The Process For Obtaining A California Medical Marijuana Card

What is NuggMD California?

NuggMD is the simplest way to get your medical cannabis card in California without leaving your home. NuggMD has served over 500,000 patients across California, New York and Nevada.

How does NuggMD California work?

All you have to do is click here to get started signing up.

You’ll then answer a few questions about your health. All of the forms only take a few minutes. Then you'll upload your ID or Driver’s License (plus proof of residence if your ID isn't from California) and enter your payment information.

Once that's complete you'll be entered into an online waiting room to see the doctor. If approved, you’ll receive a temporary recommendation from us via email (we'll send your hard copy through the mail). We'll also send you an email outlining how to apply for a California MMIC so you can be qualified for a state sales tax exemption for all of your dispensary medicinal purchases.

If you're not approved by the doctor, no worries, you won’t be charged! The authorization on your card will drop off within 24 hours, so there's no risk!

What do I need for my medical marijuana evaluation?

All you need is a U.S. phone number and a valid U.S.-issued photo ID! This can be any U.S. government-issued identification. Passport, Driver’s License, State ID, Visa, Green Card, Employment Authorization, etc. Unfortunately at this time we do not accept any form of international identification. If you have a question, please feel free to start a chat with us below by clicking the chat icon in the bottom right corner! We’re super friendly and always willing to answer any questions you might have as best as we can.

How much does it cost to get a medical marijuana card in California with NuggMD?

With NuggMD, your evaluation is always free! This means that if you aren’t approved, you’ll receive a full refund and won’t pay a thing. If you are approved, our site features one of the cheapest online prices, starting at just ${{annualPrice}} for the official recommendation that lasts 12 months. If you opt to also get the plastic, wallet-sized ID card then it’s an additional ${{cardPrice - annualPrice}}.

Can I renew my medical marijuana card here?

Yes, absolutely! A renewal costs the same low price as a first-time recommendation, just ${{annualPrice}}. You can complete the entire process totally online. It takes about 5 minutes to sign up with your information and another 5 minutes for your phone consultation with the doctor. After that you'll be issued an electronic recommendation immediately, which you can use the same day, and you'll receive the official paper copy (which is signed and embossed by the doctor) within 5-7 business days later via standard mail. And don't worry about uploading your past recommendation; you can just let the doctor know you're renewing once you have them on the line.

Are there any hidden charges or extra fees?

With us, you’ll find none of that. Our prices are clear and set: ${{annualPrice}} for the recommendation, ${{cardPrice}} for the recommendation + ID card. We’ll take care of all shipping costs as well!

What are the benefits of getting my California Medical Cannabis Recommendation?

There are several, but the main pluses are:

Do I still qualify if I’m under 21 years old?

Yes. You only have to be 18 or older to get your medical cannabis card from NuggMD.

What conditions qualify me to become a medical cannabis patient in California?

What’s the difference between a doctor’s recommendation and an MMIC?

The official paper copy of your medical marijuana recommendation is what you legally need to access dispensaries and defend yourself against unjust prosecution by the law. The voluntary MMIC is simply a more convenient proof of your patient-status and contains the information needed for anyone to verify it, including a police officer.

However, we recommend keeping a paper copy of your recommendation in your car at all times just in case. Most patients choose to purchase an extra copy of their recommendation at checkout for this exact reason.

MMIC holders do get an extra benefit that doesn't come with just a doctor's recommendation. In California, only MMIC holders are exempt from the state sales tax on medical marijuana. If you only have a recommendation, your cannabis will cost just as much as recreational cannabis does.

How Do I Obtain an MMIC?

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) administers the Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC) program. The Medical Marijuana Program (MMP) was established to provide a voluntary medical marijuana identification card issuance and registry program for qualified patients and their caregivers.

To learn more about obtaining a CDPH-issued MMIC and information on how to apply, please visit their site here.

For a list of county offices and contact information, please visit their site here.

Do I need a webcam or specific device to complete the {{mdTitle()}} process?

No. Your doctor prefers to have a face-to-face consultation with you in order to assess your medical needs. But if you run into technical difficulties, the interview can be completed by phone.

Don't worry if you're technologically challenged. {{mdTitle()}} has an excellent support team that can help you solve any technical glitches. Click here to chat live.

Where can I use my medical marijuana recommendation?

