Becoming a Patient in Massachusetts

Qualifying Conditions

Qualifying serious medical conditions for residents of Massachusetts include:

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV / AIDS
• Hepatitis C
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/Lou Gehrig’s disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Other debilitating conditions as determined in writing by a qualifying patient’s certifying physician.
  See your physician for consideration for conditions such as PTSD, Alzheimers, and chronic pain.

SELECTING A PERSONAL CAREGIVER

You have the option of designating a personal caregiver to assist you with your medical use of marijuana. After your registration has been approved by the Program, you may log back into the MMJ Online System and designate up to two personal caregivers who are not currently designated by another patient, unless that personal caregiver is your immediate family member.
To select a personal caregiver, follow these steps:

• Log into Virtual Gateway and select “Medical Use of marijuana System”
• Click “My Caregivers” located at the top of the screen.
• Click on the “Generate PIN” button to generate a PIN for your caregiver. You will be given the option to print the PIN or enter your caregiver’s email address to have it forwarded.
• Provide the PIN to your personal caregiver and direct them to register with the Medical Use of Marijuana Program.
• After your personal caregiver has registered with the program, you will be sent an email notice to confirm the registration. Log back into the medical Use of Marijuana online system, click on “My Caregivers” and verify the individual listed is your intended caregiver. Select “Yes, I validate that this is my personal caregiver” and indicate whether your personal caregiver is an immediate family member or not. Then click “Approve.” You will then be taken to a screen that indicates that your personal caregiver’s registration is pending approval by the Program. After their registration is processed, an email will be sent to your personal caregiver regarding the status of their registration.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

• You must carry your Program ID Card at all times while you are in possession of medical Marjiuana.
• You are required to register annualy to remain active.
• Notify the Program within five business days after discovering that your Program ID Card is lost, stolen, or destroyed by calling (833) 869-6820.
• There is a $10 fee to replace a Program ID Card

Regulatory Requirements

Obtaining a Massachusetts medical marijuana ID card requires the following steps:

GET CERTIFIED BY A PHYSICIAN

• Visit a physician who is registered with the MA Medical Use of Marijuana Program who will certify that you suffer from a qualifying condition.
  *Doctor fees do vary per visitation

REGISTER ONLINE

• The most convenient way to be approved for medical marijuana is through the Medical Use of Marijuana Online System.
  
  https://www.massciportal.com/login-register
  
  *If you are unable to register online you can request a paper registration form by calling (833) 869-6820
  
• Once your registration application is reviewed by the Program, you will be notified by email regarding the status of your registration.
  
• If approved for registration, you will be able to print a temporary paper Program ID Card and will receive your plastic ID Card in the mail in 1-2 weeks. Temporary paper ID Cards expire four weeks from the date that your registration is approved by the Program, at which time you should have received a plastic Program ID Card.
  *If you do not receive your Program ID Card within three weeks, call the Program at (833) 869-6820

RENEWING YOUR REGISTRATION

• Registrations expire annually
• You may re-apply for registration, on an annual basis, up to 60 days before the date that your registration expires by following the same procedure.
• It is highly recommended that applicants apply for a registration renewal at least 60 days prior to the expiration of their current program ID Card. This will ensure there is no gap in the applicant’s active status.