Medical Cannabis Certifications

Interested in obtaining a medical cannabis card in Maryland, Washington, D.C., or Virginia?

Looking for a certifying provider or licensed practitioner to complete your medical marijuana assessment?

Read below for the qualifications and resources for each jurisdiction.

The Psycannatrist is a telehealth psychiatry practice and is proud to offer medical cannabis assessments for eligible patients. As a telehealth practice, patients can be seen from the comfort of their own home, without the need to travel to a doctor’s office.

Medical cannabis assessments are $200. A non-refundable $50 deposit is due when the evaluation appointment is scheduled, with the remaining balance due the day of your appointment.

Maryland and Virginia residents seeking certification can schedule a free 15 minute consultation here. During the consultation, the doctor will review our process and what you should bring to your appointment. While Dr. Johnson does not provide certifications for medical cannabis in D.C., we’ve included information on the self-certification process below.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please click here, give us a call at 301-857-WEED(9333), or email Scheduling@ThePsycannatrist.com.

(Note: The terms “medical cannabis” and “medical marijuana”/”MMJ” are used interchangeably here. This guide is provided for informational purposes, please check with the respective authorities for complete details.)

Maryland

Maryland’s medical cannabis program is run by the Maryland Cannabis Administration. Healthcare provider certifications are valid for 1 year, must be renewed annually, and expire if a medical cannabis purchase is not made within 120 days after being entered in the system. Maryland requires that patients register for an online account with Maryland OneStop and to complete the Adult Patient Registration. Once your application is reviewed and approved by the state, you’ll receive a MCA patient ID number and can then seek certification from a registered provider.

Adult-use marijuana is legal for anyone over the age of 21 to purchase. Adult-use products are subject to a 9% sales tax with a purchase limit of 42.5 grams (roughly 1.5 ounces) of flower (pre-packaged flower and pre-rolls), 12 grams of concentrates (vapes, wax, shatter, budder, resin), or 750 mg of THC (edible gummies, chocolates, beverages, capsules, tinctures).

Medical cannabis purchases are exempt from the 9% sales tax. In addition, medical cannabis patients have access to exclusive hours or a dedicated service line at dispensaries and can purchase products of a higher potency. The standard purchase limit on a rolling 30-day period (as in, not based on the calendar month) is 120 grams of dried flower or 36 grams of a THC product. This limit is shared between the two categories. More information on how Maryland calculates the shared limit is available here.

To qualify for medical cannabis in Maryland, you must:

• Be 18 or older
• Be a Maryland resident
• Complete the Adult Patient Registration
• Have one of the following approved conditions:
  • Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome)
  • Anorexia
  • Severe or chronic pain
  • Severe nausea
  • Severe or persistent muscle spasms
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • If the patient has a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition that results in being admitted into hospice or receiving palliative care
  • Or another chronic medical condition which is severe and for which other treatments have been ineffective
  • Glaucoma*
  • Seizures*

(Conditions with an asterisk can not be certified by Dr. Johnson)

Note: Maryland does allow patients under the age of 18 to access medical cannabis. The process is slightly longer as additional steps are required for the patient’s registration and their parent or legal guardian. For details on the caregiver application process, please click here. The Psycannatrist does not do medical cannabis evaluations for patients under 18.

What to bring to your appointment:

1. MCA patient ID
   1. You must register an account with Maryland OneStop, complete the Adult Patient Registration, and have an approved application before you receive the MCA patient ID. If you do not have the patient ID at the time of your appointment, the certification can not be entered into Maryland’s system, which delays your ability to access medical cannabis. Full details on what the MCA requires during the application can be found here.
2. A valid, government-issued ID
3. A list of your current medications (including doses and frequency) or the medication bottles
4. Once you have access to The Psycannatrist’s patient portal (usually after your initial consultation), please upload any relevant medical records for the doctor to review before your appointment

Virginia

Virginia’s medical cannabis program is run by the Cannabis Control Authority (CCA). Permanent or temporary residents of Virginia are eligible to purchase medical cannabis after receiving an assessment and certification from an eligible provider. Virginia does not require that patient register in their online system, you can use a printed or digital copy of your certification to purchase from a dispensary. Certifications are good for 1 year, unless the provider determines an earlier end date.

Retail sale of recreational marijuana has not started in Virginia. To purchase from a dispensary, you must have a medical cannabis certification from a licensed provider. It’s currently expected that recreational cannabis purchases will be subject to a 21% excise tax, a 5.3% sales tax, and possible local tax of up to 3%. Medical cannabis purchases are only subject to the 5.3% sales tax.

To qualify for medical cannabis in Virginia, you must:

• Be at least 18 years or older
• Be a resident of Virginia
• Have a valid, government-issued ID
• Have a medical condition or disease that may benefit from the use of cannabis products

Note: Virginia allows patients under the age of 18 to access medical cannabis with the permission of their parent or legal guardian. Registration is not required for parents or legal guardians, as long as their information is listed on the healthcare provider’s written certification.

The Psycannatrist does not do medical cannabis assessments for patients under 18.

What to bring to your appointment:

1. Valid, government-issued ID
2. A list of your current medications (including doses and frequency) or the medication bottles
3. Once you have access to The Psycannatrist’s patient portal (usually after your consultation), please upload any relevant medical records for the doctor to review before your appointment

Washington, D.C.

The District of Columbia’s medical marijuana program is run by the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration (ABCA). Both residents and non-residents 21 or older are eligible to purchase medical cannabis from dispensaries in D.C. by self-certifying that they will only use medical cannabis for the treatment of a qualifying medical or dental condition or for the side effects of a qualifying medical treatment. You do not need a certification from a provider if you meet the age requirement. Purchasing marijuana from a dispensary for recreational use is not legal in D.C.

D.C. residents 21 or older: Complete ABCA’s D.C. resident online application and self-certify your need to access medical cannabis

D.C. residents 20 or younger can not self-certify and will need a recommendation from a qualified healthcare provider

• The Psycannatrist does not provide recommendations for D.C., but a list of eligible providers can be found here.

Non-residents 21 or older can purchase medical cannabis from any licensed retailer in one of two ways:

• Completing the non-resident application and purchasing a temporary license in one of the following increments:
  • 3 days ($10)
  • 30 days ($20)
  • 90 days ($50)
  • 180 days ($75)
  • 365 days ($100)
• Have a medical marijuana card in a jurisdiction that has been offered reciprocity by the ABCA. The current list of states can be found here.

Questions about medical cannabis program can be directed to the ABCA:

899 North Capitol Street, NE, Medical Cannabis: Suite 4200-A
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 442-4423
TTY: (746) 777-7776
Email: abca.director@dc.gov