The California Medical Marijuana Identification Card Program was established to provide a voluntary medical marijuana identification card issuance and registry program for qualified patients and their primary caregivers. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) administers the Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC) program. The Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency is responsible for processing the State Medical Marijuana Identification Card applications for Santa Cruz County residents.
Governor Newsom’s executive order Executive Order N-01-21 was rescinded by Executive Order N-08-21. This affects the expiration date of Medical Marijuana Cards (MMIC) issued under Health and Safety Code section 11362.71, which concerns current MMIC cardholders and their designated primary caregivers. Pursuant to Executive Order N-08-21, MMICs that would otherwise have expired on or after March 4, 2020, absent the aforementioned rescinded Executive Order extension, are no longer valid.
Are you a Medical Marijuana Patient or a Primary Caregiver of a Medical Marijuana Patient?
For general information about the California Medical Marijuana Program, please refer to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) website.
The legal protections provided by the passage of Proposition 215 (Compassionate Use Act of 1996) in California are limited. Consult an attorney, if you have questions about your personal situation. Both Medical Marijuana patients and their primary caregivers are eligible for these identification cards.
You must schedule an appointment to apply for an identification card.
Call the Medical Marijuana Identification Card Program at (831) 454-3431. Please leave a message and a staff person will call you back promptly to schedule a half hour appointment. You can also click here to send a request.
Before your appointment: Prior to making an appointment, applicants must obtain medical documentation or Written Documentation of Patient’s Medical Records (CDPH-9044) from their attending physician, in addition, the attending physician must complete the Physician Attestation form. Applicants must have these two documents available when scheduling an appointment.
What you will need to receive a Medical Marijuana Patient ID Card:
- Proof of Identity (CA. ID or CA. Drivers License, U.S. Passport or Veteran’s Administration Card).
- Proof of Santa Cruz County Residency (Current license with correct address, recent utility bill/or rental/mortgage receipt).
- A Licensed California Doctor’s Recommendation (A current/valid physicians statement- NO COPIES PLEASE - ORIGINALS ONLY).
- Physician Attestation form (NO COPIES PLEASE - ORIGINALS ONLY).
- Completed Application: English Spanish
- $100.00 for the Medical Marijuana ID Card (Payment by cash or money order only - fee is non-refundable) OR $50 if you have Medi-Cal (please bring your Medi-Cal card). If payment is in cash bring exact amount, change cannot be given.
What you will need to receive a Primary Caregiver ID Card:
- Proof of Identity (CA. ID or CA. Drivers License, U.S. Passport or Veteran’s Administration Card).
- The Primary Caregiver MUST accompany the medical cannabis patient when applying for a card.
- Complete Section 4 of the application for the Primary Caregiver (See bullet #5 above).
- $100.00 for the Primary Caregiver Medical Marijuana ID Card (Payment cash or money order only - fee is non-refundable.) OR $50 if the patient has Medi-Cal (the patient should bring their Medi-Cal card). If payment is in cash bring exact amount, change cannot be given.