How to Renew Your Medical Marijuana Card (State-By-State)

Although the medical marijuana card renewal process is usually fast, you may need additional documentation and medical examinations to determine your eligibility for an extended certified status. Renewing early means you can avoid delays in obtaining your medicine. Fortunately, renewing a medical marijuana card is simple when you know what steps to take. And with services like NuggMD, you'll receive an alert before your card officially expires.

Why Renew? Keep Your Benefits!

Since licensed cannabis dispensaries must ask customers to present a medical card to make purchases – the only way to access cannabis in many states legally – you must renew your card to avoid losing access. Once you have all your documentation ready, completing the medical card renewal process takes minutes.

If you reside in a state with a recreational cannabis program, you may be wondering if there's any point in getting a medical cannabis card. Since some dispensaries are exclusive to medical cardholders, possessing one of these digital or plastic cards is crucial for obtaining products from your favorite brands. Having a card can also grant you access to higher possession limits, more concentrated products, and lower taxes when you purchase cannabis. 

Once you get confirmation that you can successfully renew an MMJ card, you'll be on the receiving end of ample benefits, such as:

• Access to Statewide Dispensaries - MMJ cardholders gain peace of mind because they have access to verifiable products, all of which undergo testing for quality and safety purposes. 
• Higher Possession Limits - Medical cannabis cardholders can legally acquire more plant-based medicines than those who buy products without a card. Many dispensaries will turn away customers if they are not registered cardholders. By purchasing more, patients can avoid making multiple trips to the dispensary and letting their supply run dry.
• Grow More Plants - Depending on the state where you reside, you may have the option to cultivate more plants for personal use than non-cardholders. Extended plant counts may be an option if more than the limit is needed. Some states strictly forbid registered patients from cultivating cannabis, so be cautious and read up on the laws in your state beforehand.
• Tax Exemptions and Discounts - In many states, medical cannabis is taxed at a much lower rate than recreational cannabis. In some, it's exempt from retail taxes altogether. Some stores also feature member discounts on selected products for cardholders.
• Stronger Potencies - Potency caps often cause an inconvenience for patients who have a high cannabinoid tolerance. Fortunately, some states allow MMJ cardholders to obtain medicine with increased THC and CBD percentages.
• Access to Cannabis in States with Reciprocity Programs - Nevada, Louisiana, Maryland, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C. are some examples of states with cannabis reciprocity programs. These programs allow you to travel to these states and gain access to their MMJ programs with your card.
• Lower Age Limits - Minors can obtain medicinal cannabis under the guidance of a parent or guardian, so long as the older individual agrees to register as their caregiver and accompany them to the necessary doctor's visits for enrollment purposes.
• Anti-discrimination legislation - Six states integrate anti-discrimination legislation into their cannabis acts, allowing protections for medical patients to receive organ transplants. They are California, Washington, Illinois, Arizona, Delaware, and New Hampshire.¹ 
• Employment Protections - Some states implement employment laws safeguarding employees from employer discrimination due to their medical cannabis patient status. These states include Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, and West Virginia. In addition, Washington, Nevada, New York, New Jersey,  Connecticut, Montana, Rhode Island, and California currently have employment protections for both medical and recreational cannabis users.

Medical cannabis card expiration means loss of privileges. You will not be able to use the card, nor will you be able to renew it since the account will no longer be valid for renewal. Instead, you will need to submit a completely new application. 

Renewal fees can be cheaper than reapplying, so you may need to part ways with more cash if you leave your card expired. Most states with MMJ programs will send registry members an email notification months or weeks before MMJ card expiration. Patients can typically submit renewal applications 60 days pre-expiry (an opportunity worth taking advantage of to prevent registration delays).

The Americans for Safe Access website provides further information about state-specific MMJ benefits, protections, and card costs.

How to Renew Your Medical Marijuana Card: State-by-State

In nearly all states, the date your card will expire is the exact date it was first authorized a year later, so keep an eye on that and mark your calendar at least 60 days beforehand to remind yourself to renew. 

