Caroline Frankel is a proud supporter of the marijuana movement and believes responsible adults should have a choice not only for medicine but also for recreation.
Massachusetts decriminalized marijuana in 2008, approved medical marijuana in 2012, and became a recreational cannabis state in 2018. As of this year, 39 states have legalized medical marijuana, recreational marijuana is currently legal in 29 states including Washington DC, but still illegal from the federal government’s perspective. Over the past several years, great strides have been made in the legalization of marijuana in the United States. More and more states are adopting laws that allow for the medical and/or recreational use of marijuana, and there is a growing recognition of the potential benefits of cannabis for a variety of health conditions.
If you’re 18 years and above, a Massachusetts resident, and you have a qualifying condition, it’s not hard to get a medical cannabis card in Massachusetts. The first step is to obtain your doctor recommendation. When discussing medical marijuana with your doctor, it’s important to be honest about your health situation and explain why you believe cannabis will be beneficial for you. You should take the time to speak with your doctor and let them know about any medications you’re on, as well as ask them any questions you may have about medical cannabis.
Per Massachusetts state law, new applicants and renewing patients must have one of the following debilitating medical conditions:
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)- Lou Gehrig’s Disease
- Crohn’s Disease
- Positive status for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Diseases and conditions determined to be debilitating, per the applicant’s healthcare provider.
The state defines “debilitating” as “causing weakness, cachexia, wasting syndrome, intractable pain, or nausea, or impairing strength or ability, and progressing to such an extent that one or more of a patient’s major life activities is substantially limited.”
Some other conditions that have been accepted as qualifying for the Massachusetts medical marijuana program include:
- Anxiety/Depression
- Hodgkin Lymphoma
- PTSD
- Seizures or muscle spasms
- Anorexia
- Cachexia
- Insomnia
- Sarcoma
- Severe nausea
- Arthritis
- ADHD
- Chronic pain
If your doctor agrees to give you a medical marijuana recommendation, you will need to complete and submit an electronic patient certification to the Medical Use of Marijuana Program https://masscannabiscontrol.com/patients-caregivers/. If your application is approved, you will first receive a temporary printable version of your Massachusetts medical marijuana card that allows you to begin making purchases at medical dispensaries. Your official card will come in the mail.
Some states allow “reciprocity” for medical cannabis patients……this means that if you get a medical card in your state, they’ll accept it as if it were their own. Unfortunately, Massachusetts does not accept out-of-state medical cards. However, residents of any state can purchase recreational marijuana in Massachusetts, as long as they’re at least 21 years old and have a valid ID. If you are a medical marijuana user, knowing the medical marijuana laws for the states you plan to travel to is an important part of preparing for your next summer vacation. Doing so will help you avoid disruptions in your supply of medical marijuana and make sure you feel your best while away.
In April 2020, after the Massachusetts COVID-19 lockdown, there was a reported 14% increase in medical marijuana card applications. Medical dispensaries were deemed essential, while recreational shops like Caroline’s Cannabis were not. Caroline’s Cannabis hopes that the state will change the regulations surrounding Marijuana Treatment Center licensure eligibility by deverticalizing the license, and allow recreational stores the opportunity to obtain medical marijuana licenses to serve our local patient community in MA. Please continue to follow Caroline’s Cannabis website and social media to show support and stay up to date.
