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 (med 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 medical card.

If one of them expires, or you lose your med 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 card will be given and your new med 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 if needed at 978-594-0816.

The fee for certification and re-certification is $170.

We offer Veteran’s discount ($20), thank you for your service!

We offer a Financial Hardship discount ($20) for patients who have MassHealth with a copy of your MassHealth card.

If you are disabled and are receiving SSDI benefits, the Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Program allows a 2-year certification with proper documentation.

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 uploaded to the website when you make your appointment or sent by email before your telehealth 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.

Yes.  We certify patients 18 years and older.  As registered patients, they are old enough to access marijuana through the state-licensed medical dispensaries and to be in possession of it, but they are too young to purchase or use marijuana under any other circumstances.  We are not certifying patients under the age of 18.

Yes, but the list continues to change. States that honor the Massachusetts medical card include Maine, Rhode Island, Washington DC, Delaware, Louisiana and Nevada. New Hampshire and a few other states offer limited benefits to medical card holders. Of note, nearly half of USA states allow marijuana sale to adults aged 21+. Check the laws of a state you plan to visit before you go, and don’t travel with marijuana (see next question).

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.

We accept Mastercard, Visa, Discover, FSA and HSA.

We accept American Express but only over the phone, our online payment system does not currently accept American Express.

If you prefer to pay with an American Express card, please call our office to schedule your appointment, and we will be happy to schedule your appointment and process your payment over the phone.

We have been serving patients from our office in Salem for over ten years. Since the pandemic, we have been using telehealth evaluations that have increased  to 99% of our patients. It is a better way! We enjoyed the in-person care of patients, but we were seeing only 2 or 3 per year in the office. As a result, we are working from our homes and using the office for administrative purposes only.

We want it to be easy to reach us when you have questions or concerns.  Feel free to call or text us at 978-594-0816, please provide your name and date of birth, along with whatever message you feel comfortable leaving.

You can also email us at:  info@mmjmedicalpractice.net

We will review your message and get back to you as soon as we can.  At MMJ Medical Practice, your relationship with your provider doesn’t end when your certification appointment is over, we’re here throughout the year if you need us.

Using cannabis as medicine is different from using cannabis recreationally.  For patients who rely on cannabis to manage a medical condition, particularly those who use it regularly or even daily, the cost can add up quickly.

One of the biggest advantages of being a registered medical cannabis patient in Massachusetts is that medical cannabis purchases are not subject to the taxes applied to recreational cannabis purchases.  We believe patients shouldn’t have to pay recreational cannabis taxes on a product they are using as medicine.

Medical patients may also have access to products, purchase limits, and other benefits that differ from the adult-use program.  Many Massachusetts dispensaries offer additional patient perks, such as new-patient and annual certification/renewal discounts, special promotions and enhanced loyalty programs.  These benefits vary by dispensary, but for many patients the savings available after certification or annual renewal can help offset or even cover the cost of their certification.

Finally, some patients simply appreciate having the validation of being a registered medical cannabis patient.  Their medical card reflects that they have discussed their cannabis use with a qualified healthcare provider and are participating in Massachusetts’ medical cannabis program.

For patients who use cannabis regularly for a medical purpose, maintaining a medical card can provide financial savings, additional options, and the support of an ongoing relationship with a medical cannabis provider.

A form of payment is required when you schedule your appointment.  However, if your provider determines during your evaluation that you do not qualify for the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program, you will not be charged for the visit.

We want you to feel comfortable scheduling an evaluation without worrying about paying for a certification you are unable to receive.

Payment information is required at the time you schedule your appointment online.  Your card will not be charged until after your evaluation is complete.

If your provider determines that you qualify for the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program, your card will be charged following your appointment.  If you do not qualify, you will not be charged for the visit.