Medical marijuana was put on the ballot in Massachusetts in November of 2012 and was approved. It went into effect on January first of 2013.

The new law states that no punishment under state authority exists for health care professionals, doctors, and qualifying patients or for agents of state approved medical marijuana treating centers for the use and possession of medical marijuana. The state of Massachusetts will license up to thirty-five not-for-profit medical cannabis treatment centers in any 12 month period until each county has at least one — not more than five such centers will be allowed in any single county.

Only a qualified, state medical board licensed physician can issue in writing a prescription for medical marijuana. The list of symptomatic diseases allowed to be treated with medical marijuana is limited to:

Multiple sclerosis; Crohn’s disease; Parkinson’s disease; Bright’s disease; AIDS; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Hepatitis C; and other cases where pain and stress are deemed chronic, debilitating, and terminal, by a qualified physician.

Patient registration is mandatory; however, there is no fee for registration. Out of state patient ID cards will not be accepted by medical marijuana treatment centers in Massachusetts.

The Department of Public Health of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts oversees all cultivation of medical marijuana, and will allow patients to cultivate enough plants to provide a sixty day supply, provided said patient can prove the need for such cultivation because of finances or transportation challenges.