Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Card

The state of Massachusetts is one of the very first US states that took initial steps to decriminalize the possession of cannabis. The bill was passed back in 2008, decriminalizing the possession of cannabis, followed by a 2012 legislation legalizing the use of medical cannabis for qualifying medical conditions.

Today, a resident of Massachusetts having a valid medical marijuana card issued by the state’s Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) can possess and consume medical cannabis within a specified range. As per the CCC policy, healthcare providers, caregivers, treatment centers, and dispensaries can also use, recommend, and distribute medical cannabis. However, the patient must be registered with the CCC to get a valid Massachusetts medical marijuana card.

Can I apply for a Massachusetts MMJ card?

Let’s take a look at whether or not you can apply for a Massachusetts medical marijuana card in the first place or not. The CCC has mentioned the qualifying conditions to obtain a medical marijuana card. As per these conditions,

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Be a legal resident of the state of Massachusetts.
• Suffer from a ‘debilitating’ or qualifying medical condition.

But does the set age limit mean that minors can’t apply for a medical marijuana card? Fortunately, that’s not the case. A minor diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition can apply for a medical marijuana card via the CCC as long as the minor is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who also agrees to act as the primary caregiver. To qualify, a minor must also be diagnosed by at least two Massachusetts-licensed physicians.

Qualifying medical conditions for obtaining a Massachusetts MMJ card

As per the policy set by the Cannabis Control Commission, a patient must be diagnosed with one of the following medical conditions to become eligible for a Massachusetts medical marijuana card,

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) – Lou Gehrig’s Disease
• Hepatitis C
• Cancer
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
• Crohn’s Disease
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Glaucoma
• Multiple Sclerosis

Any other conditions as determined in writing by a qualifying patient’s physician
Apart from these, the following is a list of medical conditions that may qualify a patient for a medical marijuana card,

• Anxiety/Depression
• Chronic pain
• Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Cachexia
• Glaucoma
• PTSD
• Seizures or muscle spasms
• Severe nausea
• Anorexia
• Insomnia
• Sarcoma
• Arthritis
• ADHD

Step-by-step guide to applying for a medical marijuana card in Massachusetts

A medical marijuana card is an ID that proves the status of the cardholder as a state-registered medical marijuana patient. Here’s how you can get your medical marijuana card in Massachusetts,

1. The patient must be diagnosed with one or more qualifying medical conditions and must have a written diagnosis from a Massachusetts-licensed physician.
2. The physician must certify that the use of medical cannabis is indeed beneficial for the patient and must indicate whether or not the patient requires a primary caregiver. The physician will certify all of this on the Medical Use of Marijuana online portal.
3. The patient is now advised to complete their online medical marijuana application. Once the physician certifies the diagnosis, the patient will receive a Personal Identification Number (PIN), which can then be used to log in to the online portal and complete the application. A valid photo ID, proof of residence, and a photo of themselves are some of the documents the patient will be required to upload. A patient also gets the right to nominate two caregivers at this phase. Both of the caregivers will be required to register themselves with the state separately. Once your application is complete, you’ll be notified regarding the final decision and whether or not you’ll receive a Massachusetts medical marijuana card. If the application is approved, the patient will receive a temporary MMJ card that can be printed directly from the portal.

Alternatively, qualifying patients can register themselves for a medical marijuana card by simply dialing (617) 660-5370 and requesting a hardcopy application form. It usually takes around four weeks for a paper copy application to get processed.

Can primary caregivers register with the MMIC?

A caregiver is a person who can aid a registered medical marijuana patient with the transportation of medical marijuana or the patient, cultivation, and administration of medical marijuana. But to be registered as a caregiver, the following are the eligibility conditions set by the CCC,

1. The caregiver must be 21 years or older.
2. Never has been convicted of a drug-related crime.
3. A caregiver can only aid one patient at a time.

The registration process for a caregiver is similar to that of a medical marijuana patient, with the only difference being that the caregiver must obtain the PIN from the registered patient and then log in to the specific portal and register themselves. Caregivers can also dial (617) 660-5370 and request for a paper application.

How long does it usually take to get an MMJ card in Massachusetts?

Both patients and caregivers can print their temporary MMJ card from the portal as soon as their application is approved. The temporary card will be valid for four weeks. In the meantime, a permanent plastic MMJ card will be delivered to their doorsteps in about 2-3 weeks. If you still haven’t received your permanent medical marijuana card in three weeks, feel free to dial (833) 869-6820.

Cost breakdown of getting a Massachusetts MMJ card

Well, the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) doesn’t charge an application fee any longer, meaning that you won’t have to pay anything to get your medical marijuana card in Massachusetts. However, the commission does charge a $10 replacement fee for lost or destroyed cards.

Apart from this, you must also keep in mind that booking an appointment with a licensed physician in Massachusetts will significantly contribute to the overall cost of getting a medical marijuana card.

What documents will I need to apply for my MMJ card, and can I renew it?

Yes, you can renew your Massachusetts MMJ card, as the card expires after one year, and the program ID expires after every three years. Both patients and caregivers can renew their respective IDs about 60 days before the expiration date. As per the CCC, the patient must meet the following conditions to renew their MMJ card,

• The patient must possess a current patient certification from their healthcare provider. This certification can be verified through the patient’s online portal or by simply dialing (833) 869-6820. If the certification has elapsed, the patient must visit a licensed physician and get re-certified.
• The patient is also advised to update their account information through the online portal, including changes to the address, contact details, etc.

Once the renewal application is submitted, the patient will receive their renewed MMJ card in about 7-10 days.

Data privacy and Massachusetts medical marijuana card

The information provided by the patient and caregiver is considered medical information and is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) maintains a registry of qualified patients and caregivers, and information in this registry cannot be disclosed without consent. Only law enforcement officers have access to this information, and their access is limited to verifying the validity of a patient’s registration. Unauthorized disclosure of information from the Massachusetts registry is subject to fines and potential imprisonment.

As per the CCC, only the following information appears on your card,

• Name
• Registration number
• ID card expiration date
• Cardholder’s picture (headshot)
• Registration type (patient or caregiver)

Final Note

The state of Massachusetts has surely put some incredible efforts into streamlining its medical marijuana program, allowing both patients and caregivers to easily register for a state-issued MMJ card. Keeping this in mind, everyone’s betting on a bright future for the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission.