*Photo credit by my friends at weekendreviewkit.com

In the last of this four part series, we turn our focus to Maryland. In 2013, Maryland legalized medical cannabis law. [Maryland Cannabis Legislation]. Four years later, the growers, processors and dispensaries are opening their doors and beginning wholesale and retail product sales. Maryland is an interesting medical use state in that it has one of the broadest range of qualifying conditions in the country and allows for all methods of cannabis consumption (except edibles).  In Maryland, persons 18 and above, may become a registered medical patient if you are diagnosed with  wasting syndrome, anorexia, severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, severe or persistent muscle spasms, glaucoma, and/or ptsd. There is also a broad catch all in the law that allows a medical provider to recommend cannabis for any other condition in which they think cannabis would be effective. That catch all could be used for conditions like anxiety, depression, insomnia,  and traumatic brain injury. Patients below the age of 18 may also have access to cannabis, but they must have a caregiver registered with the state and that caregiver is responsible for obtaining the cannabis and transporting that cannabis to them.

In Maryland, you do not have to be a medical doctor to recommend (the legal term for issuing a cannabis “prescription”) the use of cannabis. Any physician, nurse practitioner, dentist, podiatrist or nurse midwife who is registered with the State may certify someone to use cannabis. This is a much more liberal approach than those taken in other states. Maryland is further unique in that there is an allowance for a patient who is not a resident of the state to be treated by a Maryland medical provider and obtain a recommendation for medical cannabis. This is not reciprocity. States that have reciprocity, accept medical recommendations from another state’s program. Out of state patients, must be treated by a Maryland medical provider in order to have access to cannabis within the confines of the state.

Patients, medical providers and caregivers are all required to be registered with the State. Unlike other states, Maryland’s patient registration process is fairly simple. There is no requirement to be background checked or finger printed, nor does a patient have to carry a medical card, though one can be purchased from the Commission. To register as a patient or a caregiver, go to the Commission’s website.

Maryland is receiving 200-400 patient registration requests everyday. If you would like to become a patient in Maryland, and need assistance with the process, you may contact a representative from Mission Dispensaries at 1-833-POTHELP for further assistance or visit their website at Mission Dispensaries.

by Leah M. Heise, Esq.

There are 20 states in the United States that provide for the use of cannabis strictly for medical purposes. Each of these states has their own complex regulatory frameworks outlining how you can become a registered patient in the state, how much cannabis can be possessed or consumed and where a patient can purchase that product. For the vast majority of these purely medical-use states, of which Maryland is one, licenses have been issued to people to grow, process and sell the medical cannabis. Each state has its own list of conditions that trigger the ability to obtain cannabis and they also differ in the way the product can be sold and consumed. Some states, (NY, NJ and OH, among others) do not allow for the consumption or sale of flower (meaning you can’t smoke it). Other states, (ME, DC) allow you to grow a limited number of plants and produce your own medicine. Some states, like Maryland, have strict testing standards while others have virtually no regulatory oversight at all (AZ).

* Dark Green indicates adult use (note that Vermont was recently added but not shown on the map); Light Green is Medical Use; Grey is Limited Use; and black are the states with no cannabis laws of any sort. For an interactive version of this map with helpful information, visit NCIA here.

The distinguishing factor between Medical-Use states and Limited Medical Use states is often whether or not THC is allowed. In Medical Use states, all cannabinoids are allowed regardless of amount. In Limited Medical Use States, CBD (cannabidiol) a non-psychoreactive cannibinoid of the cannabis plant is allowed at high levels, but THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is either disallowed completely or only at very low levels. Fifteen states have limited medical use programs. These states also have very few conditions for which cannabis can be used, often only allowing its usage in severe cases of epilepsy.

Because we live, and are licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland, we will end our four part series by looking at what is allowed under Maryland Law. Keep your eyes out for the last post in this series.

by Leah M. Heise, Esq.