Get a Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Card

Next steps after approval

Congratulations on getting approved for your medical certification. Here’s a guide to what you need to do next.

Before you start, have these things ready:

• Your PIN number – provided by Leafwell
• A valid form of ID
  • Massachusetts driver’s license
  • Massachusetts ID card (with a photograph of yourself)
  • U.S. passport and another document that proves your Massachusetts residency
  • U.S. military ID and another document that proves your Massachusetts residency.
• A photograph of yourself if you are not using a Massachusetts-issued driving license or ID
• Proof of Massachusetts Residency if a Passport or US Military ID is to be used as the form of identification

Getting your Massachusetts medical marijuana card

To register with the Medical Use of Marijuana Online System, follow the step-by-step registration instructions below.

Step 1:

Scan and save the documents listed above to your device. If uploading a US military ID, scan and upload the front and the back of the card. Be sure to have a copy of the front and back of the card saved on one file. When uploading your (or the patient’s) photograph to the Medical Use of Marijuana Online System, ensure that the photograph has a minimum resolution of 400 pixels wide by 360 pixels long, is in .jpg format, and has a maximum size of 2 MB. When uploading the rest of the documents, ensure that the document is in .jpg format or .pdf format and has a maximum size of 2 MB.

Step 2:

Visit the Medical Use of Marijuana Online System at https://patient.massciportal.com

• Click on the “Create Account” link.
• Enter your information in the “User Information” section.
• Accept the “Terms and Conditions” by clicking “I agree to the Medical Use of Marijuana Online System’s terms and conditions.”
• Pass the CAPTCHA.
• Click “Create Account.”

You will then receive an email to the email address you provided. This email will contain a link to confirm your email address to complete your registration. After clicking the link in the email, click the link on the page to proceed to the login page. Be sure to keep your username and password. You will need your original username when you renew your registration.

Step 3:

Enter your username and password and click “Login” to access the system.

Step 4:

Click the “Register as an Adult Patient” button.

Step 5:

Enter all four identification fields and click the “Proceed” button. The PIN Number is the number you received from your Certifying Healthcare Provider, and that was emailed to you by the Program, after you were certified.

Step 6:

If you successfully enter all of the identification fields, you will be taken to the instructions page. Review these instructions and click “Proceed.”

Step 7:

Enter your information into the required fields denoted by a red asterisk (*). These include the following:

• Registration Information: Mother’s Maiden Name and Gender.
• Residential Address: Address, City, and Zip Code.
  • If you are homeless, you may check the box denoting your status. If you check this box, you will be required to provide a Massachusetts mailing address.
  • Please note: If you are submitting a driver’s license or a Massachusetts ID card as your valid form of identification, the name and address in your application must match the name and address on your corresponding Valid Form of ID.
• Mailing Address: Address, City, and Zip Code.
  • If your mailing address is the same as your residential address, you may check the box and the information will automatically populate
• Identification Document Information: Valid Form of Identification and Number on Valid Form of Identification
  • From the drop-down menu, select which “Valid Form of Identification” you will be uploading (Massachusetts Driver’s License; Massachusetts ID; United States passport; or US Military ID)
  • Enter the “Number on your Valid Form of ID.” Depending on which valid form of ID you upload, the number will be your Massachusetts Driver’s License number (Include the ‘S’); Massachusetts ID number; United States passport number; or US Military ID number.
  • Attestation: Read through the Attestations and check the box to attest that you understand and agree with each of the attestations.
  • Once you complete filling out your information and check the attestation box, click “Proceed.”

Step 8:

If you successfully enter all of the fields, you will be taken to the “Valid Form of Identification” page.

• Enter the expiration date of your Valid Form of ID.
• To upload a copy of your Valid Form of ID, first the “Choose File” or “Browse” button and select the file that you saved to your computer in Step 1.
• Please note: This file should contain a copy of your Valid Form of ID. You should not upload the picture of yourself at this time; you will be asked to do so on the next page.
• Also note: If you are uploading a US Military ID, you must upload the file that contains both the front and back copy of your ID.
• Click “Proceed” to continue to the next page.

Step 9:

If you successfully enter all of the fields and you used a US Passport or US Military ID, you will be taken to the “Proof of Massachusetts Residency” page.

• To upload a copy of the proof of residency, first the “Choose File” or “Browse” button and select the file that you saved to your computer in Step 1.
• Click “Proceed” to continue to the next page.

Step 10:

You only need to upload a photo if you did not use a Massachusetts Driver’s License or Photo

1. Read the instructions and make sure that the photo you saved on your computer in Step 1
   meets the described requirements.

• • To upload your photo, first click the “Choose File” or “Browse” button. A separate dialogue box will open; select the file that you saved to your computer in Step 1 and open. Next, click the “Upload” button.
  • Your picture should then appear under “My Uploaded Photo.”
  • Once you have successfully uploaded a photo of yourself, click the “Proceed” button.

Step 11:

Next, you will be brought to the “Review and Submit Application” page to review and confirm your registration information.

