Clinical director guidelines can be found in Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, §§36-202, 36-203 and COMAR 14.17.04.07.
COMAR 14.17.04.07 states clinical director:
Eligibility
A. A licensed dispensary shall appoint at least one individual to function as clinical director who:
1. Is eligible to serve as a certifying provider, as defined in COMAR 14.17.01;
2. Is a licensed pharmacist in good standing with the State Board of Pharmacy; or
3. Has substantial education, training, and experience in the medical use of cannabis, as determined by the Administration and is a:
a) Registered nurse in good standing with the State Board of Nursing; or
b) Licensed naturopathic doctor in good standing with the State Board of Physicians.
B. During the hours of operation, a licensed dispensary shall have a clinical director:
2. Available via electronic communication.
C. A clinical director shall:
1. Register as a clinical director with the Administration;
2. Complete at least one training course each year that is approved by the Administration, which includes:
a) The latest scientific research on medical cannabis;
b) The risks and benefits of medical cannabis; and
c) Other information considered necessary by the Administration;
3. Educate qualifying patients and caregivers on:
a) Treatment of the qualifying patient’s medical condition with medical cannabis;
b) Potential drug-to-drug interactions, including interactions with alcohol, prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, and supplements;
c) Possible side effects or contraindications of medical cannabis use;
d) The potential for differing strengths and effects of medical cannabis strains; and
e) Different methods, forms, and routes of medical cannabis administration; and
4. Provide training to dispensary agents on:
a) Guidelines for providing information to qualifying patients related to risks, benefits, and side effects associated with medical cannabis;
b) Recognizing signs and symptoms of substance abuse; and
c) Guidelines for refusing to provide medical cannabis to an individual who appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
D. A clinical director for a licensed dispensary may not provide a written certification for medical cannabis to any qualifying patient.
E. A standard dispensary is not subject to §§A—C of this regulation until the licensee has been licensed and operational for a period of at least 24 months.
F. A micro dispensary is not subject to §§A—C of this regulation.
G. The Administration may request information from licensed dispensaries on clinical director utilization in a manner specified by the Administration.
Registration Information
An eligible applicant may complete and submit an online application by visiting the One Stop website. Click "Apply Online" under the Clinical Director heading, then complete and submit the application form that displays.
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.
Training Requirements
Clinical directors must complete at least one MCA approved training course each year. Clinical directors must email [email protected] for MCA approval of their selected annual training program prior to submitting a certificate of completion. Training may be virtual or inperson. An MCA approved course must include the following:
2. Have an assessment quiz
3. 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: [email protected]
For more information or support, please see the Clinical Director Requirements Guidance document or email [email protected].
