Get a California Medical Marijuana Card.
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It's quick, easy, and convenient.

No appointment needed. Register with Leafwell on any device and consult with one of our licensed physicians in minutes.

After finishing your application, you’ll be connected with a state-licensed provider, typically in 10 minutes or less.

We’ll immediately email your certificate after your successful appointment. Your certificate is valid for one year and includes an ID number that allows you to visit dispensaries in California.

Fill out your application with the California Department of Public Health and pay your non-refundable application fee. This is optional, but there are additional benefits.

Have Questions?

See a detailed step-by-step explainer on how to apply for your California medical marijuana identification card (MMIC).

Benefits of Getting a California Medical Card

Wondering how a medical marijuana card in California can transform your cannabis experience?

State-Specific Steps

Embarking on your journey to relief in California is simple. Let our caring specialists guide you through the state-specific steps to obtain your medical cannabis card.

1. Book An Appointment with Leafwell
2. Get Your Digital Medical Marijuana Certification
3. Receive Your Physical Card in the Mail
4. Register with CA’s Department of Health (Optional)

Watch this video on how to get a medical card in California

Best Care, Best Value

Our mission of increasing medical cannabis access means offering the highest-quality service at the best price. Here's what you need to know about the costs associated with medical marijuana cards in California.

Retail price as of 09/04/2024

What You Pay with Leafwell

Qualified patients in California save more with Leafwell. Get your money back if not approved.

Qualifying Conditions

Currently, California law states that those with the following conditions can receive a medical card:

• AIDS/HIV
• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Chronic Pain, Muscle Pain and Other Types of Pain
• Eating Disorders (e.g. Anorexia, Bulimia, Obesity)
• Glaucoma
• Headache & Migraine
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Muscle Spasms
• Seizures and Seizure Disorders

Additionally, physicians may recommend cannabis to qualified patients with a condition or symptoms that limit their ability to conduct major life activities or for symptoms that can cause serious harm to their physical or mental health and safety.

Convenient, Quality Care When You Need It Most

With Leafwell, you'll be matched up with a highly knowledgeable, empathetic, licensed medical marijuana doctor or provider.

What You Need to Know

Eligibility / Patient To apply for a Medical Marijuana Card or recommendation in California, you must be a legal resident of the state. Patients must be aged 18 or over to apply for a medical marijuana card, and minors can have caregivers apply on their behalf.

Caregiver If the patient is a minor or needs assistance accessing medical cannabis, these patients can assign a caregiver to complete the process on their behalf. Caregivers must be at least 18 years old.

Can Minors Qualify? Yes, minors under 18 can have caregivers apply on their behalf. Like adult patients, minors must obtain a qualified healthcare provider’s recommendation. During the application process, minors must designate a caregiver, who must submit their own application and identifying materials.

What You Need

You’ll need to provide the following to apply for a California medical marijuana identification card:

Medical Marijuana Recommendation A copy of the medical marijuana recommendation from your healthcare provider.

Next Steps After Approval

Congrats on getting your medical certification! You’re almost there, but there are a few more steps to get your CA Medical Marijuana Card. Let’s dive in!

• Download Letter: Download an electronic version of your healthcare provider’s recommendation letter
• Start Shopping: Purchase cannabis from a licensed medical dispensary. You will receive a hard copy of your recommendation within 7-10 business days

How to Renew Your Card

There is no difference between getting a recommendation letter as an existing cardholder or as a new medical cannabis patient.

See more detailed information on renewing your medical card here.

Legal Topics

As a medical marijuana cardholder or user with an ID number on the registry, knowing what your card/ID number permits is essential. While recreational and medical cannabis are both legal in California, you must be aware of several laws.

You cannot exceed the equivalent possession amounts if you carry both concentrate and flower. This means you cannot have both an ounce of dried cannabis flower and eight grams of concentrate simultaneously.

Some restrictions apply to both recreational and medical marijuana users alike. They include:

• No smoking cannabis where smoking tobacco is not permitted.
• No smoking cannabis in public unless allowed by public ordinance; doing so could result in a fine, especially if you are near a government building, public park, main street, or anywhere where there might be large congregations of children.
• Using cannabis while driving is illegal. You cannot legally drive when under the influence of cannabis, and any cannabis kept in the car with you must be kept locked away and out of sight. Passengers in the vehicle are not legally allowed to consume cannabis while in a vehicle.
• You cannot ingest cannabis within 1,000 feet of a school, daycare center, or youth center unless you are in a private residence and any cannabis smell or smoke is not detectable by children.
• Any cannabis must be kept out of reach of children. Treat it as you would any other medication and lock it away. Your Second Amendment right to bear arms is also affected.

Caregivers

Medical cannabis caregivers must be at least 18 and meet the following criteria to apply:

• The person you care for is legally entitled to use medical marijuana.
• You meet the legal definition of a primary caregiver under the Compassionate Use Act. “Primary caregiver” means the individual designated by the person exempted under this section who has consistently assumed responsibility for the housing, health, or safety of that person.

