Register as a New Patient

If you’re a resident of Massachusetts and have a qualifying medical condition, you may be eligible to enroll in the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program (Program).

Four Steps to Registering as a New Patient

1. Get certified as a Patient.
   Visit a registered Certifying Health Care Provider.
   • Pediatric patients must be certified by two Certifying Health Care Providers, one of whom must be a pediatrician or pediatric specialist.
2. Get your ID ready.
   A valid driver’s license or government-issued ID will do.
3. Get a passport-style photo.
   Using your Massachusetts driver’s license? We may be able to source your photo from your RMV record.
4. Apply online.
   You’ll need the PIN you received from the Program. Apply now

Patient Registration

Requirements

You must be 18 years of age or older.

If you are less than 18 years of age, your parent or guardian must approve of your medical cannabis use, and you must also have certification by two Certifying Health Care Providers, one of whom must be a pediatrician or pediatric specialist.

You must receive a written recommendation from a Certifying Health Care Provider.

Prior to registering with the Program, you must receive a written recommendation from a Certifying Health Care Provider that identifies your qualifying medical condition.

Qualifying medical conditions include:

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Hepatitis C
• Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
• Crohn’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Other debilitating conditions as determined in writing by a certified physician

Certifying Health Care Providers may include physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants that are registered in the Program.

You’ll get a personal identification number (PIN).

Once you’ve been certified by your Certifying Health Care Provider, you’ll receive an email from the Program that includes your four-digit PIN registration number, as well as instructions on how to complete your patient application online.

You’ll need a valid form of ID that proves residency in Massachusetts.

You must submit a copy of a valid form of identification to confirm residency in Massachusetts. Acceptable forms of ID include:

• A current Massachusetts driver’s license.
• A current Massachusetts ID card that includes a photograph of yourself.
• A current U.S. passport, U.S. military ID, or Permanent Resident Card. When submitting a passport, U.S. military ID, or Permanent Resident Card as your valid form of identification, you must also submit a document that validates your primary residence. The name and address on the document must match the information submitted during registration. Valid documents include:
  • Utility bill (gas, electric, telephone, cable, or heating oil) less than 60 days old
  • Current motor vehicle registration card
  • Tuition bill with a due date of less than six months old
  • Car insurance policy or bill that is less than 60 days old
  • Home mortgage, lease, or loan contracts less than six months old
  • Certified U.S. marriage certificate dated within the past six months
  • Property tax or excise tax bill for current year
  • First-class mail from a federal or state agency less than 60 days old
  • Current state-issued professional license with your address

  You’ll need a passport-style photograph of yourself.

  This photo will be placed on your Medical Use of Marijuana Program registration card (Program registration card). Your passport-style photo must meet the following criteria:

  • The photo must be in color.
  • It must be a square photo in portrait/upright format.
  • The photo must be taken in front of a plain white or off-white background.
  • It must have been taken within the last six months.
  • The photo must show only your head and top of your shoulders.
  • It must be taken looking directly at the camera held at eye level.
  • It must be taken without smiling, with both eyes open, and without eyewear.
  • It must be taken without any item that covers your face or head, except for religious purposes.

  Need a photo? You can visit any establishment that issues passport photos, such as a pharmacy, camera store, or select United States Postal Service locations.

  Fees

  There is no longer a fee to register for a Program registration card through the Cannabis Control Commission. Certifying Health Care Providers may charge Registered Qualifying Patients a fee for annual certification visits. If your card is lost, stolen, or destroyed, the fee to replace a Program registration card is $10. If the fee poses a Verified Financial Hardship, the Qualifying Patient may request a waiver of the fee in a form and manner determined by the Commission.

  How to Register

  Applying through the Medical Use of Marijuana Program Online System (Online System) is the fastest and easiest way to register as a patient.

  Not able to apply online? You may register by mail, but the processing times for paper applications are considerably longer. Follow the instructions on the registration form (PDF). Versión en español (PDF).

  You must maintain an active certification from your Program Certifying Health Care Provider, as well as an active registration with the Program, in order to be certified for medical use of marijuana under Massachusetts law.

