Medical Marijuana Card Online questions and answers

Online Medical Marijuana Card and Renewal FAQ

What serious medical condition(s) do I need to have to qualify for a California medical marijuana card online?

A serious medical condition, as defined by Senate Bill 94 (Chapter 27, Statutes of 2017), is any of the following: 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.

I am a qualified California medical cannabis card patient. How and what documentation do I need to apply for a California medical cannabis card online?

You will need to fill out an Application/Renewal Form. You must reside in the California county where the application is submitted. You will need to provide current documentation with your application as follows:A copy of your medical recommendation.
Proof of identity. This can be a valid California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driver license or identification (ID) card or other valid government-issued photo ID card.
Proof of residency, such as:
Rental or mortgage agreement,
Utility bill, or
California DMV motor vehicle registration.
You must apply in person at your county program. There, you will be asked to:

Pay the fee required by your county program (not to exceed $100). Medi-Cal beneficiaries will receive a 50 percent reduction in the application fee (not to exceed $50), and the fees shall be waived for indigent patients who are eligible for and participate in the County Medical Services Program.
Have your photo taken at the county’s program office. This photo will appear on your MMIC.

How long will it take to get my California medical marijuana card online?

Once you submit your completed application form with the required documents (proof of residency, medical documentation, etc.) to your county program, the county has 30 days to verify your application. Once the application is verified, the county program has five days to make the MMIC available to you. It can take up to 35 days to receive your MMIC if the application is complete and the county program finds no reason to deny your application. If any information or documents are missing, this may delay processing your application. If this is the case, your county’s program will contact you within 30 days from the day you submit your application. If you do not receive your MMIC within 35 days, contact your county’s program.

How long is a California medical marijuana card valid for?

The California medical cannabis card may be valid up to one year. A primary caregiver MMIC will expire when the patient’s card expires even if it is less than 12 months.

How do I renew my California medical cannabis card online?

Renewing a California medical cannabis card online requires the same process as when you originally applied. This includes verifying your information and giving you a new California medical marijuana card and unique user identification number. If your medical documentation is still valid, you may use this for your renewal. It may be necessary for you to obtain new medical documentation. Your county program will verify any information they feel is necessary. You will need to contact their office for more information.

Can a minor apply for a California medical cannabis card online?

Yes. A minor (under 18 years of age) can apply as a medical cannabis patient or caregiver under certain conditions. Minors may apply for themselves as qualified patients if they are lawfully emancipated or have declared self-sufficiency status. If the minor has not declared self-sufficient status or is not emancipated, the county program is required to contact the minor’s parent, legal guardian, or person with legal authority to make medical decisions for the minor. This is to verify information on the Application/Renewal Form. An emancipated minor or the minor’s parent of a qualified patient may apply as a primary caregiver. If a minor declares status as a self-sufficient minor or is an emancipated minor, their county health department may require additional documentation. Contact your county’s program for more information on additional required documentation.

 

What can be proof of identity for a minor California medical cannabis patient?

Minors may use a valid government-issued photo identification, such as a California driver license or a California ID. A certified copy of a birth certificate can be sufficient proof of identity for a minor.

Is it required to include my medical condition records with my California medical cannabis card application?

No. MMICP offers a form to serve this purpose. The Written Documentation of Patients Medical Records Form. This is a form your attending physician can use to state in writing that you have a serious medical condition and that the use of medical marijuana is appropriate. The original is submitted with your application and a copy must be kept in your medical records at your physician’s office.

What is a California medical cannabis card(MMIC) and how can it benefit me?

The MMIC identifies the cardholder as a person protected under the provisions of Proposition 215 (The Compassionate Use Act, 1996) and Senate Bill 94 (Chapter 27, Statutes of 2017). It is used to help law enforcement identify the cardholder as being able to legally possess certain amounts of medical marijuana under specific conditions.

Under Proposition 64 (The Adult Use of Marijuana Act, 2016), patients who present a valid MMIC do not have to pay the sales and use tax when making retail purchases of medical cannabis, medical cannabis concentrate, edible medical cannabis products or topical cannabis. For more information, please visit the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration’s website.

How do I know if I qualify for a California medical cannabis card online?

You will need to discuss this with your attending medical cannabis physician. In order to qualify for the protections of Proposition 215 (The Compassionate Use Act of 1996) and Senate Bill 94 (Chapter 27, Statutes of 2017), you will need to be diagnosed with a serious medical condition. The diagnosis and your physician’s recommendation that the use of medical marijuana is appropriate for you must be documented in your medical records. You are required to visit with a California licensed medical cannabis card online via MMJ.com.

Is my California medical cannabis card valid in other California counties?

Yes. This is a statewide California medical cannabis card and registry program. Your California medical cannabis card can be used anywhere in California.

What information will appear on my California medical cannabis card?

A unique user identification number of the cardholder.
Date of expiration of the identification card.
Name and telephone number of the county program that has approved the application.
Internet address used to verify the validity of the MMIC.
Photo identification of the cardholder.
“Patient” or “Primary Caregiver” to specify the cardholder.

How much does it cost to apply for a California medical cannabis card after you receive a medical marijuana doctor's certification online?

All administrative costs for the Medical Marijuana Identification Card Program at the county level are fee supported.

Proposition 64 (The Adult Use of Marijuana Act, 2016), Health and Safety Code Section 11362.755 requires the county program to establish application fees for persons seeking to obtain, renew, or replace identification cards.

Pursuant to this law, county programs may charge an amount (not to exceed $100) per Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC) application or renewal, must give a 50 percent reduction per card for Medi-Cal eligible applicants, and waive fees for indigent patients who are eligible for, and participate in, the County Medical Services Program. The counties have authority to cover their expenses through the application fees; therefore, established fees will vary by county. Please contact your county program to find out what the MMIC fee is. This fee is not paid to MMJ.com.

How much medical cannabis can I have in my possession if I have a California medical marijuana card?

Per Health and Safety Code Section 11362.77, a qualified patient or primary caregiver may possess no more than eight (8) ounces of dried marijuana per qualified patient. In addition, a qualified patient or primary caregiver may also maintain no more than six (6) mature or twelve (12) immature marijuana plants.