How To Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Connecticut

What is an MMJ Card in Connecticut?

A medical marijuana card in Connecticut is a form of identification that asserts that the holder is a registered patient in the Connecticut medical marijuana program. Medical marijuana was legalized in Connecticut in 2012 with the passage of House Bill No. 5389 - Public Act No. 12-55. The law enables qualified patients to register with the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) to be able to legally possess and use medical marijuana. The law also protects cardholders from arrest and prosecution, being penalized, or denied any rights or privileges because of their use of medical marijuana.

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection releases weekly statistics on the number of medical marijuana patients, per county, in the state. As of December 31, 2023, there are 48,896 registered medical marijuana patients in the State of Connecticut, with Fairfield and Hartford counties accounting for almost half of all registered patients.

Who Can Apply for an MMJ Card in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, a patient must meet certain requirements to apply for a medical marijuana card. These requirements are:

• The patient must be 18 years or older
• The patient must be a legal resident of Connecticut
• The patient must be under treatment for a qualifying debilitating condition by a state-approved physician or advanced practice registered nurse.
• The patient must not be an inmate in an institution or facility run by the Connecticut Department of Corrections

Can a Minor Obtain a Medical Marijuana Card in Connecticut?

A patient under the age of 18 (minor) can not technically receive a medical marijuana card in Connecticut. However, a parent or legal guardian can be appointed as a primary caregiver in order for the minor to use medical marijuana. For minors to be eligible for this, they must possess one or more of the following:

• Intractable Neuropathic Pain not responding to Standard Medical Treatments
• Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury with Objective Neurological indicating Intractable Spasticity
• Severe Epilepsy
• Terminal Illness Requiring End-of-Life Care
• Uncontrolled Intractable Seizure Disorder
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Cerebral Palsy
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta
• Tourette Syndrome for medical patients who have failed standard medical treatment

The parent or guardian who will serve as the minor patient’s primary caregiver will need confirmation of medical marijuana as the best treatment from two physicians. One physician must log into the medical marijuana registration system and provide online certification, while the other physician provides a written certification. The online physician certification creates a patient’s record with the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), which must be completed by the patient’s caregiver. There is a $100 patient registration fee that is applicable. The caregiver must also complete registration for themselves and pay a fee of $25. If the application is approved, the DCP will mail a medical marijuana registry card to the caregiver, which will cover the needs of the minor.

What Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Cards in Connecticut in 2024?

Persons 18 years and older with the following medical conditions qualify for medical marijuana cards in Connecticut:

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• Positive Status for HIV/AIDS
• Parkinson's Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Damage to spinal ord's nervous tissue with Objective Neurological indicating Intractable Spasticity
• Epilepsy
• Cachexia
• Wasting Syndrome
• Crohn's Disease
• Interstitial Cystitis
• MALS Syndrome (Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome)
• Vulvodynia and Vulvar Burning
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Sickle Cell Disease
• Post Laminectomy Syndrome with Chronic Radiculopathy
• Severe Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Type I and II of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
• Terminal Illness Requiring End-Of-Life Care
• Uncontrolled Intractable Seizure Disorder
• Spasticity or Neuropathic Pain Associated with Fibromyalgia
• Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Post Herpetic Neuralgia
• Cerebral Palsy
• Tourette Syndrome
• Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury with Objective Neurological indicating Intractable Spasticity
• Intractable Neuropathic Pain not responding to Standard Medical Treatments
• Hydrocephalus with Intractable Headache
• Intractable Headache Syndromes
• Neuropathic Facial Pain
• Chronic Neuropathic Pain relating to Degenerative Spinal Disorders
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome relating to Chronic Pain
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta
• Chronic Pain of at least 6 months associated with a specified underlying chronic condition refractory to other treatment intervention

How do I Apply for an MMJ Card in Connecticut in 2024?

