24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (410) 685-2830, Press Option 5
24-Hour Compliance Hotline: (410) 685-2830, Press Option 6

MEDICAL CANNABIS CERTIFICATION

Medical cannabis is legal in Maryland. The State of Maryland requires a medical cannabis certification in order to get a medical cannabis identification card to enter licensed, Maryland dispensaries and make online cannabis purchases for medical conditions. In order to qualify for medical cannabis, patients must have a diagnosed medical condition set by the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC); “Qualifying medical conditions include cachexia, anorexia, wasting syndrome, severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, severe or persistent muscle spasms, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or another chronic medical condition which is severe and for which other treatments have been ineffective.” The MMCC also requires the medical provider-patient to have a bona fide relationship.

We offer affordable prices and a sliding-scale fee to patients who provide documentation of financial hardship. The certification exam costs $150 and the affordable access fee is $75. We offer a $35 fee for registration assistance. Below are the steps to get your medical cannabis card.

Get your medical card

1. Establish a relationship with Beacon of Hope’s certifying providers. Must be a legal resident of Maryland.
2. Go to the MMCC Registry to submit an online registration. The MMCC charges a $50 fee for an issuance of a medical cannabis card. 
3. Complete a physical exam with one of our certifying providers to obtain a written certification.
4. Return to the MMCC Registry and pay the MMCC $50 fee to obtain a medical cannabis card.
5. Visit a licensed, Maryland dispensary or website to make purchases.

Medical Cannabis Certification

  • Adolescents and adults
  • Medication/Pain Management
  • Eligibility: Self-Pay

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are edibles available in Maryland?

Presently, only dried, cannabis flower and extracts (oil tinctures, topicals, etc.) are approved.

Can a minor (under 18 years of age) have a medical cannabis card?

Yes. Minor patients who are under 18 years old can have at least one caregiver, a parent or legal guardian, who is at least 21 years old; register the minor for a medical cannabis card. The caregiver has to complete supplementary documents, which one must be notarized. The caregiver can visit Maryland-licensed dispensaries to purchase medical cannabis for the minor patient. You can obtain more information about the Caregiver Identification Card by visiting the MMCC’s website.

Can I grow medical cannabis at home?

No. Medical cannabis patients cannot cultivate cannabis at home.

Do Maryland-licensed dispensaries recognize other state medical cannabis identification cards?

No.

Do you offer a sliding scale fee?

We offer sliding scale fee discounts for individuals who have financial obstacles and cannot afford the full fees for our treatment services. We offer sliding scale fee discounts to individuals with all incomes at/or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Our sliding fee scale discounts are based on household size and income. To qualify, a client has to complete a sliding scale fee application and bring proof of income to his/her first appointment. Documentation of income include federal and state tax return; two recent paycheck stubs; current bank statement; unemployment benefit award letter; any other benefit award letter, etc.). Please note, we require tax documents for individuals who are self-employed. The client will receive the sliding fee discount, if s/he qualifies based on the income guidelines.
We also accept office payments in the form of a certified check or money order. The certified bank check or money order should be made payable to Beacon of Hope Wellness Center. No personal checks or cash are accepted.

How can I start therapy services with you?

Please call the office at (410) 685-2830 to schedule an appointment.

How do I pay for the medical cannabis certification?

Payment is expected at the time of each appointment. Please use our online client portal to make an online payment. Our client portal is safe and secure as it uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), an encryption protocol, to protect your payment information. You can make an online payment by check, credit card, or debit card. Payments are processed in real time or on the same day as you make the payment. If you make an online payment on Saturday or Sunday, your transaction is processed the following Monday.

We also accept office payments in the form of a certified check or money order. The certified bank check or money order should be made payable to Beacon of Hope Wellness Center. No personal checks or cash are accepted.

How much does the medical cannabis certification cost?

The certification exam costs $150 and the affordable access fee is $75.

What are the possession amounts and use limits of medical cannabis cardholders?

A medical cannabis cardholder may possess up to 120 grams of dried cannabis or up to 36 grams of cannabis-infused extracts of medical cannabis every 30 days.

What are the qualifying medical conditions for the medical cannabis certification?

The MMCC states “Qualifying medical conditions include cachexia, anorexia, wasting syndrome, severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, severe or persistent muscle spasms, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or another chronic medical condition which is severe and for which other treatments have been ineffective.” Some of the common diagnoses include AIDS; Cancer; Epilepsy; Glaucoma; HIV; Huntington’s Disease; Inflammatory Bowel Disease; Multiple Sclerosis; Neuropathy, and Parkinson’s Disease.

What does the medical cannabis certification entails?

The medical cannabis certification includes a physical exam, medical history assessment, review of medical records, and medical cannabis education. The medical cannabis card is valid for three years; however, a medical cannabis certification is required each year.

What information do I need to register on the MMCC’s website?

  1. An email account
  2. The last four digits of your Social Security Number
  3. An electronic copy of a valid government-issued photo identification card (Driver’s license, State issued photo identification card, US Passport, or Military identification-both front and back)
  4. Proof of Maryland residence. Two of the following documents dated within the last 90 days:
  • MVA registration card or title
  • Utility, telephone or cable/satellite TV bill
  • Bank account statement
  • Property tax bill
  • Mortgage statement or proof of home ownership (Deed, Title, Bill of Sale)
  • Major credit card bill (Visa, MasterCard, Wal-Mart, Target, etc.)
  • Residential rental contract (lease or rental contract between landlord and tenant which ​includes all signatures)
  • Selective Service Card
  • Federal, state or local government mail issued by the state of Maryland (ie. Social Security, social services)
  • Car insurance policy

Where are licensed, Maryland dispensaries located?

The MMCC has a dispensary list of Maryland-licensed dispensaries, which can be found here.

Where is your office located, and telephone number?

We are located in the Upton district of Baltimore City at 1721 Pennsylvania Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21217. Our office is ADA accessible. There are both metered and free street parking. Also, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Upton subway station and bus lines are conveniently located across the street from our office building.

Will my insurance pay for a medical cannabis certification?

No. We accept self-pay/private pay/out-of-pocket pay, which payment is due at the time of service.
We also accept office payments in the form of a certified check or money order. The certified bank check or money order should be made payable to Beacon of Hope; certified bank check or money order should state Beacon of Hope Wellness Center for alcohol and drug treatment services. No personal checks or cash are accepted.

Welcome To Beacon Of Hope

An outpatient behavioral health, psychiatric, substance use disorder, and psychiatric rehabilitation provider, which is licensed through the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Since 2018, Beacon of Hope has been awarded the national, gold seal accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF®).

About Us

Services at a Glance

Outpatient Mental Health Center
Laboratory Screening Services
Alcohol & Other Drugs (AOD)
Telemedicine
Housing Program
Crisis Services
Personal Coaching
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program
Medical Cannabis Certification

Facility

Office Hours

Monday - Friday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Early morning, evening, and week-end appointments may be available by request.

Call us

(410) 685-2830

Located at

1721 Pennsylvania Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21217

Request Services

Call us

(410) 685-2830
Monday - Friday
9:30am - 4:30pm

Make a refferral

Appointment Request

(for current clients)

24-Hour Crisis Hotline

If you are experiencing a crisis or an emergency, please call our 24-Hour Hotline, day or night, 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Call us

(410) 685-2830 press 5

24-Hour Compliance Hotline

You may anonymously and confidentiality voice your concern by calling our 24-Hour Compliance Hotline.

Call us

(410) 685-2830 press 6