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California medical marijuana card

California medical marijuana card evaluation online

California was the first state to legalize medical cannabis, with Proposition 215 in 1996. The medical side still matters even though adults 21+ can buy recreationally. A physician recommendation is the core document; the county-issued state ID card is optional but can save you sales and use tax and lets adults 18–20 shop at medical dispensaries.

  • $49 new patients
  • $35 renewals
  • Phone or video
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State fees are paid to the state, not to us.

Med card
$49evaluation
Licensed U.S. clinician review
Renewal: $35
$49evaluation
$35Renewal
About 5–10 minVisit
Phone or videoFormat

Medical Marijuana Card evaluations across California

Evaluations are by phone or video, so you can book from any California city or town.

StocktonSanta AnaSan JoseSan FranciscoSan DiegoSan DiegoSan BernardinoSacramentoSacramentoRiversidePasadenaOxnardOxnardOaklandMoreno ValleyModestoModestoLos AngelesLong BeachLong BeachIrvineIrvineHuntington BeachGlendaleFresnoFresnoFremontFremontFontanaChula VistaChula VistaBakersfieldBakersfieldAnaheim
Major city Also served by phone or video

California medical cannabis program facts

Run byCalifornia Department of Public Health, through county health departments
How access worksYour physician recommendation is what counts; you can choose whether to get the state ID card
Adult useAdults 21 and older can use cannabis legally under Proposition 64 (2016)
State feeIf you want the optional state ID card, your county charges up to $100, with a lower fee for Medi-Cal enrollees
ValidityBoth recommendations and ID cards typically last 12 months
TelehealthMedical cannabis evaluations can be done by telehealth in California.

California medical cannabis law highlights

  • Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, made California the first state with a medical cannabis law.
  • Holding the state ID card exempts your medical cannabis purchases from state sales and use tax.
  • If you are 18 to 20, a recommendation is how you can buy from medical dispensaries.

Conditions that can qualify in California

  • Cancer
  • Chronic pain
  • Arthritis
  • Migraine
  • Glaucoma
  • AIDS
  • Anorexia
  • Cachexia
  • Persistent muscle spasms
  • Seizures
  • Severe nausea
  • Any chronic condition that substantially limits daily life

How to get a medical marijuana card in California

  1. Schedule a 5–10 minute evaluation with My IV Doctors by phone or video

  2. Talk through your health history with a California physician

  3. Get your medical cannabis recommendation

  4. If you want the state ID card, apply through your county health department

  5. Present your recommendation or ID card when you visit a medical dispensary

California medical cannabis rules

  • Under adult-use rules, people 21+ may carry up to 1 ounce; as a medical patient you may possess more if your physician recommends it.
  • You can grow as many as 6 plants at home.
  • It is illegal to use cannabis in public or behind the wheel.

Book a phone or video evaluation

Video evaluationMeet the clinician on screen from your phone or computer.Book by videoPhone evaluationNo camera needed. The clinician calls you at your booked time.Book by phone

Physicians who oversee your care

Dr. Benjamin H. Krasne, M.D.

Dr. Benjamin H. Krasne, M.D.

Board-certified physician

Board-certified in anesthesiology, he reads medications and metabolism with a pharmacologist's eye, which shapes how he doses weight loss and longevity care.

Dr. Johnathan Chance Miller, M.D.

Dr. Johnathan Chance Miller, M.D.

Physician

Trained at Columbia and Washington University, he pairs prescriptions with practical habits around food, training and sleep.

Dr. Vanessa Niles, R.N., M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

Dr. Vanessa Niles, R.N., M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

OB-GYN, board certified

An OB-GYN for more than 40 years and a Fellow of ACOG, she leads women's health care, from perimenopause to PCOS.

Medical Marijuana Card questions for California

Booking is free and the consultation takes about 5–10 minutes.

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How much does the California evaluation cost?

Our evaluation is $49 for new patients and $35 for renewals. If you want the optional state ID card, your county charges up to $100, with a lower fee for Medi-Cal enrollees.

Is recreational cannabis legal in California?

Adults 21 and older can use cannabis legally under Proposition 64 (2016).

How long is a card or certification valid?

Both recommendations and ID cards typically last 12 months.

Can a caregiver help me?

Your primary caregiver is a person who has reliably taken responsibility for your housing, health or safety. You can have them listed on your state ID card.

Can minors qualify?

A patient under 18 needs a parent or guardian's consent, and that adult usually serves as the primary caregiver.

Does a past conviction matter?

A prior conviction usually won't disqualify you as a patient, though caregiver applications in many programs can include a background check.

How do renewals work?

A recommendation generally runs for one year, so you renew by having a new evaluation. Cardholders also need to renew the state ID card with their county.

Get your California medical marijuana card evaluation

Schedule a phone or video evaluation of about 5–10 minutes for $49. If you qualify, we help you with the next steps for the state program; state fees are separate.

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Reviewed October 2026. Laws and agency processes change, so confirm details with the relevant state agency. This page is general information, not legal or medical advice.

$49evaluation
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