How to Apply for Your Medical Marijuana Card in Colorado

Applying for your medical marijuana card is simple, as long as you prepare all the correct information ahead of time. Applications using the online registration process at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment get approved in 1-3 business days, as long as there is no missing or incorrect information. To make the process as easy and painless as possible, we’ve outlined all the necessary information for you below.

Who Qualifies for a Medical Marijuana Card?

Colorado has set forth certain criteria regarding age, residency, and medical conditions that must be met to qualify for a card. Be sure you fall into this set of criteria before applying. These are:

Adults:

• Be a Resident of Colorado
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Suffer from a qualifying medical condition

Minors:

• Primary parent must be a Colorado resident
• Must have a qualifying medical condition

Qualifying Medical Conditions:

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV or AIDS
• Cachexia
• Persistent Muscle Spasms
• Seizures
• Severe Nausea
• Severe Pain
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

What Doctor Can Approve Use of Medical Marijuana?

Not every doctor is eligible to recommend the use of medical marijuana. Be sure your physician meets the following criteria:

• Physician must be licensed in Colorado and be in good standing.
• Physician must be a Medical Doctor (M.D.) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.).
• Physician must be registered online to be allowed to submit certifications.

Minor Patients:

• Minors must see two different physicians and each must submit a certification.
• Minors suffering from PTSD must have at least one of the following doctors submit a certification – Board Certified Pediatrician, Board Certified Family Physician, or Board Certified Child Psychiatrist. This physician must be part of their primary care team and be the one to diagnose the condition.

What Documents are Needed to Apply?

Colorado requires documentation of who you are and who is caring for you before they will approve the use of medical marijuana. Be sure to have the following information available:

Adults:

• Colorado Driver’s License or State ID
• If applying with your Caregiver, they need to provide their Caregiver Registration ID
• Credit Card or Bank Account & Routing Number to pay for the application fee

Minors:

• Primary Parent’s Colorado Driver’s License or ID
• Certified Copy of the Minor’s Birth Certificate
• Caregiver Registration ID if the parent is not the primary caregiver
• Credit Card or Bank Account & Routing Number to pay for application fee
• Documentation of Secondary Parent Status. This can be done through 1) Secondary Parent’s State ID, 2) Certified Copy of Secondary Parent’s Death Certificate, or 3) Copy of Court Issued Sole Custody Order.
• Notarized Minor Patient Consent Form. This is available for download through the CDPHE website.

Legal Representative of Adult:

• Patient’s Colorado Driver’s License or State ID
• Legal Representative’s Colorado Driver’s License or ID
• Copies of Legal Representative Documentation, such as Power of Attorney or Court Order
• Caregiver’s Registration ID if the Legal Representative isn’t the caregiver
• Credit Card or Bank Account & Routing Number to pay application fee

How to Complete and Submit an Application

Once you have doubled checked that all ID’s are current, registration numbers are correct, and documents are certified or notarized, it is time to apply. The CDPHE requires you to create an account through their online system. Follow these steps:

1. Login – Access to account creation and the application are found on the CDPHE website, here. If you’ve never used this system before, you will need to register.
2. Click “New” – Both new patients and renewal patients who are new to the online system should click “new” after logging in.
3. Enter Patient Information – If you plan to purchase your medical marijuana from a dispensary or center, be sure to choose YES when you reach this question.
4. Add Physician Certification
5. Enter Cultivation Information – You can skip this step if you will purchase from a dispensary.
6. Pay the Application Fee

After you finish the application, you will receive an email telling you to login to your account when your card is ready. You can print the card or choose to display it on your phone or other mobile device. You will NOT get a card in the mail when you apply online.

The CDPHE reserves mail-in applications for those who have no access to the Internet. Mailed applications take 6-8 weeks to process.

Application Assistance

If you gather all the necessary information and documentation ahead of time, applying for your medical marijuana card is quick and simple. However, if you still find the process confusing or would like assistance at any point, we are here to help. Please call us at 719-246-0393.