How does a Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Card benefit patients?

Pennsylvania joined the list of states that have legalized medical marijuana in 2016. Since then, eligible patients have been able to use cannabis for therapeutic purposes. Patients need to go through the process of obtaining a medical marijuana card but the benefits far outweigh the effort. Read on to learn more about the top five benefits of having a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania.

A Pennsylvania (PA) medical marijuana card is issued to patients who need medical marijuana for treatment purposes. The card allows patients to legally buy and use medical cannabis within the state of Pennsylvania. The biggest benefit of a PA medical marijuana card is that patients can use medical marijuana for 24 approved medical conditions as a safe natural alternative treatment to potentially harmful and habit forming medications.

Why is an MMJ Card Required in PA?

An MMJ card is required in Pennsylvania for the following reasons:

to buy medical marijuana from state dispensaries
to access safe and legal cannabis products that can be tailored to your specific medical conditions
to possess and use medical marijuana without breaking the law
for employment and legal protection, where you may have job security issues associated with medical treatment use

5 Benefits of having a PA Medical Marijuana Card in 2024

Having a Pennsylvania MMJ card comes with several benefits.

Medical Supervision

One of the most valuable benefits of participating in Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program is the opportunity for personalized treatment under medical supervision with guidance from pharmacists working in the state run dispensaries. To obtain a medical marijuana card, you must first be certified by an approved physician who has determined that medical cannabis may be beneficial for your qualifying condition.

This process ensures that patients receive professional medical advice tailored to their specific health needs. The certifying physician and dispensary pharmacists can provide guidance on:

appropriate strains and products for specific medical conditions
proper dosing and administration methods
potential interactions with other medications
monitoring and adjusting treatment as needed

The medical supervision is especially beneficial for patients with complex medical conditions or those taking multiple medications. It provides a safety net and ensures that medical cannabis is used responsibly in the patient’s overall healthcare plan.

Peace of Mind

A big benefit of a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania is the legal protection it provides. While recreational marijuana use remains illegal in Pennsylvania, medical marijuana cardholders can purchase, possess, and use medical cannabis without fear of legal repercussions.

Pennsylvania’s Act 16 of 2016—the Medical Marijuana Act, defines the term “medical marijuana” as marijuana obtained for certified medical use by a Pennsylvania resident with a serious medical condition and is limited by statute in Pennsylvania to use in the following forms:

Edibles (capsules/tablets)
Oil
Topical forms including, gels, creams and ointments
Tincture
Elixirs
Oil vaporizer
Flower (only permitted for administration in dry leaf vaporizers or homemade edibles, flower may not be smoked in PA)
Troche ingestibles

Under PA law, registered patients are allowed to possess up to a 30-day supply of medical marijuana products. However, it’s important to note that smoking marijuana remains prohibited, even for medical cardholders. Vaporized products, including flower, are permissible in PA.

Access to High-Quality, Regulated Products

Another advantage of having a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania is access to high-quality, regulated cannabis products.

Pennsylvania’s Department of Health oversees the entire medical marijuana supply chain, from seed to sale. This oversight includes:

regular testing of products for potency, purity, and potential contaminants
stringent packaging and labeling requirements
tracking systems to ensure product safety and to prevent diversion

As a result, cardholders can be confident that the medical marijuana products they purchase are safe, consistent, and of high quality. This is particularly important for patients with serious medical conditions who rely on cannabis as part of their treatment regimen.

Furthermore, medical dispensaries in Pennsylvania offer a diverse array of products tailored to different medical needs. These include:

Various strains of dry leaf marijuana for vaporization
Cannabis-infused oils, tinctures, and elixirs
Topical forms like creams, ointments, and balms
Pills and capsules
Troche ingestables
Concentrates

Each product is labeled with its THC and CBD content and percentage. Product labels also include terpene content and percentage, allowing patients to choose products that best suit their specific conditions and desired effects. Dispensary staff, including licensed pharmacists, are also available to provide guidance on product selection and usage, ensuring that patients can make informed decisions about their medication.

Cost Savings

While there are initial costs associated with obtaining a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania, including doctor’s fees and the card fee charged by the PA Department of Health, cardholders often experience significant cost savings in the long run.

One of the primary financial benefits is the absence of sales tax on medical marijuana purchases. Unlike many other states, Pennsylvania does not apply sales tax to medical cannabis products, which can result in savings for patients who use marijuana regularly for their medical conditions.

Contribution to Research and Advocacy

By participating in Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program, cardholders are indirectly contributing to the advancement of cannabis research and advocacy efforts. The state’s program includes provisions for collecting data on patient outcomes, which can be invaluable for further understanding the medical applications of cannabis.

Pennsylvania has established a Medical Marijuana Advisory Board, which regularly reviews the program and makes recommendations for improvements. This board considers patient feedback and experiences, meaning that cardholders have a voice in shaping the future of medical marijuana policy in the state.

As more patients join the program and share their positive experiences, it helps to destigmatize medical marijuana use and promote broader acceptance. This can help in:

expanding qualifying conditions for medical marijuana use
Improving access to cannabis-based treatments
potential changes in federal policy regarding medical marijuana

By being part of the regulated medical marijuana system, you can help to build a body of evidence that supports the therapeutic use of cannabis and further legitimizing medical marijuana as a treatment option.

Obtaining a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania offers numerous benefits beyond just legal access to medical marijuana. For Pennsylvanians living with qualifying medical conditions, exploring the optionof medical marijuana could be a big step in their healthcare journey.

You can now make virtual telemedicine appointments, with no need to travel to an office. Meet Dr. Finkelman from the comfort of your own home using ZOOM. Schedule your appointment directly from the website, https://greendoc-pa.com/ or call/text 215-350-4766 to schedule your appointment. New patients $150 / Recertification $100 (money back guarantee, minus credit card processing fee, if not certified due to not meeting criteria for state qualifying conditions).

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