Condition guides
Each guide takes one entry on Pennsylvania's list of 24 serious medical conditions and explains the exact wording, who can certify you, how to raise it with a physician and which forms the law allows. They describe research only in general terms, and none of them predicts a physician's decision. The full list is on our qualifying conditions page.
Anxiety disorders and the PA card
On the list since 2019. What the plural wording means, who can certify you and how to raise it with a physician.
Autism, children and caregivers
Autism is a listed condition. How a parent registers as caregiver, what the child's certification involves and what it costs.
Cancer, remission and the PA card
The entry covers remission therapy too. How to coordinate with your oncology team, and the practical help available.
Epilepsy and intractable seizures
Two entries on the Pennsylvania list. How they differ, how caregivers work for children and why your neurologist matters.
Crohn's disease and IBD
Two separate entries on the Pennsylvania list. What each covers, who can certify you and questions worth asking first.
Insomnia: not on the list
Sleep problems alone do not qualify in Pennsylvania. Why, what is on the list, and how a condition could be added.
Neuropathy: three entries that overlap
Nerve conditions show up in three places on Pennsylvania's list. How they differ and how to raise them with a physician.
Opioid use disorder: read the fine print
Pennsylvania's entry has three specific situations attached. What each means and why your treatment team should be involved.
Severe chronic pain in Pennsylvania
The pain entry was broadened in 2018. What 'severe' and 'intractable' mean in practice and how to document your case.
PTSD and the Pennsylvania card
PTSD is on the state list. Who can certify you, why your therapist cannot, and how a phone or video visit works.
Tourette and movement disorders
Tourette was added in 2019, movement disorders in 2018. How the related entries fit together and what families should know.
Practical guides
These cover the rules that come up once the card is in hand: why flower must be vaporized, what to do without dispensary edibles and who pays nothing for the card. For the complete set of possession and product rules, see our patient rules page; for every fee in one place, the cost guide.
No dispensary edibles: what to do instead
Pennsylvania bans edible sales but lets patients mix medicine into food. How to do it carefully and stay within the law.
Who pays $0 for the PA card
Five assistance programs qualify you for a $0 card fee, and PACE enrollees can get $50 a month. What 'free' does and does not cover.
Vaping vs. smoking under PA law
Flower is legal in Pennsylvania, but only for vaporizing. What the smoking ban covers and how patients stay within it.
Need a physician certification?
Online evaluations are available for Pennsylvania residents. Code DRWDY85872 takes 5% off. The physician, not the booking service, decides whether you are certified.
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Sources
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This page explains Pennsylvania law and Department of Health guidance in general terms; it is not medical or legal advice, and only a registered physician can certify a patient.