How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card In Massachusetts

With recreational use of cannabis just months away from being legal in the greater Boston area, there are still many reasons to apply for a medical cannabis card in the state of Massachusetts. Medical cannabis will not be subject to the 17% state and 3% municipal tax that can be applied to the recreational product. Medical patients can have their cannabis delivered to them, unlike recreational purchases. In the event the recreational marijuana boom causes a drop in supply, the state has mandated that at least 35% of medical grade cannabis must be reserved for medical patients. There will also be a greater variety of cannabis products available for purchase by the medical patient. For example, recreational edibles are only allowed to have 5 mgs of THC, where medical edibles do not have a limit.

The next question you may be asking is “So how do I get my medical marijuana card in Massachusetts?” Depending on where you are in the process, you could be making your first cannabis purchase before you know it.

Here are the five easy steps of applying for a medical marijuana card in the state of Massachusetts.

Step 1: See If You Qualify

To qualify, you must be a Massachusetts resident, 18 years of age or older and suffering from a “debilitating medical condition.” The Humanitarian Medical Use of Marijuana act defines those conditions as:

“Cancer, glaucoma, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV,) acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS,) hepatitis C, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) and other conditions as determined in writing by a qualifying patient’s physician.”

“Other conditions” that have been accepted as qualifying for the MA medical marijuana program since it’s inception include (but are not limited to:)

  • Anxiety/Depression
  • Hodgkin Lymphoma
  • PTSD
  • Seizures or muscle spasms
  • Anorexia
  • Cachexia
  • Glaucoma
  • Insomnia
  • Sarcoma
  • Severe nausea
  • Arthritis
  • ADHD
  • Chronic pain

According to the law, a physician must determine that the benefits of treatment with cannabis must outweigh the potential risks associated with its use.

Step 2: Obtain Certification From a Qualified Physician

Once a medical marijuana doctor determines you’re eligible, they need to certify you with the state’s Medical Use of Marijuana Online system. Some popular medical marijuana doctor groups include Canna Care Docs and Medwell Health among others. You may be certified by:

A MA licensed physician who holds an active full license, has no prescribing restrictions, has a MA Controlled Substances Registration and has at least one established practice in the state
A licensed nurse practitioner with the same qualifications
Once certified, the state will provide you with a PIN number to access the patient portal to complete your application.

Step 3: Gather Necessary Documents

Once you receive your PIN, it’s time to register as a patient. Collect all of the documents required by the state and scan them into your computer. If you don’t have access to a scanner, photos of the documents that are readable will do.

You’ll need:

  • The PIN provided by the state
  • A valid photo ID. This may be an MA driver’s license, state ID, US Passport or US military ID.
  • If using a passport or military ID, you’ll need proof of residency. This can be a utility bill, a copy of a lease agreement or current official documents on state letterhead with your address written.
  • A photo of yourself. Any headshot will do, provided it is in color, less than six months old and shows your head and shoulders directly facing the camera. You are to be standing in front of a plain white background and not wearing a hat or glasses (religious headwear is acceptable.)

If you require a caregiver to assist you in getting your marijuana, they must also register with the state and will need to provide the same documents.

Step 4: Register as a MA Medical Marijuana Patient

You’re almost there! Simply navigate to the patient registration portal, and begin the application process. The application is pretty intuitive, but if you have any questions at all refer to this easy to understand document provided by the state.

For those who’d rather not apply online, there is another (much slower!) option available. Call (617) 660-5370 to request a hard copy of a registration form. This form can be filled out and returned to the state along with a check for $50 and copies of all pertinent documents. Allow up to 4 weeks for processing.

UPDATED 7/23 – The CCC just started a program called Initial Access that makes it possible for you to visit Revolutionary Clinics immediately after your Canna Doctor Appointment. No more waiting 5 to 8 days for your temporary document to be processed, you now have Instant Access! Please read this article to find out more.

Step 5: Register as a Patient with Revolutionary Clinics

When the program approves you, you’ll be provided with a temporary ID that can be printed directly from your computer. The last step is to choose a reputable dispensary that will provide you with the best medical marijuana in MA. Simply fill out our New Patient Intake Form to become a patient with Revolutionary Clinics.

Now it’s time to visit Revolutionary Clinics to get your medicine. We have the most effective medical cannabis products with the best deals n the Boston area. Our experienced staff can teach you everything you need to know to start your cannabis therapy on the right foot. If you have any questions about registering for your card or becoming a patient with us, contact us anytime. We look forward to serving you!