United States map with cannabis joints on top

How to Get Your Medical Marijuana Card: A Step-by-Step Guide

Key Takeaways

  • Medical marijuana can provide relief for a variety of conditions. Getting a medical marijuana card is the first step to accessing it legally.
  • The process for getting your medical marijuana card varies a little depending on your state, but there are common steps to follow that I outline below.
  • You can get a medical marijuana card online through services like Veriheal, making the process more convenient and efficient.

Intro

At the time of this writing, medical marijuana is legal in 39 of the 50 states, and more states are legalizing every year.

Getting your medical marijuana card provides a host of legal and financial benefits to you as a patient.

But how exactly do you go about getting a medical marijuana card? 

The process can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! I’m here to walk you through it step by step.

Whether you’re wondering how to get a medical marijuana card online or you’re curious about the specific process in states like Florida or Colorado, this post will guide you through the entire process in simple terms.

What is Medical Marijuana?

Before we dive into how to get a medical marijuana card, let’s take a moment to understand what medical marijuana is. 

Medical marijuana, sometimes called medical cannabis, refers to the use of the cannabis plant and its compounds for medicinal purposes. THC and CBD are the most common cannabis compounds used.

These compounds can provide relief from a variety of health conditions, including PTSD, chronic pain, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, and nausea associated with cancer treatment.

Medical marijuana is recommended by a licensed physician and can only be legally obtained by people who have a “qualifying condition.” 

Each state has its own list of qualifying conditions within its medical marijuana regulations, but typically patients with conditions such as PTSD, cancer, epilepsy, Crohn’s, and severe chronic pain qualify for a medical marijuana card.

Why Should I Get a Medical Marijuana Card? (Key Benefits)

In states that have legalized both medical marijuana and “recreational” marijuana (meaning anyone 21+ can buy), you may wonder why you should bother getting a medical card. Here are some of the key benefits:

  • Lower Taxes & Discounts – Medical marijuana patients typically pay far lower sales taxes on their cannabis products. Additionally, dispensaries often gives exclusive discounts to card holders.
  • Product Variety and Potency – Medical marijuana cardholders have access to higher-potency cannabis strains and products than recreational users, and there is a larger variety of products available.
  • Higher purchase limits – Medical marijuana patients aren’t subject to the same purchasing limits as recreational customers.
  • Protection and Legal Safety – A medical marijuana card provides many legal protection under state law.
  • Convenience & Priority Access – With a medical marijuana card, you can avoid long lines, often receive faster service at dispensaries, and even have the option for home delivery in some states.
Woman holding her medical marijuana card

How Can I Get a Medical Marijuana Card?

So, you’re wondering, how can I get a medical marijuana card? In most states, getting a medical marijuana card is a multi-step process that involves:

  • Check if medical marijuana is legal in your state. This handy map of Marijuana Legality by State will help. At the time of writing this, marijuana is legal in 39 out of 50 states, with more states legalizing every year, so your odds are good!
  • Consult with a licensed physician. You need a licensed physician to evaluate your health condition and determine if it is on the list of qualifying conditions for your state.
  • Get a medical marijuana recommendation. If the physician agrees that medical marijuana could benefit your condition, they’ll provide a recommendation (or “certification”) stating so.
  • Importantly, the physician does not and cannot prescribe any particular cannabis products or doses. They are legally only allowed to certify that you have one of the state’s qualifying conditions so you can get a card. You’re on your own to determine what products to buy.
  • Apply to your state’s medical marijuana program. After getting your recommendation, you can apply for your medical marijuana card through your state’s designated program. This will involve submitting an application, paying a fee, and possibly undergoing a background check.
  • Receive Your Card. Once you’re approved, you’ll receive your card, which allows you to legally purchase medical marijuana from a dispensary in your state.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card Online

Woman using MacBook

If that process sounds overwhelming to you, the good news is that many states allow you to get your medical card online. 

Using a service like Veriheal, you can quickly and easily get your medical marijuana card online from the comfort of your home. Veriheal helps navigate you through the process and helps you with some of the paperwork and hassle, making the process easy for you.

With 7 years in business and over 1 million patients served, Veriheal has helped more patients get their medical marijuana cards than any other company. Here’s how it works:

  • Sign up. Create an account on Veriheal’s website. You’ll need to provide basic information about yourself, such as your name, contact info, and medical history.
  • Meet with a licensed physician online. After you sign up, Veriheal will connect you with a licensed physician in your state via video consultation (sometimes called “telehealth”).
  • Get your recommendation. If your doctor agrees that medical marijuana is an appropriate treatment for your condition, they will send a recommendation and Veriheal will submit your application.
  • Receive your card and start shopping. Once approved, your medical marijuana card will either be sent to you electronically, which allows you to shop at dispensaries immediately, or will be mailed to you, depending on your state’s regulations.

Another amazing benefit of Veriheal is they offer a one-on-one session with a specialized cannabis coach, who can talk you through which products and doses may be most effective for your condition. 

