In 2014, the state of Maryland passed the House Bill 881 that legalized the use of medical marijuana. Fifty-four percent of Marylanders supported the legalization. The step to pass this bill has made medical marijuana more accessible to patients. However, to get access to this drug legally, one has to have a Maryland cannabis card. Patients have to be recommended by their physician for medical marijuana treatment before acquiring the card.
Registering for a Maryland cannabis card is simple. All you need is to get a licensed physician to evaluate your medical condition and have the right paperwork. You also need to be 18 years and over to apply. However, qualifying patients are not permitted to grow their own medical cannabis. This is still considered illegal. Check out this step-by-step guide on how to apply for a cannabis card in Maryland.
Registration
Before you visit your physician for an evaluation, you are required to register with MMCC (Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission). You can do this through their registration portal. First, you have to create an account. Information you are required to provide include:
- Your passport or driver’s license for proof of identity.
- Documentation that shows you are a Maryland resident, such as a bank statement or a utility bill.
- Your recent photo.
You are required to validate your account after submitting your application. After your application has been reviewed by the MMCC, you will receive an email containing your registration information.
Certification for Medical Cannabis Use
Once MMCC has approved you, you have to visit an MMCC-approved physician to provide a written medical report. The report has to show that you qualify for medical cannabis use. After the approval from your physician, he will provide you with a written certification.
MMCC ID Card
The last step to getting your card is to provide your patient ID number to the physician. You will get this information in the email sent by MMCC for approval. Once your certification is filed, you can finish your MMCC registration. To print a temporary MMCC ID card from your account, you will be required first to pay a small fee. Use the temporary card to purchase at any licensed dispensary in Maryland.
Buy Medical Cannabis
Always have your cannabis card in hand when you go to buy your medication. The dispensary has to verify your information before they can sell it to you. Upon receiving your Maryland cannabis card, you are required to begin using it within 120 days because the card becomes null and void if you don’t use it within this period.
Patients are allowed to buy medication to last up to 30 days at a time. The cannabis card permit allows patients to purchase 36 grams of THC or 120 grams of flower extract each month. You can only buy more medication if your physician approves that you need an increase in this limit. Note that the cannabis card is only valid for two years. It is advisable to get a reliable licensed dispensary to help you set up a renewal consultation when the time is due.
Sources:
https://www.veriheal.com/maryland/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_in_Maryland
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/maryland-medical-marijuana_n_5043851
https://www.rocketnews.com/