How to Get Medical Marijuana in Massachusetts

Your burning questions about scoring legal weed, answered.

medical marijuana massachusetts

Photo via iStock.com/Smileitsmccheeze

More than three years after Massachusetts voters gave the green light to medical marijuana, Boston finally has its first metro-area dispensary. Just weeks ago, New England Treatment Access threw open the doors of its Brookline location, much to the delight of the city’s card-carrying medical marijuana patients. Here’s what you need to know to get your foot in the door.

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1.

Understand what ails you before visiting a doc. Medical marijuana is reserved for “debilitating medical conditions,” such as cancer and Crohn’s disease, but doctors have discretion in defining that term.

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2.

Jump online and find one of the approximately 130 physicians who are registered to prescribe marijuana in Massachusetts. Schedule an appointment.

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3.

After being certified as an eligible patient, you’ll need to register online with the state’s Medical Use of Marijuana Program. Make sure you have a valid ID, a passport-like photo, and $50 for the registration fee.

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4.

A temporary ID will be available for you to print, but getting the actual card will take up to two weeks.

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5.

Decide if you want to designate someone as your personal caregiver, giving them the legal right to cultivate 60 days’ worth of marijuana on your behalf.

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6.

If growing your own isn’t your shtick, get ready to visit a dispensary. Check ahead to see if you need to make an appointment, and don’t forget your ID card.