4 Easy Steps: How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in California

We all know cannabis is easily accessible in California - so why bother getting a medical card? Let us explain. For starters, you can save thousands of dollars a year as a medical cardholder. California MMJ patients are subject to lower tax rates, and in some instances, cardholders are exempt from state sales tax altogether. You can also buy, possess, and grow a lot more as a MMJ patient than a recreational customer. In fact, MMJ cardholders can possess up to 8oz of product at a time, compared to the 1oz that recreational users are limited to. Continue reading to see just how fast and easy it is to get a medical marijuana card online in California.
01

Register with MMJ Card Online

The first step to getting your California medical marijuana card is to register with MMJCardOnline. By simply filling out the submission form above, we can put you in touch with a physician in minutes to complete the telemedicine consultation.

02

Complete Your Telemedicine Consultation

Your telemedicine consultation is your chance to discuss your ongoing symptoms. After just a few minutes, the doctor will determine whether you are a candidate for a California Medical Marijuana Card.

03

Submit Your Application & Receive Your Official MMJ Email

Once you’ve finished the consultation, the doctor will submit an application to the state’s MMJ program. Once approved (often in minutes), you’ll receive an official email which you can use to begin purchasing cannabis meds.

04

Enjoy the Benefits of a CA MMJ Patient!

Now it’s time to enjoy the benefits of being an official California Medical Cannabis Patient!

It's as SIMPLE as That!

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Additional Information on Applying for a Medical Marijuana Card in California

California Medical Marijuana Card Qualifying Conditions

To be eligible for a California MMJ card, you must have been diagnosed by a doctor with one (or more) of these qualifying medical conditions:

Patient Qualifying Conditions

  • HIV/AIDS
  • Cancer
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Glaucoma
  • Side effects of radiation therapy
  • Arthritis
  • Chronic pain
  • Anxiety
  • Migraine headaches
  • Severe nausea
  • Cachexia, or wasting syndrome
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Anorexia
  • A persistent or chronic medical symptom causing serious harm to the patient’s mental or physical health if not treated

General Guidelines

Next, we will outline how to renew your California medical marijuana card and provide you with important information regarding caregiver rules.

Medical Marijuana Card Renewal in California

California MMJ cards are valid for one year; therefore, you must renew it before it expires. Fortunately, completing the process online is extremely simple. It involves pretty much the same steps as getting your card for the first time. Again, schedule an online consultation with a licensed physician to expedite the evaluation process. Remember, MMJCardOnline can help you with this.

Some companies will let you renew your MMJ card for as little as $39. Once you have the physician’s certification, you can resubmit the Medical Marijuana Program Renewal/Application Form to the California Department of Public Health.

Please keep in mind that renewal can take up to 30 days, so start the process at least one month before your MMJ card expires. However, with MMJCardOnline and its partners, you could receive your card within 3-5 business days when you apply online.

Caregiver Rules

You can assign a caregiver to assist you with your MMJ needs, but they must be over the age of 18. However, there are exceptions, such as they are an emancipated minor or they are the parent of a qualified patient who is a minor.

Caregivers who care for more than one patient must live in the same Californian county as you. They can possess up to eight ounces and are subject to the same growing regulations as qualified patients.

Primary caregivers have to apply in person with the patient and present valid identification.

Finally, according to the Department of Cannabis Control’s website, you can appoint a primary caregiver who is the owner or operator of one of these California-licensed facilities:

  • A hospice
  • A clinic
  • Home health agency

History of Cannabis in California

California was the first state in the modern era to legalize medical marijuana. The Golden State eventually authorized MMJ via Proposition 215 in 1996 after a lengthy battle by cannabis activists that saw numerous setbacks. However, the program did not establish an ID card system for medical marijuana patients until Senate Bill 420 was passed in 2003.

Despite being the first American state to legalize medical marijuana, California remained firm on recreational marijuana for the next two decades. Finally, in 2016, Proposition 64 became law, allowing adults over the age of 21 to buy and possess up to 1oz of marijuana, with sales starting on January 1, 2018.

California Medical Marijuana Laws and Rules

Just because California has legalized adult-use marijuana, it doesn’t mean that the state is a free-for-all with no consequences. It’s legal to possess up to one ounce of cannabis without an MMJ card if you are 21 or older; however, carrying 28.5 grams or more is a misdemeanor punishable by a six-month jail sentence. The penalty is the same whether you have more than 8g of concentrate, grow more than six plants, or sell any amount of marijuana without the necessary licensing.

If you’re over 18 and sell marijuana to someone under the age of 17, you’ve committed a felony. If you wish to buy and possess additional cannabis and have one of the qualifying medical conditions for medicinal cannabis, you should seriously consider getting a California MMJ card.

FAQ About Getting an MMJ Card in California

How long does it take to get a Medical Marijuana Card in California?

Using the standard paper application, it may take up to 35 days to receive your California MMJ card. However, with the help of MMJCardOnline and our partners, you could get approved in minutes, meaning you get your California MMJ card in the mail within a few business days.

What if I'm not approved?

MMJCardOnline users have an extremely high approval rate. To increase your chances of success, please read the information in this guide before applying. In the unlikely event, you're not approved, you will receive a full refund.

How much is it for a Medical Card in California?

If you apply the traditional way, i.e., via a paper application, you will have to pay a $100 application fee and a physician's fee, which varies greatly. Therefore, getting your recommendation online is much more beneficial. By registering with MMJCardOnline you will pay just $49, and receive a full refund if for whatever reason you are not approved.

Medi-Cal recipients receive a 50% discount; the maximum application fee is $50. If you are in receipt of healthcare through a medically-indigent service program, you do not have to pay an application fee.

What Type of Cannabis Can I Purchase in California?

You have numerous options when you have a California MMJ card. Californian dispensaries provide marijuana flower, concentrates, edibles, lotions, patches, tinctures, and other cannabis products.

How Much Cannabis Can I Buy and Possess?

Reportedly, California MMJ cardholders may possess and transport up to eight ounces of dried marijuana. However, always check what your county laws permit.

Where can I Legally Purchase MMJ in California?

California has nearly 900 legal dispensaries, but there are around 3,000 unregistered dispensaries in the state! As a result, please make certain that the dispensary you use is completely licensed by the state.

Can I Take my MMJ to a Different State?

Marijuana is federally illegal, so it is not lawful to cross state lines with it in your possession.

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