In 2016, Pennsylvania became the 24th state in the United States to legalize medical marijuana. The law went into effect on April 17th of that year and allowed patients with certain medical conditions to access medical marijuana as a treatment option. This move was a significant milestone in the fight for cannabis legalization in the country. This essay aims to discuss Pennsylvania legalizing medical marijuana, the qualifications to enter the medical marijuana program, and how to receive a Pennsylvania medical card.

Pennsylvania Legalizing Medical Marijuana

The journey towards legalizing medical marijuana in Pennsylvania was not an easy one. It took years of advocacy, activism, and lobbying to get the necessary support from lawmakers. In 2014, Governor Tom Corbett signed the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act into law, which created a framework for the use of medical marijuana in the state. However, the law had limitations that made it difficult for patients to access medical marijuana. It required that a research center be established to study the use of medical marijuana, which meant that patients could not access medical marijuana until the research was completed. The law also did not allow for the smoking of medical marijuana, which limited the forms in which it could be consumed.

In 2016, Governor Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 3, which amended the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act to make it more accessible for patients. The bill allowed for the use of medical marijuana in various forms, including oils, pills, and topical applications. It also added new qualifying conditions and removed the requirement for a research center, making it possible for patients to access medical marijuana immediately. The bill also allowed for the smoking of medical marijuana in certain circumstances.

Qualifications to Enter the Medical Marijuana Program

To enter the medical marijuana program in Pennsylvania, patients must meet certain qualifications. First, they must be residents of Pennsylvania and have a qualifying medical condition.
Only patients suffering from one of the following medical conditions can participate in Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program:
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Anxiety disorders.
Autism.
Cancer, including remission therapy.
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.
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, or for which adjunctive therapy is indicated in combination with primary therapeutic interventions.
Parkinson’s disease.
Post-traumatic stress disorder.
Severe chronic or intractable pain of neuropathic origin or severe chronic or intractable pain.
Sickle cell anemia.
Terminal illness.Tourette syndrome.
‍
Patients with a qualifying medical condition must also obtain a certification from a physician who is registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The physician must be licensed to practice medicine in Pennsylvania and have completed a four-hour training course on the use of medical marijuana. The certification must be dated within 90 days of the patient's application to the program.

How to Receive a Pennsylvania Medical Card

To receive a Pennsylvania medical card, patients must follow several steps. First, they must register for the medical marijuana program on the Pennsylvania Department of Health's website. During the registration process, patients will need to provide their name, date of birth, PA issued driver's license or state ID, and contact information.
‍
Once registered, patients must obtain a certification from a registered physician. The physician will evaluate the patient's medical condition and determine whether they qualify for the medical marijuana program. If the physician approves the certification, they will enter it into the patient's account in the Pennsylvania Department of Health's system.

After receiving the certification, patients must pay a $50 fee to the Pennsylvania Department of Health to obtain a medical card. Patients who are enrolled in Medicaid, PACE/CARES, or CHIP may be eligible for a reduced fee of $25. Once the fee is paid, the patient's medical card will be mailed to them within seven to ten business days.

Once patients receive their medical card, they can visit a licensed dispensary to purchase medical marijuana. Pennsylvania has a strict regulatory framework for medical marijuana dispensaries, and patients can only purchase medical marijuana from a licensed dispensary. Patients must show their medical card and a valid photo ID at the dispensary to purchase medical marijuana.

Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Conclusion

In conclusion, Pennsylvania legalizing medical marijuana was a significant step towards providing patients with alternative treatment options. The state's medical marijuana program allows patients with certain medical conditions to access medical marijuana as a treatment option. To qualify for the program, patients must have a qualifying medical condition and obtain a certification from a registered physician. Once certified, patients must obtain a medical card from the Pennsylvania Department of Health to purchase medical marijuana from a licensed dispensary. The process of obtaining a medical card in Pennsylvania is straightforward, and patients who meet the qualifications should consider exploring medical marijuana as a treatment option.