How to get and renew your medical marijuana card online

To obtain a medical cannabis card, you first need to get certified by a doctor. Then, you’ll register with your state’s medical cannabis program.

In most states, you can both get and renew your medical cannabis card online and avoid going to a doctor in person.

Learn the step-by-step process for both getting and renewing your medical card online with this guide.

How to get a medical card online

Follow the steps below to get your medical cannabis card online.

1. Make sure you’re eligible

Start by making sure that you’re eligible for medical cannabis according to your state’s requirements.

In most cases, you must be at least 18 years of age to access medical cannabis. Some states allow an adult caregiver to obtain medical cannabis on behalf of minors with certain health conditions.

To be eligible, you must also have one of the qualifying health conditions specified by your state’s medical cannabis program. Each state’s list of qualifying conditions is unique, so check with your state’s program to find out if you’re eligible.

2. Get certified with a doctor

Before getting your medical card, you must be diagnosed with a qualifying health condition by a licensed physician and have them write a recommendation for medical cannabis as treatment.

Telehealth services like Leafwell are available to connect you with a licensed physician via telemedicine. This way, you can get your diagnosis and medical cannabis recommendation online from the comfort of your home.

That said, some states do not allow cannabis recommendations through telehealth. Instead, they require in-person doctor visits. These states include:

• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Kentucky
• Florida
• Mississippi
• Utah
• Washington

Your state’s medical cannabis program website will specify if in-person doctor visits are required to get approved for medical cannabis.

In some states, you’ll receive the cannabis recommendation document from your doctor, which you’ll upload as part of the registration process for getting your medical card. In other states, your doctor is required to submit the recommendation on your behalf.

3. Register with your state’s program

After your doctor has written a medical cannabis recommendation based on your health condition, you can register with your state’s program through their online patient portal.

To do this, you’ll need:

• A government-issued photo ID
• A doctor’s written cannabis recommendation provided by you or your doctor, depending on your state’s registration process
• The registration fee

Once all of these things have been submitted, you should receive a notification that your registration is being processed.

4. Receive your card 

Once you’ve registered with your state, it may take up to a couple of weeks to receive your medical marijuana card.

Some states no longer provide physical medical cannabis cards. Instead, you’ll receive an email containing a digital card or registration number that allows you to begin purchasing cannabis from dispensaries immediately.

How to renew your medical card online

After a certain period of time, you’ll need to renew your medical card so you can continue purchasing cannabis from dispensaries and accessing the other benefits of a medical marijuana certification.

Follow the steps below to complete your medical card renewal online.

1. Confirm your card’s expiration date

Your medical card will only be valid for a certain amount of time. This time period depends on your state.

For example, a medical card is valid for 1 year in Florida. New Jersey medical cards are valid for 2 years, but they still require annual recertification by a physician.

Look at your physical or digital card to find out when it expires. It’s recommended that you begin the renewal process around 30 days before the expiration date. This is because it can take up to a few weeks for your renewal registration to be processed.

2. Meet with a doctor

To renew your medical card, most states require that you first get recertified for medical cannabis by a physician.

Leafwell’s doctors provide recertification appointments via telehealth for your convenience. If you used Leafwell to get your original medical card, you can use the same login information to schedule a recertification appointment.

During your doctor’s appointment, you’ll be asked about the status of your health and if you’re taking any new medications. After, your doctor will provide recertification paperwork that will be used as part of the renewal process.

3. File the renewal paperwork

After getting recertified by a doctor, you can enter your state’s medical cannabis user portal to fill out a renewal form and any required paperwork. You’ll also need to pay a renewal fee.

After your renewal paperwork has been processed, you’ll receive your new medical card either digitally or by mail, depending on your state.

How much does it cost?

There are a few costs associated with getting your medical cannabis card.

New card

For a new card, you can expect to pay:

• Appointment fee: Also known as a doctor’s fee, this covers the cost of the service provided during your appointment. A telehealth appointment with Leafwell ranges from $35 to $149, depending on your state of residence. Telehealth services tend to cost less than in-person appointments.
• State application fee: The fee you pay to your state when you register for a medical cannabis card typically ranges from $25 to $200.
• Taxes and additional costs: In some cases, you may incur other small costs, such as processing fees or state taxes. If you’re a caregiver, some states require that you pay an additional fee.

Renewal

In many states, renewing your medical cannabis card costs less than getting one for the first time. For a card renewal, you might pay:

• Appointment fee: A recertification appointment for an existing Leafwell patient ranges from $35 to $149.
• State renewal fee: Some states have a fee for medical card renewal, which typically ranges from $25 to $100.
• Taxes and additional costs: You may also incur small fees for processing or taxes.

The bottom line: Leafwell makes it easy to get and renew your medical cannabis card

Each state has its own processes and fees for getting and renewing a medical cannabis card. However, they all require the same basic steps, which can be completed at home in most states.

Leafwell’s telehealth services offer a quick and easy way to obtain and renew your medical card, connecting you to licensed physicians within minutes.

Whether you’re getting your card for the first time or you’re ready to renew, Leafwell is available to help you along the way.

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Resources

• Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2016: Amendment 98, sections 1-8. https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/Amendment_98_Sections_1-8.pdf
• Florida Senate — 2023. https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/344/BillText/c1/HTML
• How to guide for Kentucky medical cannabis card applications. https://kymedcan.ky.gov/patients-and-caregivers/Documents/2025-05-05%20How%20To%20Apply%20Guide,%20Medical%20Cannabis%20Card%20Application.pdf
• Medical cannabis frequently asked questions for patients. https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/cannabis/medical-cannabis/patient-information/frequently-asked-questions
• Medical marijuana registry providers. https://cdphe.colorado.gov/medical-marijuana-registry-providers
• Mississippi Medical Cannabis Program. https://www.mmcp.ms.gov/node/78
• Providers. https://medicalcannabis.utah.gov/providers/