The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC)

Related

• How to Get Your Medical Marijuana Card in Maryland
• The Qualifying Conditions for a Medical Card in Maryland
• Maryland Marijuana Laws

Registering as a Patient with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC)

You must have a Maryland medical card to lawfully buy, possess, and use medicinal marijuana in the state. Although the application process may seem daunting at first, it is straightforward. First things first, when applying for your Maryland medical marijuana card, you must get a certification from a Maryland MMCC physician.

Quick Med Cards makes the certification process easy by connecting you with an MMCC provider near you. Additionally, you will have your marijuana evaluation online through a video call, meaning you do not have to leave your home. The online appointment usually lasts 10 to 15 minutes, and if you are eligible, our Maryland medical marijuana doctor will certify you for cannabis shortly after.

To get started, fill out this information form and create your account. Afterward, book an online appointment with an MMCC provider near you. Finally, attend the video call and get certified in minutes. With your marijuana certification on hand, you can apply for your medical card through the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC).

Most importantly, MMCC providers only certify individuals ailing from a qualifying medical condition. So, if your illness does not feature on the list, it is unlikely that you will get a marijuana certification. In most cases, doctors certify patients suffering from:

• A chronic disease whose prescription medication could lead to psychological or physical dependence.
• Or a chronic medical condition that causes severe, debilitating psychiatric disorders.

Review the list of qualifying conditions for a medical card in Maryland.

What does it take to be eligible for the MMCC application?

Before proceeding with your MMCC application, you must confirm that you meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. Adult patients must be at least 18 years old to apply.

2. Patients under 18 years of age must have a caregiver, for example, one of their parents, register on their behalf.

3. You must be suffering from one of the qualifying conditions for a medical card in Maryland.

4. You must be a resident of Maryland with proof of residency.

5. Possess a complete 9-digit Social Security Number.

6. Finally, you must have a written certification from an MMCC provider.

*Please note: Out-of-state patients are not eligible for the Maryland medical marijuana card.

Which documents do I need to complete the MMCC Patient Registry submission?

You must have the following documents ready for upload when applying for your Maryland medical card on the MMCC patient registry:

1. Proof of identity. For example:

• Maryland driver’s license
• State-issued identification card
• Military ID
• U.S. Passport

2. Proof of Maryland residency. For example:

• MVA registration card or title
• Utility bill
• Bank account statement
• MVA change of address card
• Property tax bill
• W-2 statements
• Car insurance policy
• Paystubs (dated within 90 days)

(If your Maryland driver’s license or MVA ID card shows your current address, you do not need to upload the documents above. But if it does not, upload any two of the above documents as proof of residency.)

3. A passport-style photograph.

4. Proof that you participate in the Maryland Medical Assistance Program or Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System to be eligible for the $50 waiver of the MMCC card fee. For example:

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID Card.
• A Maryland-issued red and white medical assistance card. 
• Certificate of Creditable Coverage.
• Eligibility Determination Letter from the Maryland Health Connection.

Get a marijuana certification from an MMCC provider near you.

How do I Register with the MMCC?

Registering with the MMCC is a straightforward process once you meet all the requirements. To apply for the MMCC card:

1. Visit the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission registry (OneStop Portal) and create an account.

2. Complete and submit the online application form and verify your email address.

3. Wait for a follow-up email containing your MMCC Patient ID number and advising the status of your application.

4. Schedule an appointment with an MMCC provider and get your marijuana certification. (The Maryland cannabis doctor needs your MMCC Patient ID number to certify you)

5. Download your temporary MMCC ID card.

6. Get your MMCC ID card.

If you do not have your MMCC Patient ID number yet, you can still schedule an appointment with one of our Maryland medical marijuana doctors, and our helpful customer care agents will help you obtain one.

When did the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) Start?

In 2010, Maryland ranked number five countrywide for its marijuana possession arrest rate. Additionally, Maryland’s per capita spending for cannabis possession arrests was the third-highest in the country in the same year. Things changed, however, in 2014 with the passing of House Bill 881. 

So, what happened in 2014? Maryland legalized medical cannabis. Also, the law established the Natalie M. LaPrade Medical Cannabis Commission. Also, going by the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC), the Commission is responsible for developing policies, procedures, directives, and regulations to implement programs to make medical marijuana available to eligible patients safely and effectively.

The impact was not immediate, though. And it took three years (until 2017) for the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) to become operational and for eligible patients to lawfully buy, possess, and use medical marijuana in the state.

Guidelines for Registered MMCC Maryland Patients

As a law-abiding Maryland patient, you should be aware of the responsibility that your patient status carries with it and take note of the following rules while you are undergoing your medical cannabis treatment:

• Your patient status grants you the right to possess a specific quantity of cannabis over 30 days. This quantity will likely vary in a case-by-case scenario depending on your treatment requirements. However, you have NO legal right to possess anything exceeding your explicitly set limit. 
• Your patient status does NOT give you the right to grow medical cannabis plants in Maryland. Any medical cannabis needs to be purchased from a state-approved dispensary. 
• In Maryland, possession of a controlled substance such as hashish or cannabis concentrates falls under the same Schedule I Drug regulations as typical marijuana. Therefore, if your medical treatment includes products that are hashish-based OR made from any other type of marijuana concentrate, know that the penalties for unlawful use remain the same.
• The only authorized locations for your medical marijuana purchases are state-approved dispensaries. The court of law highly prohibits personal sales and you should NOT engage with them in any way, shape, or form, else you risk being charged with a sentence for possession with intent to distribute. 
• Interaction of any kind with marijuana paraphernalia products is NOT necessary for your medical treatment. You have no legal excuse for being found in possession of such an item, or, even worse, to be using it for your product manufacturing.

You can find a comprehensive list of marijuana-related penalties and regulations on our dedicated Maryland Marijuana Laws page. 

Key Highlights

• The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) became operational in 2017.
• A Maryland cannabis doctor must certify you for MMJ, and you must apply on the MMCC portal to get a medical card.
• The state fee for the Maryland medical marijuana card is $25.

Common Questions about the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC)

Below are answers to questions patients have about the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC).