Requirements

You must be 18 years of age or older.

If you are less than 18 years of age, your parent or guardian must approve of your medical cannabis use, and you must also have certification by two Certifying Health Care Providers, one of whom must be a pediatrician or pediatric specialist.

You must receive a written recommendation from a Certifying Health Care Provider. 

Prior to registering with the Program, you must receive a written recommendation from a Certifying Health Care Provider that identifies your qualifying medical condition.

Qualifying medical conditions include:

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Hepatitis C
• Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
• Crohn’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Other debilitating conditions as determined in writing by a certified physician

Certifying Health Care Providers may include physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants that are registered in the Program.

You’ll get a personal identification number (PIN).

Once you’ve been certified by your Certifying Health Care Provider, you’ll receive an email from the Program that includes your four-digit PIN registration number, as well as instructions on how to complete your patient application online.

You’ll need a valid form of ID that proves residency in Massachusetts. 

You must submit a copy of a valid form of identification to confirm residency in Massachusetts. Acceptable forms of ID include:

• A current Massachusetts driver’s license.
• A current Massachusetts ID card that includes a photograph of yourself.
• A current U.S. passport, U.S. military ID, or Permanent Resident Card. When submitting a passport, U.S. military ID, or Permanent Resident Card as your valid form of identification, you must also submit a document that validates your primary residence. The name and address on the document must match the information submitted during registration. Valid documents include:
  • Utility bill (gas, electric, telephone, cable, or heating oil) less than 60 days old
  • Current motor vehicle registration card
  • Tuition bill with a due date of less than six months old
  • Car insurance policy or bill that is less than 60 days old
  • Home mortgage, lease, or loan contracts less than six months old
  • Certified U.S. marriage certificate dated within the past six months
  • Property tax or excise tax bill for current year
  • First-class mail from a federal or state agency less than 60 days old
  • Current state-issued professional license with your address

You’ll need a passport-style photograph of yourself.

This photo will be placed on your Medical Use of Marijuana Program registration card (Program registration card). Your passport-style photo must meet the following criteria:

• The photo must be in color.
• It must be a square photo in portrait/upright format.
• The photo must be taken in front of a plain white or off-white background.
• It must have been taken within the last six months.
• The photo must show only your head and top of your shoulders.
• It must be taken looking directly at the camera held at eye level.
• It must be taken without smiling, with both eyes open, and without eyewear.
• It must be taken without any item that covers your face or head, except for religious purposes.

Need a photo? You can visit any establishment that issues passport photos, such as a pharmacy, camera store, or select United States Postal Service locations.