Photo by Terrance Barksdale
The medical marijuana industry has expanded in recent years as more states have moved toward legalization. However, you’ll still need a medical weed card to qualify for this type of cannabis, which is typically of a higher potency. So, what is the medical marijuanas card cost?
The short answer is that it depends. Every state is free to set its own rules, regulations, and fees regarding marijuana card cost and renewal terms.
This guide will discuss “What is a medical card?” and “How much is a medical card?” to help you prepare for the application process.
Why Get a Medical Marijuana Card?
Approximately 3.6 million state-legal patients exist across the country. Holding a card enables you to legally buy, possess, and consume cannabis. It may also entitle you to grow your own plants in some states.
Contrary to popular belief, paying the price of an MMJ card isn’t just beneficial in states where recreational use is prohibited. Even in fully legal states, it’s worth evaluating the cost of a card. After all, there’s a reason why California has the most medical weed patients in the country, despite legalized recreational cannabis.
So, here are some of the reasons why it’s worth getting a medical card:
- Higher Potencies – Some high-potency strains may only be available to medical cardholders. If you want an extra-strong joint to combat chronic pain, holding a medical card is the only way to get it.
- Greater Limits – In many states, medical patients can buy and possess larger amounts of cannabis. Even in liberal states like Colorado, recreational and medical patients have two sets of limits.
- Save Money – Your medical card may prevent you from paying sales and excise taxes. Depending on the state, you could save anywhere from 10% to 30% on the cost of purchasing marijuana.
- Home Cultivation – Not every state allows for the home cultivation of cannabis. For example, Illinois allows medical cardholders to grow cannabis at home exclusively, whereas recreational users are still banned.
- Reciprocity – Take advantage of MMJ card reciprocity when traveling to other states. Your card could entitle you to buy and consume cannabis in states where recreational use hasn’t been legalized.
In short, the cost for a medical marijuanas card will pay for itself in the cost savings alone. However, the comparatively small medical weed card cost also allows you to take advantage of perks unavailable to recreational users.
Where is Medical Marijuana Legal?
Medical marijuana is legal in most states, with more legalizing it every year. While recreational states number just 21 (link to our blog post), you can obtain medical cannabis in 37 states and the District of Columbia.
However, every state sets its own terms. For example, some states may only allow certain products, such as gels, capsules, and lozenges. Others may only allow CBD oil with low THC options.
The primary reason why there are such discrepancies is the continuing federal prohibition of marijuana, leaving states to develop their own medical cannabis programs independently.
General Cost of a Medical Marijuana Card
How much is a medical marijuana card?
Most states charge fees ranging from $50 to $200 for an initial application. Furthermore, you will need to account for the MMJ card renewal fee. Expect to renew every year or two years in the majority of states.
Luckily, the process to renew an MMJ card usually mirrors the original application, so it’s relatively simple and low-cost to renew a medical card.
Factors that Affect the Cost of a Medical Card
Medical marijuana card cost rests entirely on the decision of the state. Your application will comprise physician fees, administrative fees, and application fees.
The only real factor in weed card cost is politics.
However, the cost of medical weed is a different story. Various factors go into determining how much it costs to obtain medical marijuana after receiving your card. These factors include:
- State Regulations
- Taxes
- Location
- Supply
- Product Type
- Potency
Due to the stringent rules on medical marijuana in every state, there’s little you can do to reduce the cost of your medical marijuana. Since you cannot legally transport marijuana across state lines, you’re stuck with the rules where you live.
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State-by-State Requirements & Costs of a Medical Marijuana Card
Since every state that has legalized medical marijuana also has an independent body responsible for administering the licensing system, medical card cost is specific to where you live. In this section, we’re going to discuss the medical marijuana card cost and any specific requirements you need to follow.
Most states have similar qualifying conditions for medical patients, including:
- Autism
- Cancer
- Crohn’s Disease
- HIV
- Fibromyalgia
- Hepatitis
- Chronic Nausea
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Seizures
Ensure you double-check with your state before applying to confirm that your condition qualifies under your state’s rules.
Note that all states will require you to go through a similar application process, including a physician’s evaluation, an online/paper application, and a defined waiting period.
