Medical Cannabis Registry

Starting June 30, 2025

We are transitioning to a brand-new patient registry called the Medical Cannabis Registry (MCR or registry), that will replace the current Airlift system. While this is a major transition, the new system vastly improves and expands the capacity of Airlift. It retains the current roles and tasks of the endorsed stores, while adding accounts and services for patients. We believe you will come to appreciate the increased functionality and automation the new registry offers!

Please check this page regularly, as we will be posting updates as we have more information to share. Select each category dropdown below to learn more.

MCR Training and Videos | Frequently Asked Questions

VisualVault Tech Support and Help Desk 

Email: mcr@visualvault.freshdesk.com
Phone: 480-308-4400, ext. 2 or 844-769-8285, ext. 2
Submit a service ticket

How does the Medical Cannabis Registry (MCR) compare to Airlift?

Features the MCR will continue to offer:

Medical Cannabis Consultants create, correct, renew and replace medical cannabis recognition cards.
Store owners and delegates add and remove consultants and other employees.
Printed, laminated recognition cards for patients.
Invoice payments through U.S. mail.
Help desk through MCR and user guides.

NEW features of the MCR:

Retail Store System Users:

Reactivation of your own account.
Automated reminders for account reactivation, employee confirmation, and invoices.
Streamlined, improved quarterly employee confirmation process.
Electronic payments for invoices.
Access to report information (details to come).
Expanded help desk hours: 6 am – midnight, 7 days a week

Patients and Designated Providers:

Create MCR accounts to manage recognition card activities, including removing yourself or your Designated Provider from the registry, if desired.
Electronic recognition cards.
Report of your account activity (card use history, who accessed your account).
Card expiration notification.

MCR Training and Videos

Training Guides and How-tos

Saw Registration

Full Training Guide (PDF)

You must always log in through your own SAW account to access the MCR.

How to Sign up for a SAW Account - Page 4
How to Set up Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) - Page 8
How to Add the MCR to your SAW Account - Page 12
How to Verify your Identity - Page 16
How to Register and Log in to MCR - Page 18

Consultant

Full Training Guide (PDF)

How to Register and Log in - Page 4
How to Select Multiple Registration Types - Page 15
How to View Your Personal Record - Page 21
How to Access Stores - Page 25
How to Reactivate Inactive Accounts - Page 30
How to View Message Notifications - Page 36
How to Verify a Patient / DP - Page 38
About Consultant Certification Expiration Reminders - Page 44
About Recognition Card Actions - Page 46
- How to Create a Card - Page 48
- How to Replace a Card - Page 63
- How to Renew a Card - Page 68
- How to Correct a Card - Page 75
Resources - Page 67

Owner/Delegate

Full Training Guide (PDF)

How to Register and Log in - Page 3
How to Select Multiple Registration Types - Page 14
How to View Your Personal Record - Page 20
How to Access Stores - Page 23
How to Reactivate Inactive Account - Page 30
How to Add/Remove Delegates and Employees - Page 36
How to Complete Employee Quarterly Confirmation - Page 44
How to View Message Notifications - Page 60
How to Verify a Patient / DP by Card Number - Page 62
Resources - Page 67

Budtender

Full Training Guide (PDF)

How to Register and Log in - Page 3
How to Select Multiple Registration Types - Page 14
How to View Your Personal Record - Page 20
How to Access Stores - Page 24
How to Reactivate Inactive Account - Page 29
How to View Message Notifications - Page 35
How to Verify a Patient / DP by Card Number - Page 37
Resources - Page 42

Patient/Designated Provider

Full Training Guide (PDF)

Overview - Page 4
How to Register and Log in - Page 6
How to Select Multiple Registration Types - Page 15
How to View Personal / DP Record & Mobile Card - Page 21
How to Search for Medically Endorsed Stores - Page 26
How to View Who Accessed My Record - Page 29
How to View Messages - Page 37
How to Reactivate Inactive Account - Page 39
How to Remove Patient or DP (adult only) - Page 45
Resources - Page 49

Healthcare Practitioner

Full Training Guide (PDF)

How to Register and Log in - Page 3
How to Select Multiple Registration Types - Page 14
How to View Personal Record - Page 20
How to Reactivate Inactive Account - Page 23
How to View Patient / Designated Provider Records - Page 29
How to Revoke Authorization (Patients and DPs) - Page 36
How to View Messages - Page 43
How to Search for Medically Endorsed Retail Stores - Page 45
Resources - Page 48

Law Enforcement

Full Training Guide (PDF)

How to Access the MCR - Page 3
How to Register and Log in - Page 6
How to Select Multiple Registration Types - Page 17
How to View Personal Record / Verification - Page 23
How to Reactivate Inactive Account - Page 29
How to Verify Patient / DP by card number - Page 35
Resources - Page 40

Training Videos

Frequently Asked Questions

Consultant

How do I access MCR?

