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Get a California Medical Marijuana Card

See a CA-licensed medical marijuana doctor online in minutes and get the cannabis care you deserve.

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The key benefits of a medical marijuana card in California

  • Access to dispensaries

    Some local jurisdictions in California have restricted recreational access, so those with an MMIC have access to medical-only dispensaries in places with such restrictions.

  • Tax savings

    Save up to 7.25% in state taxes compared to recreational users. Save up to $130 per year based on $150 monthly spend.

  • Cultivation

    Medical and recreational cannabis users can grow up to 6 plants. Medical card holders (adults 21+) can obtain a grower’s certification which allows them to grow up to 99 plants.

  • Higher possession

    There is no defined possession limit for medical patients.

    Recreational users can possess 28.5 g of cannabis.

  • Access to higher quality / more potent products

    Medical patients may have access to higher-potency cannabis products (compared to recreational users).

  • Lower age restriction

    Patients 18+ can qualify for a medical card.

    Minors can also apply for a medical card if they have an approved caregiver.

    Recreational dispensaries are available to residents aged 21+.

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Get your CA med card approved in minutes.
It’s quick, easy, and convenient.

Getting approved for a California medical marijuana card has never been easier. With our online platform, you can register, consult with a doctor, and receive your certification in just a few minutes. Our process is designed to be quick, easy, and convenient, so you can get the relief you need without the hassle. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, anxiety, or another qualifying condition, our streamlined system ensures you can access medical marijuana swiftly and efficiently.

  1. step register

    1. Sign Up

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

  2. step doctor

    2. Meet Your Provider

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

  3. step card

    3. Get Your Certification

    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 a state medical marijuana dispensary.

  4. step state

    4. Complete the Application
    with the State of CA

    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.

A few more questions about the process?

Watch this video to learn more about getting a card in the California medical marijuana program.

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How much does the CA card cost?

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

label New with Leafwell Renewal with Leafwell
Medical marijuana certificate$35$35
State application fee (optional)$0-$100$0-$100
Total$35-$135$35-$135
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How to qualify for the California medical marijuana program

To apply to the California medical marijuana program, 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. Currently, California law states that those with the following conditions can receive a medical card:

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2 documents needed to apply for the California medical marijuana identification card program

To apply for a medical marijuana card in California, you must follow a few essential steps to ensure your eligibility and successful registration. The process begins by gathering the necessary documents and information, securing a medical marijuana recommendation, and providing proof of identity.

  1. Proof of Identity
    Driver’s license, state ID, passport, or government-issued photo ID card.
  2. Medical Marijuana Recommendation
    Consult with a registered MMJ physician who can evaluate your condition and provide a recommendation. It is essential to choose a physician who is experienced in treating patients with your specific condition, as they will be able to provide the necessary certification that forms a critical part of your application.
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Next steps after approval

Using Your California Medical Marijuana Recommendation

  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.

OPTIONAL: Register for the CA MMIC program at your local county office.

The state registration is completely optional. This allows you to obtain a state-issued card.

Why register?

  • 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.
  4. You will need to provide your certifying physician’s information (supplied in the PDF emailed to you after the appointment) as well as which medical board certified them:
    1. Dr. Abdulla – Medical Board of California
    2. Dr. Chang – Medical Board of California
    3. Dr. Epstein – Osteopathic Medical Board of California
    4. Dr. Jassey – Osteopathic Medical Board of California
    5. Dr. Moreland – Medical Board of California
    6. Dr. Niles – Medical Board of California
    7. Dr. Steinhardt – Medical Board of California

How to renew your medical marijuana ID card

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

Here is the process for getting your renewal letter:

  1. Sign in to your Leafwell account or register as a renewal patient.
  2. Speak to a California-licensed physician online.
  3. Get approved and download an electronic version of your recommendation letter.
  4. Purchase cannabis from a licensed medical dispensary. You will receive a hard copy of your recommendation in the mail within 3-5 business days.

Legal limitations for California cardholders

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.

Medical cannabis regulation regarding possession is important to consider. 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.

California medical marijuana program caregiver rules

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.


Can you use a California medical marijuana ID card in other states?

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.


Minor patient information

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.


May I purchase medical marijuana with only my doctor’s recommendation letter, or do I need the State of California’s Medical Marijuana Identification Card?

Yes, you can purchase medical marijuana in California (and in some other states) with only your doctor’s recommendation letter.

While some states permit California patients to purchase medical marijuana while visiting, most dispensaries will require you to have the official California Medical Marijuana Identification Card and will not accept your doctor’s recommendation letter. Click here for more information on applying for the California Medical Marijuana Identification Card.

FAQs

How do I apply to the state program in California?

Using Your California Medical Marijuana Recommendation
  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.*
  4. 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 3-5 business days.
  5. 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.
*Please note that a recreational dispensary may not accept the electronic recommendation and may require a hard copy letter. OPTIONAL: Register for the CA MMIC program at your local county office. The state registration is completely optional. This allows you to obtain a state-issued card. Why register?
  • 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.

How much medical marijuana am I allowed to possess in California with a medical marijuana recommendation?

In California, medical marijuana patients can possess up to 8 ounces or up to 60 grams of cannabis concentrate (1 oz. being equivalent to 8 grams) on their person. Patients or their caregivers can grow up to 6 mature plants or 12 immature plants, or a larger amount consistent with the patient's reasonable needs, not exceeding 99 plants. To grow more than 6 mature or 12 immature plants, patients will need to get a grower's recommendation in addition to their Leafwell doctor's recommendation. Recreational users can possess up to 28.5 grams of flower, 8 grams of concentrate, and 6 plants.

How often do I need to renew my California medical marijuana card?

California medical marijuana recommendations are valid for one year and can be renewed online. We recommend renewing 5-7 business days before your expiration date to avoid a lapse in coverage and limit any lost time on your current recommendation.

May I purchase medical marijuana with only my doctor's recommendation letter?

Yes, you can purchase medical marijuana in California (and in some other states) with only your doctor's recommendation letter. While some states permit California patients to purchase medical marijuana while visiting, most dispensaries will require you to have the official California Medical Marijuana Identification Card and will not accept your doctor's recommendation letter. Click here for more information on applying for the California Medical Marijuana Identification Card.

What are the medical marijuana laws in California?

1972 – California became the first state to vote on a ballot which argued for the legalization of cannabis. Proposition 19 would have legalized use, possession and cultivation of cannabis (but not commercial sales). It lost 33 percent to 67 percent but set California up as a state which would lead the way. 1996 – Medical marijuana law comes into effect – Proposition 215 refers to the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 which is still in effect today. This passage exempts patients and defined caregivers who possess or cultivate cannabis for medical treatment and who have a physician’s recommendation from punishment under state law. California was the first state to legalize medical cannabis. 2003 – Senate Bill 420 clarified much of the language in the initial law and established the current identification-card system for medical cannabis patients. 2016 – Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, legalized the recreational use of cannabis. It passed with 57 percent of the vote. Recreational cannabis enthusiasts can possess up to one ounce of cannabis flower or 8 grams of concentrate (e.g. hashish, wax, shatter). 2019 – Amendments were passed via Senate Bill 34 which allowes licensed retailers and dispensaries to provide medical cannabis for free to qualified patients who are for certain reasons unable to access product. 2020 – Governor Newsom issued an executive order which extended existing MMICs beyond the original expiration date due to Covid-19 and a lack of access to some facilities