Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Card

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How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Massachusetts in 2024

  1. Obtain a certification for medical cannabis from a registered certifying healthcare provider via telemedicine or in person. Please visit our online scheduler here for convenient date and time options to schedule your certification consult with our Nurse Practitioners. ElevateCareNP does not certify minors and all our visits are done via telemedicine.

  2. After receiving the healthcare provider's certification, register with the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) for a Massachusetts marijuana card online or by mail. Once you are certified by ElevateCareNP you will receive an email with a PIN number plus instructions on how to register with the CCC. You will be able to download a temporary pass from the CCC and then receive a medical marijuana card in the mail in about 2 - 3 weeks.

  3. Not able to apply online? You may register by mail but the processing times for paper applications are longer. Follow the instructions on the registration form.

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Card in Massachusetts

According to Chapter 369 of the Massachusetts General Laws, a person diagnosed with any of the following medical conditions may qualify for medical marijuana treatment:

  • Cancer

  • Glaucoma

  • HIV/AIDS

  • Hepatitis C

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

  • Crohn’s disease

  • Parkinson’s disease

  • Multiple sclerosis

A person diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition may register with the state’s medical marijuana program as a medical marijuana patient after being certified by a registered certifying healthcare provider. Registered medical marijuana patients and caregivers in Massachusetts can legally purchase cannabis products from registered medical marijuana treatment centers for medical use.

Can I Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Massachusetts Online?

Yes, it is possible to apply for a Massachusetts medical marijuana card online. After obtaining certification from a certifying healthcare provider, a qualifying patient can apply (also known as register) for the Commonwealth’s medical marijuana card online. Register as a New Patient - Cannabis Control Commission Massachusetts.

How Do I Register With The Massachusetts Use of Marijuana Program?

Patients who qualify for medical cannabis therapy in the Commonwealth can register with the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program online or use the paper registration process. Registering online is more convenient and faster than paper applications. Applicants will need their valid government-issued IDs, photos, and proof of Massachusetts residency while registering for the medical use of marijuana program. The Cannabis Control Commission provides a guide on how to register with the Massachusetts Use of Marijuana Program. There is no fee to apply/register with the program.

Do I Need To Be A Massachusetts Resident To Get A Medical Marijuana Card?

Yes, only qualifying patients who reside in Massachusetts can apply for the Commonwealth's medical marijuana cards. They are required to provide proof of Massachusetts residency with their application/registration.

What Do You Need When Visiting A Medical Marijuana Dispensary In Massachusetts?

Licensed medical marijuana treatment centers in Massachusetts usually check the state's medical marijuana registry database to verify buyers' identities before dispensing cannabis products to them. Registered medical marijuana patients and caregivers must provide their registration cards and valid government-issued photo identification when purchasing marijuana products from licensed medical marijuana treatment centers in Massachusetts.

Who Can Provide Certifications for Medical Marijuana In Massachusetts?

Per the provisions of Chapter 369 of the Massachusetts General Laws, medical marijuana patients in the state must consult with qualified healthcare providers and obtain certifications for medical marijuana treatment. Medical marijuana patients need such certifications when applying for medical cannabis cards under the Massachusetts medical marijuana program. Qualified healthcare providers only issue certifications for medical marijuana treatment when patients' potential benefits from medical marijuana outweigh possible risks.

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) does not provide a registry of qualified healthcare providers for medical marijuana treatment certification. However, according to the provisions of Title 935 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR), healthcare providers must register with the state's medical marijuana program before they can certify patients for medical marijuana treatment. The kinds of healthcare providers that can certify patients for medical marijuana in Massachusetts are:

  • Doctors of Medicine (MDs)

  • Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs)

  • Certified nurse practitioners (CNPs)

  • Physician assistants (PAs)

Can A Minor Get A Medical Marijuana Card In Massachusetts?

Minors (persons under the age of 18) are allowed to use medical marijuana in Massachusetts. According to Title 935, Section 501.010 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR), a minor must be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition by two qualified healthcare professionals one of whom must be a:

  • Pediatrician

  • Pediatric subspecialist

  • Oncologist

  • Neurologist

  • Family physician

Healthcare professionals must inform minors' parents or legal guardians about the potential risks of medical marijuana on neurological development before recommending medical cannabis treatment for their patients. Also, the parent or guardian of a minor must provide written consent for medical cannabis treatment before their ward can obtain certification from a qualified healthcare professional. Please note that ElevateCareNP doesn’t provide certifications for minors.

How To Renew Your Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Card

Massachusetts medical marijuana registration cards expire after one year and, therefore, require annual renewal. Medical marijuana patients may renew their registration cards 60 days before expiry. Persons renewing their medical marijuana registration cards must visit a qualified healthcare provider to obtain a certification for medical marijuana treatment if their previous certification has expired. Medical marijuana patients may check the status of their patient certifications through their accounts on the Massachusetts medical marijuana program online portal. Alternatively, they may call the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) at 1 (833) 869-6820 to confirm the status of their patient certifications.

