Join California NORML and help us continue our work
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I join or support California NORML?
See our membership page.
2. How can I find a lawyer?
See our legal referral page.
3. Where can I find a physician to recommend medical marijuana?
Any California licensed physician can recommend or approve your use of medical marijuana. Also see our index of Medicinal Cannabis Practitioners, indexed by county.
4. Where can I find a cannabis cooperative, collective, dispensary or delivery service?
See our list of Cannabis Patients' Cooperatives and Support Groups and Cannabis Delivery Services. Cal NORML makes no representation as to the quality, service, reliability, or compassion of any of the coops, dispensaries, delivery services or patients' groups listed.
5. How much medical marijuana can I grow for my personal use?
See Local Medical Marijuana Cultivation & Possession Guidelines
6. Can I legally grow medical marijuana to sell?
Under state law, the California Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (Prop. 215) patients and their "primary caregivers" are protected from criminal prosecution under state law for personal possession and cultivation of marijuana, but NOT for distribution or sale to others. State law was expanded in 2004 by a new law, Senate Bill 420 (Health & Safety Code 11362.7-8). Among other things, SB 420 authorized patient "cooperatives" or "collectives" to grow, distribute and/or sell medical marijuana on a non-profit basis to their members. It also allows duly designated primary caregivers who consistently attend to patients' needs and collective members to charge for their labor and services in providing marijuana.
6. How can I grow medical marijuana collectively with or for other patients, or open a patient cooperative or delivery service?
See our provider guidelines.
7. Do I need an I.D. card?
They are voluntary, but may protect you better from arrest. Read more.
8. Can employers and others access my medical marijuana recommendation or ID card information?
No. The state ID card system has safeguards to protect patient privacy. Patient names and addresses are not kept in the state's data base: the only information retained is a personal photo and ID number. The privacy of medical records is protected by federal HIPPA laws.
9. I get drug tested at my job. Can I use medical marijuana?
Not necessarily. The California Supreme Court ruled that employers can discriminate against medical marijuana users. The legislature passed a bill to change that in 2008, but Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed it.
10. Can I take my medical marijuana on a plane?
Some airports, like Los Angeles and Oakland are respectful of patients' rights, but others like Arcata and Burbank aren't. If you're flying out of California, check for reciprocity with state law (if they have one--see below).
11. I am traveling to another state. Can I use my California medical marijuana card or recommendation there?
Arizona, Montana and Michigan have reciprocity in their medical marijuana laws. Rhode Island respects out-of-state recommendations for any "debilitating medical condition." Vermont allows recommendations from neighboring states for Vermont residents only.
12. I am coming to California. Can I use medical marijuana there?
Only with a California doctor's recommendation. Most require residency. Also, collectives require a California ID.
13. Can I use medical marijuana on federal land in California?
Medical marijuana patients are not protected while on federal park land or forest land in California. CalNORML has received reports of campers and those driving through federal land who are searched, charged with federal possession statutes, and had their medicine confiscated. A California medical recommendation is not a defense in federal court to these charges.
14. Is hashish covered under the medical marijuana laws?
Yes. See Attorney General's ruling
15. Can I use medical marijuana while on probation or parole?
Yes, unless the judge specifies that you cannot under the terms of your probation, which you may appeal. You can request that the judge affirm your use of medical marijuana or modify the terms of your probation to allow medical marijuana use. See Section 11362.795 of SB420
People v. Tilehkooh established that it is state, not federal law that governs this question.
16. Can I grow or use medical marijuana with children in the house?
There is nothing in state law against this. However it's advised to keep your medical marijuana away from children. Make sure that you don't leave edibles around where kids can get them, and keep gardens away from where they play.
In rare cases Child Protective Services has become involved, mostly in cases with large plant numbers, evidence of sales, neglect, or messy divorce proceedings. In such cases, CPS tends not to be understanding about medical marijuana and can always allege child endangerment.
17. Can I own or buy a gun with a medical marijuana card?
The federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms sent letters to gun dealers in 2011 warning them they could not sell to known medical marijuana users. When buying a gun, you may be asked whether you are a user of illegal drugs and/or medical marijuana.
Answering yes makes you ineligible to purchase; falsely answering no is in principle punishable as perjury. This should not affect current gun owners. Although California law does not prohibit medical marijuana users from having guns, using a gun in connection with an offense such as cultivation or possession with sale can result in additional criminal charges. Users are advised to keep their guns in a location that is separate from their marijuana.
18. How can I find a California NORML chapter, or start one?
See a list of California chapters.
See information on forming a chapter.
Contact Ellen Komp, CaNORML deputy director, for California chapter support.