You must be employed by a medically endorsed store as a Budtender or Medical Cannabis Consultant and register in the MCR. Once you are registered, a Store Owner or Delegate must add you to the retail store.

Learn how to register using the MCR Login/Register training manual (PDF).

What are the different retail employee roles in MCR? What are the permissions of each?

Store Owner/Delegate:

Add/Remove Store Employees
Pay Fees
Quarterly Confirmations
Verify Recognition Cards by card number only

Note: An Owner must assign a Delegate before the Delegate has these permissions.

DOH-Certified Consultant:

Enter Patients into the MCR
Create, Renew, Replace, And Correct Recognition Cards
Verify Recognition Cards by name and DOB or card number

Budtender: Verify Recognition Cards by card number only

If I work at multiple stores of the same name, how do I know which store to select in MCR?

Each store name has its unique LCB License number to identify stores that share the same name. See the Accessing Store/Multiple Stores training (PDF) for specific instructions.

Is there a preferred browser to use with MCR?

MCR works on most browsers. However, the system runs best in Google Chrome.

We also recommend that you clear your internet browser history and completely shut down and restart your devices at least once a quarter.

Why does MCR ask for the Last 4 of my SSN?

MCR only uses this information (along with name and birth date) to validate your account. This is to protect against the possibility of duplicate records caused by people with the same name and birthdate.

How do I reactivate my account when it becomes inactive?

MCR will send you reminders to log in to keep your account active. If you don’t log in within a 30-day window, MCR will put your account in an Inactive Status. Reactivate your account by logging into MCR and completing the MCR Account Reactivation screen. Full instructions are in the Inactive and Reactivate Account training (PDF).

If your account has been inactive for more than 1 year, contact DOH to reactivate your account.

What are “Messages” in MCR?

This is a new feature that allows you to receive notices, reminders, and other communications from the DOH team or MCR itself. See View Message Notifications training (PDF).

Can I enter a Patient or Designated Provider in MCR if the address on the authorization form is different than their ID?

Yes. The healthcare practitioner is responsible for verifying the patient has a valid WA state physical address, which they enter on the Authorization form. The photo ID is only to verify that the person is in fact the one listed on the Authorization form, so the address can be different, even if it’s an out of state ID. If the patient prefers a separate mailing address (ex: a PO Box), you can add that as a separate address.

Has the Authorization Form changed with the adoption of the MCR?

Yes, the Authorization form will be updated to remove checkboxes for specific qualifying conditions. Instead, the form will have a checkbox that confirms the patient’s condition qualifies under the definition of “Terminal or debilitating medical condition” in RCW 69.51A.010. This is in response to privacy concerns voiced by patients.

MCR has been updated to reflect this change. See the “Create Recognition Cards” training (PDF) for more information.

Is patient/designated provider’s email address required?

No. MCR only requires a Patient/DP to provide their e-mail if they want to have an MCR account to access their Mobile Recognition card and other patient account features.

What do I need to know when verifying a patient’s card?

You must verify the card for every medical purchase. The MCR allows you flexibility in how you verify the card. You can:

manually enter the card number as you have in the past.
scan the barcode on the physical or mobile card (if the patient has one through an MCR Patient Account) using your POS scanner.
if the patient does not have their card present, you can verify the card by a Name/DOB lookup. As a Certified Consultant, you are the only store employee who has this permission.
if the patient provides a screenshot of their card, you can verify it as long as the clarity of the screenshot allows you to confirm it’s an active card in MCR.
if the patient has lost their card, they either need to get a replacement or create a Patient Account to use a mobile card.

What are the photo requirements for Recognition Cards?

Be sure to follow the Create Recognition Cards training (PDF) for how to take and upload a photo for the recognition card.

