Bulletin – Telehealth Consultations for Patients Under COVID-19 (“Coronavirus”) State of Emergency

February 23, 2021

On March 10, 2020, Governor Charlie Baker declared a State of Emergency(“Emergency Order”) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts due to the outbreak of the 2019 novel Coronavirus (“COVID-19”). On March 17, 2020, the Administration announced further actions to support residents, health care providers, and small businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak, including an Order Expanding Access to Telehealth Services and to Protect Health Care Providers which allows for the provision of telehealth (telephone and live video) to facilitate patient access to medical services. The Cannabis Control Commission (“Commission”) is providing this updated bulletin to Certifying Health Care Providers (“Providers”) who are engaged in the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program (“Program”) for information and assistance. This bulletin supplements and updates the Commission’s bulletins issued March 13, 2020, March 18, 2020, and March 20, 2020. The Commission continues to publish relevant COVID-19 announcements at MassCannabisControl.com/COVID19.

The Executive Director, acting on behalf of the Commission, has determined the requirement that Patients seeking Program certification or renewal be physically present for a clinical visit under 935 CMR 501.010(8) would cause undue hardship to Providers and Patients by increasing the risk of their exposure to COVID-19. Therefore, so long as Governor Baker’s Emergency Order is in place, waiver of 935 CMR 501.010(8)(a) is allowed for Patients who wish to register for the first time with the Program in Massachusetts. Clinical visits, including for renewal, are permitted through telehealth means.

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