Eligible patients who wish to register with the Connecticut medical marijuana program and obtain an MMJ card must:

• Receive certification from a state-approved physician or advanced practice registered nurse. This begins the process of application and creates the patient’s record with the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP). The physician will inform the patient when the certification has been granted and provide the email link to the application for completion.
• Complete the application. The patient must create a user account with the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Business Network. After creating the user account, select the “I Am a Patient” option to complete the application by adding the necessary information. The patient must also upload the required documentation - valid proof of ID or proof of Connecticut residency and pay a registration fee of $100. If the patient is using a primary caregiver, they must indicate this in the application. The caregiver must also register with the DCP and then complete their portion of the patient’s application.

If the application is approved, the patient will receive a medical marijuana registration certificate that is valid for one year.

How Does a Primary Caregiver Get a Connecticut MMIC?

A primary caregiver is an individual approved by the Department of Consumer (DCP) to provide assistance to patients in the palliative use of marijuana. A patient is allowed to register a primary caregiver if their physician certifies that one is required.

To be eligible to be a primary caregiver in Connecticut, the person must:

• Be 18 years or older
• Agree to take on the responsibility of managing the patient’s use of medical marijuana.
• Not have been convicted of the illegal manufacture, sale, or distribution of controlled substances.
• Not be the patient’s physician

To register with the DCP as a patient’s primary caregiver;

• The patient must identify the person as their primary caregiver in their application and provide a valid email address and telephone number for the person.
• The person applying to be the primary caregiver must complete their portion of the application and submit valid proof of identification. They must also pay the applicable $25 fee

A primary caregiver can only have more than one patient if they have a familial relationship with each of the patients. This could be a parent, guardian, conservator, or sibling. A caregiver’s certification is valid for one year and expires on the same day as their patient’s certification.

How long does it take to get a Connecticut MMIC?

After the patient has submitted the completed application and paid the applicable fees, it takes up to 30 days to receive the registration certificate. The DCP will send a temporary certificate to the patient’s email address, and a permanent certificate will be delivered through the U.S. Mail. \

Getting a Connecticut Medical Marijuana Card Online

All Connecticut medical marijuana card applications are initiated and completed online. The patient’s physician initiates the application by providing the online certification, which asserts that using medical marijuana would be in the patient’s best interest. This certification creates a patient’s record with the Department of Consumer Protection Medical Marijuana Program (MMP). The applicant will receive an email notification when this occurs and instructions on how to complete the process. Applicants may mail any supporting documents (ID, proof of residency) and payments (checks or money orders) to the Department after completing the online application. The DCP also contacts successful applicants and sends their temporary registry ID cards by email notifications. The permanent registry ID card will be sent by regular mail to the patient’s address.

How Much Does a Medical Marijuana Card Cost in Connecticut?

A Connecticut medical marijuana certification costs $100 for patients and $25 for their primary caregivers. The fees must be paid before the application can be processed. Application fees can be paid online, using a credit or debit card, during the registration process. Alternatively, patients can mail the fees (checks or money orders, payable to the Treasurer, State of Connecticut) to:

Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection

Medical Marijuana Program

450 Columbus Blvd

Suite 901

Hartford, CT 06103

What Documents Do I Need to Apply for a Medical Cannabis Card in Connecticut?

When applying for a Connecticut medical marijuana registration card, the patient will need to provide;

• A valid state-approved photo ID
• Proof of Connecticut residency

The physician must have already provided the information confirming the patient’s medical conditions for the registration process to begin. If the patient has a primary caregiver, that individual must also provide a valid state-approved photo ID.

What Information appears on a Connecticut Medical Marijuana Card?

A Connecticut medical marijuana card contains information about the cardholder. The included information is:

• Patient’s name
• Certification number
• Card issue date
• Card expiration date
• Date of birth
• The authorized amount of medical marijuana

Can Someone Track me Down through the Connecticut Registry?

Patient information in the Connecticut marijuana registry is covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). As such, the information contained therein is not available to third parties without the patient’s explicit consent. Registered law enforcement agents can only verify if a patient’s medical marijuana registration is still valid. Unlawful disclosure of patient information is a misdemeanor, and the perpetrator is liable for a fine and possible jail time.