For Best results in MCR:

Minimum 400 x 600 resolution
Photo in 4x6 proportions. For example, the pixel resolution could be 600 x 900 pixels or 800 x 1200 pixels. These examples maintain a 4x6 ratio.
Portrait orientation
.JPEG file format

What happens if my DOH Consultant Certification expires?

If your certification expires, your privileges in MCR will be limited to a budtender’s role. Once you renew your certification, your consultant privileges will automatically be restored.

MCR will now send email reminders when your Consultant Certification is close to expiring. DOH also sends you a courtesy renewal card to your address on file. Make sure you keep your address up to date with the department so that you receive the reminder card. See our Consultant Renewal FAQ page for more information.

What do I tell a patient about the new option to create an MCR patient account?

If you’d like, you can let the patient know that they need to go to the Patient/Designated Provider Training on our website. They will set up their own account and register in the MCR to access the benefits of the patient portal:

Access to their Mobile Recognition cards
Manage their own and their Designated Provider’s authorization in MCR.
View communications from the DOH Medical Cannabis Program.

What is the “30-day grace period” for Recognition Card expiration Dates? Does this mean the patient can use their card for an extra month?

No, the 30-day grace period does not allow the patient to use their card after its expiration date. It allows the patient to keep the same card number so long as they renew within 30 days following card expiration.

After the 30-day grace period, a new recognition card will need to be created with a new unique card number.

Will the physical Recognition card appearance change?

Yes, but only slightly. See an example here: MCR Create a Recognition Card (PDF).

Owner/Delegate

How do Delegates, Consultants, and Budtenders get access to the MCR?

A store Owner must first register in MCR to add Delegates, Consultants, and Budtenders. Employees also must register in MCR. They cannot access MCR until they are registered and an Owner adds them to the store.

Note: Store and store Owner information is automatically added to MCR through a data exchange with LCB.

As an Owner, you must have a SAW account to register in the MCR. If you don’t have a SAW account, follow the instructions in the SAW Registration Training (PDF). Then, use the MCR Store Owner Delegate Training Manual (PDF) to learn how to register in and use the MCR.

The Owner must assign at least one Delegate if they want the Delegate to add Consultants and Budtenders.

You will need the employee’s First and Last name, Date of Birth, and the last 4 of their SSN. If they are a Consultant, they must have a current Consultant Certification issued by DOH. If not, they can be registered as a Budtender and can only perform Budtender tasks until the Consultant Certification is established or renewed through the DOH licensing portal.

What are the different retail employee roles in MCR? What are the permissions of each?

Store Owner/Delegate:

Add/Remove Store Employees
Pay Fees
Quarterly Confirmations
Verify Recognition Cards by card number only

Note: An Owner must assign a Delegate before the Delegate has these permissions.

DOH-Certified Consultant:

Enter Patients into the MCR
Create, Renew, Replace, And Correct Recognition Cards
Verify Recognition Cards by name and DOB or card number

Budtender: Verify Recognition Cards by card number only

If I have multiple stores of the same name, how do I know which store to select in MCR?

Each store name has its unique LCB license number to identify stores that share the same name. See the Accessing Store / Multiple Stores training (PDF) for specific instructions.

Is there a preferred browser to use with MCR?

MCR works on most browsers. However, the system runs best in Google Chrome.

We also recommend that you clear your internet browser history and completely shut down and restart your devices at least once a quarter.

Why does MCR ask for the last 4 digits of my SSN?

How do I reactivate my account when it becomes inactive?

If your account is inactive for more than 1 year, contact DOH to reactivate your account.

What are “Messages” in MCR?

This is a new feature that allows you to receive notices, reminders, and other communications from the DOH team or the MCR itself. See View Message Notifications training (PDF).

Why is Quarterly Employee Confirmation required? How do I do this in MCR?

The Quarterly Employee Confirmation is a security process to ensure only current employees have access to the MCR.

Each quarter, the MCR sends an e-mail notification to the email notice instructing store Owners or Delegates to confirm current employees by the due date.

See the Employee Quarterly Confirmation training for details.

How do I pay invoice fees in MCR?

Owners and Delegates can now pay fees online through the MCR. See the Pay Fees training (PDF) for detailed instructions.

You can still pay your invoice by sending payment through the mail to P.O. Box 1099 | Olympia, WA 98507-1099.

If my retail store is overdue on quarterly confirmation or payments (or both), what happens?

