What Does A Medical Marijuana Card Look Like? A Visual Guide

Thirty-eight states have now legalized some form of medical marijuana, and roughly half of the country has approved adult-use (recreational) cannabis. Millions of people around the United States are registered for medical cannabis, and one of the most common questions many people have when signing up is what a medical card looks like. While recreational users don’t receive a card, medical patients do. Becoming a patient can open you up to a range of benefits that you wouldn’t otherwise be eligible for.

There are several unique benefits of getting a medical marijuana card. One of the most notable is lowered costs since medical patients are often exempt from certain taxes. This can add up to thousands of dollars in savings a year. You are also able to grow more plants, purchase and possess more cannabis, and access higher-potency strains than recreational users.

Many of the thousands of dispensaries open across the country are medical-only. Having your med card enables you to visit more dispensaries and allows you to buy cannabis at 18 instead of 21. Finally, you have stronger legal protections and an easier time traveling from one state to another. Many states with medical programs offer reciprocity, which means your out-of-state medical card can be used to purchase cannabis at their dispensaries.

Once you sign up for your state’s medical marijuana program, you’ll receive your card and can begin making purchases. Below, we’ll discuss what you can expect from your medical card.

What Does a Medical Marijuana Card Look Like?

Medical cards vary in appearance from one state to another. They can also look different depending on the service you acquire your card through. Some states offer virtual cards, while others may only provide physical versions. Additionally, there can be variations between patient and caregiver cards. On the whole, most medical cards look like a typical ID, although more specific to cannabis.

Front

Despite the variations between cards, there are a few basic things you can expect from your medical card. Your name, picture, address, registry ID number, and birthday will likely all be on the front of the card. The front will also have the date issued and the expiration date, but the duration of these dates will vary based on your state.

Back

The back of the card will have a barcode or black strip, similar to those on debit and credit cards. This allows your budtender to swipe the ID and verify that you’re a registered patient in their system. They can also track your purchase limits this way to ensure you don’t buy more than the legal limit. There may be warnings or other legal requirements on the back, but this depends on state laws.

Do All States Have a Physical Medical Card?

Not all states offer physical copies of medical cards. Some provide them virtually, such as through an app, or they give patients both physical and virtual cards. However, the majority of states still offer physical cards.

Interestingly enough, there are a couple of states (such as Texas) that don’t offer cards at all. Instead, you’ll be listed in a registry that your budtender can cross-check with your state ID.

States With a Physical Card

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Louisiana – you can receive a faxed copy of your certificate from your pharmacist
• Maine – paper certificate only
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• New York
• New Jersey
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington
• West Virginia

States With a Digital Card

• Minnesota
• Virginia – you’ll receive both digital and physical cards
• Texas
• West Virginia
• Ohio
• Illinois
• New York
• New Jersey
• Missouri
• Iowa

Frequently Asked Questions

The following frequently asked questions can better help you prepare to get your own medical marijuana card.

Do medical marijuana cards in all states look the same?

No. There are many variations between medical cards in different states, although most of them present the same information in a fairly similar way.

Are there digital medical marijuana cards? 

Yes. Certain states provide virtual medical cards to patients, which are often through an app you can keep on your cell phone.

Where do I find my medical card number?

Typically, your medical card number will be printed on the front of your medical marijuana card. It will be listed along with your name, address, date of birth, and card expiration date.

Can I print a temporary medical card?

Certain states, such as California, may allow you to print a temporary version of your medical card while you wait for your physical copy to arrive. If this is allowed in your state, you’ll receive instructions on how to proceed.

Apply For a Medical Marijuana Card Today

If you’re ready to get a medical cannabis card, Veriheal is the quickest, easiest, and most professional way to do so. Getting a medical card opens you up to higher purchase limits, enhanced legal protection, stronger strains, more dispensaries, and a host of other benefits. To learn more about how cannabis can help you with a number of different mental and physical health issues, schedule an appointment with one of our doctors today.