<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 14.17.04.03" title_num="14" subtitle_num="17" chapter_num="04" heading="Written Certification.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Issuing a Written Certification.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A certifying provider may determine that a patient qualifies for a written certification only if the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Qualifying patient:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Has registered with the Administration;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Meets the certifying provider’s inclusion criteria; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Does not meet the certifying provider's exclusion criteria; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Certifying provider:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Has a bona fide provider-patient relationship with the qualifying patient; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Has determined that the potential benefits of the medical use of cannabis likely outweigh the health risks for the patient.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If a certifying provider determines that a patient qualifies for a written certification, the certifying provider shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Issue a written certification in the form required by the Administration;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Transmit the written certification to the Administration using the designated online process; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>If requested, provide a copy of the written certification to the qualifying patient.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A written certification shall include the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Provider’s name, Maryland Board of Physicians, Board of Dental Examiners, Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners, or Board of Nursing license number, and office telephone number;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Qualifying patient’s name, date of birth, address, and county of residence;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Medical condition requiring medical cannabis; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The date of qualification as a qualifying patient.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A written certification may contain, if applicable, a written statement certifying that, in the provider’s professional opinion, a 30-day supply of medical cannabis would be inadequate to meet the medical needs of the qualifying patient.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>A certifying provider shall terminate a written certification if:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The qualifying patient meets the provider’s exclusion criteria;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Treatment with medical cannabis is no longer necessary for the qualifying patient;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Adverse effects of medical cannabis outweigh the benefits to the qualifying patient’s health; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>There is evidence that the qualifying patient engaged in diversion of medical cannabis.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>A certifying provider may terminate a written certification if the qualifying patient demonstrates misuse of any substance.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>A certifying provider shall notify the Administration within 1 business day of the termination of a written certification.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>A qualifying patient shall have only one certifying provider at any time.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Written Certification Renewal.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A qualifying patient may seek renewal of a written certification not less than 30 calendar days after it was issued by notifying the patient’s certifying provider.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A certifying provider may renew the written certification for a qualifying patient if the certifying provider determines the patient still meets the criteria set forth in §A(1) of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Upon renewing a written certification for a qualifying patient, a certifying provider shall notify the Administration.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Prior to renewing a written certification, a certifying provider shall conduct a full assessment of the qualifying patient within 365 days before the reissuance.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The full assessment in §B(4) of this regulation may be conducted via telehealth as defined by the certifying provider’s licensing board.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>