PA Cannabis

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.

1. The doctor will fill out any forms provided and provide copies of credentials or specified documentation evidencing his or her training and/or experience.

2. 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.

3. The Department will determine that the doctor is qualified by “training or experience” to treat a “serious medical condition.”

4. The doctor will be required to complete a four-hour course.

5. There is an annual review with the main requirement being that he or she is duly licensed and in good standing in the Commonwealth.

6. Doctors will certify patients based on them having one or more of the conditions listed in the law.

7. The doctor must have an “ongoing” treatment relationship with the patient.

8. The doctor must inform the department in writing if the patient’s status changes or the treatment is no longer helpful.

9. 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.

10. 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:

1. An approved doctor must determine that the patient is suffering from a serious medical condition that is reflected in the patient’s medical records.

2. The patient must be under the doctor’s continuing care for the serious medical condition.

3. The doctor will provide a professional opinion that the patient is likely to receive “therapeutic or palliative benefit” from Medical Marijuana treatment.

4. The certification shall include:

1. The patient’s name, date of birth, and address;

2. The specific serious medical condition of the patient;

3. The doctor’s statement that the patient is under the doctor’s care and the patient has a serious medical condition requiring the treatment.

4. The date of issuance.

5. The name, address, telephone number and signature of the practitioner.

6. Any requirements or limitations concerning the appropriate form of Medical Marijuana and limitation on the duration of use, if applicable.   

5. The doctor consults the state electronic monitoring system to assure that the patient is not already receiving the same treatment elsewhere.

6. The doctor may obtain the patient’s treatment history on the state database for sharing with the patient and for other listed reasons.

7. The doctor gives a certification to the patient, sends a copy to the department, and files it with the patient’s health care record.

8. 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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