FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About PA’s Medical Marijuana Program
You have the questions. We have the answers.
PA Medical Marijuana Doctor is Philadelphia’s most knowledgeable medical marijuana consultant. We’ve taken time to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about PA’s medical marijuana program. Get your questions answered below.
Who will be able to obtain medical marijuana? +
Under Act 16 of 2016 (the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act), patients who are residents of Pennsylvania and have a serious medical condition as certified by a physician will have access to medical marijuana at state-licensed dispensaries.
What is the Patient Caregivers Registry? +
It is an online database where patients and caregivers create profiles in order to participate in the PA medical marijuana program.
Do I need a certification to create my patient profile in the registry? +
No. However, you should create your patient profile before obtaining your patient certification.
What information do I need available when registering? +
Patients under the age of 18 require a caregiver to apply on their behalf. Patients over the age of 18 need valid proof of residency in the form of a Pennsylvania driver’s license or other PA state-issued ID with your current address.
How much does a MMJ card cost? +
A patient or caregiver will have to pay a fee of $50 for the medical marijuana ID card. If you provide evidence that you participate in any of the following government programs you may qualify for a discounted MMJ card: Medicaid, PACE/ PACENET, CHIP, SNAP, and WIC.
When will I receive my medical marijuana ID card? +
Approximately 7 to 10 days after you complete your registration and order online. The card will be mailed to the address in your profile.
Want to speak with a doctor directly about your condition and find out if medical marijuana is the right choice for you? Schedule a consultation with the PA Medical Marijuana Doctor today to learn about the process of obtaining a card a much more.
Receiving a MMJ card in Philadelphia requires following these steps:
- Creating a patient profile in the PA Department of Health’s patient and caregiver registry
- Obtaining a physician’s certification from our office stating you suffer from one of the approved serious medical conditions
- Paying for a medical marijuana ID card after you’ve been approved by the doctor
How to Qualify for a Medical Card
Before you can obtain a MMJ card in Philadelphia, you must qualify for the PA Medical Marijuana Program. Patients who qualify for a card must suffer from a “serious medical condition.” These conditions include:
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Autism
- Cancer
- Crohn’s Disease
- Damage to the nerve tissue of the central nervous system
- Dyskinetic and spastic movement disorders
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV / AIDS
- Huntington’s disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Intractable seizures
- Multiple sclerosis
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Neuropathies
- Opioid use disorder for which conventional therapeutic interventions are contraindicated or ineffective
- Parkinson’s Disease
- PTSD
- Severe chronic or intractable pain of neuropathic origin or severe chronic or intractable pain in which conventional therapeutic intervention and opiate therapy is contraindicated or ineffective
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Terminal illness
Step 1: Get Registered
Create a profile in the PA state Medical Marijuana Registry. This includes basic personal data like your name, current address, and contact information. You must have a Pennsylvania driver’s license or state ID card.
Step 2: Get Certified
Schedule a consultation with PA Medical Marijuana Doctor to meet with a PA state-approved physician who can certify that you suffer from one of the qualifying medical conditions to participate in PA’s medical marijuana program.
Step 3: Get Your Patient ID
Once you’re certified by an approved physician, return to the Medical Marijuana Registry and finish filling out your application for a medical marijuana ID card. Once you receive your card, you can purchase medical marijuana from a dispensary.