Medical marijuana registration cards may be renewed online or by mail. Persons with current patient certifications may log into their accounts on the Massachusetts medical marijuana online portal and apply for card renewals. Medical marijuana registration card renewal applicants in Massachusetts receive their new cards by mail within 2 - 3 weeks typically. To renew a medical marijuana registration card by mail, the applicant should download and complete the medical marijuana patient registration renewal form. Following this, they should attach the required documents to the renewal form and send them by mail to the CCC at:

Cannabis Control Commission

Medical Use of Marijuana Program

Worcester Union Station

2 Washington Square

Worcester, MA 01604

Can You Grow Medical Marijuana In Massachusetts?

According to Title 935 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR), registered medical marijuana patients in the state may grow up to 12 mature and 12 immature cannabis plants at home. Also, per Title 935, Section 501.027 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR), medical marijuana patients may obtain hardship cultivation registration from the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). Hardship cultivation registration allows registered medical marijuana patients to grow cannabis plants at home to maintain a 60-day supply of medical cannabis (10 ounces of cannabis). This type of registration is reserved for:

Registered medical marijuana patients or caregivers in Massachusetts growing marijuana plants at home are required to lock their cultivation areas to prevent access by unauthorized persons. Also, they must ensure that their cultivation areas cannot be seen from streets or other public spaces.

Massachusetts: Benefits Of Having A Medical Marijuana Card In A Recreational Marijuana-Legal State

The following are some of the advantages medical marijuana cardholders in Massachusetts have over recreational cannabis consumers:

  • Discounts are often available on medical cannabis products to medical marijuana patients with medical cannabis cards. Additionally, medical cannabis card holders do not pay taxes on medical marijuana purchases in Massachusetts.

  • With a medical marijuana card in hand, a registered medical cannabis patient will be prioritized over a recreational cannabis consumer at any local dispensary.

  • Qualifying medical marijuana patients with cannabis cards may be able to use their cards in some other states - like Rhode Island and Maine.

  • A medical marijuana card allows a patient to possess up to a 60-day supply of cannabis, while recreational marijuana consumers may carry no more than 1 ounce of cannabis.

  • With a Massachusetts medical marijuana card, a cannabis patient can grow more marijuana plants at home. For instance, they may grow up to 12 vegetative and 12 flowering marijuana plants at home for personal use. Recreational marijuana users in the state may only cultivate up to six marijuana plants.

Does Massachusetts Allow Medical Marijuana Patients To Designate Caregivers?

According to Title 935, Section 501.002 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulation (CMR), medical marijuana caregivers are individuals or institutions that assist registered medical marijuana patients in administering cannabis products. Caregivers also obtain and transport marijuana products on behalf of registered medical marijuana patients.

There are two types of caregivers under the Massachusetts medical marijuana program: personal caregivers and institutional caregivers. A personal caregiver is an individual, 21 years or older, who helps a registered medical marijuana patient to administer marijuana products or cultivate cannabis plants at home for medical use. If a personal care attendant, home health aide, or visiting nurse serves as a medical marijuana patient's personal caregiver, they cannot cultivate marijuana plants for their patient. Personal medical marijuana caregivers in Massachusetts are allowed to manage a maximum of five patients at once.

Institutional caregivers are employees of long-term care facilities, hospice programs, or hospitals providing care to registered medical marijuana patients within their institutions' facilities. Institutional caregivers are not permitted to cultivate marijuana plants on behalf of their patients. Personal and institutional medical marijuana caregivers are required to register under the Massachusetts medical marijuana program and obtain caregiver registration cards. Caregivers are not automatically assigned to medical marijuana patients under the Massachusetts medical marijuana program. Patients are allowed to designate caregivers by themselves, and they may designate up to two caregivers at once.

Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Reciprocity

Marijuana cards issued in other states are not recognized in Massachusetts, but visitors can possess up to 1 ounce of cannabis. Massachusetts medical marijuana card holders can use their cards in a few states with medical cannabis reciprocity, including Rhode Island, Maine, and Nevada.

Are My Medical Marijuana Records Private?

Yes, It is unlawful to disclose medical cannabis patients' records in Massachusetts without the patients' authorizations. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), medical marijuana records are expected to be kept private anywhere, including in Massachusetts. However, per HIPAA Privacy Rules, entities covered by HIPAA may disclose patients' medical records to law enforcement agencies and employers if required for legal purposes or public health activities.

Does Insurance Cover Medical Marijuana In Massachusetts?

Health insurance or worker’s compensation insurance plan does not cover a person’s medical cannabis expenses in Massachusetts.

What Is The Medical Card Limit In Massachusetts?

With a Massachusetts medical marijuana card, a registered cannabis patient can purchase a 60-day cannabis supply, subject to a maximum of 10 ounces, depending on their certifying healthcare provider’s assessment.