- Potential drug-to-drug interactions, including interactions with alcohol, prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, and supplements;
- Possible side effects or contraindications of medical cannabis use;
- The potential for differing strengths and effects of medical cannabis strains; and
- Different methods, forms, and routes of medical cannabis administration.
Clinical directors are responsible for training dispensary agents on the following:
- Guidelines for providing information to qualifying patients related to risks, benefits, and side effects associated with medical cannabis;
- Recognizing signs and symptoms of substance abuse; and
- Guideline for refusing to provide medical cannabis to an individual who appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
A clinical director must be available during hours of operation and may provide services:
- On-site at the licensed dispensary, or
- Be available via electronic communication that allows the clinical director to answer questions in real-time.
All licensed dispensaries are required to appoint an individual to serve as a clinical director, pursuant to COMAR 14.17.04.
Clinical Director Registration
Complete and submit an online application. Visit the
MCA Registry website click
"Apply Online" under the Clinical Director heading, then complete and submit the application form that displays.
A clinical director's role is to provide education to medical cannabis patients and caregivers, as well as to provide training to dispensary agents.
An individual may be eligible to serve as a clinical director if they meet one or more of the following requirements:
- Is eligible to serve as a certifying provider, as defined in Health-General Article 13-3301, Annotated Code of Maryland. This means an individual who:
- Is a physician, nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife, dentist, podiatrist, or a physician assistant who has an active delegation agreement with a primary supervision physician who is a certifying provider;
- Has an active, unrestricted license to practice in Maryland; and
- Has a State controlled dangerous substances registration;
- Is a licensed pharmacist in good standing with the State Board of Pharmacy; or
-
Has substantial education, training, and experience in the medical use of cannabis, as determined by the MCA.
The MCA will evaluate whether an individual has "substantial education, training, and experience in the medical use of cannabis: on a case by case basis. An Individual seeking to register as a clinical director based on the third category, pursuant to COMAR 10.62.31.01.A (3), shall at a minimum:
- Be a health care practitioner, as defined in Health Occupations Article, §1-1001, Annotated Code of Maryland; and
- (1) Have a degree or certificate related to the medical use of cannabis; (2) Have completed substantial coursework related to the medical use of cannabis; and (3) Have substantial work experience treating individuals with medical cannabis or educating individuals about the medical use of cannabis.
A clinical director may serve at multiple dispensaries but must be able to provide the required services effectively at each location they serve.
IMPORTANT: A clinical director for a licensed dispensary may not provide a written certification for medical cannabis to any qualifying patient, pursuant to COMAR 10.62.31.01 (E).
Training Requirements
Clinical directors must complete at least one MCA-approved training course each year. Clinical directors must email mca.labs@maryland.gov for MCA approval of their selected annual training program prior to submitting a certificate of completion. Training may be virtual or in-person. An MCA-approved course must include the following:
- 2.5 CME credit hours
- Have an assessment quiz
- Contain the following information:
- The endocannabinoid system and pharmacology of cannabis
- Qualifying conditions and administration methods
- Medical cannabis contraindications
- Identifying adverse effects of cannabis use
Once the training course has been approved by MCA, the clinical director may complete the training and upload the certificate of completion in their OneStop account. Each licensed dispensary should retain supporting documentation demonstrating the clinical director has completed each year. Questions may be sent to: mca.labs@maryland.gov
For more information, please see the Clinical Director Requirements Guidance document.
Clinical Directors Support:
Email:
mca.labs@maryland.gov