Now Available: New Medical Use of Marijuana Program Materials for Patients and Caregivers

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) has debuted new resources that provide information and guidance for individuals who are interested in becoming Registered Qualifying Patients or Personal Caregivers with the Medical Use of Marijuana Program.

Two new brochures are currently available via the Massachusetts Health Promotion Clearinghouse for free digital download by Certifying Healthcare Providers, Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MTCs), and the general public.  

At its Feb. 12 public meeting, the Commission also presented a new video which gives an overview of the Program’s eligibility criteria and benefits for Patients. It is available for viewing and sharing from the Commission’s YouTube channel. 

Massachusetts residents with qualifying medical conditions may be eligible to register as Patients and may designate up to two Personal Caregivers to assist with their medical marijuana use. These new materials provide a clear and handy overview of the Program and how to participate. 

Patient benefits include: 

• Access to higher potency products from licensed MTCs;
• Exemption from sales tax on medicalmarijuana products;and 
• The ability topossessup to a 60-day supply of marijuana (no more than 10 ounces of marijuana or marijuana-infused products). 
• Confidentiality: All records andcommunications related to a RegisteredQualifying Patient’s medical use of marijuana are confidential by law, with disclosure limited to Program officials, MTCs, Certifying Healthcare Providers, and Law Enforcement for verification purposes. 
• Protection Against Discrimination (Disability):The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court,in the case of Barbuto v. Advantage Sales and Marketing, LLC, held that employers may be liable for disability discrimination if they decline to accommodate an employee’s off-duty use of medical marijuana. Please consult an attorney for specific questions. 

To learn more about Massachusetts’ Medical Use of Marijuana Program, visit the Patients and Caregivers webpage at MassCannabisControl.com.

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