Protect Yourself: How To Get A Medical Marijuana Card

Keep in mind: In California, it is not required to own a medical marijuana card in order to legally use medical marijuana. That said, owning a medical marijuana card could potentially help you avoid problems with law enforcement.

Below is the skimmed-down version of the instructions to apply for a medical marijuana card taken straight from the application.

Helpful links:
- Medical Marijuana Program Website
- A to Z listing of Medical Marijuana County Programs
- Medical Marijuana Card Application

MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM APPLICATION/RENEWAL INSTRUCTIONS

1. Provide a government-issued photo identification card (such as a driver’s license) issued to you.

2. Provide proof of your county residency with one of the following items:
- A current rent/mortgage receipt or recent utility bill in your name bearing your current address within the county;
- A current California motor vehicle registration in your name bearing your current address within the county; or
- A California Driver’s License or a California Identification Card issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) with your current address within the county listed.

3. Written documentation from your doctor recommending that the use of medical marijuana is appropriate for one or more of the following serious medical conditions you suffer from.

4. Your doctor may use the Written Documentation of Patient’s Medical Records form (CDPH 9044) to serve as the medical documentation. This form may be obtained from your county or from the California Department of Public Health web site at: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/MMP/Pages/default.aspx.

5. The administering agency is required to verify an applicant’s medical documentation. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the authorized medical release of information is on file with their medical provider.

6. Contact your local county health department for office locations and identification card fees.

7. Medi-Cal participation at the time of application entitles the applicant to a 50 percent reduction in fees. Application fees are nonrefundable.

8. If you submit an incomplete application and/or fail to provide all the previously mentioned information, your application will be denied and you may be restricted from reapplying for six months.