Four years after the Maryland General Assembly legalized medical marijuana, dispensaries have been opening in Rockville and throughout Montgomery County.

To obtain medical marijuana, users must go through the process of obtaining a certificate, and dispensaries must apply for licenses.

“Any Maryland resident whose physician recommends medical cannabis as a treatment option for a qualifying medical condition is eligible to register…as a patient,” according to the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) website. Qualifying medical conditions can include anorexia and nausea, chronic pain, muscle spasms and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Consumers must submit a government-issued ID, proof of address, photo and the last four digits of their Social Security number as well as a written recommendation to obtain a certificate to buy medical marijuana. Any patient under the age of 18 must have a legal guardian over the age of 21 also register with the MMCC as a caregiver for the minor.

Of the licensed dispensaries, there are eight in Montgomery County as of Jan. 29. According to WeedMaps, nearby dispensaries in Rockville include Potomac Holistics, Harvest of Rockville and Herbology. New stores Liberty and Peak ReLeaf, off of Twinbrook Parkway, are opening soon.