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April 2016 was a historical month for the residents of Pennsylvania. After years of legal hurdles and bureaucratic delays, the state finally legalized the use of medical cannabis. As per the state law, patients who were diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition can apply for a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania. This includes patients who are not yet 18 if they are accompanied by a caregiver.
Eligibility requirements for a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania
The state of Pennsylvania follows the standard eligibility criteria set to determine whether a patient can get access to medical marijuana or not. As per the criteria, the patient must be a resident of Pennsylvania and must have a valid medical marijuana recommendation from a certified medical doctor. A patient who is not yet 18 can also apply for a medical marijuana card with the help of a designated caregiver.
Qualifying medical conditions
As per the state law, a patient must be diagnosed with one of the following qualifying medical conditions in order to be marked eligible for a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card,
- Alzheimer's disease
- Crohn's disease
- Hepatitis
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Autism/Asperger syndrome
- Epilepsy and seizure disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (minors aren’t eligible)
- Glaucoma
- Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome)
- Multiple sclerosis
- Nausea and vomiting
- AIDS/HIV
What exactly is a caregiver?
As per Pennsylvania state law, a caregiver can pick up medical cannabis from a dispensary on behalf of the assigned patient. Each patient can have up to two caregivers and every minor who qualifies for a medical marijuana card must be accompanied by a caregiver. Also, if you’re not one of the parents, legal guardians, or spouse of the patient, you will be registered as a ‘third party caregiver’.
Medical Marijuana Laws for minors in Pennsylvania
The medical marijuana laws are similar for both qualifying adult and minor patients within the state. Some of the key points of these laws include,
- Medical marijuana patients or designated caregivers can purchase up to 30 days of cannabis supply.
- Recreational marijuana is illegal within the state of Pennsylvania.
- Cannabis cultivation is illegal in any capacity, even for medical marijuana patients and registered caregivers.
Final Note
The state of Pennsylvania has perhaps the most patient-focused cannabis laws among all US states. The state is very well known for its stance on caregiver assignment to qualifying patients and the rights these caregivers have.
