Any individual who lives in the state of Maryland whose provider recommends medical cannabis as a treatment option for a qualifying medical condition is eligible to register with the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) as a patient. Qualifying medical conditions include cachexia, anorexia, wasting syndrome, severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, severe or persistent muscle spasms, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or another chronic medical condition which is severe and for which other treatments have been ineffective.
A registered patient is permitted to identify one individual, aged 21 years or older, to serve as a caregiver. Caregivers are required to register with and purchase ID cards from the MCA. Registered caregivers in possession of a valid MCA 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 page.
Please note: Minor patients (under the age of 18) are required to have at least one caregiver at all times, who is a parent or guardian of the minor. A minor patient may have up to four caregivers, two of whom are a parent/guardian, and two additional adults over the age of 21 designated by a parent or guardian.
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.
Patients in hospice care may elect to submit a letter from the attending hospice physician in lieu of a recent photo. The letter must be from the Attending of Hospice Record (AOHR) physician on hospice letterhead stating that the patient is a hospice patient under his or her care. It may be uploaded in either .jpg or .pdf format.
Send us your questions to mca.infoandregistration@maryland.gov or call us at 1 -844-421-2571
At this time, the cost of medical cannabis is not reimbursable by any private or public insurance plan, Medicare or Medicaid, or through Veterans' covered plans.
Maryland residents should be aware that transporting cannabis across state lines is a federal offense.