California

Any physician licensed in good standing by the Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, or the California Board of Podiatric Medicine may recommend medical cannabis to patients.

Education Requirements

California does not require specific medical cannabis education or CME courses for physicians recommending medical cannabis

California does not require physicians to register separately with the CDPH or county health departments to recommend medical cannabis. No permit or additional license is required.

• Cancer
• HIV/AIDS
• Epilepsy and Seizures
• Multiple Sclerosis and Muscle Spasms
• Chronic Pain
• Glaucoma
• Arthritis
• Migraines
• Anorexia
• Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome)
• Severe Nausea
• Chronic or persistent medical symptoms that either:
  • Substantially limit your ability to conduct major life activities
  • May cause serious harm to your safety, physical health or mental health.

*NOTE: California physicians have discretion to recommend cannabis for any condition they believe will benefit from treatment.

To certify a patient in California:

• Establish and document a physician-patient relationship prior to making the recommendation
• Conduct a medical evaluation to determine whether the patient has a serious medical condition and may benefit from cannabis
• Provide a written recommendation (or complete CDPH form 9044) stating that cannabis is appropriate for the patient’s medical condition

Telehealth is permitted in California for cannabis evaluations, provided a valid physician-patient relationship has been established, and an appropriate examination is conducted. Patients receive their recommendation immediately after approval.

Patients who wish to apply for the optional MMIC will use your recommendation and form CDPH 9044 as part of their county health department application.

Patients who are enrolled in the Medical Cannabis Program must be recertified every year.

• Patients must obtain a new physician’s recommendation and reapply at their county health department for each renewal.
• There is no fixed recertification interval required by the state. The physician determines when to assess (within the year) and what assessment is appropriate.

Medical professionals have a legal right to recommend cannabis as a treatment in any state, as protected by the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act (Title III section 301) which became law on December 2, 2022, and the First Amendment (established by a 2004 United States Supreme Court decision to uphold earlier federal court rulings that doctors, and their patients have a fundamental Constitutional right to freely discuss treatment options).

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