• What is a recommendation?

  A medical marijuana recommendation (also known as a "medical marijuana card") is an official document which verifies that you have a medical condition for which a licensed doctor recommends the use of medical marijuana. This recommendation will allow you to enter any dispensary/collective throughout the state of California and purchase marijuana for medical use.

• What is a renewal?

  California law requires patients to renew their recommendation every year. This must be done in person at the office or online.

• How do I make an appointment?

  Come into any location anytime during walk-in hours for a completely free evaluation. Click here for locations and hours. An appointment is not required. If you are in a rush and want to use the express service click here.

• What is the process for a new patient?

  If you are a new patient and you have never had a medical marijuana recommendation before, then welcome to DOC420. We strive to make this experience informative yet simple for you. It's easy, just follow these 3 steps! Click here

• What is the process for a renewal?

  We will accept a renewal from any doctor, this is our way of saying welcome to DOC420. We strive to make this experience informative yet simple for you. It's easy, just follow these 3 steps! Click here

• How much will this cost?

  New patient: $35.00 for one full year with 24/7 verification Renewal: $30.00 for one full year with 24/7 verification

• What do I bring with me?

  Please bring a valid California driver's license or state identification card with you. If you are doing a renewal from another doctor, bring your original recommendation or photo ID card with you. If you are renewing from DOC420, you do not have to bring your recommendation with you.

• What do I do if I do not have a California driver's license or state ID card?

  Bring ANY form of identification.

• What should I do if I do not have any medical records?

  You are not required to bring your medical records, but it is highly recommended.

• Will the doctor who gives me the recommendation be licensed?

  Yes, each and every doctor working at DOC420 is licensed.

• Will my medical condition qualify?

  You can come in for a free consultation to see if your medical condition qualifies. There are many medical conditions which are accepted. Click here for common qualifying conditions.

• What forms of payment do you accept?

  We accept cash, credit card, or debit card. We have an ATM machine in the office for your convenience.

• Will my medical insurance pay for my recommendation, renewal, or the cost of my medication?

  Unfortunately, no. Your medical insurance will not pay for any aspect of your medical marijuana care.

• Can I get a recommendation or renewal for longer than 1 year?

  Unfortunately, no. The maximum length of a recommendation or a renewal is one year because you must be seen in person annually to evaluate for side effects.

• Is this confidential?

  Patient’s medical records are strictly 100% confidential and secure under HIPPA privacy regulations. We do not report lists to any state or federal government agency, employers, or insurance companies. It will not appear on any background checks. We take every step to ensure strict confidentiality for each and every patient.

• Will my name be listed on a state or government list?

  No, we do not report lists to any state or federal government agency, employers, or insurance companies.

• Will my health insurance, SSI or disability status be effected?

  No, it will not be effected as we do not report to any insurance or disability agency.

• Will it show up on a background check?

  No, this will not appear on any background checks performed by any schools, employers, insurances, or government agencies.

• What is the photo ID card?

  Our photo ID card is issued by DOC420. Your picture is taken at the office and the card is made in a few minutes. The photo ID card is optional and is an additional $20.00. Click here for more information.

• What are the advantages of getting a photo ID card?

  A photo ID card is highly recommended for added protection. Benefits of the ID card are: -Accepted by law enforcement -Photo identification -Convenient size -Secure and durable

• How is this photo ID card different from the County Health Department ID card?

  Patients are not required to get a state ID card, but it provides an extra measure of protection. Patients and caregivers can obtain state ID cards through the health departments of the county where they live.

• What do I do after I get a recommendation from your office?

  Your recommendation will immediately be active. You will be able to enter any dispensary/collective throughout California for the purchase of medical marijuana.

• How do I find a dispensary/collective?

  It is unlawful for us to direct you to a specific dispensary/collective. We recommend you search on the internet for a dispensary/collective near you.

• Do you offer 24/7 verification?

  Yes, we provide 24/7 verification through our website with one of the best verification systems. This allows access to your medication 24/7 including weekends and holidays throughout California.

• Once I purchase medical marijuana, where should I put it in my car while driving home?

  After you purchase marijuana you should always put it in the trunk of your car while driving. It is illegal for any person who is under the influence of marijuana to drive a vehicle and may result in a DUI.

• Can I travel to another state with medical marijuana?

  A recommendation allows you to obtain and use marijuana in California only. You may not transport it out of California into another state or country. It is illegal to transport into or out of the state, sell, furnish, give away, or attempt to give away marijuana.

• Where can I use medical marijuana?

  You must use marijuana in the privacy of your own home. The use of marijuana is not allowed in no smoking zones, within 1000 feet of a school or youth center except in private residences; on school buses, in a motor vehicle that is being operated, or while operating a boat.

• Do I need to carry my recommendation with me at all times?

  You must carry your original recommendation or photo ID card at all times that you have medical marijuana in your possession.

• What should I do if I lose my recommendation?

  The charge for a duplicate of your original recommendation is $25.00. You must come to the office in person anytime during our walk-in hours. There is virtually no wait time for this. Simply let the receptionist know you have misplaced your original and would like to get a duplicate. Make sure you bring your valid California identification with you. We do not take requests for duplicate recommendations over the phone or email.

