Pittsburgh Medical Marijuana Card

You need a medical cannabis card in Pennsylvania to demonstrate that you are registered with the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Registry by a licensed Pennsylvania medical marijuana doctor. This card allows you to purchase medical marijuana from licensed dispensaries in Pennsylvania. It is important to understand that possessing any amount of marijuana in Pennsylvania is a criminal offense, unless you have a valid medical marijuana ID Card.

Yes, your Pennsylvania medical marijuana card will work anywhere in the state at any licensed dispensary since the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program is a statewide program. To verify your identity and age, you must present a valid photo ID and your medical marijuana card when visiting a dispensary.

In 2016, Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana through the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act (Act 16), which created the Pennsylvania medical cannabis program and authorized the legal possession, use, and sale of medical cannabis in the state. Since then, the state has also implemented a Medical Marijuana Assistance Program and established regulations for the medical marijuana industry.

The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program provides access to medical marijuana for patients with qualifying medical conditions through a safe and effective method of delivery. The program is overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and allows qualified patients to purchase medical marijuana products from licensed dispensaries in the state after obtaining a medical marijuana recommendation from licensed physicians.

When you consult our Pennsylvania medical marijuana doctors, they will discuss your particular situation and needs. However, there are several general requirements that every patient must meet to receive a medical marijuana recommendation and obtain their MMJ card.

First, you must be a Pennsylvania resident. You have to be at least 18 years old, or if you are a minor, an approved and registered caregiver must apply on your behalf. Next, you must be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition by a certified doctor. Refer to the list below for the conditions which qualify for medical marijuana treatment in Pennsylvania.

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease – Nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function
• Cancer – Disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a given part of the body
• Epilepsy or Seizures – A transient occurrence of signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain
• Crohn’s Disease – A chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the digestive tract
• Glaucoma – Eye conditions marked by increased intraocular pressure that can cause blindness
• HIV/AIDS – Human immunodeficiency virus that overtime causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
• Multiple Sclerosis also known as MS – A disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering of the nerves
• Parkinson’s Disease – A disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement, often including tremors
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD – A disorder in which a person has difficulty recovering after experiences or witnessing a terrifying event.
• Chronic Muscle Spasms – Sudden, involuntary movement in one or more muscles
• Chronic Nonmalignant Pain – Pain unrelated to cancer that persists beyond the usual course of disease or injury

To obtain medical marijuana treatment in Pennsylvania, you must provide proof of residency in the state. This means that you must be a resident of Pennsylvania with a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license or state-issued ID card. If you do not have a driver’s license or state-issued ID card, you must provide other forms of documentation to prove your residency, such as a utility bill, lease agreement, or tax document. Additionally, your Pennsylvania residency must be verified by the Pennsylvania Department of Health before you can receive a medical marijuana card.

After you receive your Pennsylvania medical marijuana card, you can legally purchase medical marijuana from approved dispensaries. Under the 2021 update to Pennsylvania MMJ laws, medical marijuana patients can purchase up to three months’ worth of medical marijuana from a licensed dispensary. Previously, the law limited dispensaries to selling only a 30-day supply of medical cannabis.

Take note that while Pennsylvania allows medical cannabis, the regulations tend to be stricter than in other states. Pennsylvania law does not allow patients to smoke medical marijuana. Medical cannabis patients can also buy cannabis capsules, concentrates, tinctures, topicals, and vape products. Here in PA, the sale of marijuana-infused edibles is prohibited.

Qualified patients need to renew their Pennsylvania medical marijuana card every year. You will receive an email 60 days prior to your MMJ card expiration to remind you that you need to obtain a new patient certification.

At DocMJ, your visit with one of our medical marijuana doctors can cost only $139, paid in full, or $25 per month, for 6 months with a one-time $15 processing fee. This fee covers the visit with one of our medical marijuana doctors and renewals of the required recommendations for the full 12 months. In addition, the State of Pennsylvania charges a fee for the card itself.

The State of Pennsylvania charges $50 annually for a Medical Marijuana card.

Currently, insurance doesn’t cover medical marijuana. Pennsylvania residents who want access to medical marijuana for their qualifying conditions will have to pay for their visits to any certified physicians and $50 to the State of Pennsylvania for their Medical Marijuana Card.

In total, it should take around four to six weeks for the entire application process. However, there are patients who receive their card around seven to fourteen days after your registration is approved.

At DocMJ, meeting patients’ needs is our priority. Our medical marijuana doctors always uphold the highest standards when it comes to guiding you through the process of applying for your Medical Marijuana Card and understanding your qualifying conditions. Whether you suffer from Crohn’s Disease, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Multiple Sclerosis, or any other qualifying condition, our compassion doctors are here to help.