Massachusetts medical marijuana card FAQ

To apply for a medical marijuana card in Massachusetts, you will need several documents:

First, you must provide valid photo identification, which can be a Massachusetts Driver’s License, Massachusetts ID Card, U.S. Passport, or U.S. Military ID. If you are using a U.S. Passport or U.S. Military ID, you must also submit a document that proves your Massachusetts residency. Acceptable forms of proof of residency include a utility bill (less than 60 days old), a current Massachusetts motor vehicle registration card, a tuition bill (due within the last 6 months), a U.S. marriage certificate (dated within the past 6 months), a property tax or excise tax bill, first-class mail from a federal or state agency (less than 60 days old), a car insurance policy or bill (less than 60 days old), a current Massachusetts-issued professional license, or a mortgage, lease, or loan document (dated within the past 6 months).

Additionally, you will need a written recommendation from a registered certifying physician. If you are applying through a caregiver, they will need the same documents along with the PIN provided by the patient.

You will also need a current photograph of yourself if registering online. You may be able to use your Massachusetts RMV photo during the upload photo step. Please reference the photograph instructions here: https://www.mass.gov/doc/patient-guidance-for-mmj-registration-2/download.

Ensure that your identification is current and not expired. If there are any changes to your ID, you must update the program accordingly.

Adult patients who are unable to administer and responsibly use medical cannabis in Massachusetts, and patients under 18 can designate up to two caregivers at a time.

All the information provided by the patient and caregiver are considered confidential under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This law restricts the release of health information without the explicit consent of the patient. The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission has a registry of patients and caregivers and this cannot be released without consent.

According to Chapter 369 of the Massachusetts General Laws, medical marijuana can only be prescribed by qualified health providers. The health providers must provide written certifications for the treatment and can only do so when the patient’s benefits from medical marijuana treatment is more than the possible risks. Healthcare providers must register with the Massachusetts medical program according to Title 935 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations before they can certify patients for medical marijuana. The healthcare providers include Doctors of Medicine, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, Certified nurse practitioners and Physician assistants. For minors, one of the healthcare providers must be a pediatrician, pediatric specialist, oncologist, neurologist and family physician.

Insurance does not cover medical marijuana in Massachusetts. Consider contacting your insurance provider to learn more.

You can buy medical marijuana at medical marijuana dispensaries in Massachusetts. Use the following link https://masscannabiscontrol.com/find-a-retailer/ to find licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MTCs) and adult-use Marijuana Establishments (MEs) throughout the state. Registered medical cannabis patients have more priority than recreational cannabis consumers at local dispensaries.

To visit a medical marijuana dispensary in Massachusetts, you need to hold your MMJ card and government-issued ID. With only the government-issued ID, you can only purchase up to one ounce per day as an adult.

To apply for a medical marijuana card in Massachusetts, you need to obtain a written certification from a healthcare provider. Dr. Weedy offers an evaluation for this certification at a cost of $119, with a guaranteed refund in case of denial. Once you have your certification, you can apply for a medical marijuana card at no cost. The only extra cost is $10 for replacing a misplaced or stolen Program ID card. If the fee causes a Verified Financial Hardship, the Qualifying Patient can request a fee waiver through a process established by the Commission.

To register with the Massachusetts medical marijuana program, follow these steps:
- First, you need to obtain a written certification from a licensed physician who will determine if you qualify for medical cannabis. 

- Then, log on to the Medical Use of Marijuana Online system and click "Register as a Patient." You will need to provide your identifying information exactly as listed by your physician.

- Upload a passport-style photograph and government-issued ID. If you're using an out-of-state ID, you'll also need to upload proof of Massachusetts residency.

- After uploading your documents, review your information carefully and submit the application.

Wait for approval and receive a temporary card which is valid for four weeks, before getting the permanent plastic card delivered.

To verify your residency, you can upload one of the following documents:

• Utility bill (dated within the last 60 days)
• Current Massachusetts motor vehicle registration
• Tuition bill (due within the last 6 months)
• U.S. marriage certificate (dated within the last 6 months)
• Property tax or excise tax bill
• First-class mail from a federal or state agency (dated within the last 60 days)
• Car insurance policy or bill (dated within the last 60 days)
• Current Massachusetts-issued professional license
• Mortgage, lease, or loan document (dated within the last 6 months)

Make sure the document size is under 3 MB to successfully upload.

In Massachusetts, once your medical marijuana application is fully submitted and approved, it generally takes about two weeks to receive your physical medical marijuana ID card. However, you’ll be issued a temporary card immediately, which you can print and use while waiting for the permanent one.

To avoid delays, ensure your application is complete, including any apartment or unit number in your address. The permanent card will arrive in a plain, white envelope, so be sure to check your mail carefully, as it may be mistaken for junk mail.

