Get Your California Medical Marijuana Card Online in Minutes

In order to qualify for medical cannabis in California, you must be a permanent resident of the state over the age of 18. Minor patients can also apply with the permission of a parent or legal guardian who must be designated as their primary caregiver. While California does have a list of qualifying medical conditions, the state also allows physicians to use their own discretion in recommending cannabis to patients they feel will benefit from it. As long as you’re a California resident and your physician thinks medical cannabis is a good fit, you can qualify for the state’s program.

Find answers to other common CA patient FAQs.

Common qualifying conditions for medical marijuana card in California include:

* AIDS
* Anorexia
* Arthritis
* Cachexia
* Cancer
* Chronic pain
* Glaucoma
* Migraines
* Severe nausea
* Muscle spasms
* Seizures

CA physicians may also recommend medical cannabis for any chronic or persistent symptoms that significantly limit daily activities or pose a serious risk to your physical or mental health if left untreated. Even if your condition isn’t listed, it’s still worth consulting with a physician about medical cannabis.

Yes. California law allows physicians to recommend cannabis for “any other chronic or persistent symptom that either substantially limits a person’s ability to conduct one or more of major life activities as defined by the ADA or may cause serious harm to the person’s safety, mental, or physical health if not alleviated.” As long as your condition is serious enough or there’s a documented history of the condition being treated effectively with cannabis, there’s a chance you can find a physician willing to recommend medical cannabis.

A California medical marijuana card gives you access to a broader range of cannabis products, including high-THC options unavailable to recreational users. Patients can also purchase up to 8 ounces at a time (compared to 1 ounce for recreational users) and enjoy exclusive discounts at some dispensaries. Additionally, California law offers medical marijuana patients special legal protections that aren’t available to recreational consumers, such as parental rights and ensuring eligibility for organ transplants.

State registration for a Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC) in California is optional and the cost varies by county. In general, MMIC registration costs $100, or $50 if you have Medi-Cal. Fees are payable by cash or money order, and county registration fees may vary.

The optional state registration is separate from the cost of a medical cannabis evaluation. NuggMD offers low-cost, risk-free evaluations in California, and you only pay if you’re approved for medical cannabis.

Cannabis remains illegal on the federal level, even for medical use. It’s specifically designated as a Schedule 1 substance with no medical applications. Because of federal law, insurance companies do not cover the cost of medical cannabis.

When you get your medical cannabis evaluation with NuggMD, you’ll receive an electronic copy of your recommendation and be eligible to purchase medical cannabis within 24 to 48 hours after approval.

If you choose to register for an MMIC card for added legal protections and tax benefits, it can take your county’s health department up to 35 days to issue your MMIC. While waiting, you can still use your digital or printed recommendation to purchase medical cannabis.

With NuggMD, you are ONLY charged for your evaluation if you are approved. We believe everyone deserves access to a qualified medical cannabis doctor, and the cost of an evaluation shouldn’t be a barrier.

We provide a full refund within 14 days for California residents if you have not used the certification at any dispensary. If you sign up and pay for your evaluation, but then cancel before your evaluation, there is a small $10 fee for the payment processing. Please send an email to support@nuggmd.com with the subject line “Refund Request” and a brief description of your issue. We want to make sure you are 100% satisfied with your purchase being that you, the customer, is the most important thing to us. Once you are refunded, we are legally required to deactivate your medical recommendation and ID. You will not be able to use your recommendation legally at any dispensary in California, nor benefit from the legal coverage a medical recommendation offers. Once a refund has been initiated, please allow for 3-5 business days for the funds to transfer back to the card you used for the transaction. If any issues arise, please feel free to reach back out for further assistance.

In California, any state-licensed medical doctor (MD), doctor of osteopathy (OD), or podiatrist is qualified to recommend medical cannabis. You’re completely free to see a different doctor than before so long as your new doctor is willing to take on these duties. All NuggMD physicians meet the state’s requirements to recommend medical cannabis. They’re comfortable discussing medical cannabis and knowledgeable about how it can help. It’s a good idea to bring your medical records to help them evaluate you.

This depends on the state to which you’re traveling. Each state has different rules regarding reciprocity, and some don’t allow it at all. Check with your destination state to learn more.

In order to register with the state and receive a state-issued MMIC, you will need a valid California ID or driver’s license. However, the requirements for a medical cannabis recommendation aren’t as strict. Some doctors may ask to see a state ID before providing a recommendation, but there are plenty of others who only need proof that you’re a California resident. If you can provide another form of ID, like a passport or ID from another state, along with proof that you’re living in California, like a lease, bank statement, or utility bill with your CA address, you can still receive a medical cannabis recommendation.

Read more about California’s cannabis laws and regulations.