When a retail store is overdue for completing quarterly confirmation or making payments, MCR restricts access for all MCR users associated with that store. Once an Owner or Delegate completes the required process, all access is restored. No additional action is required.

What happens if my Consultant’s Certification expires?

MCR will send you a notification via email that the Consultant’s Certification has expired. When their certification expires, their privileges in MCR will be limited to a Budtender’s role. Once they renew their certification, their Consultant privileges will automatically be restored in the MCR.

What is the “30-day grace period” for Recognition Card expiration Dates? Does this mean the Patient can use their card for an extra month?

The 30-day grace period does not allow the Patient to use their card after its expiration date. The grace period allows the Patient to keep the same card number so long as they renew within 30 days following card expiration.

After the 30-day grace period, a new Recognition card will need to be created with a new unique card number.

Will the physical Recognition card appearance change?

Yes, but only slightly. See an example here: MCR Create a Recognition Card (PDF).

Consultants or Budtenders.

Can I see if I have been added to a Retail Store as a Delegate?

Yes, from your Retail Homepage, navigate to your Retail Individual record and access the “Related Stores” tab.

Select “Open” next to the store name (if no store appears on this page the Owner has not added you to the store yet). You can then view the “Employee information” tab. This allows you to see what permissions you have for that store.

See more information in the MCR Store Owner Delegate Training Manual (PDF) for accessing multiple stores.

Budtender

How do I access MCR?

Learn how to register using the MCR Login/Register training manual (PDF).

What are the different retail employee roles in MCR? What are the permissions of each?

Store Owner/Delegate:

Add/Remove Store Employees
Pay Fees
Quarterly Confirmations
Verify Recognition Cards by card number only

Note: An Owner must assign a Delegate before the Delegate has these permissions.

DOH-Certified Consultant:

Enter Patients into the MCR
Create, Renew, Replace, And Correct Recognition Cards
Verify Recognition Cards by name and DOB or card number

Budtender: Verify Recognition Cards by card number only

If I work at multiple stores of the same name, how do I know which store to select?

Each store name has its unique LCB License number to identify stores that share the same name. See the Accessing Store / Multiple Stores training (PDF) for specific instructions.

Is there a preferred browser to use with MCR?

MCR works on most browsers. However, the system runs best in Google Chrome.

We also recommend that you clear your internet browser history and completely shut down and restart your devices at least once a quarter.

Why does MCR ask for the Last 4 of my SSN?

How do I reactivate my account when it becomes inactive?

If your account has been inactive for more than 1 year, contact DOH to reactivate your account.

What are “Messages” in MCR?

This is a new feature that allows you to receive notices, reminders, and other communications from the DOH team or the MCR itself. See View Message Notifications training (PDF).

Do I need to verify a Patient or Designated Provider for every transaction?

Yes, every time you complete a sale of Medical Cannabis products to patients or designated providers, you must verify the Recognition card. This is to ensure that the card has not been revoked by the healthcare practitioner and the patient hasn’t removed their designated provider or themselves from the MCR.

What do I tell a patient about the new option to create an MCR portal patient account?

If you’d like, you can let the patient know that they need to go to the Patient/Designated Provider Training (PDF) on our website. They will set up their own account and register in the MCR to access the benefits of the patient portal:

Access to their Mobile Recognition cards
Manage their own and their Designated Provider’s authorization in MCR.
View communications from the DOH Medical Cannabis Program.

What is the “30-day grace period” for Recognition Card expiration Dates? Does this mean the patient can use their card for an extra month?

The 30-day grace period does not allow the patient to use their card after its expiration date. The grace period allows the patient to keep the same card number so long as they renew within 30 days following card expiration.

After the 30-day grace period, a new Recognition card will need to be created with a new unique card number.

Will the physical Recognition card appearance change?

Yes, but only slightly. See an example here: Verify Patient / DP by Card Number (PDF).

Patient/Designated Provider

What is a Patient Account in the MCR and why should I create one?

Registering for a patient account gives you the following benefits after a Certified Consultant enters you into the MCR and issues you a recognition card. The patient account feature does not allow you to register yourself in the system to get a recognition card. An MCR Patient account allows you to:

Access to a mobile recognition card to present at the cannabis retailer. This provides an additional option if you lose your physical recognition card.
Search for medically endorsed stores.
View a report of your card activity and who accessed your record. You can e-mail yourself the report.
View informational messages from the DOH Medical Cannabis Program and MCR.
Remove yourself or your designated provider from the MCR.

