How to Become a Medical Marijuana Caregiver in Connecticut
In Connecticut, both medical and recreational cannabis are legal, though the state’s recreational market is just getting started as of early 2023. With recreational sales just beginning and the market far from maturity, having a medical cannabis card in CT has major benefits.
Caregivers can be absolutely vital to qualifying medical cannabis patients. While some patients rely on a caregiver for a small helping hand, others completely depend on a caregiver to purchase, manage, and administer their medication. Minor patients are required to have a parent or legal guardian serve as their caregiver. The law affords caregivers certain rights and protections, so they can effectively care for patients, but those rights and protections aren’t the same as they are for patients.
It’s important to know the legal landscape, including the rights and responsibilities that go along with being a caregiver, before registering. Connecticut has a unique registration process for caregivers, so it’s vital to know that as well before moving forward.
How to Become a Medical Cannabis Caregiver in Connecticut
Even though Connecticut requires a physician’s approval for a patient to designate a caregiver, the process to register is still simple and straightforward.
- Go to the state’s portal, and create an account.
- Sign in to your account, and select “I am a Caregiver.” The system will ask for some identifying information.
- Provide identification and affirm the statements that the system asks for.
- Pay the state’s $25 registration fee.
- The state will send out your ID card. It's good for one year and will expire when the patient's registration expires.
What is a Medical Marijuana Caregiver (and Who Qualifies in Connecticut)?
Connecticut handles caregivers much differently than many other states. In Connecticut, a patient’s physician must approve their caregiver during the evaluation process, when the patient is being recommended medical cannabis. If the physician does approve a caregiver, that caregiver must submit their registration alongside the patient’s, and the patient cannot receive their medical cannabis ID until the caregiver’s registration is processed as well.
In order to be a medical cannabis caregiver in Connecticut, a person must:
- Be a Connecticut resident
- Take responsibility for the patient’s care and wellbeing
- Be at least 18 years-old
- Only be responsible for one patient at a time, unless they’re a parent or legal guardian caring for siblings
- Be a parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian, if the patient is an adult that lacks legal capacity
In Connecticut, caregivers cannot:
- Use the patient’s cannabis
- Be the patient’s doctor
- Purchase more than the legal limit of cannabis
Connecticut used to charge a $25 fee for caregivers to register, but no longer charges this fee as of July 1, 2023.
Connecticut Laws for MMJ Caregivers and Their Patients
Designating a Caregiver in Connecticut
Connecticut’s approach to designating a caregiver is different than in most states. In order to designate a caregiver, Connecticut patients must get approval from their recommending physician during their evaluation for medical cannabis. If their doctor approves a caregiver, both the patient and caregiver must register with the state at the same time. The state will process their applications simultaneously, so if a caregiver does not complete their application on time, it will hold up the patient’s application as well. Both the patient and caregiver’s medical cannabis ID cards will expire and need to be renewed at the same time.
Cultivating Cannabis as a Caregiver in Connecticut
In Connecticut, medical cannabis patients can cultivate up to 3 mature and 3 immature plants at their residence. All Connecticut adults 21 and older can cultivate the same amount of cannabis in their homes. Caregivers can't cultivate cannabis for a patient at the caregiver's home unless it's the same residence as the patient. In that case, if the caregiver is also growing for their self, the maximum number of plants allowed at any residence is 6 mature plants and 6 immature plants for a total of no more than 12.
Basically, all personal cannabis cultivation must take place at the user's own primary residence.
Learn more about Connecticut’s cannabis laws and regulations. Or browse other common CT patient FAQs.
