How to Get a Maryland Medical Marijuana Card in 2022

Are you interested in getting a Medical Marijuana Card in Maryland? You've come to the right place. We hope this article acts as a valuable guide to help you understand the process of applying for your MMJ Card. We keep this information up to date to make sure it is accurate and makes your journey as simple as possible. Keep reading to find out more.

Getting a Maryland Medical Marijuana Card Online with Leafwell

During the COVID-19 pandemic, undergoing a medical marijuana consultation online with a Maryland-qualified physician became legal in MD. Now you can qualify for a medical marijuana card in Maryland online.

As recreational marijuana is illegal in Maryland, the only way to use cannabis legally is to apply for a Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) Identity Card. Unlike many other states, you must first register online before speaking to a physician in order to start your application process in Maryland.

With Leafwell, it is quick and simple and secure to get a Maryland Medical Marijuana Card online. We've put together this valuable guide which will answer all your questions and help individuals living in Maryland State understand the importance of applying for their Maryland MMJ Card via the easy, HIPAA Compliant process offered by Leafwell's telemedicine platform. You can visit our Ultimate Guide to Getting a Medical Marijuana Card for more general information.

Note that while medical marijuana is legal, recreational cannabis is not and possession of marijuana without a card carries federal charges. Therefore, we strongly recommend everyone who is suffering from any of the conditions listed by the Maryland legislation apply for their MMJ card.

Who Can Apply for a Maryland MMJ Card?

You must be aged 18 years-old or over in order to get a Maryland medical marijuana card for yourself. Caregivers must be aged 21 or over and can apply on behalf of a minor patient (under the age of 18). Minors must also have a pediatric subspecialist.

Out of state patients may apply for an MMJ Card in Maryland if they are in the state to receive medical treatment. You will need to provide proof of this upon application.

Veterans can obtain medical cannabis in the same way as other patients, but not from the Veterans Affairs health system. Veterans need to confirm through the office of Veteran Affairs that they are permitted to use medical cannabis as part of their certified provider recommendation without consequence to their current position or health care system.

What Does an Medical Marijuana Identity Card Permit in Maryland?

Qualifying Maryland medical marijuana patients can possess the following amounts of cannabis:

Possession Limit (Flowers): Up to 120 grams over a 30-day period, although a physician may recommend more if necessary.
Possession Limit (Concentrates): Up to 36 grams of THC extract per month. Edibles not sold in Maryland dispensaries.

How Do I Apply for a Maryland Medical Marijuana Card with Leafwell?

With Leafwell, you can get your Maryland Medical Marijuana Card in 5 simple steps:

1. Go to the Maryland Government page and complete your registration.

Once complete, you will receive a patient number.

2. Book an appointment with a certified, Maryland licensed physician.

The initial consultation fee is $149 for an examination (subject to change).

3. Attend your appointment and get a medical cannabis certificate from a state-licensed physician.

If you are approved, our physician will submit the certificate to the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission website using your patient number. You must have your patient number before meeting with a physician.

4. Get approved and receive your Maryland MMCC ID Card in minutes.

An e-version will be emailed to you by the state as soon as you are approved (this takes approximately 3 weeks). Please note that Leafwell will not be emailing or mailing you a certificate.

As soon as you've received your MMCC ID Card, you can show at any Maryland licensed dispensary. You can use the e-copy while waiting for the physical version to arrive. The Maryland government will get the physical card to you within a month.

Maryland Medical Cannabis ID Card Requirements

It is mandatory to register to the Maryland medical marijuana program in order for patients to buy and use cannabis from a dispensary legally. This registry is not available to the public, except to check if a medical marijuana card is valid.

MMJ Cards last for 3 years but you must obtain a new certificate from the doctor each year.

The application fee paid to the Maryland government for the MMJ Card is $50.

Please note you must purchase medical cannabis products within 120 days of the card being issued or the certificate will become void.

We can also do renewals for $99. Just provide your patient number during your consultation.

What Does my Online Medical Marijuana Evaluation with Leafwell Include?

Your online medical marijuana evaluation with Leafwell is quick and easy. In order to get started, we'll need you to provide us with some preliminary details and you can also upload some medical records if you have them. These are all passed securely to one of our registered practitioners who can familiarise themselves with your application before your consultation.

Remember, you must have your patient number from the Maryland Government before attending your consultation with Leafwell.

The consultation itself is simple and secure, taking place on our bespoke telemedicine platform. You will meet with a Maryland registered practitioner who has experience issuing certificates for medical marijuana to patients for a range of medical issues. The registered practitioner will speak with you about why you are applying and ask some questions with regards to your medical conditions and history.

At the end of the consultation, the registered practitioner will be able to make an informed decision about whether he or she recommends the use of medical cannabis based on the medical information they have obtained. If an application is successful, the registered practitioner will complete the certification, ready to be uploaded as part of an application to the Maryland government.

