Registration allows Patients or their Personal Caregiver(s) to cultivate a limited number of plants sufficient to maintain a 60-day supply of marijuana. The supply is solely for the Patient’s use.

Eligibility

To obtain Hardship Cultivation status, a Patient must demonstrate that their access to a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MTC) is limited by any of the following conditions:

• A verified financial hardship, defined by an individual who is a recipient of MassHealth or Supplemental Security Income, or if the individual’s income does not exceed 300% of the federal poverty level, adjusted for family size.
• Physical incapacity to access reasonable transportation, such as the inability to use public transportation or drive oneself, lack of a personal caregiver with a reliable source of transportation, and lack of an MTC that will deliver marijuana to the primary address of the Patient or Personal Caregiver.
• Lack of an MTC within a reasonable distance of the Patient’s primary residence and lack of an MTC that will deliver marijuana to the primary address of the Patient or Personal Caregiver.

Requirements and Restrictions

• Patients and Caregivers are prohibited from selling, bartering, giving away, or distributing marijuana or paraphernalia.
• Patients and Caregivers must grow and store marijuana in an enclosed, locked area accessible only to the Patient and caregiver. 
• Marijuana cannot be visible from the street or other public areas.
• Patients and Caregivers who cultivate marijuana under the Hardship Cultivation Registration must adhere to industry best practices in the cultivation of plants and storage. 

Application Process

To obtain a Hardship Cultivation Registration, a Patient must submit the following:

• A nonrefundable registration fee of $100, unless waived by the Cannabis Control Commission (Commission).
• Information supporting a claim that access is limited due to one or more of the circumstances listed above (in Requirements). 
• A description and address of the location that will be used to cultivate. This address must be the primary address of the Patient or the Personal Caregiver. 
• A written explanation of how the Patient will grow marijuana in accordance with the law. 
  • A description of the device or system that will be used to ensure security and prevent diversion of the marijuana plants. 
  • Written acknowledgment of the limitations on their authorization to cultivate, possess, and use marijuana for medical purposes in the Commonwealth.
  • Any other information required by the Commission.

Applications are processed by the Commission within 30 days of receipt. 

Hardship Cultivation Registrations expire annually from the date of issue. 

For More Information

Contact us at Commission@CCCMass.Com or (833) 869-6820.