Connecticut Medical Marijuana Card

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Connecticut

Connecticut joined the list of states that legalized marijuana for medical use in June 2012 when Governor Dannel Molloy signed the Senate Bill 1014. However, regardless of its legality, some essential rules govern the use of medical marijuana in CT. The biggest is the requirement to have a medical marijuana (MMJ) card to purchase your cannabis.

But, how do you get your medical marijuana card in CT in the first place? Elevate Holistics lets you know.

Who is Eligible to Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in CT?

The first important thing you need to know about CT medical marijuana is whether you are eligible to apply for a medical marijuana card. In Connecticut, you may only register for a medical marijuana certificate if you are:

• A Connecticut resident being treated for a debilitating medical condition by a Connecticut-licensed physician or advanced practice registered nurse.
• Not an inmate confined in a correctional institution or facility under the supervision of the Connecticut Department of Corrections.

Qualifying Conditions for a Medical Card in CT?

Now that we know those eligible for a CT medical marijuana card, the next thing is to consider the qualifying conditions for a medical card. 

Connecticut has a very comprehensive list of qualifying conditions for a medical card. There are two categories of qualifying or debilitating conditions for a CT medical marijuana card. One category is for adults, and the other is for those under 18.

For adults, CT medical marijuana qualifications for registration as a patient include:

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Cachexia
• Cancer
• Cerebral Palsy
• Chronic Neuropathic Pain Associated with Degenerative Spinal Disorders
• Chronic Pain of at least six months duration associated with a specified underlying chronic condition refractory to other treatment intervention
• Chronic Pancreatitis
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Type 1 and Type II
• Crohn’s Disease
• Cystic Fibrosis 
• Damage to the Nervous Tissue of the Spinal Cord with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Associated with Chronic Pain
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma 
• HIV/AIDS
• Hydrocephalus with Intractable Headache 
• Interstitial Cystitis
• Intractable Headache Syndromes 
• Intractable Neuropathic Pain that Is Unresponsive to Standard Medical Treatments
• Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity
• MALS Syndrome (Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome)
• Movement disorders associated with Huntington Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis 
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Neuropathic Facial Pain
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta 
• Parkinson’s Disease 
• Post Herpetic Neuralgia
• Post Laminectomy Syndrome with Chronic Radiculopathy
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Severe Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis 
• Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Sickle Cell Disease
• Spasticity or Neuropathic Pain Associated with Fibromyalgia
• Terminal Illness Requiring End-Of-Life Care
• Tourette Syndrome
• Ulcerative Colitis 
• Uncontrolled Intractable Seizure Disorder 
• Vulvodynia and Vulvar Burning

For patients under 18 years, CT medical marijuana qualifications for registration as a patient include:

• Cerebral Palsy 
• Chronic Pancreatitis for patients whose Pain is recalcitrant to standard medical management
• Cystic Fibrosis 
• Intractable Neuropathic Pain that Is Unresponsive to Standard Medical Treatments
• Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity 
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta 
• Severe Epilepsy 
• Terminal Illness Requiring End-Of-Life Care 
• Tourette Syndrome for patients who have failed standard medical treatment
• Uncontrolled Intractable Seizure Disorder 

Registration Process for Medical Marijuana Patients

The following are the steps to register with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection’s Medical Marijuana Program as a medical marijuana patient:

• Make an appointment with your physician (because only the physician can initiate your application by certifying that you have a qualifying medical condition with the Department.)
• When the physician certifies that you have a qualifying medical condition, you must provide some details, including the following:
  • A valid email address
  • A primary telephone number

• The next step is to create a DAS Business Network Account to access the online registration system.
• After creating your DAS Business Network Account, you log into your account and verify that the information submitted by your physician is accurate. You would also be expected to answer some certification questions.
• After this, you must submit the following documents:
  • Proof of Identity
  • Proof of Connecticut residency
  • Current passport size photograph
  • $100 registration fee

Once you complete this process, you officially become a registered medical marijuana patient in Connecticut.

How Much Does a Medical Card Cost in CT?

The registration fee for a medical card in Connecticut is $100. However, the cost of seeing a physician to certify you varies from one physician to another.

