Apply for your California Medical Marijuana Card

Based on California Proposition 215, also known as the Compassionate Use Act, California specifies the following conditions as qualifying for medical cannabis use:

• Anorexia
• Arthritis
• Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome)
• Cancer
• Chronic pain
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Migraines
• Persistent muscle spasms (including but not limited to spasms associated with multiple sclerosis)
• Seizures (including but not limited to epilepsy)
• Severe nausea
• Any type of chronic or ongoing medical symptom that either:
  (A) “Substantially limits the ability of the person to conduct one or more major life activities as defined in the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990” (Public Law 101-336).
  (B) If not alleviated, may cause serious harm to the patient’s safety or physical or mental health.

Patients must fill out the application form for the Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC) Program. To complete your application, you must include copies of the following items:

• Proof of Identity. Patients must be 18 or older with a valid government-issued state ID or driver’s license. You can also use a U.S. Passport or Veteran’s Administration cards.
• Proof of residency in California. This can be a vehicle registration, utility bill or rental/mortgage receipt. The proof should show your name and current California address.
• Written medical marijuana recommendation from a Veriheal doctor that medical cannabis use is necessary for one or more qualifying medical conditions
• Non-refundable application fee of $100 (or $50 for Medi-Cal beneficiaries.) Acceptable forms of payment are cash, credit, debit, cashier’s checks, and money orders (no personal checks are accepted).

Patients must be 18 or older with proof of California residency and written recommendation from a certified cannabis doctor that proves diagnosis from one of the state’s qualifying conditions.

Because California’s medical cannabis program is maintained at the county level, the state’s registration fee differs based on location. Generally, it costs between $20 to $100 to apply for or renew your California medical marijuana card with the state.

Medi-Cal beneficiaries may redeem 50% off their medical marijuana card fees, while the fees are waived entirely for applicants who participate in the state’s no-cost health programs.

The $99 fee from Veriheal includes your consultation fee, physician co-pay, and the medical evaluation for your medical marijuana recommendation.

Caregivers must also apply for a medical cannabis license like the patients they monitor. To be eligible for caregiver status, a person must have proof of California residence with a state license or identification card, live in the same county as the patient, and agree to be photographed.

Based on the law, a caregiver in the state must be a parent or guardian if the patient is under 18, consistently responsible for the patient’s well-being, help assist the patient with administration if necessary, and must not be the primary care physician of the patient.

California MMJ patients may purchase up to 8 oz of cannabis at a time, with no defined possession limit. Additionally, patients and caregivers have the right to travel with a certain amount of cannabis, and if confiscated upon a vehicle stop or arrest, the patient or caregiver is legally entitled to have the property returned.

Patients and caregivers are legally allowed to grow or possess up to 12 immature or 6 adult cannabis plants at time. Under no circumstance is a patient or caregiver allowed to sell the cannabis they cultivated or possess since a license to do so is necessary.

Every California county has their own local codes and zoning laws regarding the amount of cannabis patients in their district can cultivate or possess.

To renew your California medical marijuana card through Veriheal, you’ll need to schedule a renewal appointment with one of our physicians. They can confirm that you still need medical cannabis for your qualifying condition and help you with the renewal process. We will remind you when it’s almost time for your renewal appointment, or you can reach out to our Customer Service Department so we can assist you and apply a renewal discount for you.

A medical marijuana card in California is valid for one year.