How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Washington D.C.
Schedule an Evaluation with a Certified Physician
Schedule an appointment with a licensed medical marijuana doctor.
Submit Your Application
Apply for a medical marijuana card through the DC Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA) online portal. There is no fee for a digital card, while a physical card costs $10.
Receive Your Card
Once your application is approved, you’ll be emailed a digital registration card. If you purchase a physical card, it will be mailed to you.
Washington D.C. Medical Marijuana Qualifying Conditions
Washington D.C. does not hold prospective medical cannabis patients to a list of qualifying conditions. Instead, doctors can recommend medical marijuana for any patient whom they believe it would benefit. In addition, patients who’re 21 and over can certify themselves for medical cannabis.
Where Can I Buy Medical Marijuana in Washington D.C.?
There are seven marijuana dispensaries operating in Washington D.C.. As a registered patient or caregiver, you can purchase a variety of products, including edibles, topicals, tinctures, and cannabis flower, and you can buy up to eight ounces of cannabis per 30-day period.
About Washington D.C. Cannabis Program
Washington D.C.'s medical marijuana program was established in 2010 when the Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Amendment Act was passed. The law allows patients with debilitating medical conditions to access marijuana for therapeutic purposes.
Under the program, patients must obtain a recommendation from a licensed physician (or self-certify) and apply for a medical marijuana card through the DC Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration. Once registered, patients can purchase marijuana from licensed dispensaries throughout the region.
How to Renew Your Card in Washington D.C.
In Washington D.C., medical marijuana patients must renew their MMJ cards every two years. To renew your card, complete the following steps:
- Schedule Your Renewal Appointment: Book with with a licensed physician.
- Submit Your Application: Submit a renewal application through the ABCA online portal. There is no fee for a digital card, while a physical card costs $10.
- Receive Your New Card: Once your renewal application is approved, you’ll be emailed a new digital registration card. If you purchase a physical card, it will be mailed to you.
How to Become a Medical Marijuana Caregiver in DC
A caregiver is someone who assists a qualifying medical marijuana patient with the purchase, transport, administration, and/or cultivation of medical marijuana. In Washington D.C., caregivers must be at least 18 years old.
To become a caregiver in Washington D.C., complete the following steps:
- Submit Your Application: Submit a paper caregiver application to the ABCA in person, via mail, or via email. There is no fee.
- Receive Your Card: Once your application is approved, the ABCA will issue your caregiver ID card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can get your DC medical card online. The state allows marijuana evaluations to be conducted via telemedicine.
As of August 2024, the state does not charge a fee for MMJ cards unless you purchase a physical one, in which case you must pay $10.
The ABCA can take up to 30 days to process an MMJ card application. After you apply, you’ll be emailed a temporary digital registration card that you can use while your application is under review. Once it’s approved, you’ll either be emailed a permanent digital card or mailed a physical card, depending on the type you applied for. It can take two to three weeks for a physical card to arrive in the mail.
Yes, you can get a medical card for anxiety in DC if your evaluating physician deems it appropriate or you self-certify for it.
Yes, a minor can get a medical card in DC as long as they designate a caregiver and a parent or guardian submits a medical cannabis patient application on their behalf.
In DC, medical marijuana patients can buy up to eight ounces of cannabis per 30-day period.
Adults who’re 21 and older can purchase recreational cannabis from DC dispensaries without a medical card, but you’ll need an MMJ card to purchase medical cannabis.
DC adults who’re 21 and older can cultivate up to six cannabis plants (no more than three of which are mature) per residence.
Yes, you can use a Virginia medical card to purchase medical marijuana from DC dispensaries.
Whether you can use your Washington D.C. medical card in another state will depend on that state's reciprocity laws. Some states honor out-of-state medical cards, while others don't. Be sure to research other states' cannabis laws before traveling.
Yes, recreational marijuana is legal in DC for adults 21 and over.
In DC, medical cards are valid for two years.
Let's Talk
Our mission is to provide easily accessible health and wellness services to help our patients live their best lives. Reach out to us to learn more about our services.