Get Your California Medical Marijuana Card Online in Minutes
Get approved today in minutes with the nation’s #1 trusted med card provider.
Not in California?
Not in California?
How to Get a Medical Card in California in Minutes
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1. Signup
Fill out a 30-second, confidential questionnaire. We’ll send it to one of our available medical marijuana doctors for review.
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2. Chat with a Doctor Today
Our state-certified medical practitioners are standing by to help answer your questions and evaluate your cannabis needs. As soon as you're approved, you'll receive your PDF certification via email. Your California certification is valid for one year.
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3. Visit Any Dispensary
Once you receive your recommendation, you have everything you need to visit a dispensary and purchase medical cannabis. Patients who register for a county-issued medical marijuana card (optional) get to purchase their cannabis sales tax free.
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Why get a medical cannabis card in California?
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Trusted and loved by over 2M people.
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" Professionalism at its finest... Everything went so smooth and I didn't even have to wait 45 minutes in an office with sick people. Getting my card was so EASY! I couldn't be happier with the service."
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" I really liked how quick and painless the process was. The doctor took the time to talk to me about cannabis and give me some information on best practices. Thank you NuggMD!"
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" Hello to the future! In just 5 minutes, the doctor called me, asked about my medical history, and that's it! Renewal in and faster than driving to the store. Im still in shock. Somebody pinch me!"
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" My mom used to tell me: 'If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!' This may be the one time she was wrong. (Sorry Ma). NuggMD is the only place you need to get your med card in CA."
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" Professionalism at its finest... Everything went so smooth and I didn't even have to wait 45 minutes in an office with sick people. Getting my card was so EASY! I couldn't be happier with the service."
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" I really liked how quick and painless the process was. The doctor took the time to talk to me about cannabis and give me some information on best practices. Thank you NuggMD!"
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" Hello to the future! In just 5 minutes, the doctor called me, asked about my medical history, and that's it! Renewal in and faster than driving to the store. Im still in shock. Somebody pinch me!"
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" My mom used to tell me: 'If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!' This may be the one time she was wrong. (Sorry Ma). NuggMD is the only place you need to get your med card in CA."
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" Professionalism at its finest... Everything went so smooth and I didn't even have to wait 45 minutes in an office with sick people. Getting my card was so EASY! I couldn't be happier with the service."
-
" I really liked how quick and painless the process was. The doctor took the time to talk to me about cannabis and give me some information on best practices. Thank you NuggMD!"
-
" Hello to the future! In just 5 minutes, the doctor called me, asked about my medical history, and that's it! Renewal in and faster than driving to the store. Im still in shock. Somebody pinch me!"
-
" My mom used to tell me: 'If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!' This may be the one time she was wrong. (Sorry Ma). NuggMD is the only place you need to get your med card in CA."
-
" Professionalism at its finest... Everything went so smooth and I didn't even have to wait 45 minutes in an office with sick people. Getting my card was so EASY! I couldn't be happier with the service."
-
" I really liked how quick and painless the process was. The doctor took the time to talk to me about cannabis and give me some information on best practices. Thank you NuggMD!"
-
" Hello to the future! In just 5 minutes, the doctor called me, asked about my medical history, and that's it! Renewal in and faster than driving to the store. Im still in shock. Somebody pinch me!"
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" My mom used to tell me: 'If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is!' This may be the one time she was wrong. (Sorry Ma). NuggMD is the only place you need to get your med card in CA."
Qualifying conditions in California
Most Common Conditions
All Conditions
- AIDS
- Anorexia
- Arthritis
- Cachexia
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Glaucoma
- Migraines
- Severe nausea
- Muscle spasms
- Seizures
Physicians in California can recommend medical cannabis for “any other illness for which marijuana provides relief.” So, even if your medical condition is not on the list, you can still consult with your physician about medical cannabis.
How to be a medical cannabis caregiver in California
Some medical cannabis patients need help with their medication. Minor patients, for example, need a parent or legal guardian to manage and administer their medication. The same is true of people with physically debilitating medical conditions. Like most other states, California allows patients to designate a primary caregiver to help them manage their medical cannabis.
