Whether you are a resident of DC or just passing through, getting a medical marijuana card is now easier than ever thanks to Mayor Bowser’s DC Medical Marijuana Self-Certification Emergency Amendment Act of 2022.
In short, this bill allows residents and non-residents above the age of 21 to self-certify their need for medical marijuana without a doctor's note. I asked staff members from Takoma Wellness just how easy this new process was on getting a DC medical marijuana card, so you know exactly what to expect when applying.
In this article, we discuss how to self-certify as a DC resident or non-resident, what to do if you are not 21 years of age, and discuss how to buy weed in DC without a medical card.
How easy is it to get a medical card in DC?
It is very easy to get a medical card in DC as of 2023. As long as you are 21 years of age, you can qualify yourself as a medical marijuana patient without the approval of a physician. This process is known as “Self-certification”.
If you are 18-20 years old you will not be allowed to self-certify, but can still qualify for a medical marijuana card in DC as long as you enter a healthcare recommendation number in your application.
DC residents can apply here
Non-DC residents can apply here
How fast can I get the self-certification card?
The self-certification process is extremely fast. Before the self-certification process, I had to wait nearly four weeks just to receive a physical card to purchase MMJ.
Now, you just simply self-certify online and you will be emailed a temporary digital registration that allows you to purchase medical cannabis immediately for up to 30 days, even before the application is approved.
I spoke to Melisa from Takoma Wellness medical dispensary who said, “After self-certifying you receive your digital registration via email in as little as 5-7 minutes.”
Melisa went on to say that on top of that, most medical dispensaries in DC also have “intake programs”, which help you fill out the form correctly so you get approved and can shop the same day of approval.
Before the 30-day digital registration expires you will be sent a physical card to replace the temporary digital registration.
If you apply for a medical card before August 10, 2023, all fees will be waived for new and renewal applications. So right now you can get a medical marijuana card in DC for free and without any doctor's note.
How to get a medical card in DC as a resident
- Visit here to apply: Adult Medical Cannabis Patient Application form
- Read the instructions carefully and make sure you have the following ready:
- Healthcare recommendation with date of issuance within 2 years OR self-certification for individuals 21 years or older.
- One current face photo, “2X2” image size
- One copy of DC DMV Real ID OR 1 proof of DC residency with a copy of government-issued photo ID
- Caregiver application (optional)
- Reduced fee proof of income documentation (optional)
- Scroll past the instructions and begin filling out the application form starting with the “DC Resident Patient Information”, and continue filling out the form and uploading all the necessary documents you prepared.
- Agree to the terms and conditions and agree to the self-certification requirements.
- Submit your application.
In order to self-certify find the field titled: Recommendation Information, click the box titled Certification Type (see image below) and select “self-certification” and you will see all the physician’s requirements such as the recommendation number and recommending Healthcare professional fields disappear.
How to get a medical card in DC as a non-resident
- Visit here to apply: Non-DC resident adult patient application.
- Read the instructions carefully and make sure you have the following ready:
- Self-certification for individuals 21 and older
- One copy of your government-issued photo ID
- One current face photo in a “2X2” image size
- $30 registration fee
- Scroll past the instructions and begin filling out the application form starting with the “Patient Information”, and continue filling out the form and uploading all the necessary documents you prepared.
- Agree to the terms and conditions and agree to the self-certification requirements.
- Submit your application.
If you are a non-resident you must be 21 years of age to apply. This application is only for self-certification and after the application and monies are sent, you will receive an email that will serve as your nonresident 30-day Medical Cannabis patient Registration. You can use the email immediately to purchase marijuana at any of the licensed dispensaries in Washington DC.
The email you receive from Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Administration will look something like this:
“This email serves as your temporary medical cannabis patient registration while your application is under review. This temporary registration is only valid for 30 days.
If your Application is:
Approved, you will be sent a permanent digital and physical registration with the same unique patient and number included below. If you are determined to qualify for a discount on cannabis products, your permanent registration will reflect your eligibility. This temporary registration does not qualify you for a discount. If denied or you are unresponsive to requests for missing documentation, your temporary registration will be deactivated. You may locate a licensed dispensary near you on ABRA’s website.”
Just show this email to any of the licensed dispensaries to purchase medical marijuana in Washington DC.
Who is eligible for medical marijuana in DC?
There are no qualifying conditions required to obtain a medical marijuana card in DC. Whether you are living in Washington DC or just passing through (non-resident), you are eligible for medical marijuana with very few requirements. The difference in eligibility depends on your age and residency.
If you are not a DC resident you are only eligible for medical marijuana if you are at least 21 years of age and have a government ID to prove it.
If you are a DC resident and are between the ages of 18-20 you are not eligible to self-certify, and instead, it’s up to your healthcare provider and you to decide if medical cannabis is the right option for you.
If you are a DC resident and are at least 21 years of age you are eligible to self-certify yourself for medical marijuana in DC.
How much is a medical marijuana card in DC?
Good news, all fees for initial and renewal patient and caregiver registrations are waived through August 10, 2023. You only need to pay $30 currently to get instant 30-day access to any of the licensed dispensaries in DC.
After August 10th of 2023, it will cost $100 for a medical marijuana card that is valid for 2 years from the date your card was issued. You can get this fee reduced to only $25 if you are currently on Medicaid, if you are a DC Alliance recipient, or show proof through your total gross income.
After 2 years your medical card expires and you will have to pay $100 to renew with the option for a reduced fee of only $25 based on the same requirements above. If you lose your MMJ card it will cost a whopping $90 to replace.
Do you need a medical card to get marijuana in DC?
You will need to get a medical card to get marijuana in DC if you want to purchase it from a medical dispensary. However, if you want to purchase from an I71 gifting store, you do not need a medical marijuana card and only need an ID proving you are 21 years of age.
I71 gifting stores aren’t regulated so there are many you want to avoid, but in my personal experience, there are a few that have quality strains that rival the medical dispensaries at a much lower price point. I recommend checking out Gifted Curators or Legacy DC, as these two are DC’s most trusted dispensaries that do not require a medical marijuana card.
Can I use my DC self-certificate card in other states?
Currently, you cannot use your DC self-certificate card in neighboring states such as Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia. You can however use your Virginia, Maryland, or West Virginia medical card in DC. For the full breakdown check out our article on DC medical marijuana reciprocity to learn which states your self-certification card will work in as of 2023.
Final Thoughts
Not long ago you had to wait weeks just to get your DC medical marijuana card, but with the new self-certification process, you can get approved literally minutes after applying. In short, anyone living in DC or non-DC residents above the age of 21 can pay $30 to get access for 30 days to any of the licensed medical dispensaries.
If you are between the ages of 18-20 and a DC resident you will require a physician's approval in order to gain access to an MMJ card. Fortunately, DC has tons of options outside of medical cannabis including the dozens of Initiative 71 gifting stores that sell gifted flowers, carts, and edibles in DC.