About Medical Cannabis in Maryland
As of July 1, 2023 recreational cannabis is now available to purchase in Maryland. After Maryland voters approved ballot measure Question 4 in November 2022, the state made it legal for people 21 and older to possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis, up to 12 grams of concentrated cannabis, or a total amount of cannabis products that does not exceed 750 mg of THC.
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 $25 state fee.
Qualifying Conditions
Maryland has a handful of qualifying conditions that make patients eligible for a medical cannabis card, including:
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 $25.
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 and 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, medical cannabis is legal in Maryland.
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.
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.
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 $150 fee for the card application and registration, which is not necessarily guaranteed.
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.
The following conditions qualify for medical cannabis in Maryland: cachexia or wasting syndrome, anorexia, severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures or persistent muscle spasms associated with conditions like epilepsy or multiple sclerosis (MS), glaucoma, PTSD, and any chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition that results in a patient being admitted into hospice or receiving palliative care.
Patients diagnosed with severe conditions where other more traditional medical treatments have been ineffective may also qualify.
Yes, you must be a resident of Maryland to obtain a medical marijuana card. 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.
You can use your Maryland medical cannabis card in some other states. Check the local laws of the state you’re visiting to determine if your medical card is valid in that state.
No, you cannot. You can only get approved for medical marijuana from a practitioner that has registered with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission.
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.
There are a wide variety of products that medical cannabis patients in Maryland can choose from at the dispensary. Maryland currently allows card-holding patients to purchase all types of medicinal cannabis. Once you obtain a card, you can purchase raw cannabis flower, tinctures, oils, concentrates, topicals, vapes, pre-rolls, and edibles.
Yes, you can renew your medical card with Veriheal. Maryland medical cannabis patients must be recertified every three years. Veriheal will get in touch with you when your certification is approaching its expiration to help you set up a renewal consultation.