• What are the different ways I can use marijuana?

  Smoking: Marijuana can be smoked with many devices, the safest way to smoke marijuana is by using a vaporizer. A vaporizer heats marijuana to 185–210 degrees, which causes THC to evaporate into a gas without burning the plant, releasing less toxic chemicals. Vaporizer users experience a more euphoric-type effect, because the vapor contains more pure THC. Eating marijuana in foods: THC is more efficiently absorbed into the bloodstream when combined in foods. The onset of effects depends strongly on stomach content, but is usually about an hour, and may continue for a considerable length of time. Drinks made with marijuana: Marijuana can be consumed as a tea. Although THC is lipophilic and only slightly soluble, enough THC can be dissolved to make a mildly psychoactive tea. However, water-based infusions are generally considered to be an inefficient use of the herb. Marijuana Spray: Marijuana can also be administered via a mist spray under the tongue. By using this method, marijuana is not metabolized through the liver. The spray is absorbed from under the tongue and into the capillaries giving a more direct route into the bloodstream. Marijuana ointments, creams, lotions: Marijuana can be used topically to the skin to relieve pain from certain conditions. The medication can be a lotion, ointment or rubbing alcohol solution. Topical preparations provide only local relief and do not have any effect on the brain.

• Once I become a legal patient, what new rights do I have?

  Proposition 215, the California Compassionate Use Act, was enacted by the voters and took effect on Nov. 6, 1996 as California Health & Safety Code 11362.5. The law makes it legal for patients and their designated primary caregivers to possess and grow marijuana for thier personal medical use with the recommendation of a California licensed physician. Under prop 215, a valid recommendation from a doctor allows patients to grow 6 mature OR 12 immature plants. At any given time patients may have in their possession up to a 1/2 pound (8 oz.) of processed cannabis per patient. Individual cities and counties are allowed to enact higher, but not lower, limits than the state standard.

• How many plants can I grow once I become a legal patient?

  Under prop 215, a valid recommendation from a doctor allows patients to grow 6 mature OR 12 immature plants. At any given time patients may have in their possession up to a 1/2 pound (8 oz.) of processed cannabis per patient. Individual cities and counties are allowed to enact higher, but not lower, limits than the state standard.

• I just failed a drug test. If I get a recommendation now, will it help me?

  No. It will not help you because we do not backdate recommendations, no exceptions.

• If my job drug tests me, can they fire me even if I am a legal patient?

  Yes. The California Supreme Court has ruled that employers have a right to drug test and fire patients who test positive for marijuana, regardless of having a valid recommendation. Some, but not all, employers will excuse patients if they present a valid recommendation.

• Is it true that medical marijuana is illegal under federal law?

  Marijuana is illegal under federal law and treated like other controlled substances. Federal law does not say that California laws, or any other state laws, are unconstitutional or should be eliminated. Usually federal charges occur only in cases where commercial distribution is suspected such as cultivation of several hundred plants.

• Will local and state law accept my recommendation if I get pulled over?

  Yes. CHP officers were told in August 22, 2005 of the new policy which now allows patients traveling on state highways to have up to 8 ounces of marijuana with a valid recommendation. Unfortunately there are still few rare cases where patients have their marijuana seized by CHP. In most cases these patients are able get retrieve their marijuana by going to court and presenting the judge with their recommendation.

• What is a caregiver?

  A “primary caregiver” is a person who consistently assumes the responsibility for the housing, health or safety of the patient. A trial judge in a Supreme Court ruling stated, “There has to be something more to be a caregiver than simply providing marijuana.” So providing marijuana alone is not enough to be a patient’s primary caregiver. *Marijuana dispensaries or clubs cannot qualify to be a primary caregiver.

• How do I get a caregiver for myself or become a caregiver for someone else?

  You must be 18 and over. The patient you want to be a primary caregiver for must have a valid medical marijuana prescription. Most doctors require the primary caregiver to visit their office with the patient. You may only be a primary caregiver to one patient if you live in a different city or county as the patient. You may be a primary caregiver to more patients if you live in the same city or county as each of the patients. You may get a California Health Department I.D. card, but it is not a requirement to be a primary caregiver. If you have multiple patients, it is recommended to keep a member list. Please remember that being a primary caregiver is one of the most scrutinized relationships by the courts and many well-intentioned people who think they qualify end up not being recognized by the courts.

• What is a primary caregiver allowed to do?

  A primary caregiver may not possess more than eight ounces of dried marijuana per qualified patient. May not maintain more than six mature or 12 immature marijuana plants per qualified patient. You may transport, process, administer, cultivate, deliver or give away marijuana to patients who have designated you as their caregiver. In order to avoid criminal liability you must be eligible to be a primary caregiver. You can receive compensation for actual expenses and services: out-of-pocket expenses and usual expenses for taking care of the patient. However, you may NOT cultivate and sell marijuana for a profit. You may be charged with possession for sale.

• What if I have questions there were not answered here?

  If you still have additional questions please click here to contact us, we look forward to assisting you.