Alaska
- Cost – $25
- Renewal Cost – $20
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – Yes
Arizona
- Cost – $150
- Renewal Cost – $150
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 18
- Expiry – Two years
- Reciprocity – Yes (no purchases permitted)
Arkansas
- Cost – $50
- Renewal Cost – $50
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – Yes (no purchases permitted)
California
- Cost – Up to $100, depending on the county
- Renewal Cost – Up to $100 depending on the county
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 18
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – No
Photo by RDNE Stock project
Colorado
- Cost – $25
- Renewal Cost – $25
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 18
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – Yes
Connecticut
- Cost – $100
- Renewal Cost – $100
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 18
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – No
Delaware
- Cost – $50
- Renewal Cost – $50
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – No
Florida
- Cost – $75
- Renewal Cost – $75
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – 210 days (Re-certification required every 70 days)
- Reciprocity – No
Georgia
- Cost – $25
- Renewal Cost – $25
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – Two years
- Reciprocity – Yes
Hawaii
- Cost – $38 for a one-year card/$77 for a two-year card
- Renewal Cost – $38 for a one-year card/$77 for a two-year card
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 18
- Expiry – One to two years
- Reciprocity – No
Illinois
- Cost – $50 for a one-year card/$100 for a two-year card/$125 for a three-year card
- Renewal Cost – $50 for a one-year card/$100 for a two-year card/$125 for a three-year card
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One to three years
- Reciprocity – No
Iowa
- Cost – $100
- Renewal Cost – $100
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 18
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – No
Louisiana
- Cost – Free
- Renewal Cost – Free
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – No
Maine
- Cost – Free
- Renewal Cost – Free
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – Yes
Maryland
- Cost – $25
- Renewal Cost – $25
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – Six years (Annual recertification required)
- Reciprocity – No
Massachusetts
- Cost – Free
- Renewal Cost – Free
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – No
Michigan
- Cost – $40
- Renewal Cost – $40
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – Two years
- Reciprocity – Yes
Minnesota
- Cost – $200
- Renewal Cost – $200
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – No
Mississippi
- Cost – $25
- Renewal Cost – $25
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – No
Missouri
- Cost – $25
- Renewal Cost – $25
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – Three years
- Reciprocity – No
Montana
- Cost – $20
- Renewal Cost – $20
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – Yes
Nevada
- Cost – $50 for a one-year card/$100 for a two-year card
- Renewal Cost – $50 for a one-year card/$100 for a two-year card
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One to two years
- Reciprocity – No
New Hampshire
- Cost – $50
- Renewal Cost – $50
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – Yes
New Jersey
- Cost – $50 ($20 with state assistance)
- Renewal Cost – $50 ($20 with state assistance)
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – Yes
New Mexico
- Cost – Free
- Renewal Cost – Free
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 18
- Expiry – Three years (annual recertification required)
- Reciprocity – Yes
New York
- Cost – Free
- Renewal Cost – Free
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – No
North Dakota
- Cost – $25
- Renewal Cost – $25
- Age Limit – 19
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – No
Ohio
- Cost – $50
- Renewal Cost – $50
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – No
Oklahoma
- Cost – $100
- Renewal Cost – $100
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – Two years
- Reciprocity – No
Photo by RDNE Stock project
Oregon
- Cost – $200
- Renewal Cost – $200
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – No
Pennsylvania
- Cost – $50
- Renewal Cost – $50
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – No
Rhode Island
- Cost – $50
- Renewal Cost – $50
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – Yes
South Dakota
- Cost – $75
- Renewal Cost – $75
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – No
Texas
- Cost – Free
- Renewal Cost – Free
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – No caregiver program
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – No
Utah
- Cost – $15 for the initial card
- Renewal Cost – $5 per 30 days/$15 per six months
- Age Limit – 21
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – Yes
Vermont
- Cost – $50
- Renewal Cost – $50
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – No
Virginia
- Cost – $50
- Renewal Cost – $50
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – No
Washington
- Cost – $1-$10
- Renewal Cost – $1-$10
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year (six months for minors)
- Reciprocity – No
Washington D.C.
- Cost – $100
- Renewal Cost – $100
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 18
- Expiry – Two years
- Reciprocity – Yes
West Virginia
- Cost – $50
- Renewal Cost – $50
- Age Limit – 18
- Age Limit for Caregivers – 21
- Expiry – One year
- Reciprocity – No
MMJ Card Price & Renewal FAQs
Can I use my medical marijuana card in other states?
Your MMJ card cost may come with reciprocity, but it depends on the state. Some states like Hawaii and Oklahoma don’t have reciprocity but allow non-residents to apply for a medical card and pay the state weed license cost to register.
Are there any discounts available for medical marijuana cards?
Figuring out how much does medical marijuana cost can be tricky because every state differs. However, knowing how much is a medical marijuana card can enable you to unlock discounts on your purchases.
This is why medical card renewal is so powerful. You can essentially recoup the initial medical marijuana card price with a few months of purchases.
Can I get a refund if I don’t use my medical marijuana card?
Unfortunately, no. When searching for “medical card renewal near me,” all fees are non-refundable.
Although you will need to abide by maximum purchasing limits in many states, there is no minimum. If you fail to use your card, you will receive no refund.
Apply for a Medical Card or Renew Your Card Today with Green Health Docs!
Working out how to renew a medical card doesn’t have to be complex. Green Health Docs is an easy-to-use platform that can tell you how much does a medical card cost, provide information on state requirements, and connect you with a reliable physician.
Give yourself legal protection and take advantage of exclusive marijuana discounts by applying for your medical card with Green Health Docs today.
This article has been reviewed by Dr. Anand Dugar, an anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician and the founder of Green Health Docs. Graduating from medical school in 2004 and residency in 2008, Dr. Dugar has been a licensed physician for almost 20 years and has been leading the push for medical cannabis nationwide.