How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Pennsylvania [2024 Guide]
Pennsylvania’s medical cannabis program is one of expansion and early success.
Signed into law on April 17, 2016, by Governor Tom Wolf, Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program aims to provide access to patients with a variety of medical conditions. The program launched in February 2018, topping $500 million in sales in the first two years. By April 2019, the patient count exceeded 100,000 citizens.
The state allows up to 150 dispensaries to be opened across three sales zones in the state, with a cap of 50 stores in each zone.
While nothing is certain, the growth of Pennsylvania’s market has led to discussions around possible further legislation. Pennsylvania lawmakers have conducted listening tours of the state to determine if adult use could be next and speculation is mounting that full legalization may pass in 2024.
Regardless of the future, Pennsylvania’s medical cannabis program is one on the rise right now.
How Do I Become a Medical Cannabis Patient in Pennsylvania?
Getting a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania is a little bit of a different process from most states, but it's still fairly simple and just takes a few easy steps.
1) Before you see your doctor, you'll need to pre-certify with Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Registry.
2) You'll need to get your certification next. Your certification must come from a state-approved physician. All NuggMD physicians are fully licensed in their states of service and have received all approvals, certifications, and training required by their respective state medical marijuana programs.
3) Once you're approved by your doctor, they will enter your approval in the state's registry and you'll receive an email to complete your registration and pay your registration fee.
Your registration fee will be $50, but it can be reduced if you are on Medicaid, CHIP, WIC, SNAP, or PACE. This fee from the state is additional to the cost of your evaluation.
How Do I Renew a Med Card in Pennsylvania?
Patients will receive a notice from the state to begin the renewal process 60 days before their card is set to expire. The patient should see their physician for their renewal evaluation and complete this process as soon as possible to avoid lapses in coverage.
The annual $50 renewal fee is paid separately from the certification and the patient will receive a notice from the department 30 days before the renewal fee is due, along with instructions for completing the payment.
Who Qualifies for Medical Cannabis in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania residents over the age of 18 with a qualifying condition are allowed to enter the state medical cannabis program. Minors can join the program as well, but only with the express consent of their parent or guardian who will act as their caregiver. All caregivers are required to submit to a background check. Proof of residency is required for patients and approved caregivers, with each requiring either a Pennsylvania driver's license or state ID with a current address.
Residents must have a qualifying condition and be certified by a Pennsylvania-licensed physician. Once a doctor enters the patient's approval into the medical marijuana registry, the patient can complete their registration and officially qualify for the program.
How to Find a Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Doctor for an MMJ Evaluation
Finding a physician willing to discuss medical cannabis as an option isn’t always an easy task for patients. Thankfully, there are options for patients if the family physician can’t or won’t discuss the matter with you. When looking for a capable doctor, you must find a legitimate source of information and guidance.
NuggMD makes the process easier for patients by connecting them with state-licensed Pennsylvania medical cannabis doctors. Their partnering physicians are well-versed in the potential uses of cannabis and are more than happy to share their knowledge of the plant with their patients.
Patients should bring their existing medical records to their first appointment. Doing so ensures that patients and physicians have the most accurate information possible. Consider providing the following documents before your consultation:
- Medical charts
- A list of current prescriptions
- Physical therapy records
- Any medical test results
- Hospital records
Why waste your day in a crowded, uncomfortable doctor's office? With NuggMD, you can conduct your evaluation from the comfort of your home online. Just visit NuggMD.com/Pennsylvania and kick back as you wait for your assessment from the comfort of your own couch.
Get Your Medical Cannabis Recommendation Online: The NuggMD Process
NuggMD makes seeing a physician easy and straightforward. Follow these steps and you'll be on your way to participating in Pennsylvania’s medical cannabis market:
1) Go to Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Registry and pre-certify
2) Go to NuggMD.com/Pennsylvania and create an account. Relax in the virtual waiting room. When your physician is available, they'll chat with you face-to-face via your video-enabled phone, laptop, or tablet.
3) If you're approved, your physician will enter your information into the state's registry. You'll then be instructed to complete your registration on the state's website. Your evaluation will be free if you're not approved.
What to Expect When Talking to a Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Doctor on NuggMD
Your new NuggMD physician will need to know what medications you're currently taking. They will also want to see your medical records so they can completely assess your condition and whether medical marijuana is the best option for you.
They may also ask to see additional records if necessary, so you should be prepared to retrieve this information.
During your evaluation, your doctor will gladly answer any questions you might have about your options. You might benefit from writing your questions down ahead of time while waiting in the virtual waiting room. Don't be shy! Your doctor is here to answer your questions too.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Cannabis in Pennsylvania
What Types of MMJ Consumption Methods are Available in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania used to ban certain types of cannabis, like flower, but they now allow all forms. Patients can choose from
- Inhalable forms, such as dry leaf, vaporizer oils and concentrates
- Ingestible preparations like pills and capsules--but NOT edibles--patients can make edibles from their own flower if they wish,
- Topical forms such as ointments and creams.
What Does Marijuana Feel Like?
The most common feeling people report with cannabis is relaxation. Different strains tend to have different effects, with some making people more introverted, and others more extroverted. What's most interesting is that people are affected in different ways by the same strains.
In general, the most common effects of cannabis are:
- Giggles
- Changed time perception
- Couch lock (decreased energy)
- Relaxation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory loss
The length of time that these effects last for depends on how much is taken and what method is used. For the most part, edibles and capsules take the longest for onset and smoking hits the fastest and wears off the fastest. Individual times depend on metabolism and can change for a person day by day as tolerance increases.
Sometimes a patient will experience bad effects like paranoia, nausea or vomiting, and even psychosis in susceptible people, but this is rare. It's also much less likely if new users "start low and go slow."
Some new users need doses as low as 2.5 mg to start. This may come as a surprise to novices since many states set individual dose limits at 10mg, but this is just for the average user. Tolerances very widely in the population. Some rare users can eat an entire 100mg candy bar and barely feel the effects. Most people find 5mg to 10mg to be adequate for a first dose.
If you haven't used cannabis before, it's a good idea to have a friend sit with you till you know how you will be affected. Have them plan to sit with you for several hours if possible. Also, try to have some activities ready like art supplies or games to keep yourself entertained.
Have More Questions About How to Get Your Med Card in Pennsylvania?
Learn more about Pennsylvania's medical cannabis rules and regulations and state-provided MMJ patient information, or browse our extensive set of patient resources:
- Pennsylvania Patient FAQs
- Qualifying Conditions in Pennsylvania
- Benefits of Getting a Med Card in Pennsylvania
Or contact NuggMD. Our customer service experts love to provide information and help their family of customers navigate the ever-changing state medical marijuana systems. They answer hundreds of questions daily from where to find state information to how to complete state applications
They've helped over 1,000,000 patients connect to their new weed doctor so they can finally find the relief they need. NuggMD only works with fully licensed physicians that have completed all certifications required by their state.
