FAQs

Certification is what we do. It is an online process that assures the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) that you qualify to be in the Medical Use of Marijuana Program. Registration is what you do. It is an online process that tells the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) more about yourself and confirms you are a Massachusetts resident. Both certification and registration need to be renewed annually. The renewal dates may drift apart over the years (from a few days to several months). Your medical marijuana card has the same expiration date as your registration. To check your certification expiration date log in to patient.massciportal.com or ask the staff at the dispensary when they scan your card.

NOTE: The CCC will send you email reminders 60 days before expirations. Renewing your registration early is a good idea (the CCC keeps the same expiration date with a year added on). However, 60 days in advance is too soon to renew certification as it terminates your existing certification (2 months early) and resets the expiration date). Plan to renew your certification within a few days of your expiration date so you get full value of the medical fee.

Your connection to the medical marijuana program requires an active certification and an active registration, as well as a PATIENT card.  If one of them expires, or you lose your card, it is relatively simple. Renewing your certification requires a telehealth visit with us to confirm that you still qualify for the program.  Certification becomes ACTIVE at the time we see you.  Renewing your registration can be done by logging into your account at patient.massciportal.com , choose “renew registration”, then follow the prompts.   A one-month temporary will be given and your new card will arrive by mail in 1-3 weeks. Call CCC Support at 833-869-68 for registration assistance or card replacement ($10). We can also help with registration at 978-594-0816.

Our fee for both first-time certification and recertification (for patients we have previously seen) is $170. Registration is designed for patients to do themselves, online. If you need help with registration, call CCC support at 833-869-6820 or leave a message for us at 978-594-0816 and we can assist you. There’s no charge.

No. Health insurance currently does not cover the cost of certification or the cost of your medication.

The regulations governing medical marijuana in Massachusetts describe a qualifying condition as one that interferes with activities of daily living (work, family, social, sleep).  Certifying providers must also balance risk and benefit to ensure the most favorable patient outcome. For a list of conditions that we have used to certify patients go to:  Qualifying Diagnoses

Detailed medical records are not needed. A note from your physician supporting your certification is always welcome. A list of medications and a list of diagnoses are helpful, particularly if you have a complicated medical history. We also need a copy of your driver’s license or similar ID. These can be photographed or scanned and sent to us at the time of your telehealth visit by emailing them to: info@mmjmedicalpractice.net.

If you are registered as a medical marijuana patient, you can choose someone to be your caregiver. A caregiver can go with you when you visit a dispensary. A caregiver can also go to a dispensary on their own to get medication for you. Caregivers must be registered online with the Cannabis Control Commission. You need to log in to your patient.massciportal.com account and choose the option to assign someone as your caregiver. A Massachusetts driver’s license or other appropriate identification of your caregiver will be needed. There is no charge. A two-week temporary caregiver registration is usually provided. The “Caregiver” card is mailed, and arrives in 1-3 weeks.

We have a small number of patients aged 18-20 who are usually accompanied by a parent when they first come to see us. It has made their certification easier. As registered patients, they are old enough to access marijuana through the state-licensed dispensaries and to be in possession of it, but they are too young to purchase or use marijuana under any other circumstances. While we recognize the independence of some under-21’s, their “in-between” legal status results in a more cautious approach to their certification. We are not certifying patients under the age of 18.

Yes, but the list continues to change. You should confirm which states will honor your card prior to travel. Currently, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Maine will accept Massachusetts cards. Marijuana is sold legally to any adult in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington.

We strongly advise against taking marijuana across (or close to) any USA border (interstate or international). All borders are under federal jurisdiction and marijuana is an illegal substance under federal law. Even crossing a border between two states in which marijuana is legal can result in federal prosecution. The same caution holds for security areas for air and sea travel, which are generally under federal jurisdiction as well.