How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is the most populous state in the New England region of northeastern U.S. The state is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and it was named after the Massachusett tribe that once inhabited in the surroundings of Massachusetts Bay.

Becoming the 18^th state to legalize medical marijuana in the U.S., Massachusetts had already decriminalized the possession of small amounts of cannabis for users back in 2008. Nowadays the state has legalized both recreational and medical cannabis. Recreational cannabis was legalized on December 15, 2016, after a ballot initiative in November 2016. However, sales of recreational cannabis are expected to start by July of 2018.

The first medical marijuana law of MA became effective in 2013 after voters passed a ballot in February 2012. So, if you are a Massachusetts resident, at least 18 years old with a valid MA address and ID, and have one of the programs qualifying conditions, you can become a medical marijuana patient in Massachusetts.

If you are not a Massachusetts resident, there are special parameters which can grant you access to the state’s medical marijuana program. The state is currently working to grant full access to out-of-state patients.

To get your card, you will need to follow a three-step process. First things first, you are going to need a certification from a qualified healthcare provider. Well, how do you find one? The hardest part of the process is usually finding a verified practitioner and Veriheal will provide you that.

All you need to do is register on this link, and schedule an appointment with one of our Massachusetts Medical Cannabis Commission registered physicians. You can book your appointment through our website, however, the consultation in Massachusetts must be in person at this time. Before going to the doctor’s office, make sure to gather any medical records that you may have.

During the consultation the doctor will evaluate your ailments to see if you have one of the program’s qualifying medical condition, answer all of your questions about the treatment and write you a recommendation. The consultation is brief, only 10 to 15 minutes and our approval rate is 99%, but in case you are not approved, you will be refunded in full. The fee for the medical evaluation, and recommendation is $199 and not covered by insurance at this time.

The qualifying conditions of the program include chronic pain, cancer, HIV/AIDS, epilepsy, anorexia, cachexia/wasting syndrome, glaucoma, PTSD, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, severe nausea, spinal cord injury with spasticity, inflammatory bowel disease and persistent muscle spasms.

After you are approved, you will receive a certification from your physician along with a unique 4-digit PIN. Now, you must register in MA’s online program. To register you’ll need the 4-digit PIN, a current acceptable ID and photograph of yourself, and an accepted form of payment or proof of verified financial hardship. For full details go to the patient guidance for MMJ registration. The fee for MMJ online registration is $50 per patient.

Once you finished registering in MA’s MMJ online portal, you can already purchase your medical marijuana. A physical card is optional, and you can order one from the state after your information has been uploaded into the patient portal. The fee for the physical card is of $50.

Where can you find dispensaries to purchase your medical marijuana? On Veriheal’s Dispensary Locator, you can locate the nearest dispensaries to your location. After you chose where to go, it is time to buy medical cannabis. In MA you can access cannabis in the forms of dry flower, tinctures, oils, vapor oil, and liquids.