The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) develops policies, procedures, and regulations to implement programs that ensure medical cannabis is available to qualifying patients in a safe and effective manner. The MMCC oversees all licensing, registration, inspection, and testing measures pertaining to Maryland’s medical cannabis program and provides relevant program information to patients, providers, growers, dispensers, processors, testing laboratories and caregivers.

The MMCC has issued pre-approvals for companies to grow, process, and dispense medical cannabis. One final grower’s license has been issued. The remainder of the pre-awardees are currently working through Stage Two of the approval process, which includes undergoing criminal background investigations, completing regulatory requirements, securing local zoning approvals, as well as constructing their facilities. The Commissioners will vote on final licenses in public meetings, on a rolling basis, as pre-approved companies complete their regulatory requirements.

• The industry is now growing the product and the market will dictate the actual time of availability. MMCC anticipates that the first dispensaries will open in the fall of 2017, however, it will take time for the product to be fully integrated in the supply chain and for all dispensaries to open.

Patients: The Patient Registry is now open. Any Maryland resident whose provider approves medical cannabis as a treatment option for a qualifying medical condition is eligible to register with the MMCC as a patient. Any non-Maryland resident currently living in Maryland for the purpose of receiving medical treatment is eligible to register as a patient, as well. During registration, non-Maryland patients will be required to provide the address of and a contact name for the Maryland medical facility where the patient is receiving treatment. Qualifying medical conditions include cachexia, anorexia, wasting syndrome, chronic or severe pain, severe nausea, seizures, severe or persistent muscle spasms, glaucoma, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Providers: A provider must register with the MMCC as a “Certifying Provider” to issue online certifications to patients for medical cannabis. Once registered, the provider may submit online written certifications, which will be linked to the registered patient’s Commission-assigned number. Patients will then be able to obtain medical cannabis at any licensed dispensary in Maryland by presenting their MMCC-issued ID card or another valid government-issued ID (i.e. driver’s license).

• Please note, a written certification that is not used to purchase medical cannabis within 120 days of issuance becomes null and void. However, the 120 days will not start to run until after medical cannabis is available from a medical cannabis dispensary licensed in the State of Maryland.

For more information on the process for legally obtaining medical cannabis in the State of Maryland (once it becomes available), please visit our page with the Steps to Legally Obtain Medical Cannabis. For more information on the registration process, please go to the corresponding pages for Patients, Caregivers, or Providers.

Step 1: Register as a patient with MMCC

When the Patient Registry opens in April 2017, patients must first register.

• Adult Patients (18+ years of age):

  To prepare for registration, please review the Process Overview and Quick Reference Card for registering as a patient.

  Please note: Any non-Maryland resident currently in Maryland for the purpose of receiving medical treatment is eligible to register as a patient and, during registration, will be required to provide the address of and a contact name for the Maryland medical facility where the patient is receiving treatment.

• Minor Patients (Under 18 years of age):

  Minor patients are required to have at least one caregiver assigned to their accounts at all times. Only parents or legal guardians 21 years of age and older are eligible to serve as caregivers for minor patients.

  Please note: Any non-Maryland resident currently in Maryland for the purpose of receiving medical treatment is eligible to register as a patient and, during registration, will be required to provide the address of and a contact name for the Maryland medical facility where the patient is receiving treatment.

  Caregivers must register with the Commission prior to registering the minor patient. Registering a minor patient requires additional forms, one of which must be notarized, so please review carefully the requirements in the Process Overview and Quick Reference Card documents for registering a minor patient.

  For additional information​ on caregivers, please visit the Caregivers page and review the Process Overview and Quick Reference Card documents for registering as a caregiver.​

  For additional information on out-of-state registration requirements, please visit the Patient and Caregiver​ dropdowns.

Step 2: Obtain a written certification from a provider registered with the Commission

Once registered, patients must obtain a valid written certification from a provider registered with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission. The patient is required by law to have a bona fide provider-patient relationship with the provider and the provider must approve medical cannabis as a treatment option for the patient for a qualifying medical condition. Qualifying medical conditions include cachexia, anorexia, wasting syndrome, severe pain, severe nausea, seizures, severe or persistent muscle spasms, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain.

The Provider Registry​ is open and the Commission encourages providers to register. Any provider with an active, unrestricted license in good standing with the Maryland State Board of Physicians and actively registered to prescribe controlled substances in Maryland is eligible to register with MMCC.

When both the patient and provider are registered with MMCC, the provider will need the patient’s MMCC-issued Patient ID Number to issue the certification for medical cannabis through the Commission’s secure online application.

You can find information on providers who recommend cannabis for treatment of qualifying patients at http://www.medchi.org/medcan

Step 3: Visit a licensed Maryland dispensary (once open)

After registering and obtaining a valid written certification from a registered provider, patients are able to visit licensed Maryland dispensaries (as soon as they are open for business) to purchase medical cannabis.

When purchasing medical cannabis at a dispensary, patients will be required to present their valid US government-issued photo ID (or MMCC ID card; please see Step 4 below for information about obtaining an ID card). The dispensary agent will verify the patient’s certification in the Commission’s database before conducting any transaction.

Once established and licensed, the list of licensed Maryland dispensaries and their locations will be published on this website. Patients may only purchase and obtain a maximum of a thirty-day supply of medical cannabis at one time. Please note: Once medical cannabis becomes available in the State of Maryland, a certification that is not used to purchase medical cannabis within 120 days of issuance becomes null and void.

Step 4: (Optional): Purchase ID Card (Fee: $50)

Registered patients who have obtained valid written certifications from registered providers are eligible to purchase an ID card from MMCC for a fee of $50, if they choose. Patient ID cards are optional and are currently not required in order for patients to participate in the program.

Who is eligible to register as a Patient?

• Maryland Residents

  Any Maryland resident whose physician recommends medical cannabis as a treatment option for a qualifying medical condition is eligible to register with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) as a patient. Qualifying medical conditions include cachexia, anorexia, wasting syndrome, severe pain, severe nausea, seizures, severe or persistent muscle spasms, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain.

• Non-Maryland Residents

Any non-Maryland resident currently in Maryland for the purpose of receiving medical treatment is eligible to register as patient with the MMCC and, during registration, will be required to provide the name and address of the Maryland medical facility where the patient is receiving treatment.

A registered patient is permitted to identify a maximum of two individuals, aged 21 years or older, to serve as caregivers. Caregivers are required to register with and purchase ID cards from the Commission. Registered caregivers in possession of a valid MMCC Caregiver ID card are able to purchase medical cannabis on behalf of their designated patients from licensed Maryland dispensaries and transport the legally obtained medical cannabis to their designated patients. Detailed information regarding caregiver requirements and the caregiver registration process is available on the Caregivers dropdown.

Please note: Minor patients (under the age of 18) are required to have at least one caregiver at all times. Only parents and legal guardians of minor patients are eligible to serve as their caregivers

How can I register as a Patient?

While the registration processes and requirements differ for adult and minor patients, both are completed online. The online application form must be completed and submitted in one session; you will not be able to save and complete the application at a later time.

It is essential that you have the required information and documents in an electronic format ready for upload before starting the application process. Please carefully review the requirements below and the appropriate guidance documents to ensure you are prepared to complete the entire application before beginning the process.​

Registration Process for Adult Patients (18 + years of age)

Registration Process for Minor Patients (Under 18 years of age)​

Process to Legally Obtain Medical Cannabis in Maryland​

I am Ready to Register

What is a Caregiver?

A caregiver is a person who, once registered with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission and in possession of a valid MMCC Caregiver ID card, is able to purchase medical cannabis from a licensed Maryland dispensary on behalf of his or her designated patient(s) and transport the legally obtained medical cannabis to the patient(s). Once registered, a caregiver may serve a maximum of five registered patients at one time.

Caregivers must be at least 21 years of age and are required to register with and purchase ID cards from the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission.The caregiver’s valid MMCC Caregiver ID card must be presented at a dispensary in order to purchase medical cannabis.

A registered patient is permitted to have a maximum of two caregivers at one time. Minor patients (under the age of 18) are required to have at least one caregiver at all times. Only parents and legal guardians of minor patients are eligible to serve as their caregivers.

Requirements for Caregivers serving Adult Patients (18 + years of age)

To be eligible for designation as a caregiver for a registered patient, you must:

• Be at least 21 years of age at the time of registration
• Register with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission
• Receive approval from the Commission
• Purchase an ID card from the Commission for a fee of $50 (Caregiver ID cards are required.)

During the registration process, the caregiver will need to submit a valid, US government-issued photo ID and a clear, recent color photo. Once approved by the Commission and designated a caregiver for a patient with a valid written certification from a physician registered with MMCC, the caregiver will also be required to purchase an ID card from MMCC for a fee of $50.

Requirements for Caregivers serving Minor Patients (Under 18 years of age)

To be eligible for designation as a caregiver for a registered minor patient, you must:

• Be a parent or legal guardian of the minor patient
• Be at least 21 years of age at the time of registration
• Register with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission
• Receive approval from the Commission
• Purchase an ID card from the Commission for a fee of $50 (Caregiver ID cards are required.)

In the case of a minor patient (under 18 years of age), only the minor patient’s parents or legal guardians, themselves aged 21 years or older, are eligible to serve as caregivers. Minor patients’ caregivers will also be required to submit valid, US government-issued photo IDs and clear, recent color photographs as part of the registration process. Caregivers for minor patients are also required to purchase ID cards from the Commission for a $50 fee.

Minor patients are required to have at least one caregiver at all times and may have a maximum of two caregivers at any time. Additionally, caregivers serving minor patients must register with the Commission prior to registering the minor patient.

How can I register as a Caregiver?

Caregiver registration is completed entirely online. The online application form must be completed and submitted in one session; you will not be able to save and complete the application at a later time.

It is essential that you have the required information and documents in an electronic format ready for upload before starting the application process. Please carefully review the requirements below as well as the Process Overview and Quick Reference Card documents to ensure you are prepared to complete the entire application before beginning the process.

Registration Process for Caregivers serving Adult Patients (18+ years of age)

Registration Process for Caregivers serving Minor Patients (Under 18 years of age)​

Designating an​ Adult Patient

After both the caregiver and the patient are registered, you can designate the patient in your Caregiver Registry account; this identifies you as a caregiver for that patient in the registry. To designate a patient, follow the steps below:

1. Visit the MMCC Registry website​.
2. Under the Caregivers heading, click the Sign In link.
3. Log in to your Caregiver Registry account with the username and password you created during registration.
4. Once logged in, click the Add/Remove Patient tab along the top of the page.
5. Enter the patient’s ID Number into the MMCC Patient ID Number field, then click the Search Approved Patients button. The search result displays in the table below.
6. Click the Add this Patient button to designate the patient displayed in the search result table as your patient.

The Provider Registry is open and the Commission encourages physicians to register.

General Information for Providers

In order to be able to issue written certifications for medical cannabis to patients for treatment of a qualifying medical condition, you must register as a “Certifying Provider” with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission.

Qualifying medical conditions include cachexia, anorexia, wasting syndrome, severe pain, severe nausea, seizures, severe or persistent muscle spasms, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic pain.

The requirements for issuing a written certification for medical cannabis are:

• ​A “bona fide physician-patient relationship” with the patient
• The patient’s condition must be severe
• Other medical treatments must have proven ineffective for the patient’s condition, and
• The symptoms must reasonably be expected to be relieved by the use of medical cannabis.

Maryland law defines a “bona fide physician-patient relationship” as a treatment or counseling relationship between a Provider and patient in which the physician reviews the patient’s relevant medical records, completes an in person assessment of the patient’s medical history and current medical condition, creates and maintains medically standardized records, expects to monitor patient program and takes any medically indicated action to follow up.

Once issued, a Provider may amend or revoke a patient’s written certification on any medical grounds or if the patient no longer meets the Provider’s inclusion criteria, or the patient now meets the Provider’s exclusion criteria. Examples of exclusion criteria include suspicion on the part of the physician that the patient is abusing cannabis or diverting cannabis to others.

Who is eligible to register as a Provider?

Any Provider with an active, unrestricted license in good standing with the Maryland State Board of Physicians, and actively registered to prescribe controlled substances in Maryland, is eligible to register with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission.

What is the process to Register as a Provider?​

The MMCC has issued medical cannabis Dispensary pre-approvals to 102 companies. As of this posting, twenty two Dispensary licenses have been awarded. The complete list of licensed Dispensaries appears at the bottom of this page.

The remaining pre-approved companies are currently working through Stage Two of the approval process, which includes undergoing criminal background investigations, completing regulatory requirements, securing local zoning approvals, and compliance inspections by the MMCC. Commissioners vote for licensure in a public meeting once the investigations, regulatory requirements and other approvals are complete.

Licensed Dispensaries (As of January 29, 2017)