• If you need to correct any information, you may click the associated field on the right side of the screen and edit your information, or you may click the “Back” button until you reach the correct screen and edit your information.
• After you have verified that the information is correct, click the “Proceed” button until you return to the Review and Submit Application screen.
• Once you have verified that the information is correct, click on the “Submit” button.

Step 12:

You will then be taken to the Home screen with a message stating that you have submitted a new registration application. Once your registration application is reviewed by the Medical Use of Marijuana Program, you will be notified by email regarding the status of your registration. Registration applications are reviewed in the order they are received.

If approved for registration, you will be able to print a temporary, paper Program ID and will receive a plastic Program ID Card in the mail at a later date. Temporary, paper Program ID Cards expire 42 days 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 plastic Program ID Card within three weeks, call the Program at (833) 869-6820.

Can I renew my Massachusetts medical marijuana card online?

It’s easy for registered qualifying patients to renew their Massachusetts medical marijuana card with Leafwell. The process is a bit shorter than when you get a medical marijuana card for the first time in MA. To see a step-by-step explainer on renewing your medical marijuana cards in this state and to start the process, check out our MA renewal page.

Next steps after renewal

You must renew your registration every year to continue enrollment in the Program.

Use the same username and password used during your initial registration.

Reminder

Your Program ID card expires each year on the same day as your Program registration. When you renew your registration, you will be sent a new Program ID card.

What you need

• A valid certification (your Leafwell renewal certificate)
• Current, acceptable form of identification (ID)
  • This is only required if there is a change in information from your previous registration or if you have an updated ID. This includes a change in your ID’s expiration date.

Online Renewal Instructions:

1. After being approved, you will need to renew your state registration. Log in to your virtual online account with the state at https://patient.massciportal.com/mmj-patient/signin using the same email account that you did last time.
2. Go to the home page for your patient profile. If it is within 60 days of your registration’s expiration date, you will see a “Renew Registration” link near the bottom of the page. Click this link to begin the registration renewal process.
3. Proceed through the registration renewal application following the instructions provided on the screen. The registration renewal application will be pre-populated with the information from your existing patient record.
4. You will then be brought to the “Review and Submit Renewal” page to review and confirm your registration information.
   1. If you need to correct any information, you may click the associated field on the right side of the screen and edit your information, or you may click the “Back” button until you reach the correct screen and edit your information.
   2. After you have verified that the information is correct, click the “Proceed” button until you return to the Review and Submit Application screen.
5. Once you have verified that the information is correct, click the “Submit” button.
6. You will then be taken to the Home screen with a message stating that you have submitted an application. Your application will then be reviewed by the Program.
7. Once approved, you will be sent a new ID card.

Legal limitations for MA card holders

Navigating the legal landscape of marijuana for medical use can be a bit tricky, but we’re here to break it down for you. Here are some key points you should be aware of if you’re a medical cannabis patient in Massachusetts:

• Medical cannabis cannot be used publicly or on federal land.
• It’s illegal to drive while under the influence of marijuana or to have an open container of marijuana in a vehicle while on the road or in a public place.
• While driving, any medical cannabis products should be stored in a closed container in the trunk or a locked glove compartment.
• There is a tax of $3.50 per gram of medical cannabis if the owner possesses 40 grams or more.

How to become a caregiver in Massachusetts

If you’re looking to become a caregiver for a medical marijuana patient in Massachusetts, there are some important rules and steps you’ll need to follow.

Picking Up for Patients

Good news! As an adult caregiver, you can pick up medical marijuana from a dispensary on behalf of a registered patient. Handy, right?

Caregiver Limitations

An individual may not be a Personal Caregiver for more than five medical patients at once. If the patient is a minor, having a caregiver is a must.

Application Process

Personal caregivers must submit a separate application to get a medical marijuana caregiver card.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, you must:

1. Be at least 21.
2. Live in Massachusetts and have proof of residency.
3. Have a Massachusetts driver’s license or a state-issued ID card with your current address.
4. Carry their medical ID card at all times.
5. Notify the state within five days if the card is lost, stolen, or destroyed: 617-660-537.

Timing

If approved, you will receive your registration card in the mail within 10-15 business days.

Can you use a Massachusetts medical card in other states?

Massachusetts does not offer medical marijuana reciprocity to cardholders from other states with medical programs. However, anyone 21 or older can purchase marijuana for recreational use.

That said, your MA medical card will be recognized in these other states and territories:

• Arizona
• Arkansas *
• Delaware
• Hawaii *
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Michigan (at the dispensary’s discretion)
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey *
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma *
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• U.S. Virgin Islands *
• Utah * (up to two 21-day periods in a calendar year)
• Washington, D.C.

*Visitors must complete a visiting patient application with the state program.

Minor medical cannabis patient information

Minors can have a parent or guardian become their caregiver and apply for a medical cannabis card on their behalf.

The minor must have certifications from two healthcare providers, one being a pediatrician or pediatric specialist.

Please note: Leafwell cannot certify minors in Massachusetts at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience.