If you’ve just moved to Maryland, or you have recently found out that cannabis can help you with a medical issue, then you should understand how to get cannabis legally in the state. You certainly don’t want to have trouble with the law when you are only trying to get yourself some help for your condition.
The cannabis industry in Maryland has been booming in recent years, and with good reason. There are many benefits to cannabis use, and many health issues that it can help treat. Many patients use marijuana to help with conditions like glaucoma, chronic pain, stomach pain from chemotherapy, depression, and more. It has changed the life of millions of people around the world, and it is a treatment that could help improve your health outcomes and your quality of life.
Legalities of Using Cannabis in Maryland
Currently, you can obtain cannabis legally in Maryland if you meet certain criteria. It is not legal for purely recreational use. To get cannabis, it must be prescribed by a doctor for the purpose of treating a medical condition. If you have it for any other reason, then you may be charged with a crime. While possession of fewer than 10 ounces of cannabis has been decriminalized, anything over that amount could put you at legal risk. There are many ongoing efforts to lessen the law even further, but Maryland is most likely a long way off from decriminalizing larger amounts above 10 ounces.
If you want to obtain marijuana in Maryland, then you will have to go to a state-licensed dispensary and receive it directly from them. These dispensaries have to follow strict regulations and laws, and be registered with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission. The MMCC also handles licensing for doctors who are qualified to prescribe cannabis. If you are not registered or are dealing with a doctor who is not registered, then you cannot legally purchase cannabis in the state of Maryland. Here’s what you need to do to get registered and start getting your medicinal cannabis.
Be Seen By a Licensed Cannabis Physician
Before you can purchase cannabis, you need to be approved by a physician. You can’t visit any physician for a medicinal cannabis referral. You must be seen by one that is licensed by the MMC to prescribe cannabis. Once you have been approved by a licensed doctor, you can then register with the MMCC for them to recognize you as a patient who requires medicinal cannabis.
With marijuana or other controlled substances, there is always a concern that criminals will try to get around regulations to obtain what they want. That is why in Maryland you must have a relationship with your doctor that goes beyond simply contacting them for a prescription. They must examine you and ask you questions about your health and the conditions that concern you. Many people do this in person, but you can also do it online, by phone, or through a video conferencing service.
Your doctor must feel that your condition can be managed or treated with the use of marijuana. There are several common conditions that tend to qualify. These include cancer, anxiety, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and glaucoma. As you can see, you do not have to have a physical ailment or condition to qualify. In most cases, while you will be asked about your medical history, you most likely will not have to provide any medical documentation if you don’t have it available.
Obtain a Medical Marijuana Card
The next step is to get a Maryland medical marijuana card. You can do this once you have registered with the MMCC and they have placed you into their registry for patients who qualify for medical marijuana. You will need to present this card along with your personal identification to purchase cannabis from a dispensary. If you are under the age of 18, then a parent or guardian must register on your behalf and be there whenever you make a marijuana purchase. To get on the registry, you will need to pay a $50 fee along with being approved by your doctor and the MMCC.
Pick Your Cannabis Up at a Dispensary
The final step to obtaining cannabis legally in Maryland is to visit a state-licensed dispensary. This is the only way to get cannabis legally. You cannot purchase it from any other person or entity, even if you have a marijuana card. Not only that, but you must be present to make the purchase. You cannot ask someone else to pick it up for you, unless you have worked out a registered designated agent with the dispensary. If an adult goes to purchase for a minor, then the minor must be present, and the adult’s information will be recorded as well.
Marijuana has been legalized in Maryland for medicinal use since 2014. There are currently 102 pre-approved dispensaries around the state, which makes it very easy for patients to find one near where they live. Legalization has helped patients live better lives without the stigma that comes with being considered a criminal simply for getting the help and treatment they need.
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