If you have decided to found a cannabis business, it’s essential that you are fully informed about the relevant laws in the state of Maryland. Cannabis Law & Business has been providing expert counsel on medical cannabis for the past decade, so we are fully equipped to provide you with the legal advice and guidance you need to enter the world of cannabusiness. If you need to find a lawyer in Potomac to help you comply with Maryland’s complex marijuana regulations, call our office today to request a consultation.
Qualifying For Medical Marijuana
In order to qualify for medical marijuana, you must be able to prove that you are a resident of Maryland. Acceptable proofs of residency include a driver’s license or other state-issued identification card, a passport, a utility bill, or a bank statement.
You must also be able to demonstrate that you have a legitimate medical reason to receive medical marijuana. You will need to provide medical documents that are relevant to your condition, and you must also have a written certification from a physician. However, your physician must be licensed by the state of Maryland to recommend medical marijuana as a form of treatment.
Finally, you will need to submit an official application for a medical marijuana card to Maryland’s medical marijuana program. In the state of Maryland, these cards are issued by the Medical Marijuana Commission and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Medical Conditions That Can Be Treated With Medical Marijuana
While medical marijuana has been legal in Maryland since 2003, patients were still vulnerable to prosecution for possession of the drug. However, Maryland’s medical marijuana laws changed in 2014, when Governor Martin O’Malley signed House Bill 881 into law. Under the new laws, licensed dispensaries can provide certain patients with medical marijuana as an alternative treatment, and patients do not have to be concerned about fines or other legal consequences. In order to receive medical marijuana, a patient must have a state-issued identification card and a prescription from a Maryland-licensed medical professional in a hospice or hospital. The law enables patients with chronic or debilitating medical conditions to receive the treatment. In order to qualify, patients must have a chronic or debilitating medical condition that causes health effects such as seizures, nausea, muscle spasms, anorexia or cachexia, or chronic pain. Complying with Maryland’s medical marijuana laws can be complicated, so if you own a cannabusiness, it’s essential that you have a lawyer’s advice.