Here are the basics you need to know upfront for registration as a qualified physician in the Medical Marijuana program:
As a physician licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, you must apply for inclusion in the registry in the manner that will be specifically set forth by the Department of Health; the actual application forms have not yet been published but the forms or the links to the forms will be available on this site when available.
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The doctor will fill out any forms provided and provide copies of credentials or specified documentation evidencing his or her training and/or experience.
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The Department of Health will review the submission and verify the doctor’s good standing to practice medicine by viewing the license records filed with the Department of State.
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The Department will determine that the doctor is qualified by “training or experience” to treat a “serious medical condition.”
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The doctor will be required to complete a four-hour course.
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There is an annual review with the main requirement being that he or she is duly licensed and in good standing in the Commonwealth.
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Doctors will certify patients based on them having one or more of the conditions listed in the law.
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The doctor must have an “ongoing” treatment relationship with the patient.
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The doctor must inform the department in writing if the patient’s status changes or the treatment is no longer helpful.
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Doctors may not except outside payment in return for agreeing to certify a patient. They may only accept the doctor’s set treatment and reporting fees.
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Doctors may not advertise that they are qualified to certify patients for mm treatment
This is a summary of what you need to certify a patient for this treatment protocol:
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An approved doctor must determine that the patient is suffering from a serious medical condition that is reflected in the patient’s medical records.
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The patient must be under the doctor’s continuing care for the serious medical condition.
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The doctor will provide a professional opinion that the patient is likely to receive “therapeutic or palliative benefit” from Medical Marijuana treatment.
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The certification shall include:
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The patient’s name, date of birth, and address;
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The specific serious medical condition of the patient;
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The doctor’s statement that the patient is under the doctor’s care and the patient has a serious medical condition requiring the treatment.
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The date of issuance.
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The name, address, telephone number and signature of the practitioner.
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Any requirements or limitations concerning the appropriate form of Medical Marijuana and limitation on the duration of use, if applicable.
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The doctor consults the state electronic monitoring system to assure that the patient is not already receiving the same treatment elsewhere.
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The doctor may obtain the patient’s treatment history on the state database for sharing with the patient and for other listed reasons.
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The doctor gives a certification to the patient, sends a copy to the department, and files it with the patient’s health care record.
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A doctor may not prescribe for the doctor’s own use or for the use of a family or household members.
The department will develop a standard certification form. The patient only receives a 30-day supplies at one time. Other rules and regulations may be announced and issued as the process is developed and fully implemented.
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