  If your name, address, contact details, or other personal information changes, please update your account within five days of the change. Log into your account, select “My Registration” at the top of the screen, then click “Edit.” When you’ve finished entering your new information, click the “Update” button.

  Program Registration Card

  If your application is approved, you’ll be able to print a temporary version of your Program registration card, which allows you to purchase from a retailer for up to 14 days.

  You should receive your official card within 7-14 business days. You must carry your Program registration card whenever you are in possession of marijuana for medical use. The maximum amount medical marijuana Patients may possess at one time is a 60-day supply, or up to 10 ounces. A Certifying Health Care Provider may deem a larger quantity medically necessary.

  Program registration cards are issued annually on the anniversary of your registration. You are required to renew your registration every year to remain active in the Program. The Commission does not charge a fee to renew your patient registration. However, Certifying Health Care Providers may charge Qualifying Patients a fee for annual certification visits.

  If your name, address, or other contact details change, or if your government-issued ID has a new expiration date, please update your account within five days of the change.

  If your card is lost, stolen, or destroyed, please contact us at (833) 869-6820. The fee to replace a Program registration card is $10.

  Purchasing Marijuana for Medical Use

  To obtain marijuana for medical use from a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MTC), simply present your Program registration card and a valid form of identification to the MTC. You must have an active certification from your Certifying Health Care Provider, as well as maintain an active registration with the Program.

  Initial Access

  Initial Access allows new Qualifying Patients to purchase cannabis for medical use for up to 14 days while their registration card is being processed. Initial Access is only available for new registrations that are still being processed. Initial Access expires 14 days after it is issued or when the patient is approved for a registration card – whichever is first.

  You must visit a Certifying Health Care Provider to obtain Initial Access. The Certifying Health Care Provider will determine your qualifying condition and issue a document that certifies your Initial Access status. You may also log into the patient portal to print proof of your status.

  Initial Access allows Qualifying Patients to purchase a 14-day supply (up to 2.5 ounces) of medical-use cannabis and cannabis-infused products from a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MTC). Your Certifying Health Care Provider may certify a different amount for your 14-day supply. You must present your Initial Access document along with a government-issued ID, such as a Massachusetts driver’s license or ID card, at the time of purchase.

  Registered Qualifying Patients may authorize a person as a temporary caregiver during the Initial Access period by completing and signing the temporary caregiver authorization form generated by their Certifying Health Care Provider.

  Registered Qualifying Patients are limited to one Initial Access certification during any 365-day period, unless otherwise approved by the Cannabis Control Commission.

  Have questions about Initial Access? Contact us at (833) 869-6820.

  Personal Caregivers

  A Personal Caregiver is a person who assists with a Registered Qualifying Patient’s medical use of marijuana. A Caregiver’s duties may include:

  • Transporting a certified patient to and from a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MTC).
  • Obtaining and transporting marijuana from an MTC on behalf of a patient.
  • Cultivating marijuana on behalf of a patient who has obtained a hardship cultivation registration
  • Preparing marijuana for consumption by a registered qualifying patient.
  • Administering cannabis and cannabis-infused products to a Registered Patient.

  Appointing a Caregiver is optional for persons over the age of 21. A Caregiver is strongly recommended if you have a disability that makes medical marijuana difficult to acquire or consume.

  You may designate up to two personal caregivers at the time of registration. A caregiver may be designated by up to five patients in the Program. If you designate a second caregiver, one must be an immediate family member of yours. A Caregiver cannot be the Certifying Health Care Provider who certified your use of medical marijuana.

  Personal Caregivers must register annually with the Program.

  Hardship Cultivation

  In some circumstances, a Registered Qualifying Patient may be granted a Hardship Cultivation Registration, which allows patients to cultivate their own personal supply of marijuana.

  Hardship Cultivation Registrations are generally extended to Registered Qualifying Patients who demonstrate financial hardship, lack access to reliable transportation, or live a significant distance from a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MTC).

  The Commission has not yet implemented the Hardship Cultivation Registration program. The Commission is committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure this program upholds patients’ rights and maintains public health and safety. Please continue to check our website and public meetings for updates.