Until recently, Maryland medical cannabis patients had the option of paying extra when registering to obtain a physical identification card, but the cards weren’t actually required. All a patient needed to shop at a dispensary was a government-issued ID and a patient ID number.
Come April 1, a patient must present their medical cannabis ID card in order to make a dispensary purchase.
That’s now changing. As of Jan. 1 of this year, all new patients must purchase medical cannabis ID cards at the time of registration with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC). And come April 1, 2019, patients must present their medical cannabis ID cards in order to make a dispensary purchase.
What does this mean for you? That depends.
New Patients
Beginning Jan. 1, 2019, all new patients must purchase MMCC ID cards at registration. A card costs $50.
For more information on how to get a medical cannabis card in Maryland, consult Leafly’s step-by-step guide.
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Existing Patients
Existing medical cannabis patients who do not already have an MMCC identification card have two options:
- Order an MMCC ID card for a $50 fee now. The MMCC will issue you a card that will expire on the date your current registration expires.
- Beginning March 1, 2019, you may submit a renewal application to MMCC. There will still be a $50 card fee, but the renewal registration will expire 3 years from the date of renewal.
The second option seems to be the better one in terms of value. If you’re at all worried about delays, however, it may be worth renewing early.
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How to Renew
To renew your registration, log in to your existing MMCC account and click on the Renew Registration tab. You will be required to answer a few questions and update your address, if applicable. Once the MMCC has your renewal application, the agency will review it and notify you of approval via email.
Due to the anticipated high volume of ID card orders and registration renewals, the MMCC has said it will be unable to guarantee a delivery date for the cards. However, the department says a temporary ID will be emailed in the meantime and remain available through your MMCC account.
It may seem unnecessarily difficult at this point, but in the long term, the change is aimed at making the process smooth and consistent when checking in at dispensaries.
