Physician/PA/APRN FAQs
Q. How can I certify a patient to use medical marijuana?A. Physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse do not “prescribe” marijuana in the same way other medications are prescribed to patients. Rather, a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse certify, utilizing the Department's form online, that a particular patient has been diagnosed with a disease that makes the patient eligible for the palliative use of marijuana and, based on a medically reasonable assessment of the patient's medical history and medical condition, the potential benefits to the patient from the palliative use of marijuana would likely outweigh the health risks. This assessment must be made in the course of a bona fide physician-patient relationship. In addition, the physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse must explain the potential risks and benefits of palliative marijuana use to the patient or their legal guardian.
Q. As a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse, how can I get a copy of the form that allows me to certify my qualifying patients for the palliative use of marijuana?
A. The Department has developed an online registration process so that you can certify your patients electronically. You can access the system at the following website:
Before certifying patients for marijuana, you will be required to register with the Connecticut Prescription Monitoring and Reporting System (“CPMRS”) so that you can have a complete picture of your patient’s controlled substance use, including prescriptions by other providers. If you are not already registered with the CPMRS, you can do so at any time by following the instruction on the following webpage:
Q. How much marijuana can a patient have on hand?
A. The maximum allowable monthly amount is 2.5 ounces unless your physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse indicates a lesser amount is appropriate. Any changes to the allowable amount will be based on advice from the Board of Physicians.
Q. As a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse, am I allowed to provide telehealth services for patient recommendations or followup care?
A. Yes, effective June 13, 2023, Public Act No. 23-52. Sec. 13. Section 21a-408c
(f) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any regulation of Connecticut state agencies concerning the certification of qualifying patients through telehealth services, a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse may issue a written certification to a qualifying patient and provide any follow-up care utilizing telehealth services, provided all other requirements for issuing such written certification to the qualifying patient, including, but not limited to, all recordkeeping requirements, are satisfied.