1. A. A licensed dispensary shall appoint at least one individual to function as clinical director who:

   1. (1) Is eligible to serve as a certifying provider, as defined in COMAR 14.17.01;
   2. (2) Is a licensed pharmacist in good standing with the State Board of Pharmacy; or

   3. (3) Has substantial education, training, and experience in the medical use of cannabis, as determined by the Administration and is a:

      1. (a) Registered nurse in good standing with the State Board of Nursing; or
      2. (b) Licensed naturopathic doctor in good standing with the State Board of Physicians.

2. B. During the hours of operation, a licensed dispensary shall have a clinical director:

   1. (1) On-site; or
   2. (2) Available via electronic communication.

3. C. A clinical director shall:

   1. (1) Register as a clinical director with the Administration;

   2. (2) Complete at least one training course each year that is approved by the Administration, which includes:

      1. (a) The latest scientific research on medical cannabis;
      2. (b) The risks and benefits of medical cannabis; and
      3. (c) Other information considered necessary by the Administration;

   3. (3) Educate qualifying patients and caregivers on:

      1. (a) Treatment of the qualifying patient’s medical condition with medical cannabis;
      2. (b) Potential drug-to-drug interactions, including interactions with alcohol, prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, and supplements;
      3. (c) Possible side effects or contraindications of medical cannabis use;
      4. (d) The potential for differing strengths and effects of medical cannabis strains; and
      5. (e) Different methods, forms, and routes of medical cannabis administration; and

   4. (4) Provide training to dispensary agents on:

      1. (a) Guidelines for providing information to qualifying patients related to risks, benefits, and side effects associated with medical cannabis;
      2. (b) Recognizing signs and symptoms of substance abuse; and
      3. (c) Guidelines for refusing to provide medical cannabis to an individual who appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
4. D. A clinical director for a licensed dispensary may not provide a written certification for medical cannabis to any qualifying patient.
5. E. A standard dispensary is not subject to §§A—C of this regulation until the licensee has been licensed and operational for a period of at least 24 months.
6. F. A micro dispensary is not subject to §§A—C of this regulation.
7. G. The Administration may request information from licensed dispensaries on clinical director utilization in a manner specified by the Administration.

Authority: Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, §§36-201, 36-301, 36-302, 36-410, and 36-601, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date:

Regulations .01—.10 adopted as an emergency provision effective July 1, 2023 (50:14 Md. R. 559); emergency status expired June 30, 2024

Regulations .01—.09 adopted as an emergency provision effective June 7, 2024 (51:14 Md. R. 676)

Regulations .01—.09 adopted effective July 22, 2024 (51:14 Md. R. 678)

Regulation .07 repealed effective April 14, 2025 (52:7 Md. R. 324)

Regulation .08 amended and recodified to be Regulation .07 effective April 14, 2025 (52:7 Md. R. 324)

Regulation .09 amended and recodified to be Regulation .08 effective April 14, 2025 (52:7 Md. R. 324)

Regulation .09 adopted effective April 14, 2025 (52:7 Md. R. 324)