Unfortunately, doctors are not able to prescribe cannabis products (because cannabis is still a Schedule I drug). And even if they could, many doctors aren’t well-versed in the nuts and bolts of medical marijuana and aren’t able to make specific product recommendations.

Veriheal’s cannabis coaches fill that gap, and provide you with advice that helps direct you do what will work for you.

READ UP

I am here to help! This entire website is dedicated to providing beginner-friendly cannabis advice and product recommendations to people just like YOU.

So take a look around my site, read all of the articles, and arm yourself with information before you head to a dispensary for the first time!

A great place to start is this article, which will help you navigate the dispensary experience: Your First Time? How to Shop at a Cannabis Dispensary in 2025.

Once you head into the dispensary the first question you’ll have to answer is “are you looking for Indica, Sativa, or Hybrid?” If you don’t understand the question, much less the answer, you need to read this article, Indica vs. Sativa vs. Hybrid Strains EXPLAINED.

For an ultimate guide to cannabis vapes, read my article, All About Cannabis Vapes: How to Choose and Use the Best Vape for You.

If you want to go smoke-free, read 5 Easy Ways to Use Cannabis Without Smoking.

To avoid rookie mistakes the first time you take cannabis gummies or other edibles, read my article, THC Gummies for Beginners.

What Does Veriheal Cost?

Medical marijuana card costs charged by the state differ depending on your state, but typically range from $0-$200. 

Woman using her medical marijuana card at a cannabis dispensary

Veriheal’s cost is typically $199, which includes your consultation fee, physician copay, and the medical evaluation for your recommendation.

To see how much Veriheal costs in your state, you can read this post on Veriheal’s website.

Veriheal also offers renewal services, such as Veriheal medical card renewal, which allows you to stay compliant with your state’s program without having to go through the entire process from scratch. 

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Florida

If you live in Florida, getting a medical marijuana card is relatively straightforward, but you’ll need to meet some specific state requirements. Here’s how to get a medical marijuana card in Florida:

  1. Qualify for a Medical Condition – Florida’s medical marijuana program is open to patients with qualifying medical conditions like cancer, epilepsy, Crohn’s disease, and more. You’ll need to consult with a qualified physician who can assess whether medical marijuana is right for you.
  2. Register with the Florida Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) – After obtaining a recommendation, you can apply for your card through the OMMU. You’ll need to submit your physician’s recommendation, identification, and proof of residency in Florida.
  3. Receive Your Card – Once your application is approved, you’ll receive your medical marijuana card, which allows you to purchase marijuana from licensed dispensaries in the state.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Colorado

In Colorado, the process for obtaining a medical marijuana card is also simple but requires a few steps. Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Consult with a Physician – First, you must see a licensed medical professional who is certified to prescribe medical marijuana. They will assess your health conditions and determine if cannabis is right for you.
  2. Apply to the State Program – After receiving a recommendation from your physician, you’ll need to apply through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The application will require you to provide identification and proof of Colorado residency.
  3. Get Your Card – Once approved, you’ll receive your medical marijuana card. You can then legally purchase medical cannabis from any licensed dispensary in Colorado.

Finding a Medical Marijuana Dispensary Near You

Woman using her medical marijuana card at a cannabis dispensary.

Once you have your card, the next step is to find a medical marijuana dispensary nearby. Fortunately, most states with legal medical marijuana programs have licensed dispensaries that are easy to locate through online directories or dispensary locator tools.

You can use sites like Leafly and Weedmaps to find medical marijuana dispensaries near you, along with user reviews of different products. 

READ UP

Before you head to the dispensary, read my article: Your First Time? How to Shop at a Cannabis Dispensary in 2025.

Medical Marijuana Card Renewal

After receiving your medical marijuana card, you’ll need to keep track of when it expires. Many states require cardholders to renew their medical marijuana cards every 1-2 years. 

The process typically involves updating your information and paying your state’s renewal fee.

FAQs

The process usually takes anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on your state’s processing times. Online services like Veriheal can speed up the process by handling much of the paperwork for you.

It depends. Some states have reciprocity agreements that allow out-of-state patients to buy medical marijuana if they’re visiting for a limited time.

Most states allow medical marijuana patients to cultivate their own plants, but a few do not. Check your state’s regulations before growing.

Unfortunately, most insurance companies do not cover the cost of medical marijuana, as it remains illegal at the federal level. However, you can often use funds from Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to cover medical marijuana-related expenses.

A medical marijuana card gives you access to more products, with higher potency, and lower sales taxes.

Every state has a different list of “qualifying conditions” you would need to have, and you typically need to have a valid ID that shows you are a resident of that state.

TLDR

Getting your medical marijuana card is a simple process that will save you money and give you access to more potent products.
If you don’t want to do it yourself, services like Veriheal can streamline the process.
Kate Lily
Certified Cannabis Educator

Similar Posts