California medical cannabis patients and their caregivers don’t need to formally register with the state in order to access their medication. However, if they want the tax exemption, they must enroll with the state’s MMIC program. That registration requires a few extra steps, beyond obtaining a physician’s recommendation.
When a patient fills out their MMIC application form, they can designate a primary caregiver. Caregivers can be the parent or guardian of a minor patient, an in-home health care employee, a healthcare facility, or an individual that has agreed to help the patient. (See the learning center for Prop 215 caregiver requirements.)
Qualifying caregivers in California must:
- Be 18 years old or older, unless the caregiver is an emancipated minor or the parent of a minor who is a patient
- Designated by the patient during their registration
- Be either an individual or the owner, operator, or employee of a licensed healthcare facility or agency
- Pay the fee required by the county where the patient is registered
Registration fees for a MMIC vary by county and can be up to $100. Caregivers will need to pay an additional registration fee.
How to register for a med card in California
Follow the instructions once you start the NuggMD process to fill out your application. Make sure you enter all of your information accurately to avoid possible delays in your processing. When you’re approved, your NuggMD medical marijuana doctor will provide you with an electronic recommendation that you can use immediately. For a small additional fee, you can also purchase a physical copy of your recommendation that can be shipped to you via US mail.
California medical cannabis patients are not required to register with the state for an MMIC, but there are additional benefits for those who do. If you choose to apply for an MMIC, you’ll need to follow a few extra steps. You’ll need to fill out an additional application form and turn it in at your county office. Fees for MMIC registration vary by county, but they can be as much as $100.
How to renew your med card in California
Your medical cannabis recommendation is valid for 1 year in California, unless specified otherwise. It’s always good idea to renew your recommendation at least a few weeks before it expires to ensure that there’s no chance of a lapse.
Thankfully, the process for how to renew your California medical cannabis card isn’t complicated. And NuggMD makes the process even easier!
- We’ll send you an email reminder when it’s time to renew,
- Sign into NuggMD to meet with one of our state-certified medical practitioners,
- Follow the provided steps to complete your med card renewal with the state.
Whether you got your initial recommendation with NuggMD or another doctor or service in the state, our medical marijuana doctors are standing by.
We’re the #1 medical marijuana platform in the nation.
Here's how we stack up.
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| Same day physician access |
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| No appointment needed |
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| Pay only if approved |
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| 50+ in-network docs |
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| 100% online |
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| Exclusive network deals |
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| 7-day live support |
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The NuggMD Promise
We are a team of cannabis and technology professionals focused on connecting you with state-licensed doctors. We believe all people deserve access to medical cannabis if they think it might improve their quality of life. Since our founding in 2015, we’ve held ourselves and our partners to the highest standards to ensure every patient we serve is able to access reliable cannabis information, trustworthy medical practitioners, and proactive updates on the cannabis healthcare ecosystem and legislation that may affect their experience as a medical cannabis patient.
Whether you’re a cannabis connoisseur or thinking of becoming a first-time medical marijuana patient, our network of doctors will listen to your needs and give you an honest opinion about whether they think cannabis can help.
Frequently asked. Frequently answered.
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.
Read more about California’s cannabis laws and regulations.
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 illness for which marijuana provides relief.” 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, there are few, if any, insurance companies that are willing to cover the cost of medical cannabis.
When you get your medical cannabis evaluation with NuggMD, as long as you’re approved, you’ll receive an electronic copy of your recommendation within 24 to 48 hours (usually the same day). You can use that recommendation at any California medical dispensary to purchase cannabis. For a small additional fee, you can also purchase a physical copy of your recommendation that can be shipped to you via US mail.
If you choose to register with the state for a MMIC, the wait time is significantly longer. According to the state, it can take up to 35 days for your county’s health department to issue your card. The good news is that you can use your PDF or printed certification to purchase medical cannabis while you wait for your county-issued card.
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 (DO), 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. 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 that will just ask for 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.