A certifying provider is the health care professional who can certify, in writing, that you have a debilitating medical condition. The Commission publishes no list of them.
Who counts
The regulation lists a Certifying Physician, a Certifying Certified Nurse Practitioner and a Certifying Physician Assistant as providers qualified to issue Written Certifications(state regulation).
A Certifying Physician is a Massachusetts licensed physician, either a Medical Doctor or a Doctor of Osteopathy, according to the regulation(state regulation).
Finding one
The Commission tells patients to ask their doctor or healthcare provider whether they are a Certifying Health Care Provider with the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program(masscannabiscontrol.com).
The Commission says it is prohibited from sharing the identity of any provider who is registered with it, though some clinicians may advertise their services(masscannabiscontrol.com).
The Commission says patients and caregivers may conduct their own research to find a provider(masscannabiscontrol.com).
That is why this site has no list and no recommendation. AC does not recommend any certifying provider.
What the rules limit
An MTC is a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center, the medical dispensary.
The regulation lets a provider issue a Written Certification only for a patient with whom the provider has a Bona Fide Healthcare Provider Patient Relationship(state regulation).
A Certifying Healthcare Provider may not issue a Written Certification for himself or herself or for his or her Immediate Family Members(state regulation).
A provider may not examine or counsel a patient, or issue a Written Certification, at an MTC(state regulation).
A Certifying Healthcare Provider may not delegate to any other healthcare professional or any other person the authority to diagnose a patient as having a Debilitating Medical Condition(state regulation).
A provider cannot be the Personal Caregiver of the patient they certify, because the definition requires that the caregiver is not the patient's Certifying Healthcare Provider(state regulation).
Cost and length
The regulation allows a provider to charge an appropriate fee for the Clinical Visit(state regulation).
The regulation says a provider shall have a program to provide a discount to patients with documented Verified Financial Hardship(state regulation).
A certification indicates the time period for which it is valid, which may not be less than 15 calendar days or longer than one year, except in listed circumstances when it may be valid for two years(state regulation).
Short answers
Does the Commission publish a list of certifying providers?
No. The Commission says it is prohibited from sharing the identity of any provider who is registered with it(masscannabiscontrol.com).
Can my regular doctor certify me?
Only if they are registered as a certifying provider. The Commission says to ask them(masscannabiscontrol.com).
Can a provider certify a family member?
No. The regulation bars a provider from certifying himself or herself or his or her Immediate Family Members(state regulation).
Does AC recommend a provider?
No. AC does not recommend any certifying provider.
Advanced Dispensary in Peabody
Advanced Dispensary in Peabody is being built and has no opening date.
Sources
- "935 CMR 501.002, Cornell Legal Information Institute" (law.cornell.edu, read November 5, 2026): "Healthcare Clinician or Provider means a Certifying Physician, Certifying Certified Nurse Practitioner or Certifying Physician Assistant qualified under 935 CMR 501.000 to issue Written Certifications for the medical-use of Marijuana."
- "935 CMR 501.002, Cornell Legal Information Institute" (law.cornell.edu, read November 5, 2026): "Certifying Physician means a Massachusetts licensed physician (Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathy)"
- "Cannabis Control Commission, New Patient FAQs" (masscannabiscontrol.com, read November 5, 2026): "Ask your doctor or healthcare provider if they are a Certifying Health Care Provider with the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program."
- "Cannabis Control Commission, FAQs (finding a provider)" (masscannabiscontrol.com, read November 5, 2026): "While some clinicians may choose to advertise their services, the Commission is prohibited from sharing the identity of any provider who is registered with us."
- "Cannabis Control Commission, FAQs (finding a provider)" (masscannabiscontrol.com, read November 5, 2026): "Patients and Caregivers may conduct their own research to find a Certifying Healthcare Provider who may issue Medical Use of Marijuana Program certifications in Massachusetts."
- "935 CMR 501.010, Cornell Legal Information Institute" (law.cornell.edu, read November 5, 2026): "A Certifying Healthcare Provider may issue a Written Certification only for a Qualifying Patient with whom the healthcare provider has a Bona Fide Healthcare Provider Patient Relationship."
- "935 CMR 501.010, Cornell Legal Information Institute" (law.cornell.edu, read November 5, 2026): "A Certifying Healthcare Provider may not issue a Written Certification for himself or herself or for his or her Immediate Family Members."
- "935 CMR 501.010, Cornell Legal Information Institute" (law.cornell.edu, read November 5, 2026): "Examine or counsel a patient, or issue a Written Certification, at an MTC"
- "935 CMR 501.010, Cornell Legal Information Institute" (law.cornell.edu, read November 5, 2026): "A Certifying Healthcare Provider may not delegate to any other healthcare professional or any other person, authority to diagnose a patient as having a Debilitating Medical Condition."
- "935 CMR 501.002, Cornell Legal Information Institute" (law.cornell.edu, read November 5, 2026): "who has agreed to assist with a Registered Qualifying Patient's medical use of Marijuana, and is not the Registered Qualifying Patient's Certifying Healthcare Provider"
- "935 CMR 501.010, Cornell Legal Information Institute" (law.cornell.edu, read November 5, 2026): "which may not prohibit the healthcare provider from charging an appropriate fee for the Clinical Visit"
- "935 CMR 501.010, Cornell Legal Information Institute" (law.cornell.edu, read November 5, 2026): "A Certifying Healthcare Provider shall have a program to provide a discount to patients with documented Verified Financial Hardship."
- "935 CMR 501.010, Cornell Legal Information Institute" (law.cornell.edu, read November 5, 2026): "A certification shall indicate the time period for which the certification is valid, and may not be less than 15 calendar days or longer than one year, except that in the following circumstances, the certification may be valid for two years"
