Gather the required items:
Visit your local county health office and submit the required items
Wait for approval: The renewal process may take up to 5 weeks to complete
No. While most county programs allow medical marijuana cardholders to complete their renewals in person, a few also accept mail applications for renewals. However, the state does not allow counties to accept medical marijuana renewal applications online.
The California medical marijuana card may be valid for up to one year. Note that a primary caregiver’s medical marijuana card will expire when the associated patient’s card expires, even if it is only valid for less than 12 months.
When renewing your California medical marijuana card, you will need a valid prescription from your physician. However, if your previous medical documentation has not expired and will not expire within a year, you may be able to use it again. In that case, you do not need a medical marijuana renewal doctor. The medical marijuana program in California does not keep a record of physicians authorized to issue medical marijuana recommendations. However, it is a requirement that the attending physician holds a valid license issued by either the Osteopathic Medical Board or the Medical Board of California.
Renewing a California medical marijuana card costs between $20 and $100. Although the state has not specified a fee applicable in all its jurisdictions, the California Department of Public Health stipulates that no county program may charge more than $100. For example, the county program in Los Angeles County charges $100, Orange County sets the fee at $84, and San Diego County requires renewal applicants to pay $44.
Note that patients who are beneficiaries of the Medi-Cal program are to be granted a 50% discount on renewal fees. Patients who participate in the California Medical Services Program (CMSP) can have their renewal fees completely waived. Patients will be required to pay consultation fees when visiting their certifying physicians. These fees may range between $50 and $200.
It is advisable to verify your county program's fee schedule and preferred payment methods before visiting the office.
You can complete your California medical marijuana card renewal at the local county health office where you live. County health offices are approved agencies to obtain and renew medical marijuana cards.
California does not currently have medical marijuana reciprocity laws, which implies that out-of-state medical cannabis cards are not accepted within the state. Consequently, medical cannabis patients visiting California cannot avail themselves of the services offered by the state's medical cannabis dispensaries.