Qualifying Conditions for a Medical Card in Maryland

Medical content reviewed by Dr. Shatha Atiya on March 1, 2024

Only patients ailing from one of the qualifying conditions for a medical card in Maryland are eligible for medical cannabis in the state. 

By the end of this page, you will have the answers to these questions:

  • What are the qualifying conditions for a medical card in Maryland?
  • What are the Maryland medical marijuana card requirements?
  • Am I eligible for medical marijuana in Maryland?

All the information on this page is sourced directly from the official Maryland Cannabis Administration website. So, you can trust that you are reading an accurate and up-to-date resource. Let’s proceed.

Maryland Medical Card Requirements – Am I Eligible?

It is worth noting that ailing from one of the qualifying conditions is not all it takes to get a Maryland medical card. 

So, what are the Maryland medical marijuana qualifications?

You must fulfill the following Maryland medical marijuana qualifications to be eligible for medical marijuana in the state:

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

2. Patients under 18 years old must have a registered caregiver, such as their parent or legal guardian, apply on their behalf.

3. All applicants must be residents of Maryland.

4. Finally, a Maryland MMCC physician must certify that you suffer from one of the qualifying conditions for a medical card in Maryland.

Qualifying Conditions for a Medical Card in Maryland

MMCC providers can only certify individuals suffering from either of the conditions listed below for medical marijuana in Maryland.

The list of qualifying conditions for a medical card in Maryland includes:

  • Severe or chronic pain
  • Severe or persistent muscle spasms
  • Wasting syndrome
  • Any severe chronic medical condition unresponsive to other treatments.

Does chronic pain qualify as a condition in Maryland?

Yes, chronic pain is one of the qualifying conditions for a medical card in Maryland. Chronic pain is pain that persists for at least six months. Additionally, it is associated with a debilitating illness that does not respond to treatment.

I Meet the Maryland Medical Card Requirements – What’s Next?

As mentioned earlier, both minors and adult patients can qualify for the Maryland medical card if they meet all the requirements. And all applicants must complete their applications online on the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission OneStop Portal.

Adult patient registration process:

To register for the Maryland medical marijuana card as an adult patient:

1. Visit the Maryland 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.

For minor patients:

Minor patients cannot register themselves as medical cannabis patients in Maryland. Instead, they must have a caregiver such as their parent or legal guardian register on their behalf. Below is the registration process for minor patients in Maryland:

1. The parent or legal guardian must apply as the minor’s caregiver. Once registered, the caregiver will get an ID Number from the MMCC.

2. Gather the required files and information to register the minor.

3. Complete and submit the minor patient’s online application on the MMCC Patient Registry Portal.

4. Wait for an approval email. 

5. Schedule an appointment with an MMCC provider and get a written certification for the minor.

6. Get the minor’s Maryland medical marijuana card (MMCC card).

Find out more about getting a medical card in Maryland.

Which documents are required for the Maryland medical card application?

You must have the following documents ready for upload when applying for the Maryland medical marijuana card:

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.

5. (For minors) Proof of the caregiver’s guardianship of the minor patient. For instance:

  • Birth certificate
  • Adoption certificate
  • Court order awarding guardianship

6. (For minors) A complete Minor Patient Form.

Key Highlights

  • You must be a resident of Maryland with a qualifying condition to be eligible for medical cannabis.
  • You must apply for your Maryland medical marijuana card on the MCA Registry (OneStop Portal).
  • A Maryland MMCC physician must provide you with a written certification before you can get medical marijuana.
  • Minors can get medical marijuana in Maryland as long as their parent or legal guardian registers as a caregiver.

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Patient Resources and Forms

Contact details for the Maryland Cannabis Administration

State Agency: Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission

Phone: 410-487-8100 or 1-844-421-2571

Email: mdh.infoandregistration@maryland.gov

Mailing Address:

Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission
849 International Drive Suite 450,
Linthicum, MD 21090

Website: https://mmcc.maryland.gov/Pages/Medical_Cannabis.aspx