If an application is unsuccessful, you will not be charged for the consultation.

How Much Does it Cost to Get a MMIC Consultation Online?

The initial consultation with one of the Maryland Registered Practitioners via Leafwell's HIPAA compliant online consultation service is a one off fee of $149. However, if you do not qualify for an MMJ Card and our practitioner elects not to sign your certificate, you will not be charged.

Upon receiving your certificate, you can submit your application to the Maryland government. It costs $50 for the application fee and Maryland medical marijuana card.

Renewal consultations also cost $99 from Leafwell.

Cannabis is currently federally illegal, so the cost of the physician's appointment & application is not covered by insurance. It will also not be covered by Medicare of Medicaid. Instead, each patient must pay all fees themselves.

What Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Cards in Maryland?

For your application to be successful, a registered practitioner must certify a permanent or temporary diagnosis of one or more of the conditions listed under Maryland law.

According to the Maryland medical cannabis program in 2020, the following conditions may qualify you for a medical marijuana card in Maryland:

A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition that results in a patient being admitted into hospice or receiving palliative care.

A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or the treatment of a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition that produces:

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)
Patients diagnosed with severe conditions where other more traditional medical treatments have been ineffective
Glaucoma
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Note that this list is up to date as of May 2020. Legislation or the Commissioner of Health may add additional conditions, at which time, Leafwell will update this list.

By taking the correct dose of medical marijauna, many patients who experience symptoms from these conditions find their lives transformed. Medical marijuana can give individuals back their energy and capacity to enjoy life, get out in the fresh air and lead a comfortable, healthy and happy existence in the beautiful Maryland outdoors. We believe in the power of medical marijuana to change lives for the better and give individuals the power to control their own medical conditions. Our licensed physicians believe this too which is why they work with Leafwell and help as many patients as possible to secure a medical marijuana card if they, as experts, believe cannabis may help alleviate symptoms and medical issues.

What Documents Do I Need to Apply for a Medical Cannabis Card in Maryland?

In order to apply for your MMJ Card in Maryland, you will need to show your signed certificate which provides proof of your condition as well as your identification documents. You should gather together the following before you start the application process:

ID
Proof of address
Your signed certificate (which can be obtained via Leafwell)
You will need to provide an electronic copy of a passport-style photograph.

Below are all of the acceptable forms these documents may take.

Acceptable ID

Driver's license
Military ID
State-/federally-produced United States ID card
Passport
State-produced ID card - patients must be a resident or seasonal resident of Maryland

Acceptable proof of residency (any 2 of the following)

Bank statement
Utility bill
Correspondence with a state department issued within the last 90 days
Mortgage or rental agreement
Property tax bill
Official documentation from Registrar documenting current enrollment and on-campus living status

Do I Need to Present my Medical Records to Leafwell?

No, they are not necessary. But if you have them, they are helpful for our registered practitioners to build up a comprehensive understanding of your medical history. This allows them to provide an accurate assessment to ensure that medical cannabis is a good option for each patient on a case by case basis. We invite you to upload the following:

Medication list
Physician's diagnosis
Treatment plan
Progress notes
Radiology/MRI/X-ray image
Lab test results

How Does a Caregiver Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Maryland? Can I Get a MMCC Card for My Child?

Some patients may be eligible for an MMJ Card but unable to apply for one themselves. For example, should the patient be a minor under the age of 18, or if the patient needs assistance accessing medical cannabis, a caregiver can be assigned to complete the process on their behalf.

Here is how you can become a caregiver for anyone over the age of 18 in Maryland:

1. Complete and submit an online application.

For patients over the age of 18, visit the One Stop Maryland website (or click here). For patients under the age of 18, click here.

2. Verify your email address.

As soon as you have completed and submitted an online application form, a verification email will be sent to the email address you provided on your application. You must click the verification link in the email message to verify your email account. Without performing this step, your application is not complete and will not be reviewed by the Commission.

3. Completed applications will be reviewed by MMCC.

You will receive a follow up email advising whether or not your application has been approved. Please retain the approval email for your records. It contains your Username, which you will need to log in to the Caregiver Registry, as well as your MMCC Caregiver ID Number.

4. Designate a registered patient.

Once your application has been approved, the patient must log into their account and designate you as a caregiver in the Patient Registry. For detailed instructions on how to designate a patient, please see the Designating an Adult Patient section on the Caregivers page.

5. Purchase an ID card.

Once you have registered and received MMCC approval, designated (or have been designated a Caregiver by) a registered Patient, and at least one of your designated Patients has received a valid certification from a physician registered with MMCC, you are ready to purchase an ID card.

ID cards are required, which means you must have one before you can purchase medical cannabis from a licensed Maryland dispensary for any of your designated patients. You can log into your Caregiver Registry account to purchase an ID card for a fee of $50; the fee for replacement cards is $100.

