1.     How do I know if I qualify for a MMIC?
You will need to discuss this with your attending physician.  In order to qualify for the protections of Prop 215 and SB 420, you will need to be diagnosed with a serious medical condition.  The diagnosis and your physician’s recommendation that the use of medical marijuana is appropriate for you must be documented in your medical records.

2.     Can I obtain my recommendation from an out-of-county physician?
Yes.  The attending physician must have a license in good standing issued by the Medical Board of California or the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, but there are no residency requirements for the physician.

3.     Is a Medical Marijuana recommendation considered a prescription?
No. In order to be a prescription it must be federally approved.  As marijuana is not recognized as legal by the federal government, federal law criminalizes the use of medical marijuana.

 4.     Is there a fee for applying for an MMIC?
Yes.  The current fee is $200 to process your application for non-medical applicants.  Proof of eligibility attached to the application, qualifies a Medi-Cal beneficiary to receive a 50% reduction in fees.  Application fees are nonrefundable.  If the applicant qualifies for this fee reduction and is designating a primary caregiver, the fee for the primary caregiver’s MMIC will also be reduced by 50%.

5.     What is a primary caregiver?
A primary caregiver is a person who is consistently responsible for the housing, health, or safety of a qualified patient. If the primary caregiver lives in a different county than the applicant, the application must be filed where the patient resides at. 

6.     What documentation/information is required for an MMIC?
-A complete application
-A current and valid California motor vehicle’s drive license or California Identification Card issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles
-Proof of residency within the county
-Written documentation completed by your physician
-The application fee for each MMIC requested
-Your photo will be taken once the application is completed

The primary caregiver, if any, will need to provide:
-A completed application
-A current and valid California motor vehicle’s driver license or California Identification Card issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).  This includes DMV’s DL 43 “Change of    AddressCertification Card”
-Proof of residency
-The application fee for each MMIC requested
-Your photo will be taken at the time of application

7.     Where do I get and turn in an application?
State forms can be downloaded at: www.cdph.ca.gov/mmp
County forms can be downloaded at: solanocounty.com under the Public Health department.
Once you complete the package, please contact Solano County for an appointment at 211

The following items are required to be completed at the time of your appointment:

o         State application form CDPH 9042  

o         Proof of residency such as a utility bill. P.O. Box addresses are not acceptable as proof of residency

o         Physician’s letter or form CDPH 9044

o         Medical eligibility, if applicable

o         A valid government identification

o         The application fee in a form of Money Order or Cashier’s Check made out to Solano County-Public Health for $200 for non-Medical clients. 

o         Medi-Cal beneficiary receives a 50% reduction of the processing fee.

8.     How long will it take to get my MMIC?

Once you submitted your completed and signed application forms with the required documents, Solano County Health and Social Services Department has 30 days to approve or deny your application.  Your MMIC will be valid for one year from the date of issued.  If the primary caregiver card is applied for at a later date than the patient’s MMIC, the primary caregiver MMIC will have the same expiration date as the patient’s MMIC.
MMIC is a statewide program; however, the MMIC is not valid outside of California.

9.     How much processed marijuana can I have in my possession?
SB 420 allows eight (8) ounces of dried mature processed flowers of the female cannabis plant AND no more than six (6) mature or twelve (12) immature plants per qualified patient.  Counties and cities are authorized to establish higher (but not lower) limits if they wish.

10. How do I replace my MMIC if it is stolen, lost or damaged?
You must reapply following the same procedures and providing a new application fee.

11. Can a minor apply for a card?
Yes, a minor can apply as a patient or caregiver.  If neither, the minor’s parent, legal guardian, or person with legal authority to make medical decisions for the minor applicant must complete Section 2 of the Medical Marijuana Program application. 

If the minor is applying as a primary caregiver, they must meet additional requirements including:
-Being consistently responsible for the housing, health, or safety of a qualified patient, or
-Being the parent of a minor child who is a qualified patient.

12. Does carrying a valid Medical Marijuana card protect me from prosecution for possession of marijuana?
No.  Possession and distribution of marijuana is a Federal offense and individuals in California in possession of marijuana for medical purposes have been prosecuted.  In addition, individuals in possession of marijuana in quantities determined by local law enforcement officials to be greater than for personal medical use have been arrested and prosecuted.

13. What information will appear on the MMIC?
-Photo of the cardholder
-A unique user identification number issued by CDHS
-Expiration date
-Name and telephone number of the County agency that approved the application
-A 24-hour, toll-free telephone number and Web-based Internet URL that will enable state and local law enforcement officers, public and others to have immediate access to verify the validity of the card

14. What MMIC cardholder personal information will be available to law enforcement?
When the MMIC unique identification number is entered through the 800 number or the MMIC website, a “Valid Card” or “Invalid Card” response is generated.  No other information is accessible.