Pennsylvania (PA) Medical Marijuana Qualifying Conditions

Medically reviewed by Dr. Shatha Atiya on April 16, 2023. 

A diagnosis with one of the PA medical marijuana conditions is necessary to qualify for a medical card in Pennsylvania. If you are suffering from an illness that is not on the list, it is unlikely that a medical marijuana doctor will certify you for the PA medical card.

This page will focus on equipping you with the knowledge you need on the Pennsylvania medical marijuana requirements, including the qualifying medical marijuana conditions. As a result, your application for the PA medical card will be straightforward. After going over this page, schedule an appointment with one of our Pennsylvania marijuana doctors near you and get certified for the PA medical card.

Looking for a Qualified Medical Marijuana Doctor?

Book Appointment

Related

PA Medical Card Requirements – Am I Eligible?

Residents of Pennsylvania can qualify for medical marijuana if they are diagnosed with a ‘serious medical condition.’ These ‘serious medical conditions’ are also known as PA medical marijuana conditions. There are several PA medical marijuana requirements you must meet to be eligible for medicinal cannabis in Pennsylvania. For instance:

1. You must be a resident of Pennsylvania.

2. The minimum age for adult applicants is 18 years old.

3. If you are a minor, an approved and registered caregiver must apply on your behalf.

4. You must be diagnosed with at least one of the PA medical marijuana conditions.

5. Last but not least, a PA medical marijuana doctor participating in the program must certify you for medicinal cannabis.

To get medical marijuana in Pennsylvania, a resident needs approval from a certified doctor for one of the conditions mentioned below.

The List of Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Approved Conditions Includes:

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Terminal illness
  • Tourette syndrome
  • Damage to the nervous tissue of the central nervous system (brain-spinal cord) with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity, and other associated 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
  • Severe chronic or intractable pain of neuropathic origin or severe chronic or intractable pain

The Most Common Medical Marijuana Diagnosis in Pennsylvania

1. Medical marijuana for anxiety and PTSD

Research shows that anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental illness in the United States. And research also reveals that medical marijuana treatment is effective when treating anxiety disorders. PA medical marijuana law enables residents to petition the Department of Health to add a new illness to the Pennsylvania medical marijuana-approved conditions. As a result, the Medical Marijuana Advisory Board added anxiety as a PA medical marijuana condition on July 20, 2019. Find out how medical marijuana for PTSD may help reduce anxiety in patients. 

2. Medical marijuana for fibromyalgia

Although fibromyalgia is a common reason for patients to seek medical cannabis, Pennsylvania does not list it as a qualifying medical condition. So, can you get a medical card for fibromyalgia in PA? Yes, it is possible. Chronic pain is always present in patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and medical marijuana works well to ease its intolerable effects.

3. Medical marijuana for migraines

Migraines do not feature on the list of the PA medical marijuana conditions. However, if the migraines are severe and debilitating, then medical marijuana may be a viable option to ease the constant pain. Due to the potency of medical marijuana as an analgesic, patients suffering from migraines may find relief through medical cannabis. So, yes, you may get medical marijuana for your migraines if you are a resident of Pennsylvania.

I Meet the PA Medical Card Requirements – What’s Next?

Once you confirm that you meet all the PA medical card requirements, here is how you go ahead with the application process:

1. Create an account on the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program Website.

2. Next, schedule an appointment with a medical marijuana doctor in PA and get certified for medicinal cannabis.

3. After certification, complete your application on the PA Medical Marijuana Program Website.

4. Pay for your PA medical card.

5. Wait for your Pennsylvania medical marijuana card.

Which documents are required for the PA medical card application?

You must have the following documents ready for upload during your PA medical card application:

  1. Proof of Pennsylvania residency. For example:
    • PA driver’s license
    • PA state-issued ID
      (Most importantly, your ID and license must show your current address.)
  2. A patient certification from a PA marijuana doctor.
  3. To be eligible for the discounted PA medical card, you must provide proof of participating in the following programs:
    • Medicaid
    • PACE/PACENET
    • CHIP
    • SNAP
    • WIC

Common Questions about Medical Marijuana Conditions in PA

Below are the answers to questions patients have about medical marijuana conditions in PA.

What illness qualifies for medical marijuana in PA?

The following illnesses qualify for medical marijuana in PA:

  • 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 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
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Severe chronic or intractable pain, including that of neuropathic origin
  • Sickle cell anemia
  • Terminal illness
  • Tourette syndrome

Can you get a medical card for chronic back pain in Pennsylvania?

Yes, patients can get a medical card for chronic back pain in Pennsylvania.

Chronic back pain falls under severe chronic or intractable pain on the list of qualifying conditions for a medical card in PA.

Can you get a medical card for anxiety in PA?

Yes, you can get a medical card for anxiety because it is one of the PA medical marijuana conditions.

Anxiety and Tourette syndrome are the most recent additions to the list of qualifying conditions after their inclusion by the Medical Marijuana Advisory Board, which took effect on July 20, 2019.

Can you get a medical card for insomnia in PA?

No, insomnia does not qualify for cannabis treatment in Pennsylvania.

Attempts to add insomnia as one of the PA medical marijuana conditions fell through after most members (7 to 4) of the Medical Marijuana Advisory Board voted against its inclusion on November 10, 2020.

Can you get your medical card while pregnant in PA?

No. Pennsylvania marijuana laws state that women should not consume marijuana during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

However, there may be an exception if the certifying practitioner recommends it. And in the case of breastfeeding, the infant’s pediatrician must give the go-ahead.

Can I get medical marijuana for depression in PA?

No. Depression is not a qualifying condition for a medical card in Pennsylvania.

However, it is a symptom of other qualifying conditions treated with marijuana, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. So, although a PA medical marijuana doctor may not issue you with a medical marijuana certification for depression, they could agree to recommend medical marijuana for PTSD.

Can you get a medical card for fibromyalgia in PA?

Although fibromyalgia is a common reason for patients to seek medical cannabis, Pennsylvania does not list it as a qualifying medical condition.

So, can you get a medical card for fibromyalgia in PA? Yes. Chronic pain is always present in patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and medical marijuana works well to ease the intolerable effects of chronic pain.

Can I get a medical card for migraines in PA?

Migraines do not feature on the list of the PA medical marijuana conditions. Still, if the migraines are severe and debilitating, then medical marijuana is a viable alternative to ease the constant pain.

Due to the potency of medical marijuana as an analgesic, patients suffering from migraines may find relief through medical cannabis. So, yes, you can get medical marijuana for your migraines if you are a resident of Pennsylvania.

Speak with Our Medical Marijuana Doctor Today!

Get approved for your PA medical card after a quick online appointment.

Book Appointment