Primary caregivers may possess and cultivate an amount of marijuana reasonably related to the patient’s current medical needs. A caregiver may apply for a Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC) but does not need to do this, just as patients don’t need a card.

Reciprocity

California does not have medical marijuana reciprocity. Thankfully, since the state does allow for adult-use cannabis sales, you do not need your medical card from another state to buy cannabis in California as long as you are over 21.

Many other states and territories, however, have medical marijuana reciprocity and accept out-of-state cards. However, most states require a state-issued card like the MMIC, so a regular California recommendation may not be accepted for reciprocity in the following states:

• Arizona
• Arkansas *
• Delaware
• Hawaii *
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Michigan (at the dispensary’s discretion)
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey *
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma *
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• U.S. Virgin Islands *
• Utah * (up to two 21-day periods in a calendar year)
• Washington, D.C.

*Visitors must complete a visiting patient application with the state program.

FAQs

How much does a California medical marijuana certificate and card cost?

An online consultation for a California medical marijuana certificate costs $35; a Leafwell patient ID card can be added for $24. We also offer certifications for minors with parent/legal guardian consent for $99. The consultation fee includes a 1-year certification and physical and digital recommendation letters. Patients who add the Leafwell patient ID card will receive the card with their hard-copy recommendation in the mail. You will only be charged if approved. Plus, now you can sign up with a friend and each save 10% on your consultation with Leafwell. Applying for the state-issued Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC) is optional and can be done through your county’s health department. Each county in California can set its own price for the MMIC, but cannot exceed $100. A 50% reduction per card is available across all participating counties for Medi-Cal-eligible applicants. Patients participating in the County Medical Services Program may have this fee waived entirely.

What medical conditions qualify for a medical marijuana card in California?

• AIDS
• Anorexia
• Arthritis
• Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome)
• Cancer
• Chronic pain
• Glaucoma
• Migraine
• Persistent muscle spasms (e.g., spasms associated with multiple sclerosis)
• Seizures (e.g., epileptic seizures)
• Severe nausea
• Any other chronic or persistent medical symptom that either substantially limits a person’s ability to conduct one or more of major life activities as defined in the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or if not alleviated, may cause serious harm to the person’s safety, physical, or mental health.

What do I need to know about applying for my medical cannabis card in California online?

1. Register with Leafwell and speak to a California-licensed physician online. Consultations cost $35 and you'll only be charged if approved.
2. Get approved and download an electronic version of your doctor's recommendation letter.
3. Purchase cannabis from a licensed medical dispensary. You will receive a hard copy of your recommendation within 7-10 business days.

How old do I have to be to apply for a medical marijuana card in California?

You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a California medical marijuana recommendation. Minor patients may apply with parental/guardian consent. Caregivers must be 18 or older.

Can I be/have a caregiver for a medical marijuana patient in California?

• At least 18 years of age.
• As a primary caregiver, you cannot apply for an MMIC for yourself.
• Provide proof of identity (California driver's license, California ID card, or other government-issued photo ID card).
• If working for more than one patient, you must reside in the same county.
• If you no longer work for a patient, you must return your MMIC for confidential destruction to the county program that issued the card.

1. You must apply in person with your patient at their county program.
   1. Your patient will need to check the appropriate box on the top of the application form to include a primary caregiver.
   2. Primary caregivers cannot apply for an MMIC. The patient under your care is responsible for applying for your MMIC.
   • Primary Caregiver FAQ
   • County Program Locations

   How do I apply to the state program in California?

   1. Download the pdf of your Doctor's recommendation letter from your Leafwell patient dashboard.
   2. Save it to your device.
   3. You can start using this electronic copy immediately at a licensed medical dispensary*. You will receive a hard copy of your recommendation letter and, if you chose our $59 plan, a physician-issued Leafwell patient ID card in the mail within 7-10 business days. *Please note that a recreational dispensary may not accept the electronic recommendation and may require a hard copy letter.
   4. Once you receive your hard copy recommendation, you can then legally purchase medical marijuana from any licensed dispensary. To purchase medical marijuana you will need to bring a hard copy of your Leafwell doctor's recommendation letter or your Leafwell patient ID card, and a valid form of photo identification, such as a driver's license, with you to the dispensary.
   • You will not have to pay sales and use tax when making retail medical marijuana purchases.
   • A Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC) identifies you as protected under Proposition 215 and Senate Bill 94.
   • An MMIC helps law enforcement identify you as legally allowed to possess certain amounts of cannabis under specific conditions.

   Registration Fees

   • These vary county to county but the maximum you can be charged is $100.
   • A 50% fee reduction is issued per card if you are eligible for Medi-Cal.
   • Fees are waived for indigent patients who are eligible for and participate in, the Country Medical Services Program.

   Registration Process

   1. This process requires an in-person application at your county office.
   2. You will receive an official state-issued card, and any dispensary or law enforcement agency can verify your patient number online immediately.
   3. It is your option to designate a primary caregiver and apply for their identification card at the time you submit your application.