District of Columbia

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Medical marijuana has been legal in Washington D.C. for nearly 20 years.  Voters in D.C. also legalized recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older by passing Initiative 71 in November 2014.   The Initiative, known as the Legalization of Possession of Minimal Amounts of Marijuana for Personal Use Initiative, legalized limited possession and cultivation.  The legalization does not provision for sales, nor does it apply to federal property.

To apply for a medical marijuana patient identification card, the patient will need an electronic recommendation from a District of Columbia Certified Medical Marijuana Healthcare Provider (such as Herban Medical Options).  The recommendation asserts that the use of cannabis is medically necessary for the treatment of a qualifying medical condition.

Within 90 days of obtaining the electronic recommendation from the provider, the patient submits a completed Medical Marijuana Program application to the Department of Health.  The application package must include:

  • Healthcare Provider Recommendation Form dated no longer than ninety (90) days prior to the application date.
  • Completed and signed Patient Application Form (paper or electronic).
  • Two (2) recent passport-type photographs: two (2) photographs of the applicant’s face measuring two inches by two inches (2” x 2”), which clearly exposes the area from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin.
  • Clear photocopy of a U.S., state, or District government-issued Photo ID as proof of identity.
  • Caregiver Application Form (optional); required if applying for minor patient.
  • Application form for minors if patient is less than 18 years of age.
  • Proof of District Residency (for residency requirements, see below)*
  • Application fee payment.

*Proof of DC Residency (must provide at least TWO of the following in the name of the applicant):

  • Proof of payment of District of Columbia personal income tax, in the name of the applicant, for the tax period closest in time to the application date
  • A property deed for a District of Columbia residence showing the applicant as an owner or co-owner
  • A valid unexpired lease or rental agreement in the name of the applicant on a District of Columbia residential property
  • A pay stub issued less than forty-five (45) days prior to the application date which shows evidence of the applicant’s withholding of District income tax
  • A voter registration card with an address in the District of Columbia
  • Current official documentation of financial assistance received from the District Government including, but not limited to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, the State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), housing assistance, or other governmental programs
  • A current motor vehicle registration in the name of the applicant evidencing District residency
  • A valid unexpired District motor vehicle operator’s permit or other official non-driver identification in the name of the applicant
  • A utility bill (excluding telephone bill) from a period within the two (2) months immediately preceding the application date in the name of the applicant on a District of Columbia residential address
  • Any other reasonable form of verification deemed by the Director or the Director’s agent to demonstrate proof of current residency

For more information go to: https://doh.dc.gov/mmp