Your recommendation is valid for purchasing cannabis at all California medical dispensaries and medical delivery services! Your recommendation comes with a raised, embossed seal, a handwritten signature by the doctor, and can be verified online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How do I buy medical cannabis in California?

Being that we have licensed medical cannabis doctors available on demand, you’re able to purchase medical cannabis the same day (usually within the same hour) once you’re approved. We send you a temporary PDF copy of your recommendation which allows you to place orders online from delivery services such as those found on GetNugg.com! Once your official physical copy arrives in the mail, you can access any medical dispensary in the state.

Can I get a medical card without a California ID?

Yes, you most definitely can! It’s a common misconception that you need a California ID. We accept any form of U.S.-issued identification.

Unfortunately, we’re unable to accept photo ID which was issued outside of the United States, but you can use a U.S. visa with your photo and date of birth on it.

Just keep in mind that most storefront dispensaries will require a California ID if you intend to walk in and make a purchase. But you can use your recommendation and any U.S. ID to order from most online delivery services as well as any delivery service near you listed on GetNugg.com.

I need help! How do I contact you?

Please head over to our Contact Page found here.

What are your hours of operation?

Our medical cannabis doctors are available from 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM 7-days a week.

If you have questions prior to speaking with the doctor, please use our on-site live chat feature to speak to a live customer support agent. Our support team is available for questions from 8:00AM - 10:00PM on weekdays and 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM on weekends.

Holidays may affect these hours. In very rare occurrences a doctor may not be available. If this happens to you, please contact support@nuggmd.com or live chat to speak with a friendly support representative.

California’s Medical Marijuana Regulations

How much cannabis can I buy in California?

Recreational consumers can purchase up to one ounce of flower at a time, or up to 8 grams of concentrate. Medical consumers can purchase considerably more flower—8 ounces, or the amount of concentrate that can be derived from 8 ounces of cannabis.

Does my MMJ card protect me from legal offense?

Yes, you’re protected from marijuana offenses related to transportation, possession, and dispensing according to Prop 215, SB 420, and Health and Safety Codes related to possession of cannabis flower, concentrates, and transportation by a caregiver within the state of California--so long as you possess no more than the amount you're allowed to possess according to the law.

Can I change the date my recommendation was issued?

Unfortunately no, your doctor’s recommendation through NuggMD is a legal medical document signed by a board-licensed doctor and recognized by dispensaries and legal offices alike. Although other sites might allow you to change the date of your documentation, such a practice is completely unethical and illegal, and owning such a recommendation would put you at risk of legal prosecution.

What’s the difference between a prescription and a recommendation?

Because marijuana is still considered a Schedule I drug under federal law, physicians aren’t able to technically “prescribe” cannabis for your condition(s) or symptom(s). However, because of Prop 215, they’re able to issue “recommendations” that a patient use medical cannabis for their condition(s) or symptom(s).

Do I need to renew my medical marijuana card?

Yes, our doctor recommendations are valid for one full year (beware of any service that gives you less) and after that you’ll have to renew your recommendation to legally possess and consume cannabis. No worries though; our renewal process is as quick and easy as signing up!

Will insurance cover my doctor’s recommendation?

Unfortunately not. Hopefully soon (once more scientific research has been done and the schedule I drug status is removed) insurance companies will cover the costs of medical marijuana evaluations and treatment for patients.

Which other states will accept my CA recommendation?

Currently, you can firmly use your California medical marijuana recommendation to shop with dispensaries in Nevada as long as you also have a California ID. For many other states, you can possess up to a certain amount and use for personal consumption, but you won’t be able to buy it.

Can I use my temporary recommendation today?

Yes, you can either use your digital PDF copy to order online from sites like GetNugg.com or you can print it out and walk into a storefront dispensary. However, we strongly recommend calling ahead first to ask if they’ll accept your temporary electronic copy because many storefront dispensaries will not upon your first visit.

Can I still get fired for using cannabis in California?

Yes. Prop 64 does not provide protection for employees who use cannabis. It protects the employer's right to "maintain a drug free workplace" and test employees and prospective employees for cannabis use. So if workplace drug testing is a concern, you'll need to weigh this against your medical need for cannabis.

How many plants can I grow for adult use?

You can grow up to six plants indoor. Some municipalities allow recreational growers to cultivate outdoors, but they are far and few between. Many districts are attempting to limit medical cultivation to six plants as well.

Can I give cannabis away?

Yes. You can give away up to one ounce of flower or up to 8 grams of concentrate so long as you receive no compensation for the gift.

