With medical marijuana finally available in Maryland, it is time for some individuals to know a little about the law. One very important point is that it doesn’t make the drug legal for everyone. Instead, there are only certain individuals who will qualify for a certification for cannabis.
The process for obtaining a certification that will enable you to have medical marijuana is fairly easy. You will need to register online with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission and submit supporting documentation, including a valid, government issued photo ID, a clear recent picture of yourself, proof of your address and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Once you have registered, you need to get the written recommendation from a doctor who is registered with the commission. That provider will need the Patient ID that you get when you register. From there, he or she will handle things in the online system, which is where law enforcement officers can go to verify that you are registered and are able to have the drug in your possession.
You have to make your first purchase of medical marijuana within 120 days of getting your certification to have the drug. There are 102 dispensaries and more than 500 providers registered with the commission; however, not all of the dispensaries are open.
You should know that you can’t get a prescription for medical marijuana. Even though it is currently legal to have medical cannabis in Maryland, it is still against federal laws. This means that you are limited only to having the drug in approved quantities and within the state limits. You can’t take medical marijuana outside of Maryland.
Source: The Baltimore Sun, “FAQ: What you need to know about medical marijuana in Maryland,” Sarah Meehan, accessed April 20, 2018