While seeking treatment from medical marijuana is an available option for residents around Massachusetts, receiving such medication involves strict regulations. If you want to learn about your potential eligibility for gaining a medical marijuana card, it is essential to know the overview of Massachusetts’ laws and regulations.
Appearing as the ballot’s 3rd question, Massachusetts became the 18th State that permits the possession and utilization of marijuana for medical purposes with the voters’ approval on November 6, 2012.
Eligibility Qualifications:
Ideally, an applicant must be 18 years old or older to become a qualified patient who can use medical cannabis. However, applications under the age of 18 must present a document expressing the consent and approval of their parents/legal guardians. They must also gain certification from two certifying pediatricians.
According to the Massachusetts Act for the Humanitarian Medical Use of Marijuana, the Medical Conditions that Qualify for medical cannabis usage include (but are not limited to):
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- Positive Status for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
- Hepatitis C
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Crohn’s Disease
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis (when such diseases are debilitating)
- And Other Debilitating Conditions (as determined in writing by a qualifying patient’s certifying physician)
The Regulations define “Debilitating” conditions as illnesses “causing weakness, cachexia, wasting syndrome, intractable pain, or nausea, or impairing strength or ability, and progressing to such an extent that one or more of a patient’s major life activities is substantially limited.”
For a thorough discussion about your potential eligibility for being a medical marijuana cardholder in Massachusetts, please schedule an appointment with our staff of specialists today.