form. Fully mobile-friendly.
- 3
Upload your ID and selfie
Provide a photo of a valid US passport or US state driver's license, plus a clear selfie so the physician's office can verify your identity.
- 4
Pay $99.99 all-in
The flat $99.99 total includes Puerto Rico tax and government fees. No add-ons, no subscription.
- 5
Receive your permit by email
An independent Puerto Rico-licensed physician reviews your application, typically within the hour. The approved 30-day permit is emailed to you.
What does the permit cover, and where does it not apply?
An approved 30-day visitor permit authorizes purchase of medical cannabis products at licensed Puerto Rico dispensaries during the permit window. It does not authorize public consumption. Use is prohibited in public spaces, on beaches, in vehicles, and in most hotels and short-term rentals. Recreational use is illegal in Puerto Rico, and cannabis is federally illegal.
Licensed dispensaries operate throughout the San Juan metro area, including Condado and Santurce. For a current listing, the Puerto Rico Department of Health maintains the official registry. Always follow dispensary guidance and local law.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Price | $99.99 all-in (tax + government fees included) |
| Valid for | 30 days from issuance |
| Who qualifies | US-citizen visitors with a qualifying condition |
| Issued by | Puerto Rico Department of Health (Act 42-2017) |
| Typical review time | Within the hour after payment |
| Authorizes | Purchase at licensed PR dispensaries |
| Public consumption | Prohibited throughout Puerto Rico |
| Recreational use | Illegal in Puerto Rico |
What are the Hiram Bithorn Stadium concerts and where is the venue?
Hiram Bithorn Stadium is a major outdoor venue in San Juan, Puerto Rico, at Avenida Franklin D. Roosevelt in the Hato Rey Norte neighborhood. Two sold-out concerts take place there on August 22 and 23, 2026. The venue is approximately 10 minutes by rideshare from Condado and about 15 minutes from Old San Juan. Hiram Bithorn is a public venue; these are factual logistical details, not an endorsement or affiliation of any kind.
MedCardPR has no affiliation, partnership, or sponsorship with the concerts, the promoter, or the performer. We are not the event organiser and do not sell tickets. This page exists solely to help visitors who are travelling to San Juan this weekend understand their Puerto Rico medical cannabis permit options.
Frequently asked questions
Is my mainland US medical card valid in Puerto Rico?
No. Puerto Rico does not recognize out-of-state medical cannabis cards. There is no reciprocity for visitors. You need a Puerto Rico tourist permit issued by the PR Department of Health under Act 42-2017.
How fast can I really get approved?
Most tourist permits are reviewed within the hour after payment. The application takes about five minutes. Apply today and you will have your permit hours later.
What if I apply after I land in San Juan?
You can apply from your phone anywhere in San Juan. The entire process is online — no in-person step required. Most permits are reviewed within the hour, so applying Saturday morning is still realistic.
How long is the permit valid?
The visitor permit is valid for 30 days from the date it is issued. It covers your full weekend stay and well beyond.
Where can I use it in San Juan?
An approved permit authorizes purchase at licensed dispensaries in the San Juan metro area. Public consumption — including on beaches, in public spaces, and in vehicles — is prohibited. Check your accommodation's own policy; most hotels prohibit cannabis use on their premises.
Do I need Puerto Rico residency?
No. The 30-day tourist permit under Act 42-2017 is specifically for US-citizen visitors. No Puerto Rico address or residency is required.
Is there an in-person appointment?
No. The application, ID verification, and independent physician evaluation are all completed online. No office visit, no travel, no wait at a physical location.
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 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.