Maryland Medical Marijuana Card Service

Since the Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) was initiated in 2015, state university graduates in Maryland created apps that track cannabis strain effects to report to other users. Otha Smith III and a team of techies used personal experience to create the app.

“Smith said he was overwhelmed by a variety of cannabis products when he first became a patient registered with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission as an alternative to using opioids to manage pain that stems from a car crash in 2003 in which he was ejected from the vehicle,” reports The Gazette.

While residents are making progressive cannabis apps, the state is changing arrest protocol when it comes to cannabis. In July 2020, a state judge ruled that the Baltimore Police Department can no longer arrest any resident on the basis of the smell of cannabis as probable cause.

The ruling, “builds on a ruling last summer by the same court that an officer could not arrest and search someone based on an observation of an amount of marijuana that is fewer than 10 grams, which is within the range that was decriminalized in 2014,” reports the Baltimore Sun.

As Maryland moves forward with medical cannabis apps and decriminalization efforts, residents of the Free State continue to openly benefit from the plant’s many healing properties.

Becoming a Medical Cannabis Patient in Maryland

To become a medical marijuana patient in Maryland, it’s a three-step process. First, book an appointment to see a doctor who will review your ailments and medical condition(s). You will also register with the MMCC as a new patient and upload a picture of a valid government-issued ID (driver’s license, passport, etc) that clearly shows your Maryland address and pay the $50 state fee.

Maryland has a handful of qualifying conditions that make patients eligible for a medical cannabis card, including:

Anorexia Cachexia or wasting syndrome Glaucoma PTSD Seizures Severe nausea Severe or chronic pain Severe or persistent muscle spasms

Additionally, the state allows any other “chronic medical condition which is severe and for which other treatments have been ineffective,” as acceptable eligibility for card approval.

Along with a qualifying condition(s), patients must prove their Maryland residency with a valid driver’s license or state identification card. The registration fee is $50.

While Maryland only registers residents into the statewide program, “a person from out-of-state who is in the state for the purpose of receiving medical care can be issued a written certification and obtain medical cannabis, but the state does not accept ID cards from other states,” according to the MMCC’s website.

Caregivers in Maryland

Caregivers can apply to assist patients in Maryland online after meeting certain requirements. All caregivers must be at least 21-years-old. Register with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) for a $50 fee. A caregiver must also be Maryland resident, proving their address with a valid driver’s license or state identification card.

Once a caregiver has their valid MMCC Caregiver ID Card, they can purchase medical cannabis from dispensaries in Maryland and transport it to their patient(s). According to the MMCC, Caregivers in Maryland can only serve up to five patients at once, and patients may have a maximum of two caregivers at once. However, minor patients (those under the age of 18) must have at least one caregiver at all times, and only a minor patient’s parents or legal guardians can serve as their caregivers. Note that caregivers must register with the MMCC first, then the minor patient can be registered.

Possession and Cultivation Limits in Maryland

The legal amount a Maryland resident can possess is based on a doctor’s recommendation, according to the state, noting that “the certification issued by a provider for a patient identifies the amount of dried flower and THC that the patient may purchase in a 30-day period.”

Currently, under Maryland law, medical cannabis patients and caregivers cannot cultivate their own cannabis.

I am a qualified patient; how do I go about getting a Maryland medical marijuana card?

It’s simple. Use the form at the top of this page to begin the process, and Veriheal will start setting you up with a physician who can evaluate your health and confirm your condition.

The medical marijuana evaluation and approval with Veriheal are $199, with a full guarantee that if not approved you will get your money back. The state of Maryland charges a $50 fee for the card application and registration, which is not necessarily guaranteed.

Can Maryland refer me to certified medical cannabis physicians?

No, the state does not offer any physician referrals, which is why Veriheal has set up shop in Maryland to assist residents who wish to apply for a medical marijuana card.

Does chronic pain qualify as a condition in Maryland?

Yes. Chronic pain is a qualifying condition in Maryland.

Do I have to be a resident of Maryland to attain a medical marijuana license?

Yes. To be approved for a medical cannabis license in Maryland, an applicant must provide either a state driver’s license or identification card to prove they live at a specific address.

Can I use my Maryland medical cannabis card outside of the state?

That depends on the state you are visiting, which is why it is essential to contact the state you are visiting to find out their medical cannabis rules and regulations.

What is the first step to getting a medical marijuana card in Maryland?

The first step is to register with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission as a new patient and obtain your Patient ID number.

Once you have your Patient ID, a doctor that has certified you for medical marijuana can update your MMCC records to approved and you can visit a dispensary and begin purchasing cannabis legally.

My primary care physician is not registered, can I still get a recommendation from them?

No, you cannot. You can only get approved for medical marijuana from a practitioner that has registered with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission.

How do I qualify for medical marijuana in Maryland?

To qualify for medical marijuana in Maryland you must be at least 18 years of age, be a Maryland resident, have a valid government-issued ID, and have one of the qualifying conditions.

What if I am not approved for medical marijuana?

If you are not approved by a Veriheal, practitioner, your consultation is free! We have a very high approval rate; however, if you are not approved, you will be refunded in full.

Where are the dispensaries in Maryland? Is there a dispensary near me?

There are already tons of dispensaries all over the state of Maryland. You can see a list of Maryland dispensaries here.