Becoming a Patient in Maryland

If you are an individual with a qualifying condition in Maryland, schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider approved by the state of Maryland to certify patients. Once you have received certification from a qualified physician, you can register for an account with a valid email address here.

To register as a patient in Maryland, you will need an electronic copy of a valid government ID. This can be a driver's licence, state issued photo ID, military ID, or US passport. If the ID provided does not reflect your current address in Maryland, you must also provide two documents as proof of your current Maryland residency. These documents may include:

• MVA registration card or title
• Utility, telephone or cable/satellite TV bill
• Bank account statement
• Property tax bill
• Mortgage statement or proof of home ownership (Deed, Title, Bill of Sale)
• Major credit card bill (Visa, MasterCard, Wal-Mart, Target, etc.)
• Residential rental contract (lease or rental contract between landlord and tenant which ​includes all signatures).
• Selective Service Card
• Federal, state or local government mail issued by the state of Maryland (ie. Social Security, social services)
• Car insurance policy

Each document must be issued by a different agency or company. All documents must be dated within the past 90 days.

You will need an electronic copy of a clear, recent photograph in passport style; a clear color photo of the patient's unobstructed face with either a neutral expression or a smile. You must be fully clothed facing the camera with both eyes open against a plain whit background. No head coverings, hats, or sunglasses are permitted. The file must be a .jpeg no larger than 3 MB. If your photo does not meet the stated guidelines, your application will be returned and you will have to re-submit with a new photo.

Once all of this information is submitted, there will be a $50 fee to apply and receive your registry ID card. The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission will process your application and get back to you with a rejection or an approval. Your patient ID will be sent to you in the mail, but you will be allowed to visit dispensaries with a temporary electronic ID as soon as you are approved.

Eligible conditions:

The Commission is encouraged to approve of physician applications for the following medical conditions:

1. a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition that results in a patient being admitted into hospice or receiving palliative care; or
2. a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or the treatment of a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition that produces:
   1. cachexia, anorexia, or wasting syndrome;
   2. severe or chronic pain;
   3. severe nausea;
   4. seizures; or
   5. severe or persistent muscle spasms.

The Commission may also approve of applications that include any other conditions that are severe and for which other medical treatments have been ineffective if the symptoms reasonably can be expected to be relieved by the medical use of cannabis.

Becoming a Patient as a Minor:

Patients under 18 years of age must have their parent or legal guardian act as their caregiver, and only their caregiver may obtain and administer their medicine. A minor patient may have up to four caregivers provided that two of them are the parents or legal guardians of the patient.

Before the minor is registered the caregiver must complete their registration first, the process is detailed on the MMCC website.

Once the patient's caregiver is registered, they can fill out an application on behalf of their patient.

Benefits of Being a Patient:

Becoming a patient in Maryland gives you access to over 100 dispensaries across the state. You will also get an affirmative defense in court if you are arrested for possession of cannabis.

Becoming a Caregiver:

The process for becoming a caregiver is similar to that of a patient and requires all of the same verification documents, fees and ID photo submission standards. You must be over 21 years old to register as a caregiver. You do not need to be a caregiver designated to a patient when you register. You may serve as a caregiver for up to five patients.

Out of State Patients:

The state of Maryland does not recognize out of state patient registrations. If you are a patient from out of state who maintains a residency in Maryland you may apply for the MMCCs patient ID. For more information about traveling as a medical cannabis patient, check out our Travel Guide.

Home Cultivation:

Growing cannabis at home is illegal in the state of Maryland.