Pennsylvania made history in 2016 by passing its first medical cannabis laws. The state still bans recreational cannabis, but its medical program is booming, giving patients a legal way to get relief. 

Patients can get a card if they have a qualifying medical condition and meet a few state requirements. Read on for a full list of PA medical marijuana conditions and other patient requirements.

This guide will show you what you need to get a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania.

Qualifying Medical Conditions for a Med Card in Pennsylvania

You may qualify for a Pennsylvania medical cannabis card and the benefits it provides if you have one of these medical conditions:

• AIDS

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

• Anxiety disorders

• Autism

• Cancer, including remission therapy

• Chronic Hepatitis C

• Crohn’s Disease

• Damage to the nervous tissue of the central nervous system (brain-spinal cord) with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity, and other associated neuropathies

• Dyskinetic and spastic movement disorders

• Epilepsy

• Glaucoma

• Severe chronic or intractable pain of neuropathic origin or severe chronic or intractable pain

• HIV

• Huntington’s Disease

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease

• Intractable seizures

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

• Neurodegenerative diseases

• Neuropathies

• Opioid use disorder for which conventional therapeutic interventions are contraindicated or ineffective or for which adjunctive therapy is indicated in combination with primary therapeutic interventions.

• Parkinson’s Disease

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Sickle cell anemia

• Terminal illness

• Tourette syndrome

The most common of these qualifying conditions are anxiety disorders, chronic or severe pain, PTSD, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer.

Patient Requirements to Qualify for a PA Med Card

If you are a Pennsylvania resident and suffer from a serious medical condition, you may be eligible for a medical marijuana card. But you’ll have to meet a few other state requirements.First, you need to be at least 18 years old, or have a designated caregiver who is over 21. You also need a recommendation from a physician who is certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to prescribe medical cannabis. You can bring your medical records to your appointment to help your doctor verify your diagnosis, though that may not be required for your visit.

Ready to Apply for Your Pennsylvania Medical Card?

Before you see a doctor, you need to register with the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Registry. This is an online portal where you can apply for your card and track your status. 

Next, you need to get a certification from a doctor who is approved by the state. You can easily find one on PA Med Cards. Our PA medical marijuana doctors all have the necessary training and credentials to assess your condition and recommend cannabis. 

Once you have your certification, you can go back to the Medical Marijuana Registry and complete your application, including a background check and required state fees.

What Documents Do You Need to Show Your Doctor in Pennsylvania?

When you meet with your doctor for your evaluation, you should have a few documents ready to speed up the process.

Your doctor may wish to review your medical history as part of your evaluation.

After you get your certification, you will need to go back to the Medical Marijuana Registry and finish your application. You will need to show proof of residency, such as a Pennsylvania driver’s license or state ID with a Pennsylvania address. This applies to both adults and caregivers.

PA Med Cards makes the process as simple as possible by connecting you with approved cannabis doctors from the comfort of your own home.