Getting a medical marijuana card in the US is a straightforward process if the state has legalized its use. Before applying for a card, Maryland residents must obtain a written recommendation from a state-licensed physician that will allow the patient to submit an application.
Getting evaluated by a doctor is the first stop in getting your Maryland medical marijuana card. Doctors can issue medical marijuana recommendations for any patient suffering from a qualifying medical condition. The list of conditions will normally differ from one state to another. While some states can prescribe medical marijuana for anxiety, others won’t. Another similarity is that some states do not consider mental illnesses as qualifiable for medical marijuana treatment.
Which Medical Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana in Maryland?
Recent times have uncovered the benefits of medical marijuana for various medical conditions and their symptoms. Doctors are increasingly aware of the positive results marijuana is having on patients and are prescribing it for a number of qualifying conditions.
If you reside in Maryland and believe that medical marijuana could be the right treatment for you, here is a full list of the medical conditions listed as qualifiable by state law:
- Cachexia
- Wasting syndrome
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Severe or chronic pain
- Severe nausea
- Seizures
- Anorexia
- Severe or persistent muscle spasms
- Glaucoma
Although the list of medical conditions may be shorter than that of other states, Maryland gives state-licensed physicians the freedom to prescribe medical marijuana for other chronic medical conditions they determine would benefit from the treatment.
What Qualifies a Patient for a Medical Marijuana Card?
To apply for a medical marijuana card in Maryland, patients must meet a set of requirements. Before anything else, patients must:
- be able to show proof of residency
- be 18 years old (otherwise, they must have an assigned caregiver)
- have a qualifying medical condition
- have a written recommendation from a state-licensed doctor
- register with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission
If the patient is under 18 years of age, a caregiver or legal guardian must register to act on their behalf.
Medical Marijuana Caregiver Requirements in Maryland
Caregivers are required to also obtain a medical marijuana card in order to legally purchase and administer medical marijuana products to their patients. Caregivers and legal guardians in Maryland must also:
- be at least 21 years of age
- register with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission
- never purchase more than stated in the patient’s prescription
- never distribute medical marijuana products to anyone else but their patients
- never consume medical marijuana products purchased for their patients
As opposed to other states, Maryland is quite permissive when it comes to the number of patients a caregiver can serve. Caregivers can have up to 5 patients in their care, while patients may only have a maximum of 2 caregivers.
Maryland Medical Marijuana Card Renewal
Maryland medical marijuana patients must renew their cards every year. A doctor must evaluate you again and update your certification for receiving medical marijuana as a treatment. Moreover, patients must reapply for a new card every 3 years.
Maryland Medical Marijuana Card Limitations
Once you have obtained a medical marijuana card, you will be able to purchase and consume products within the limits imposed by state law.
- patients may only purchase a 30-day supply
- medical marijuana can only be purchased from a state-licensed dispensary
- medical marijuana products may only be consumed on private property
- your medical card may not be used in other states
Moreover, medical marijuana cardholders may not purchase or possess a firearm in Maryland. Giving false information to purchase a firearm in Maryland is punishable by law and is punishable with up to 10 years in prison.
Conclusion
In general, getting a medical marijuana MD card is pretty easy. If you suffer from any of the qualifying medical conditions, all you have to do is book an appointment with a state-licensed doctor and get evaluated. Once a doctor certifies you for receiving medical marijuana treatment, you can proceed to apply for your medical card in Maryland.