What is a Caregiver?
A caregiver is a person who, once registered with the Maryland Cannabis Administration (MCA) and in possession of a valid MCA Caregiver ID card, is able to purchase medical cannabis from a licensed Maryland dispensary on behalf of his or her designated patient(s) and transport the legally obtained medical cannabis to the patient(s). Once registered, a caregiver may serve a maximum of five registered patients at one time.
Caregivers must be at least 21 years of age and are required to register with and purchase ID cards from the Maryland Cannabis Administration. The caregiver’s valid MCA Caregiver ID card must be presented at a dispensary in order to purchase medical cannabis.
A registered patient is permitted to have
one caregiver. Minor patients (under the age of 18) are required to have at least one caregiver at all times, who is a parent or guardian of the minor. A minor patient may have up to
four caregivers, two of whom are a parent/guardian, and two additional adults over the age of 21 designated by a parent or guardian.
Requirements for Caregivers serving Adult Patients (18 + years of age)
To be eligible for designation as a caregiver for a registered patient, you must:
- Be at least 21 years of age at the time of registration
- Register with the Maryland Cannabis Administration
- Receive approval from the MCA
- Purchase an ID card from the MCA for a fee of $25
During the registration process, the caregiver will need to submit a valid, US government-issued photo ID and a clear, recent color photo. Once approved by the MCA and designated a caregiver for a patient with a valid written certification from a physician registered with MCA, the caregiver will also be required to purchase an ID card from MCA for a fee of $25.
Requirements for Caregivers serving Minor Patients (Under 18 years of age)
To be eligible for designation as a caregiver for a registered minor patient, you must:
- Be a parent or legal guardian of the minor patient
- Be at least 21 years of age at the time of registration
- Register with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission
- Receive approval from the Commission
- Purchase an ID card from the Commission for a fee of $25.
In the case of a minor patient (under 18 years of age), only the minor patient’s parents or legal guardians, themselves aged 21 years or older, are eligible to serve as caregivers. Minor patients’ caregivers will also be
required to submit valid, US government-issued photo IDs and clear, recent color photographs as part of the registration process. Caregivers for minor patients are also required to purchase ID cards from the Commission for a $25 fee.
How can I register as a Caregiver?
Caregiver registration is completed entirely online. The online application form
must be completed and submitted in one session; you
will not be able to save and complete the application at a later time.
It is essential that you have the required information and documents in an electronic format ready for upload before starting the application process. Please carefully review the requirements below as well as the
Process Overview and
Quick Reference Card documents to ensure you are prepared to complete the entire application before beginning the process.
Assigning Caregiver to an Adult Patient
After both the caregiver and the patient are registered, the patient must login to their OneStop account and add the caregiver.
Additional Caregivers for Minor Patients
Minor patients are permitted to have a maximum of two registered, designated caregivers assigned to their accounts at one time. One caregiver is identified and automatically assigned through the Minor Patient registration process.
For the two additional caregivers for a minor patient, please contact the MCA at 410-487-8100.
Still have questions?
Send us your questions to mca.infoandregistration@maryland.gov or call us at 410-487-8100.
