Applying for a Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC)
You can obtain an MMIC only at your county program and not through your attending physician or an evaluation center. Visit the
county offices and contact information page.
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You will need to fill out an
Application/Renewal Form. You must reside in the California county where the application is submitted. You will need to provide current documentation with your application as follows:
- A copy of your medical recommendation.
- Proof of identity. This can be a valid California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driver license or identification (ID) card or other valid government-issued photo ID card.
- Proof of residency, such as:
- Rental or mortgage agreement,
- Utility bill, or
- California DMV motor vehicle registration.
Once you have your current documentation gathered, please contact the Health Departmentā in your countyā of residence to make an appointment. There, you will be asked to:
- Pay the fee required by your county program (not to exceed $100). Medi-Cal beneficiaries will receive a 50 percent reduction in the application fee (not to exceed $50), and the fees shall be waived for indigent patients who are eligible for and participate in the County Medical Services Program.
- Either have your photo taken at the county's program office or provide an electronic photo at the discretion of the Health Department.ā This photo will appear on your MMIC.
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Once you submit your completed application form with the required documents (proof of residency, medical documentation, etc.) to your
county program, the county has 30 days to verify your application. Once the application is verified, the county program has five days to make the MMIC available to you. It can take up to 35 days to receive your MMIC if the application is complete and the county program finds no reason to deny your application. If any information or documents are missing, this may delay processing your application. If this is the case, your county's program will contact you within 30 days from the day you submit your application. If you do not receive your MMIC within 35 days, contact your county's program.
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The MMIC may be valid up to one year. A primary caregiver MMIC will expire when the patient's card expires even if it is less than 12 months.
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Renewing an MMIC requires the same process as when you originally applied. This includes verifying your information and giving you a new MMIC and unique user identification number. If your medical documentation is still valid, you may use this for your renewal. It may be necessary for you to obtain new medical documentation. Your
county program will verify any information they feel is necessary. You will need to contact their office for more information.
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Your county program will need to take your photo, which will appear on the MMIC. Also, certain verifications will need to be completed in person.
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Yes. A minor (under 18 years of age) can apply as a patient or caregiver under certain conditions. Minors may apply for themselves as qualified patients if they are lawfully emancipated or have declared self-sufficiency status. If the minor has not declared self-sufficient status or is not emancipated, the county program is required to contact the minor's parent, legal guardian, or person with legal authority to make medical decisions for the minor. This is to verify information on the
Application/Renewal Form. An emancipated minor or the minor's parent of a qualified patient may apply as a primary caregiver. If a minor declares status as a self-sufficient minor or is an emancipated minor, their county health department may require additional documentation. Contact your county's program for more information on additional required documentation.
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Minors may use a valid government-issued photo identification, such as a California driver license or a California ID. A certified copy of a birth certificate can be sufficient proof of identity for a minor.
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Please see the Appeals web page for more information on appealing a county's decision to deny your application.
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No. MMICP offers a form to serve this purpose. The
Written Documentation of Patients Medical Records Form. This is a form your attending physician can use to state in writing that you have a serious medical condition and that the use of medical marijuana is appropriate. The original is submitted with your application and a copy must be kept in your medical records at your physician's office.
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Yes. A conservator with authority to make medical decisions, surrogate decision maker authorized under an advanced health care directive, an attorney-in-fact under durable power of attorney for healthcare, or any other individual authorized by statutory or decisional law to make medical decisions for the qualified patient may apply for that patient.
The administering agency must implement and utilize appropriate procedures and protocols to ensure compliance with all applicable confidentiality laws and requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
The Medical Marijuana Application System does not contain any personally identifiable information such as name, address or social security number. It only contains the unique user identification number, and when entered, the only information provided is whether the card is valid or invalid.
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