Who is Eligible to Register as a Patient?
Any individual who lives in the state of Maryland whose provider recommends medical cannabis as a treatment option for a qualifying medical condition is eligible to register with the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) as a patient. Qualifying medical conditions include cachexia, anorexia, wasting syndrome, severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, severe or persistent muscle spasms, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or another chronic medical condition which is severe and for which other treatments have been ineffective.
A registered patient is permitted to identify one individual, aged 21 years or older, to serve as a caregiver. Caregivers are required to register through the Onestop Portal and after approval an ID card must be purchased.
Registered caregivers in possession of a valid MCA Caregiver ID card are able to purchase medical cannabis on behalf of their designated patients from licensed Maryland dispensaries and transport the legally obtained medical cannabis to their designated patients.
Detailed information regarding caregiver requirements and the caregiver registration process is available on the
Caregivers page.Please note: Minor patients (under the age of 18) are required to have at least one caregiver at all times, who is a parent or guardian of the minor. A minor patient may have up to four caregivers, two of whom are a parent/guardian, and two additional adults over the age of 21 designated by a parent or guardian.
How can I Register as a Patient?
In order to register as a Patient, all applicants including Minors are required to create an account at Maryland Onestop (onestop.md.gov) and verify the email associated with the account. All Patients including Minors and Hospice application processes are completed online.
It is essential that you have the required information and documents in an electronic format ready for upload before starting the application process. Please carefully review the requirements below and the appropriate guidance documents to ensure you are prepared to complete the entire application before beginning the process.
Patients in hospice care may elect to submit a letter from the attending hospice physician in lieu of a recent photo. The
letter must be from the Attending of Hospice Record (AOHR) physician on hospice letterhead stating that the patient is a hospice patient under his or her care. It may be uploaded in either .jpg or .pdf format.
Patients have the option to print a paper copy of their medical cannabis ID cards at no charge. The Maryland Cannabis Administration medical patient ID cards can be ordered after the application is approved for a fee of $25.00.
Still have questions?
Send us your questions to mca.infoandregistration@maryland.gov or call us at 410-487-8100
At this time, the cost of medical cannabis is not reimbursable by any private or public insurance plan, Medicare or Medicaid, or through Veterans' covered plans.
Maryland residents should be aware that transporting cannabis across state lines is a federal offense.