Connecticut Medical Marijuana Laws

You need to know different aspects of the Connecticut Medical Marijuana laws. It includes how much medical marijuana you can possess, whether or not you can grow your medical marijuana, and use medical marijuana in Connecticut. No need to worry; we shall discuss these laws under the frequently asked questions section below.

Where Can I Buy Medical Marijuana Near Me?

As a medical marijuana patient, you can purchase medical marijuana from various dispensaries. Check out some of them and their locations:

• Affinity Health & Wellness, located at 1351 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, CT 06515
• Bluepoint Wellness of Connecticut, located at 471 East Main Street, Branford, CT 06405
• Bluepoint Wellness of Westport, located at 1460 Post Rd E Westport, CT 06880
• Curaleaf Groton Inc., located at 79 Gold Star Hwy, Groton, CT 06340
• Curaleaf Hartford Inc., located at 92 Weston Street, Suite 16, Hartford, CT 06120
• Curaleaf Stamford Inc., located at 814 East Main Street, Stamford, CT 06902
• Prime Wellness Connecticut LLC, located at 75 John Fitch Boulevard, South Windsor, CT 06074
• Still River Wellness, located at 3568 Winsted Road, Torrington, CT 06790
• The Healing Corner/Trulieve, located at 159 East Main Street, Bristol, CT 06010
• Willow Brook Dispensary, located at 1371 East Main Street, Meriden, CT 06450 

How Do I Appoint a Medical Marijuana Caregiver?

For you to appoint a medical marijuana caregiver, your physician must certify that you need a primary caregiver. When your physician indicates this, you then register one person to act as your caregiver. But how do you do this? 

At the point of registering as a patient, you will identify your primary caregiver in your application form by providing identifying information about this person, including a valid email address and a primary telephone number. Also, your primary caregiver at the point of registering would need to submit proof of identity and pay a $25 registration fee.

The person to be appointed as a caregiver must:

• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age or older
• Not be your physician
• Manage your well-being as a registered patient concerning your palliative use of marijuana
• Be responsible for only one (1) patient unless there is a parental, guardianship, conservatorship, or sibling relationship with each patient
• Be your parent, guardian, or legal custodian, if you are an adult patient who lacks capacity  

Does Connecticut Have Medical Marijuana Reciprocity?

No, Connecticut does not have medical marijuana reciprocity. The state only allows qualified patients who are residents to purchase cannabis from licensed dispensaries. Out-of-state residents cannot purchase cannabis from licensed dispensaries in the state. 

Renewing a Connecticut Medical Card

As a registered medical marijuana patient, your registration lasts for one year, after which you will have to renew the card. Also, your card renewal process will involve your physician. On your part as a patient, you need to:

• Provide a photo ID
• Provide proof that you are still a resident of Connecticut
• Pay a $100 fee
• Complete the six certifications required
• Update any changes to your information. Note that your physician has to enter your medical and personal information to inform them of these changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much medical marijuana can I possess in CT?

From October 15, 2021, registered patients in Connecticut can possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana. Before this date, patients could only purchase 2.5 ounces.

Can I grow marijuana once I get a medical card in CT?

No, you cannot grow marijuana in Connecticut even if you have a medical marijuana card. You must purchase medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries as a registered patient or a caregiver. However, you will be allowed to cultivate up to six plants as a patient from October 2022.

When did medical marijuana in CT become legal?

Medical marijuana was legalized in Connecticut in 2012, and there are currently about 54,000 registered users in the state.

Where can I use medical marijuana in CT?

You are only allowed to consume marijuana in private; the state prohibits the use of marijuana in motor vehicles, workplaces, private school grounds, or anywhere in public. It is also illegal to use marijuana in the presence of a minor unless the minor is a qualified patient.
More so, minor patients in Connecticut are prohibited from smoking, inhaling, or vaporizing medical marijuana.

There is so much to learn about your medical marijuana journey and Elevate Holistics is here to help. Although we currently do not offer our services in Connecticut, we have several blog posts that walk you through the process of getting your own MMJ card in CT — and where to go.