California
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      1. Leafwell Help Center
      2. California

      California State Process

      Using Your California Medical Marijuana Recommendation

      1. Download the pdf of your doctor’s recommendation letter from your Leafwell patient dashboard. 
      2. Save it to your device.

      3. You can start using this electronic copy immediately at a licensed medical dispensary*. You will receive a hard copy of your recommendation letter and, if you chose our $59 plan, a physician-issued Leafwell patient ID card in the mail within 7-10 business days.

        *Please note that a recreational dispensary may not accept the electronic recommendation and may require a hard copy letter.

      4. Once you receive your hard copy recommendation, you can then legally purchase medical marijuana from any licensed dispensary. To purchase medical marijuana you will need to bring a hard copy of your Leafwell doctor’s recommendation letter or your Leafwell patient ID card, and a valid form of photo identification, such as a driver’s license, with you to the dispensary.

      OPTIONAL: Register for the CA MMIC program at your local county office.

      The state registration is completely optional. This allows you to obtain a state-issued card. 

      Why register?

      • You will not have to pay sales and use tax when making retail medical marijuana purchases.
      • A Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC) identifies you as protected under Proposition 215 and Senate Bill 94.
      • An MMIC helps law enforcement identify you as legally allowed to possess certain amounts of cannabis under specific conditions.

      Registration Fees

      • These vary county to county but the maximum you can be charged is $100.
      • A 50% fee reduction is issued per card if you are eligible for Medi-Cal.
      • Fees are waived for indigent patients who are eligible for and participate in, the Country Medical Services Program.

      Registration Process

      1. This process requires an in-person application at your county office. 

      2. You will receive an official state-issued card, and any dispensary or law enforcement agency can verify your patient number online immediately. 

      3. It is your option to designate a primary caregiver and apply for their identification card at the time you submit your application.

      4. You will need to provide your certifying physician's information (supplied in the PDF emailed to you after the appointment) as well as which medical board certified them:

        1. Dr. Abdulla - Medical Board of California
        2. Dr. Berman - Medical Board of California

        3. Dr. Chang - Medical Board of California

        4. Dr. Epstein - Osteopathic Medical Board of California

        5. Dr. Moreland - Medical Board of California

        6. Dr. Steinhardt - Medical Board of California