Can I smoke in public?

No. In California, cannabis smoke is treated the same as cigarette smoke. If smoking a cigarette is prohibited in a place, smoking cannabis is as well. While there are some cannabis lounges and cannabis events in the state that allow public smoking, you are for the most part restricted to enjoying cannabis in private homes. And definitely don't smoke in a car, even if you're just a passenger!

Nugg's Policies and Procedures

Will I be on a public database?

Not at all, as our system uses an encrypted HIPAA compliant server to privately store your information. It can’t be found on any public record or database. Your patient-status can be verified on our site, but only those who know your patient ID number will be able to do so (i.e. dispensaries verifying your recommendation).

What do you mean by HIPAA compliance?

HIPAA laws basically say that any confidential information (typically dealt with when it comes to medical records) cannot be shared without the expressed consent of the individual. So that means when you see a MMJ doctor through our site, your information isn’t shared with anyone but the doctor unless you explicitly permit it (like if you were to visit a dispensary or order from a dispensary).

How can I verify my medical marijuana card?

There are two different sites used to verify your recommendation. For your electronic recommendation you’ll verify at https://getnugg.com/verify/, while your paper copy with the embossed seal and/or your medical ID card you’ll verify at https://cannabisverify.com/verify. Both of these services are available 24/7!

How long will it take for me to get my shipment?

Southern CA: 3-7 business days

Northern CA: 4-8 business days

Outside of CA: 5-8+ business days

What shipping service do you use?

We use USPS first class mail to keep costs low so that we can pass those savings off to you! Unfortunately, we don’t offer expedited or overnight shipping at this time.

Do you provide a tracking number?

Unfortunately, we are not able to provide a tracking number as USPS requires specific package sizes for tracking and has incredibly high fees for purchasing tracking for small shipments. However, you will receive a confirmation email letting you know your package has been shipped.

I messed up my shipping address, what should I do?

Please contact us immediately through live chat, our SMS texting line, or email support@nuggmd.com so that we may update your shipping address before the package is sent out. If your package has already been shipped, that’s alright; we’ll still send you another to the correct address free of charge.

How long will it take to get my recommendation?

The entire MMJ evaluation process takes 15-20 minutes for most people. After you are approved, you’ll receive a digital PDF copy of your recommendation via email within a few minutes and your official paper copy arrives in the mail within 3-7 business days depending on your location in California. If the post office is being rather slow, there is a chance it could take up to 8 business days. If for any reason your recommendation is lost in the mail in the first 7-8 business days, we will promptly ship out a new one!

I haven’t received my recommendation. What do I do?

If you haven’t received your recommendation within 7-8 business days, please kindly fill out this form and we’ll have a new copy sent out within 1-2 business days. In the case that you’ve lost your recommendation, you can purchase a replacement copy for $15 and/or a replacement ID card for $25. Please email us at support@nuggmd.com to request replacements.

Can you mail my MMJ card to another state?

We absolutely can! Your recommendation and optional ID card can be mailed to any address in the United States. As long as you understand our recommendations are only valid for use in California and that dispensaries are not able to ship products across state lines.

How does payment work?

Once you reach the payment step of your online medical marijuana evaluation, you’ll be able to use a Visa, Mastercard or AMEX credit or debit card. We use a secure processor that uses the same encryption technology that all major banks use to process your card. If you are rejected for a medical cannabis recommendation, you are automatically issued a full refund back to the same card you used to submit payment. For billing inquiries regarding your CA recommendation, please reach out to dmgmedicalbilling@gmail.com.

What is your refund policy?

We provide a full refund within 14 days for California residents if you have not used the certification at any dispensary. 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.

Who do I contact for billing inquiries?

For all questions related to billing, please reach out to the doctor’s office by emailing them at dmgmedicalbilling@gmail.com.

Why should I use NuggMD?

Besides the sheer ease and speed with which you’re able to get your doctor’s recommendation through our site, there’s a couple items that make our service & your medical marijuana recommendations more legitimate than others. 1) With us, you actually speak live with a licensed practitioner, which is legally required by law, and unfortunately a law many other sites ignore. 2) Our recommendations come with a raised embossed seal, which all legal dispensaries in CA require, but many other services do not provide. 3) We’re extremely friendly and always put our customers first. If you’re unsatisfied with your purchase or experience for any reason, we’ll provide you a full refund and will look into the given issue further.