Please note, minor patients are permitted to have a maximum of two registered, designated caregivers assigned to their accounts at one time. One caregiver is identified and automatically assigned through the Minor Patient registration process.

Adding a Second Caregiver

To add a second caregiver for a minor patient, please contact Commission staff at 844-421-2571. Due to the additional documentation required for caregivers serving minor patients, additional caregivers for minor patients may not be added via the online registry system.

Likewise, a caregiver may not remove a minor patient from his or her registry account. To cancel a designation between a minor patient and a caregiver, the minor patient may remove the caregiver from his or her registry account or the caregiver can contact MMCC at 844-421-2571 to request that the designation be removed.

Once your registration is complete, you have received MMCC approval, you have been designated by a registered patient with a valid certification and obtained a valid ID card; you are ready to visit a licensed Maryland dispensary to procure medical cannabis for your designated patient(s). You will be required to present your valid MMCC-issued Caregiver ID card as well as your valid US government-issued photo ID in order to make any purchase from a licensed Maryland dispensary. The dispensary will also need the patient's MMCC-issued Patient ID Number for the transaction.

Can a Qualifying Patient Grow Cannabis in Maryland?

No, Maryland medical marijuana patients cannot legally grow cannabis, even if they have a medical cannabis card.

Are my Details Kept Confidential When I Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card?

Yes. Leafwell is committed to protecting the privacy of our patients. Our online service is HIPAA compliant and our systems are designed to keep all of your confidential details safe.

Does Maryland Have Medical Marijuana Reciprocity? I.E. does the state accept any other state's cards and do any other states recognise a card from Maryland?

Maryland does not currently recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards. However, those who are from out-of-state who feel that they would qualify for a Maryland medical marijuana certificate may apply for a medical cannabis card!
Some states accept out-of-state Medical Marijuana Cards. This is called reciprocity. The following states accept out-of-state medical cannabis cards:

Alaska ^
Arkansas *
California ^
Colorado ^
Hawaii *
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Nevada
Oklahoma *
Oregon ^
Puerto Rico
Rhode Island
Washington ^
Washington D.C.

States marked with * require visitors to complete a visiting patient application for the duration of their stay.

States marked with ^ have adult use programs but do not accept out of state cards.

Maryland State House

History of Medical Marijuana Laws in Maryland

2012 - state law enacted to establish a state-regulated marijuana program (but did not become operational until December 1 2017).

2014 - House Bill 881 (HB 881) is approved by Governor Martin O'Malley. This tasked the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Marijuana Commission with developing regulations for patients and dispensaries, including licensing, fees and possession limits.

2014 - the possession of 10 grams or less of marijuana is decriminalized and those caught had to pay a fine and attend a drug education program

2016 - The Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Marijuana Commission is allowed to issue the number of dispensary licenses available.

2017 - Doctors and nurses may make a medical marijuana recommendation as long as they are licensed by the Maryland Board of Nursing, Maryland Board of Physicians, the Podiatrist Medical Examiners or the Maryland Board of Dental Examiners. Registry is mandatory for providers in order to start issuing medical marijuana cards.

Maryland Medical Marijuana Laws

State-licensed dispensaries are operational.

Up to a 30-day supply of cannabis can be issued for patients.

Possession of up to 10 g for personal use is a Civil Offense and can bring a fine of up to $100.

Possession of between 10 g and less than 50 pounds is a misdemeanor, and can bring up to 1 year in prison and/or a $1,000 fine.

Possession of 50 pounds or more is a felony, with a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years and/or a fine of $100,000. Intending to distribute more than 50 pounds will get you the label of "drug kingpin", and can mean a mandatory sentence of at least 5 years and, in cases with multiple offenses (e.g. cultivation) may bring the mandatory minimum up to 20 years and/or a $1,000,000 fine.

Penalties for hashish and concentrates are the same as for marijuana.

Possession of paraphernalia is a Civil Offense, and though there is no penalty, paraphernalia may be confiscated and a criminal charge may go on record, especially if it's a repeat offense.

Sale/advertising may bring you a misdemeanor charge and a $500 fine. Subsequent violations could mean up to 2 years in prison and/or a $2,000 fine.

Trafficking more than 45 kg into Maryland can bring up to 25 years in prison and a fine of $50,000. Less than 45 kg and more than 5 kg, and the sentence is 10 years and a $10,000 fine.

Possession of a firearm with cannabis will bring stiffer penalties.

Maryland law does not prevent an employer from testing for use of cannabis (for any reason) or taking action against an employee who tests positive for use of cannabis (for any reason).

Cultivation is treated as possession. However, cultivation may be seen as a sign as wanting to distribute, so this depends on how many plants a person is growing and how much produce they get.

Useful Links

To find out more about getting a Medical Marijuana Card in Maryland, get in touch with the expert Leafwell team today or use any of these verified resources below: