Puerto Rico tourist permit vs resident medical cannabis card: which do you need?
Updated August 2026
Puerto Rico's Act 42-2017 creates three paths to a medical cannabis authorization: the 30-day tourist permit for US-citizen visitors, the annual resident license for Puerto Rico residents, and the express track for residents who want a 30-day permit while their 1-year card is processed. Choosing the right path depends on whether you are visiting Puerto Rico or living there. All three tracks require a qualifying medical condition evaluated by an independent Puerto Rico-licensed physician. MedCardPR is an application and coordination service; all permits are issued by the Puerto Rico Department of Health.
Contents
Who needs the tourist permit?
The 30-day tourist permit is for US-citizen visitors to Puerto Rico with a qualifying medical condition under Act 42-2017. You do not need to live in Puerto Rico or hold a Puerto Rico address. The permit is reviewed within the hour after payment, costs a flat $99.99 all-in, and is emailed to you.
Who needs the resident annual card?
The 1-year resident license is for people who live in Puerto Rico, are 21 or older, and have a qualifying condition under Act 42-2017. The application is also fully online and costs a flat $99.99 all-in, but processing typically takes 7 to 28 days. If you are visiting, the tourist permit is the appropriate track.
What is the express track?
The express track is for Puerto Rico residents who want a 30-day permit now while their 1-year resident license is being processed. It costs a flat $179.99 all-in and produces two documents: an immediate 30-day permit and, once the 1-year license is issued, the annual resident card. It is a resident-only path; visitors use the tourist permit instead.
The express track is the right choice for Puerto Rico residents who cannot wait 7 to 28 days for the standard resident process.
How do the three tracks compare?
The table below summarizes the key differences: who each track is for, the price, what you receive, and how long each takes.
| Tourist permit | Standard resident card | Express track | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who | US-citizen visitors | PR residents 21+ | PR residents 21+ |
| Puerto Rico address required | No | Yes | Yes |
| What you receive | 30-day permit | 1-year resident card | 30-day permit + 1-year card |
| Price (all-in) | $99.99 | $99.99 | $179.99 |
| Typical review time | Within the hour | 7 to 28 days | 30-day permit: within hours; 1-year card: 7 to 28 days |
| Application format | 100% online | 100% online | 100% online |
| Qualifying condition required | Yes | Yes | Yes |
What if you are moving to Puerto Rico?
If you are in the process of moving to Puerto Rico and already have a qualifying condition, the express track may be appropriate: you get a 30-day permit while your annual resident license is processed. If you are visiting first and plan to establish residency later, the tourist permit covers your visit, and you would apply for the resident card after establishing your Puerto Rico address.
What do all three tracks have in common?
All three tracks use fully online applications, require a qualifying medical condition evaluated by independent Puerto Rico-licensed physicians, and produce permits issued by the Puerto Rico Department of Health under Act 42-2017. In all three cases: recreational use is illegal in Puerto Rico, cannabis is federally illegal, public consumption is prohibited throughout Puerto Rico, and the permit authorizes purchase at licensed dispensaries only.
Frequently asked questions
I'm visiting Puerto Rico for two weeks. Which track do I use?
The 30-day tourist permit: $99.99 all-in, US citizen required, typically reviewed within the hour. No Puerto Rico address or residency needed.
I live in Puerto Rico full-time. Which track do I use?
The standard resident card ($99.99 all-in) if you can wait 7 to 28 days, or the express track ($179.99 all-in) if you need a 30-day permit immediately while the 1-year card is processed.
Is the tourist permit cheaper than the resident card?
The tourist permit and the standard resident card are both $99.99 all-in. The express track is $179.99 all-in. All figures include Puerto Rico tax and government fees with no add-ons.
Can I switch from a tourist permit to a resident card?
The two tracks are separate. If you establish Puerto Rico residency and are 21 or older, you would apply for the resident card as a new application at that time.
Does the tourist permit cover the whole island?
Yes. A valid tourist permit authorizes purchases at any licensed dispensary in Puerto Rico during the 30-day window. It is not limited to a specific city or region.
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 the $99.99 tourist 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.