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Can You Get a Medical Card for ADHD in California in 2024?

There are around 8.7 million adults in the United States who live with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), according to estimates. If you are one of them, you may have wondered whether medical marijuana can help you manage your symptoms. And if you live in California, you may be wondering whether your condition qualifies you for a medical marijuana card.

California is one of the states that has legalized marijuana recreationally, so you wouldn’t necessarily need a medical diagnosis to legally use it. However, a medical marijuana card comes with certain benefits that aren’t available to those who use marijuana recreationally. But can you get a medical card for ADHD in California? Keep reading to find out.

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in California

California was among the first states to approve marijuana for medical use with the passage of its Compassionate Use Act in 1996. People with certain medical conditions who live in California can apply for a Medical Marijuana Identification Card (MMIC). MMIC holders are protected under the Compassionate Use Act and are exempt from paying sales tax on marijuana cannabis flower, edibles, concentrates, and topicals.

You may qualify for an MMIC card in California if you have a serious medical condition. According to California’s Senate Bill 94, those conditions include:

• AIDS
• Anorexia
• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Cachexia
• Chronic pain
• Glaucoma
• Migraines
• Muscle spasms associated with multiple sclerosis
• Epileptic seizures
• Severe nausea

Senate Bill 94 also grants medical marijuana rights to anyone who suffers from a condition that interferes with their ability to perform “major life activities,” as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was passed in 1990. Furthermore, you’re eligible for an MMIC card in California if your condition poses risks to your safety or physical or mental health if it isn’t managed.

So Can You Get a Medical Card for ADHD in California?

Unfortunately, having ADHD does not qualify you for an MMIC in the state of California. The state does not consider it a serious condition along the same lines as the others listed above.

That said, California’s Senate Bill 94 does carry the stipulation, as mentioned above, that other conditions defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act that prevent a person from performing major life activities do qualify. ADHD is considered a qualifying mental impairment under the ADA. For example, people with ADHD are protected from discrimination in workplaces in the same way as people with mental health issues like:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia

So, can you get a medical card for ADHD in California? It’s a possibility. You’ll need to consult with your physician to find out. Your physician is the only person who can make an official recommendation for a medical marijuana card in California.

Photo by Tara Winstead

The Effects of Cannabis on ADHD

There isn’t a lot of conclusive evidence about the relationship between marijuana use and ADHD. Although the results of some studies show that cannabis can be useful for alleviating certain symptoms of ADHD, those benefits mostly apply to short-term relief. On the other hand, other studies suggest that cannabis use can have undesirable effects on people with ADHD, such as:

• Marijuana dependency
• Worsened symptoms

It’s also important to note that other studies have linked cannabis use with dangerous heart conditions when mixed with certain ADHD medications, such as methylphenidate. So again, if you’re interested in using medical marijuana to treat symptoms of ADHD, you should have a conversation with your primary care doctor.

Schedule an Appointment with a Medical Marijuana Doctor in California Today!

If you don’t have a primary care physician of your own, you can speak with a medical marijuana doctor in California to learn about your options for obtaining a medical marijuana card for treating ADHD. For help finding one, turn to Green Health Docs.

At Green Health Docs, we’re committed to helping patients learn about their medical marijuana options in every state. We offer in-person and telehealth visits (where regulations allow) so that you can speak with a medical marijuana doctor and get more information. If you’re eligible for medical marijuana rights, we can even help you apply for a medical marijuana card and connect you with medical marijuana clinics near you.

Green Health Docs was founded by doctors who believe in the power of medical marijuana to change the lives of patients. To find out more, schedule an appointment today.

This article has been reviewed by Dr. Anand Dugar, an anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician and the founder of Green Health Docs. Graduating from medical school in 2004 and residency in 2008, Dr. Dugar has been a licensed physician for almost 20 years and has been leading the push for medical cannabis nationwide.