Recreational cannabis has been legal in the state of Massachusetts since 2016. So is it still important to get a medical marijuana card?
Maybe you – like lots of other cannabis enthusiasts – have been asking yourself this question, while feeling increasingly curious about medical marijuana.
In short: yes, you can access many worthwhile benefits with a medical marijuana card if you qualify for one. Getting one is probably easier than you think.
For support and suggestions as you explore cannabis, stop by our local dispensaries in Newton, Melrose, and Marlborough MA. We offer both adult-use and medical marijuana to meet the needs of our community.
What Is a Medical Marijuana Card?
Allocated according to each state’s laws, medical marijuana cards are identification cards that allow patients to legally purchase, possess, and use cannabis for medical purposes.
In Massachusetts, the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) can issue your card after a simple registration process.
Maybe you’ve heard a bit about the benefits of medical marijuana cards – but you’re not sure that you qualify. If you meet these three requirements, you are eligible to apply for a MA medical marijuana card:
- You’re at least 18 years old
- You suffer from a “debilitating medical condition”
- You’re a legal resident of Massachusetts
Primary caregivers may obtain a legal card for a minor who has been diagnosed by at least two Massachusetts-licensed physicians and completes the full legal process with assistance.[1] Altogether, these policies and requirements ensure inclusive access to medical marijuana cards for those who need them.
Step-By-Step Guide To Getting a Medical Marijuana Card in MA
If you’re ready to get your Massachusetts medical marijuana card, follow this straightforward process. You can start using your temporary card in just days or weeks – depending on how quickly you can get an appointment with a qualifying doctor and complete your application.
Step One: Check Your Eligibility
A “debilitating medical condition,” one of the three eligibility requirements for a MA medical marijuana card, may sound vague. How do you know if your condition counts?
The Massachusetts legal code defines “debilitating” as causing weakness, nausea, chronic pain, or impairing your strength or ability to do day-to-day activities.[2]
Several diagnoses, like HIV, AIDS, ALS, MS, and cancer, automatically qualify for MA medical marijuana cards. Patients with many other conditions have been approved in recent years.
If your condition substantially impairs your quality of life, a healthcare provider can help you determine if you qualify for a Massachusetts medical marijuana card.
Step Two: See a Qualifying Doctor Online or In Person
A Massachusetts-licensed medical cannabis doctor can help you take the next steps toward getting your card. Many qualifying healthcare providers offer appointments both in person and online, so you can choose what works best for you.
When your provider determines that you qualify for a MA medical marijuana card, they will submit your information to the state. You will then receive a temporary medical card and your patient PIN, which will be crucial for completing your application.[3]
Step Three: Apply Online & Enjoy Your New Medical Marijuana Card
Next, visit the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program website to complete your application. Using your patient PIN, your state ID, a passport-style photo, and relevant personal information, you can fill out the form in just minutes.
You’ll receive your card in the mail within just 60 days – though you can begin using your temporary medical marijuana card immediately.
Make sure to renew your medical marijuana card every year to continue enjoying its benefits.
Why Should You Get a Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Card?
By qualifying for and receiving a medical marijuana card, you’ll unlock a variety of unique benefits. From financial perks to expanded treatment options, these advantages can enhance the quality of life for all Massachusetts patients.
Save Money at Your Local Dispensary
You may have noticed the 20% sales tax on recreational cannabis. Did you know that you get to skip this tax when you have a valid medical marijuana card in Massachusetts?
“Let’s say the average patient spends $150 per month on medical cannabis products. You would save $30 per month by not paying the 20% excise tax that is charged to recreational cannabis users. Medical card holders could save a minimum of $360 every year!”[4]
Plus: Many Massachusetts dispensaries (including Garden Remedies) offer promotions, loyalty programs, and other discounts for medical marijuana patients. You’ll enjoy this benefit every time you visit a dispensary near you.
Get Personalized Care From Healthcare Providers
Navigating the use of medical marijuana along with your health condition can feel overwhelming. When you go through the process of attaining your MA medical marijuana card, you are required to consult with a healthcare provider who is licensed in the state. Your provider will assess your situation, answer your questions, and provide guidance on how you can use cannabis most beneficially.
Over time, as you meet with a healthcare provider annually to renew your card, you will have the opportunity to ask more questions, share your progress, and receive personalized feedback. If you choose to visit the same provider each year, you may develop a therapeutic relationship with long-lasting benefits.
Get Higher-Potency Medical Cannabis
Whereas recreational cannabis products have a THC cap to control potency, medical marijuana products are less limited. Having a valid medical marijuana card in the state of Massachusetts allows you to get higher-potency products – and stronger relief from painful or uncomfortable symptoms.
You may appreciate this benefit when your condition requires more potent forms of cannabis.
Legally Grow More Cannabis at Home & Enjoy Out-Of-State Access
Just like all cannabis users – recreational and medical – can get products with relatively high THC levels, all users are legally able to grow cannabis plants at home, in limited numbers and solely for personal use. But medical marijuana patients in Massachusetts can grow more of these plants at their personal residences.
“Patients with a Massachusetts medical card can grow up to a sixty (60) day supply of flower. Non-medicinal users are limited to six (6) plants or a maximum of twelve (12) cultivated seedlings or mature plants for residences with two or more adults aged twenty-one and older.”[5]
Many states with medical marijuana programs recognize out-of-state medical cards. When you venture away from home, you’ll be able to continue your treatment – and enjoy the many benefits of your Massachusetts medical marijuana card – when you visit other states that offer reciprocity. (Just be sure to check if the state where you’re traveling requires any additional steps or registrations.)
Use Your MA Medical Marijuana Card at Garden Remedies
Medical cannabis has been at the heart of Garden Remedies since its start in 2013. Convinced that there must be a better path forward for her patients struggling with chronic conditions, Dr. Karen Munkacy founded the company. More than a decade later, we are still passionate about providing access to top-quality, expertly grown cannabis for all of the patients in our local community.
Thanks to Dr. Munkacy, Garden Remedies is the only physician- and woman-led cannabis company in Massachusetts. We understand how much medical cannabis can improve the quality of your treatment and your life – and we do what we do to make sure you have what you need to feel better and live more fully.
Come visit our medical dispensaries in Newton, Melrose, and Marlborough! Our Cannabis Advisors can offer personalized recommendations to help you find your new go-to products – when you show them your new Massachusetts medical marijuana card.
[1] https://massachusettscannabis.org/mmj-card
[2] https://www.bostonmagazine.com/sponsor-content/how-to-get-a-medical-marijuana-card-in-massachusetts/
[3] https://leafwell.com/medical-card/massachusetts
[4] https://gardenremedies.com/blog/why-should-you-get-or-renew-your-massachusetts-medical-card/
[5] https://gardenremedies.com/blog/why-should-you-get-or-renew-your-massachusetts-medical-card/