Visiting a doctor before you renew a medical marijuana card is an integral step. This essential discussion with an issuing healthcare practitioner lays the foundation for MMJ authorization. During the meeting with a doctor, you may undergo routine healthcare examinations, including a physical assessment and blood tests. 

To paint a clearer picture of your medical cannabis needs, the doctor will also review your past medical records. A detailed discussion will ensue, and your doctor may ask questions similar to the following:

• What symptoms or ailments are causing you the most distress? By pinpointing your problem areas, a licensed medical cannabis health practitioner can advise the best course of treatment for your diagnosis. You must be diagnosed with one of the state's listed qualifying conditions to gain a renewal recommendation.
• Are you currently using another type of medication(s)? Drugs.com outlines 393 medications that cannabis purportedly reacts with, including some antidepressants, painkillers, sedatives, and anti-anxiety medications. The Washington D.C. Department of Health (DOH) also emphasizes cannabis' ability to cause adverse effects and drug interactions, so you must inform your doctor about any medication(s) you use. 
• Does your job involve heavy lifting or operating heavy machinery? If the answer is "yes," your doctor will likely recommend low-THC cannabis medications. As most medical cardholders know, cannabis' main psychotropic element, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), induces mind-altering states of awareness and may impair judgment; therefore, THC-dominant medications can be hazardous in specific scenarios.
• Do you have cardiovascular disease? If you have a history of heart disease or related problems, your doctor may not recommend a new MMJ card. Studies delving into cannabis' influence on heart health indicate that the plant may cause the heart to beat faster. 

Use this time to ask the physician any questions you might have. It's important to note that in many states, you can obtain an MMJ patient certification from any licensed practitioner or any licensed physician registered with the state's medical cannabis program; you do not have to visit the same doctor who issued your initial patient certification. 

Once the patient renews their MMJ authorization, they may visit a state-licensed medical cannabis dispensary in their area, where they provide an updated card. Most states permit online renewal, as do telemedicine services like NuggMD. The best time to renew is within the 60-day window from which you are informed about your card's imminent expiration, and rules are specific to each state.

Here's a state-by-state breakdown:

State	How Often Do You Need to Renew?	Do You Need a New Doctor’s Evaluation?	URL to Renew Registration with the State	Cost to Renew
AL	Every year	Yes	Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission	Not registering patients yet
AK	Every year	Yes	Medical Marijuana Registry - State of Alaska	Evaluation cost + $20.00
AR	Every year	Yes	Arkansas Department of Health	Evaluation cost + $50.00
AZ	Every two years	Yes	Arizona Department of Health Services	Evaluation cost + $150.00
CA	Every year	Yes	Department of Cannabis Control	Evaluation cost + up to $100.00
CO	Every year	Yes	Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment	Evaluation cost + $29.50
CT	Every year	Yes	Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection	Evaluation cost + $100.00
DC	Every two years	Yes	Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration	Evaluation cost + $100.00
DE	Every year	Yes	Delaware Health and Social Services	Evaluation cost + $50.00
FL	Every 210 days (follow-ups are usually around six months)	Yes	Florida Department of Health	Evaluation cost + $75.00
GA	Every five years	Yes	GA Access to Medical Cannabis Commission	Evaluation cost + $25.00
HI	Every year	Yes	State of Hawaii Department of Health	Evaluation cost + $38.50 for a one-year card, $77.00 for a two-year card
IA	Every year	Yes	The Office of Medical Cannabidiol	Evaluation cost + $100.00
ID	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
IL	Every 1 to 3 years	Yes	Illinois Department of Public Health	Evaluation cost + $50/one-year, $100/two-year, $125/three-year
IN	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
KS	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
KY	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
LA	Every year	Yes	Louisiana Department of Health	Evaluation cost + free state registration
MA	Every year	Yes	Cannabis Control Commission	Evaluation cost + free state registration
MD	Every 6 years	Yes	Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission	Evaluation cost + $25.00
ME	Every year	Yes	Office of Cannabis Policy	Evaluation cost + free state registration
MI	Every 2 years	Yes	Michigan Medical Marijuana Program	Evaluation cost + $40.00
MN	Every 3 years	Yes	Minnesota Department of Health	Evaluation cost + $200.00
MO	Every three years	Yes	Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services	Evaluation cost + $25.00
MS	Every year	Yes	Mississippi State Department of Health	Evaluation cost + $25.00
MT	Every year	Yes	Cannabis Control Division	Evaluation cost + $20.00
NC	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
ND	Every year	Yes	North Dakota Department of Health	Evaluation cost + $25.00
NE	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
NH	Up to three years	Yes	New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services	Evaluation cost + $50.00
NJ	Every 2 years, but renewals are annual	Yes	New Jersey Division of Medical Cannabis	Evaluation cost + $50.00
NM	Every 3 years	Yes	New Mexico Department of Health	Evaluation cost + free state registration
NV	Every year or two years depending on patient choice	Yes	Nevada Department of Health and Human Services	Evaluation cost + $50.00/one-year,$100/two-years
NY	Every year	Yes	New York Office of Cannabis Management	Evaluation cost + free state registration
OH	Every year	Yes	Medical Marijuana Control Program	Evaluation cost + $50.00
OK	Every two years	Yes	Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority	Evaluation cost + $100.00
OR	Every year	Yes	Oregon Health Authority	Evaluation cost + $200.00
PA	Every year	Yes	Pennsylvania Department of Health	Evaluation cost + $50.00
RI	Every year	Yes	Rhode Island Department of Health	Evaluation cost + free state registration
SC	N/A	Yes	N/A	N/A
SD	Every year	Yes	South Dakota Department of Health	Evaluation cost + $75.00
TN	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
TX	N/A	Yes	Texas Department of Public Safety	Evaluation cost + free state registration
UT	Every six months to one year, depending on provider	Yes	Utah Department of Health & Human Services	Evaluation cost + $15.00
VA	Every year	Yes	Cannabis Control Authority	Evaluation cost + $50.00
VT	Every year to three years depending on condition	Yes	Vermont Cannabis Control Board	Evaluation cost + $50.00
WA	Every year	Yes	Washington Department of Health	Evaluation cost + $1.00-$10.00
WI	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
WV	Every year	Yes	Office of Medical Cannabis	Evaluation cost + $50.00
WY	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Common Mistakes in Renewing an MMJ Card

The sooner you organize medical card renewal, the better. Missing expiration dates can be time-consuming, inconvenient, and expensive. Aside from the hassle of completing a new application, you'll be missing out on any price reductions or tax breaks exclusive to cardholders. If your specific state's patient program is limited to MMJ cardholders, you'll have to go without your medicine until you renew.

Going without medicine is not an option for some patients. Medical cannabis card expiration may disrupt a patient's life and could even endanger those unable to obtain secondary medications or alternative therapies during the renewal/reapplication phase. 

For these reasons, medical cannabis patients must avoid making MMJ renewal mistakes that might leave them panicking about their medicine. Here are some common MMJ card renewal blunders to sidestep:

• Missing Expiration Date - Enable email notifications on your chosen device to receive an email 60 days before the patient certification and ID card terminate. At this point, your provider will inform you that it is time to acquire a new MMJ certification.
• Expecting Automatic Renewal - Automatic renewal is impossible since you must first meet with a doctor to reconfirm an existing diagnosis or acknowledge a new medical condition. Avoid a dilemma by setting aside enough time to submit a new application online, by phone, by mail, or in person (depending on your state-specific application guidelines).
• Failing to Obtain New Documentation - As mentioned earlier, you must visit a licensed healthcare practitioner who can provide a written or digital recommendation highlighting your reason for medical cannabis use. 
• Failing to Upload New Photo - Just as you need to update your driver's license or passport photo with each renewal, you may also need to upload a new picture for your updated MMJ card in many states. Clear images with white backgrounds and natural lighting will work well.
• Clarifying caregiver(s) - If you have a designated caregiver(s) and would like them to continue as your caregiver(s), you must extend or renew their registry card at the same time. 
• Entering Inaccurate Information - Even the slightest error when submitting your given name(s), date of birth, social security number, and address will delay MMJ card renewal. Have your state-issued ID on hand to match the info exactly as it reads on the card. 

