No. Any registered physician, dentist, podiatrist or nurse practitioner, in good standing in Maryland can register with the Medical Cannabis Commission to issue certifications to qualified patients to obtain and use medical cannabis. Ask your primary care physician if she or he is registered, and discuss whether medical cannabis would benefit your medical condition.

A patient needs an in-person visit with a registered physician with whom the patient has a "bona fide physician-patient relationship." If the patient meets the physician's criteria for treatment with medical cannabis, the physician will issue a written certification. The physician records the written certification on the Commission's website.

It means the physician has examined the patient, reviewed medical records, assessed the patient's medical history, maintains records on the patient, and will provide follow-up care to the patient as needed.

The patient can go to any dispensary to pick up medical cannabis. Some dispensaries will deliver medical cannabis to the patient's home. The dispensary must check the Commission website to confirm that the patient has a "written certification" and confirm the patient's identity. The dispensary will record how much medical cannabis has been dispensed to the patient.

Most recommendations are for 4 oz of dried flower and 36 grams of THC per month.

After the doctor has examined the patient and the patient's records, the physician may issue the patient a written certification.

A legal patient may travel to any location in the state of Maryland. Maryland cannot authorize you to travel to other states or countries. Possession of cannabis is against federal law. Most states do not recognize legal medical cannabis. Many medical cannabis states will not recognize the validity of out-of-state medical cannabis authorizations.

Patients do not have to disclose that they are in possession of medical cannabis and do not have to consent to a search. However, if a search is conducted and medical cannabis is found, the patient should present their patient ID card or direct law enforcement to our database.

No more than 120 grams-- or approximately four ounces, unless a physician makes a special determination that a patient needs more.

Federal law (HIPAA) requires that we protect patient privacy and confidentiality. Our database will meet HIPAA standards and protect patient confidentiality.

Veterans can obtain medical cannabis in the same way as other patients, but not from the Veterans Affairs health system. Veterans need to make sure that using medical cannabis will not disqualify them from Veterans Affairs health system procedures they might need.

A patient may obtain medical cannabis from a dispensary of their choice. The patient's written certification will be recorded in the Commission's database and can be confirmed by any licensed dispensary.

Medical cannabis will be available in forms that can be vaporized which is not smoking, or as extracts, lotions, ointments, tinctures, etc. Some extracts can be added to foods at home. Edible cannabis products will not be available from dispensaries in Maryland at this time.

Health insurers are not required to cover the cost of medical cannabis. Private health insurers are free under Maryland law to develop policies that will cover medical cannabis.

Any person who lives in Maryland can participate in the program. A person from out-of-state who is in the state for the purpose of receiving medical care can be issued a written certification and obtain medical cannabis, but must provide the address of the Maryland Facility where they are receiving care.