If a patient’s physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse certifies the need for the patient to have a primary caregiver, the patient may register one person to act as their caregiver with respect to their palliative use of marijuana.
Caregiver Requirements
To be a primary caregiver an individual must:
- Manage the well-being of a registered patient with respect to their palliative use of marijuana;
- Be at least eighteen (18) years of age or older;
- Not be the patient’s physician;
- Be responsible for only one (1) patient unless there is a parental, guardianship, conservatorship or sibling relationship with each patient.
- Be a parent, guardian or legal custodian where the adult patient lacks legal capacity.
Before You Start the Application
Only a qualifying patient’s physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse can start the application by certifying that the patient a medical condition that qualifies them to register as a medical marijuana patient. The provider must also indicate in the application that the patient’s requires a caregiver due to their debilitating medical condition.
A primary caregiver applicant will only be able to access the online registration system if:
- The patient’s physician indicates a need for a primary caregiver; and
- The patient identifies the applicant as the person who will serve as their primary caregiver.
To register with the Department, a primary caregiver must:
- Have their patient identify them as their primary caregiver on their registration application. The patient must provide identifying information about their caregiver including the caregiver’s:
- Valid email address: This will be the primary way the Department will contact you about your medical marijuana registration. Make sure this is an email address you can access and are comfortable using for your medical marijuana registration.
- Primary telephone number: This should be a personal telephone number that the Department can use to contact you about your medical marijuana registration.
Documentation Requirements
To register as a caregiver, you must fill out the online application. Before you start your application, you should have documents that prove your identity saved on your computer or device so they can be uploaded into the system:
- Proof of Identity: Submit a copy of a form of identification that is not expired. Acceptable forms include:
- Connecticut or Out-of-State Issued Driver’s License
- Connecticut Issued ID
- Connecticut pistol or firearm permit
- US Passport or Passport Card
- Permanent Resident Card
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship (some age restrictions apply)
- Caregivers do not have to provide Proof of Connecticut Residency.
Applying Online
You are ready to begin filling out your application once:
- The patient’s provider has started your application and certified the qualifying patient;
- The qualifying patient has filled out the application and indicated you as their primary caregiver; and,
- You have your Proof of Identity saved on your computer or device.
To fill out the application:
- Go to https://biznet.ct.gov/dcp-mmrp. Create an account on BizNet, the Department of Administrative Services’ Business Network.
- Verify your email. Once you have created an account, check your email to verify your account.
- Log in to https://biznet.ct.gov/dcp-mmrp. Use the email address and password you entered when creating your account.
- Select “I Am a Caregiver”. Enter in your date of birth and email address to verify you have the correct patient. Review the information on the Patient Information page and make sure it is correct.
- Upload your documents. Upload the Proof Identity documents from your computer or device into the online system. Caregivers do not have to provide Proof of Connecticut Residency.
- Answer the attestation questions. These questions confirm the caregiver's understanding of the responsibilities and requirements of participating in the program.
Once you have completed the application, the Department will review the information submitted and make a decision to issue or not issue you a caregiver registration certificate. Your certificate expires one year from the date the patient was certified by their physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse. You must renew your certification every year to participate in the Medical Marijuana Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out the FAQs to find answers to some of the questions most frequently asked by caregivers.
Dispensary Facilities and Hybrid Retailers
Contact information for Connecticut medical marijuana dispensary facilities and hybrid retailers