California vs. Hawaii medical marijuana card: how they compare
Live near the California–Hawaii line? You can only get a card in the state where you live, but here's how the two programs compare.
Side by side
| California | Hawaii | |
|---|---|---|
| First visit online | Yes | Yes |
| State fee | Set by each county, up to $100 | $38.50 |
| Card lasts | Up to 1 year | 1 year (up to 3 years if the provider states the condition is chronic) |
| Patient limit | 8 ounces of dried marijuana per patient | Up to 4 ounces of usable cannabis (shared between patient and caregiver) |
| Home grow | 6 mature or 12 immature plants per patient | Up to 10 plants (mature or immature) per patient at a registered grow site |
| Recreational | Legal | Not legal |
| Listed conditions | 12 | 15 |
Residency is what matters
Both programs are for residents. Moving across the line means applying again in your new state — and you can't carry cannabis between them.
Read more
Sources
- CDPH - Medical Marijuana Identification Card Program
- CDPH - MMICP Frequently Asked Questions
- Medical Board of California - Guidelines for the Recommendation of Cannabis for Medical Purposes
This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Laws change — confirm details with your state agency. State facts last checked October 7, 2026.