Medical cannabis card extension and renewal are two different things. Some states, such as Illinois, implemented rules that allow medical cannabis card extension from the onset for a specific period, i.e., one year typically to a maximum of three, after which patients must renew their card or file a new application. Usually, extensions do not require a healthcare professional consultation for updated online certification, whereas renewals and new applications do.

Why Renew Your Medical Marijuana Card With NuggMD

Navigating the rocky legal landscape of medical cannabis alone can be tricky. From ever-changing laws to complicated state regulations and even finding a doctor willing to recommend cannabis, going it alone can be difficult.

The benefits of NuggMD make it a solid choice over the alternatives. Wouldn't you rather avoid trying to track down a medical cannabis provider in your area, driving to their office, sitting in a stuffy waiting room full of sick people, and having a potentially awkward conversation face-to-face? With NuggMD you get to skip the hassle while still getting top-notch support throughout the entire process.

Even if you saw a different doctor previously, you can renew your MMJ card through NuggMD. Speaking with one of our experts is an effective way of diffusing any awkwardness you may feel when discussing cannabis-based medicines, from legal protections & tax reduction info to qualifying conditions, eligibility criteria, and possible side effects. 

Our MMJ renewal service is 100% online, including the physician meeting. Depending on your state, we will conduct an evaluation for $39-$199. Payment is secure, as are any private details you submit to our online application form. Plus, we'll only bill you if you gain approval, after which you’ll receive an official MMJ recommendation to renew an MMJ card (or start a brand new application).

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When Do Medicinal Marijuana Cards Expire? 

Most states offer patients the option to renew their MMJ card for one year, but check your state laws (or ask one of our doctors) for confirmation. Some medical cards may last for just a few months or 2-3 years. NuggMD abides by the rules of each participating state's market.

How Long is the Physician's Recommendation Valid?

Recommendations typically last as long as your ID is valid. Check your state's website to confirm, or contact NuggMD's incredible support team.

What Happens if I Don't Renew My MMJ Card?

Patients cannot participate in the medical market once their med card expires. Unless a state has an adult-use market, patients can no longer legally obtain cannabis. Avoid this outcome by starting your renewal process 30 to 60 days before your card expires. 

What are the Requirements for MMJ Renewal?

Most states require similar documents during your initial signup. Expect to include your ID, proof of residency, and a doctor's recommendation.

What are the Fees Involved in Renewing My Medical Cannabis Card?

Fees vary by state, including registration fees (optional in some states) and the cost of your medical cannabis evaluation (an evaluation is necessary in all states, but not in Washington DC for patients 21 and older who may self-certify). 

Do I Need to Update Any Information to Renew My MMJ Card?

You must submit a new doctor recommendation to any state requiring it. States may require additional information. Be sure to consult your state's medical cannabis website for more details.

Can I Renew My Medical Card Online?

Renewing an MMJ card online is one of the most popular ways to apply. This option enables patients to consult with a knowledgeable doctor who can recommend specific cannabis-based treatments for relief from widespread ailments and conditions specific to age, genetic or medical history, and personal lifestyle choices.

References

1. Ryan JE, McCabe SE, Boyd CJ. Medicinal Cannabis: Policy, Patients, and Providers. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice. 2021;22(2):152715442198960. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/1527154421989609 ↩︎

The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.