Massachusetts lists specific conditions that make residents eligible for the medical cannabis program, including:

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease)
• Anxiety
• Cancer
• Cachexia
• Crohn’s disease
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• HIV/AIDS
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• PTSD

The state also allows “other conditions that severely limit one or more major life functions,” that a medical marijuana doctor or certifying healthcare provider can diagnose.

First schedule an appointment with a licensed physician through FadeMD.

Once you are approved, you will receive a temporary recommendation that you can use at a dispensary. You’ll use this temporary number to register with Massachusetts’ Medical Use of Marijuana Program online system to complete your application process.

Once you are approved and registered with the program, you’ll wait for your card to come in the mail in 2-3 weeks. You can use the temporary recommendation in the meantime.

Caregivers in Massachusetts must meet specific requirements. They need to be at least 21 years old and residents of the state, with proper identification to confirm residency. New caregivers are required to provide two accepted forms of ID, which include a driver’s license, state ID, U.S. passport, or Military ID with a clear photo. If a military ID is used, proof of residency, such as a utility bill, is necessary.

Once approved by the state, caregivers receive a registration number enabling them to purchase cannabis products for the patient.

To renew your Massachusetts medical marijuana card with FadeMD, schedule a renewal appointment with one of our physicians. They will assess your ongoing need for medical cannabis and guide you through the renewal process. We'll remind you when your renewal is due, or feel free to contact our Customer Service Department for assistance and to apply any available renewal discounts.

The card is valid for three years, but you'll need to re-certify annually to keep it current.

Individuals can purchase up to 1 oz at dispensaries and possess up to 10 oz at home. Home cultivation allows for up to 6 plants per household, or up to 12 plants for households with two or more adults. Any amount exceeding 1 oz at home must be securely locked for safety.

Marijuana use is prohibited in public or federal areas.

The Justice Department proposed a new rule to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug, which would ease federal restrictions on cannabis if approved. This reclassification would not legalize or decriminalize marijuana nationwide but would place it on the same regulatory level as ketamine and anabolic steroids. Currently, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning it has "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." The proposed change would recognize marijuana as having "a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence."

The proposal initiates a months-long comment and administrative period before any changes take effect. This follows President Biden's 2022 request for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Justice Department to review marijuana's classification. HHS found credible scientific evidence supporting marijuana's medical use. The notice of proposed rulemaking reflects the attorney general's agreement with HHS's recommendation. President Biden hailed the move as "monumental," emphasizing marijuana policy as a priority of his administration, which has also worked to pardon those convicted of simple possession.