Yes, only qualifying patients that reside in Massachusetts can apply for a medical marijuana card. They must provide proof of Massachusetts residency in the application.

Yes, you can apply for a medical marijuana card online in Massachusetts. Patients can obtain the written documentation through telemedicine and then apply for the card online using the Medical Use of Marijuana Program Online System.

To update your information, log into the Medical Use of Marijuana Program Online System at MassCIPortal.com.

• For a name change, you'll need to upload a legal document proving the change and provide updated identification showing the new name.
• To update your email or phone number, simply log into your account and make the changes.
• If you're changing your residential address, you'll need to upload a new proof of residency document.
• A change to your mailing address doesn't require any additional documents.

For detailed instructions, refer to the patient guide in MassCIP.

A minor, which is a person under the age of 18, can apply for a medical marijuana card after being diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition by two healthcare professionals. One of these must be a pediatrician, pediatric subspecialist, oncologist, neurologist or family physician. The patient or legal guardian must provide written consent for medical cannabis treatment before receiving a written certification. Then, they can apply via the Cannabis Control Commission and designate a caregiver. Once the patient receives 18, they can re-apply for the medical marijuana card as an adult.

To renew your medical marijuana card in Massachusetts, first obtain a recertification from a certified healthcare provider. Using your 4-digit PIN, log into the MassCIP online system to update your information. No state fee is required to complete your renewal. Within 10 business days, you will receive your new medical marijuana card.

It usually takes up to 10 business days to renew your medical marijuana card in Massachusetts. It’s recommended to renew your registration 60 days before the expiry date.

The validity of your medical marijuana certification depends on the duration set by your healthcare provider. Your registration with the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program must be renewed annually. Be sure to renew it 60 days before it expires. The physical Program ID card, however, is valid for three years and will also need to be renewed 60 days before the expiration date.

To check the certification status of your medical recommendation, you can log into the MassCIP online system or contact the program at (833) 869-6820. Additionally, Dr. Weedy provides a convenient service by notifying customers in advance of their certification's approaching expiration deadline, ensuring you have ample time to renew.

You can apply online through the online system using your username, password and PIN. Then, upload the government-issued ID, proof of residency and digital photograph where necessary.

Recreational use of cannabis is legal in Massachusetts as long as you are over age 21 and have a government-issued ID. To purchase cannabis, you must present a valid government-issued ID to verify your age. It's important to note that you do not have to be a Massachusetts resident to buy cannabis products; visitors can also access dispensaries. However, keep in mind that while possessing and using cannabis is legal, public consumption is prohibited, and there are restrictions on how much you can carry (up to 1 ounce in public and up to 10 ounces at home). Always familiarize yourself with local laws and regulations to ensure compliance while enjoying cannabis in Massachusetts.

As a medical cannabis patient, you can grow up to 12 flowering and 12 vegetative cannabis plants at home. The plant must be locked and invisible to the public. Recreational users can grow cannabis for personal use but no more than 6 cannabis plants.

When buying medical cannabis, there are no taxes on marijuana purchases. Sales are exempt from taxes so the patients pay the exact cost of cannabis products. Meanwhile, recreational users pay an additional 10.75% excise tax and a 6.25% sales tax. A particular city or town can also impose a 3% local tax on marijuana sales.

When purchasing cannabis at a medical dispensary, you need a medical card. But as a recreational user, you can purchase with a government-issued ID.

Medical marijuana patients in Massachusetts cannot own guns because federal law prohibits them from owning firearms. According to Section 10H of the Massachusetts General Laws, individuals with firearm licenses are not allowed to carry loaded guns or have one under their control while using marijuana, along with other intoxicating substances. Violating this law can result in severe penalties, including a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to two and a half years, or both. Having an MMJ card does not protect patients from these restrictions, and they risk losing their gun rights if they use cannabis while possessing firearms.

Employees in Massachusetts are not protected from workplace discrimination as medical marijuana patients. As long as the employer complies with federal regulations, they can choose not to hire marijuana users and can fire employees who fail drug tests.

Whether you’re a medical or adult-use marijuana user, you cannot consume marijuana in any form in public or on federal land. Those who live in federally subsidized housing cannot cultivate or use marijuana in their homes.

You cannot use an out-of-state medical cannabis card to purchase marijuana in Massachusetts, although adults  from other states can purchase and possess one ounce of cannabis.

If stopped by law enforcement, you should show your medical marijuana card to them and ensure you are meeting the legal limits of possession. Caregivers can also possess marijuana as long as they hold their caregiver card. If you’re not a medical marijuana user, you can only legally possess up to one ounce of cannabis.