Can You Get a Medical Marijuana Card for ALS in Maryland?
ALS may qualify for a medical marijuana card in Maryland. Maryland allows physician discretion, meaning a doctor can certify you if they believe cannabis could benefit your condition. The state fee is $25 and cards are valid for 6 years (annual certification required). Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
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ALS May Qualify in Maryland Under Physician Discretion
ALS may qualify for a medical marijuana card in Maryland. Maryland allows physician discretion, which means a licensed doctor can certify you if they determine cannabis could benefit your condition. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
Common symptoms associated with ALS that may be addressed with medical marijuana include:
- muscle weakness
- difficulty speaking
- difficulty swallowing
- muscle twitching
Maryland does not require ALS to appear on a published statutory list before a physician can certify. The certifying physician reviews your ALS diagnosis, considers prior treatment history, and exercises clinical judgment to determine whether medical marijuana is a reasonable option for your specific situation. Certifications are issued through the Maryland Cannabis Administration and remain valid for 6 years (annual certification required).
ALS and Medical Cannabis: What Patients Should Know
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often called Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that destroys the motor neurons controlling voluntary muscle. It causes weakness that spreads over time to speech, swallowing, and breathing. ALS appears on every state qualifying list.
For ALS patients, medical cannabis is used for symptom relief: muscle cramps and spasticity, drooling, appetite loss, pain, and the anxiety and insomnia that come with a serious diagnosis. Because swallowing becomes difficult, the physician will often discuss tinctures, dissolvable tablets, or vaporized products rather than edibles, and will coordinate the plan with the patient's palliative or neuromuscular care. Documentation is straightforward: a neurologist's diagnosis letter. Every served state also lets an ALS patient name a caregiver who can purchase and transport products, which most families set up at the same time as the card.
Official Government Source
The qualifying conditions listed on this page are verified against official state documentation from the Maryland Cannabis Administration.
Note: Catch-all provision for chronic conditions
Maryland Cannabis Administration. "Maryland Medical Marijuana Qualifying Conditions." Accessed December 2025.
How Do I Get a Medical Marijuana Card for ALS in Maryland?
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Fill out our secure intake form. Mention your ALS diagnosis or symptoms.
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Connect with a licensed Maryland physician from home. Takes about 15 minutes.
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Receive your certification same-day. Register with the state to get your card.
ALS & the Maryland Medical Marijuana Card
Learn about qualifying conditions, costs, and how to apply for your Maryland medical marijuana card.
Get Your Maryland Medical Marijuana CardMaryland Medical Marijuana Card Quick Facts
ALS is one of 41 conditions that qualify in Maryland. See the full Maryland qualifying conditions list.
Important Qualification Information
Approval is Not Guaranteed. Having a condition listed on this page does not automatically qualify you for a medical marijuana card. A licensed Maryland physician must evaluate your individual medical history, symptoms, and circumstances to determine eligibility.
Physician Discretion. The certifying physician has sole authority to approve or deny your application based on their professional medical judgment. Not all patients with qualifying conditions are approved.
State Requirements. In addition to having a qualifying condition, you must meet all Maryland residency and program requirements, including valid identification and any applicable state fees.
Individual Results Vary. Each patient's situation is unique. Another patient's approval does not guarantee yours. Medical marijuana may not be appropriate for all patients.
MMJ.com facilitates telehealth evaluations with licensed physicians. We do not guarantee approval, dispense medical marijuana, or provide medical advice. If you are not approved by the physician, you will receive a full refund of your evaluation fee.
Common Questions About ALS & Medical Marijuana in Maryland
Does ALS qualify for a medical marijuana card in Maryland?
Maryland does not publish a fixed qualifying-conditions list. A licensed Maryland physician may certify a patient with ALS if they determine medical marijuana could benefit the patient's specific clinical situation.
How is ALS certified under Maryland's physician-discretion framework?
Under Maryland's discretion framework, the certifying physician documents the ALS diagnosis, reviews prior treatment history, and attests in clinical judgment that medical marijuana could reasonably benefit the patient. There is no requirement that ALS appear on a published list before certification.
Which ALS symptoms may medical marijuana help address?
Patients with ALS commonly seek medical marijuana for symptoms including muscle weakness, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, muscle twitching. The cannabinoid profile (THC, CBD, terpenes) that works best varies by patient; this is something your evaluating physician and your dispensary pharmacist will help you titrate.
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Official Source: Maryland Cannabis Administration
Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. The content on this page is intended to provide general information about medical marijuana qualifying conditions and should not be construed as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Consult a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of a licensed physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment options. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information on this website.
No guarantee of approval. MMJ.com connects patients with licensed physicians for medical marijuana evaluations. The information provided about qualifying conditions is based on state program requirements but does not guarantee that any individual will be approved. Approval is at the sole discretion of the evaluating physician based on their professional medical judgment.
State laws vary and change. Medical marijuana laws, qualifying conditions, and program requirements vary by state and are subject to change. Information on this site reflects our understanding of current laws but may not reflect recent changes. Always verify current requirements with official state sources.
100% Money-Back Guarantee. If you are not approved by our physician, you will receive a full refund of your MMJ.com evaluation fee. State fees, if applicable, are non-refundable.
Last reviewed by John Progar, CEO & Founder · Information current as of May 2026