Pediatric Cannabis Care
“It still surprises many families that children in Massachusetts who need medical cannabis have so few options for clinicians who truly understand this space. At CED Clinic we treat pediatric patients as individuals, not as exceptions, and we work only where we believe the potential benefit outweighs the risk.” – Benjamin Caplan, MD, CED Clinic Founder and Chief Medical Officer
Pediatric Cannabis Care at CED Clinic
This page explains how pediatric certification works in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, how families across New England and beyond can work with us by telemedicine, and what to expect as you begin care.
How pediatric medical cannabis works in Massachusetts
Pediatric patients in Massachusetts must meet specific legal requirements to access medical cannabis. Children and teens need active certifications from two certifying healthcare providers, one of whom must be a board-certified pediatrician or pediatric subspecialist. They must also maintain an active registration with the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program.
After virtual visits with both clinicians, the medical certification portion is complete. By state rule, this certification is renewed every three months with brief follow-up telemedicine visits.
In addition, Massachusetts requires an annual state registration renewal through a short online application. Once approved, families receive a state cannabis card that allows access to Massachusetts dispensaries and any other states that honor reciprocity.
During each visit we focus on function, safety, dosing, and how cannabis is fitting into the child’s broader medical and educational care.
One-stop pediatric certification for New Hampshire families
For New Hampshire pediatric patients, CED Clinic serves as a one-stop destination. Families can complete both required medical certifications in a single day by appointment, with both clinicians working together behind the scenes.
This coordinated approach gives families a streamlined experience with less paperwork, fewer delays, and consistent clinical guidance. Our goal is to provide high quality, efficient care while respecting how much these families already carry.
Serving pediatric patients across New England and by telehealth
CED Clinic is widely recognized for pediatric cannabis care in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Maine. Where telemedicine rules allow, we also support patients and families elsewhere in the United States and internationally.
Access to cannabis-educated clinicians remains limited for many families. Through secure virtual visits we help reduce those geographic barriers so that children with complex needs can receive thoughtful, evidence-informed care, no matter where they live.
If you are outside New England and wondering whether we can help, you are welcome to reach out. Our team can review your situation, local regulations, and the safest path forward.
Becoming a pediatric patient at CED Clinic
Getting started is usually a four-step process. Many families begin by sharing a brief history and questions so that we can decide together whether pediatric cannabis care is a good fit.
1. Do your research
Spend a few minutes exploring CED Clinic. You can review our clinicians’ profiles, pediatric-focused blog posts, and video library to see whether our approach fits your values and your child’s needs.
CED Clinic is one of the few practices in the region that routinely certifies pediatric patients under the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program.
2. Make an appointment
When you are ready, you can schedule your first visit online. Your initial appointment focuses on your child’s story, current medications, school or behavioral concerns, and what you are hoping might change.
Learn the formal details about CED Clinic
Read what care feels like from a patient’s perspective
Click here to schedule a pediatric appointment
3. Attend your telemedicine visits
In Massachusetts, pediatric certification requires four short telemedicine visits in a twelve-month period.
Second visit: about three months after the first visit
Third visit: about six months after the first visit
Fourth visit: about nine months after the first visit
After each visit, your child’s guardian receives clear written next steps, including how to complete state registration with the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) and how to adjust dosing based on real-world response.
4. Stay connected over time
Pediatric cannabis care is a living process, not a one-time decision. Families are encouraged to share updates, questions, and concerns between visits so that the plan can grow with the child.
Massachusetts pediatric cannabis model of care
Where to learn more before your next visit
Big picture pediatric overview
Walks through who this program is for, how visits work, and how cannabis fits alongside other therapies and school supports.
Read the pediatric overview →Safety, evidence & expectations
Reviews what is known, what is still uncertain, and how we think about risks, benefits, dosing, and monitoring over time.
Explore safety & evidence →FAQ for skeptical parents
A plain-language, long-form FAQ that answers hard questions about brain development, addiction, legality, and saying “no”.
Open the pediatric FAQ →Pediatric cannabis conversations with Erin Caplan, NP and colleagues
Our Doctor Discussions series brings together clinicians who care for medically complex children to talk about how cannabis can complement traditional pediatric care.
Erin Caplan, NP is a board-certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with master’s-level training from Simmons University. She has cared for fragile and high-acuity children at Massachusetts General Hospital, Hyde Park Pediatrics, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
As a registered cannabis care provider, Erin combines deep pediatric experience with thoughtful, individualized cannabis guidance. She is also a parent of four, which means she understands both the clinical and day-to-day realities of caring for kids who are struggling.
Watch pediatric cannabis discussions:
Ready to talk about your child’s situation?
If you have a specific child in mind and want to know whether this program is appropriate, you can share a few details below and our team will follow up.