How do I access my user MCR user portal?

Like many other Washington state services, you will need a Secure Access Washington (SAW) account to access MCR. Follow the instructions in the SAW Registration Training (PDF). This training includes information on how to add the Medical Cannabis Registry service. To do this, you will need to answer questions to verify your identity. If you cannot pass this check, contact the Medical Cannabis Program to bypass this.

How do I reactivate my account when it’s inactive?

If your account has been inactive for more than 1 year, contact DOH to reactivate your account.

What are “Messages” in MCR?

This feature allows you to receive notices, reminders, and other communications from the DOH team or MCR itself. See View Messages training.

When you finish creating your SAW account, you will create an account in the MCR using the Patient/Designated Provider MCR Training (PDF).

What is the “30-day grace period” for Recognition Card expiration Dates? Does this mean I can use their card for an extra month?

The 30-day grace period does not allow you to use your card after its expiration date. The grace period allows you to keep the same card number so long as you renew within 30 days following card expiration.

After the 30-day grace period, a new Recognition card will need to be created with a new unique card number.

Healthcare Practitioner

How do I access the MCR?

Like many other Washington state services, you will need a Secure Access Washington (SAW) account to access MCR. If you don’t have one, follow the instructions in the e. This training includes information on how to add the Medical Cannabis Registry service. To do this, you will need to answer questions to verify your identity. If you cannot pass this check, contact the Medical Cannabis Program to bypass this.

When you finish adding the MCR service to you SAW account, you will create an account in the MCR using the Healthcare Practitioner MCR Training (PDF).

What permissions do I have in the MCR? What am I unable to do?

The primary uses of your MCR account are:

revoking authorizations for Patients and Designated Providers. See the Revoke Authorizations training (PDF).
viewing records for your Patients and Designated Providers.
If you have a DEA registration, you can view All Active Authorizations in MCR by name only.

You are not able to:

view Patient cannabis purchases or cannabis use. MCR does not track this.

Does the MCR change how I provide Authorizations to Patients or Designated Providers?

No, you will still hand the Patient/DP an Authorization Form printed on authorization tamper-resistant paper containing the RCW 69.51A.030 logo. You will not register Patients in MCR or provide them a recognition card. Patients will continue to be entered into the MCR by a Certified Consultant at a medically endorsed store.

Has the Authorization Form changed with the adoption of the MCR?

Yes, the Authorization form will be updated to remove checkboxes for specific qualifying conditions. Instead, the form will have a checkbox that confirms the Patient’s condition qualifies under the definition of “Terminal or debilitating medical condition” in RCW 69.51A.010. This is in response to privacy concerns voiced by Patients.

You are responsible for recording and retaining the specific qualifying condition in the Patient’s medical record.

Is there a preferred browser to use with MCR?

MCR works on most browsers. However, the system runs best in Google Chrome.

We also recommend that you clear your internet browser history and completely shut down and restart your devices at least once a quarter.

How do I reactivate my account when it becomes inactive?

If your account has been inactive for more than 1 year, contact DOH to reactivate your account.

What are “Messages” in MCR?

This is a new feature that allows you to receive notices, reminders, and other communications from the DOH team or MCR itself. See View Message Notifications training (PDF).

Law Enforcement

How do I access MCR?

You can access MCR two ways:

Use the ACCESS System (PDF) through the Washington State Patrol’s Secure Database.
Enroll as a User in MCR (PDF) and complete the verification process with DOH.

How long does it take DOH to “Verify” my account in MCR?

Once you have registered in MCR, DOH may take up to 7 days to verify you in the system. Once verified, you will receive a notification from MCR confirming your access has been “verified” or “denied.”

Does registering for an MCR account allow me additional permissions?

No. Using the WSP’s ACCESS allows you to see the same information as accessing with an MCR account.

What actions can I take in MCR?

As a Law Enforcement user, you can only search by Patient or Designated Provider Recognition Card number.

Is there a preferred browser to use with MCR?

MCR works on most browsers. However, the system runs best in Google Chrome.

We also recommend that you clear your internet browser history and completely shut down and restart your devices at least once a quarter.

How do I reactivate my account when it becomes inactive?

If your account has been inactive for more than 1 year, contact DOH to reactivate your account.