Cancer and a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card
A cancer diagnosis brings enough paperwork without a confusing state program on top of it. Pennsylvania's rules for cancer patients are fairly direct, and several of them can lighten the load for someone who is too sick to run errands. This guide sets them out in the order you are likely to need them.
The entry includes remission
The official wording is "cancer, including remission therapy." That phrasing took effect May 17, 2018, as part of a group of additions to the list, and it means a patient whose cancer is in remission is within the entry's scope, not only someone in active treatment. Terminal illness was added as a separate entry at the same time.
A certifying physician still decides whether your situation fits. If you have other listed conditions, such as severe chronic or intractable pain or neuropathies, a certification can list up to 10. The full conditions list shows every entry.
Bring your oncology team into it
Only an MD or DO with an active Pennsylvania license who has registered with the Department of Health and completed its training can certify you. Your oncologist may or may not be registered. Either way, tell your oncology team you are considering medical marijuana before you start. They know your treatment schedule and medications and can flag concerns about interactions or timing.
The certifying physician will want records that confirm the diagnosis and describe your treatment. Pathology reports, treatment summaries and a current medication list are a good start.
When you are too sick to travel
Two provisions matter here. First, since Act 44 of 2021, a registered physician can certify you through real-time audio or video, so you do not have to sit in another waiting room. Our page on online evaluations explains how that works.
Second, you can designate up to two caregivers to buy medical marijuana for you. A caregiver must be a Pennsylvania resident, at least 21 unless the Department authorizes otherwise, and must pass a fingerprint-based background check; approval can take three to four weeks after the fingerprint appointment, so start early. The caregiver guide explains the process.
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.
Book my PA evaluation →Money: the $0 fee and the monthly benefit
The state card fee is $50 a year, paid once every 12 months. Patients enrolled in Medicaid, CHIP, PACE/PACENET, SNAP or WIC pay $0. Patients enrolled in PACE or PACENET may also receive a $50 monthly benefit under Phase 3 of the Medical Marijuana Assistance Program. Caregiver background check fees were eliminated on March 1, 2022. Our guide to the $0 card fee and MMAP explains eligibility.
Forms allowed under Pennsylvania law
Dispensaries may sell pills, oils, tinctures, liquids, topical forms, forms for vaporization or nebulization, and flower for vaporization. Smoking is illegal. Dispensaries do not sell edibles, but you or a caregiver may mix medical marijuana into food or drink if swallowing pills is difficult. The patient rules page covers possession limits and packaging.
What research says
Much of the research on cannabis in cancer care concerns symptoms rather than the cancer itself: nausea, appetite, pain and sleep. Some studies suggest cannabis may help some patients with some of these symptoms, while results vary and side effects occur. There is no reliable evidence that medical marijuana treats cancer, and it is not a substitute for oncology care. Your physicians can weigh the evidence for your situation.
Keep a short log of symptoms and doses for your first few weeks. It helps both the certifying physician and your oncologist see what, if anything, is changing.
Safety
Medical marijuana can cause drowsiness and affect coordination. Pennsylvania has long applied zero-tolerance DUI rules to marijuana, so check current law and do not drive after using. Keep all products in their original packages and away from children.
Next steps
Talk with your oncology team, decide whether you need a caregiver, open a registry account with a Pennsylvania driver's license or state ID showing your current address, and book a registered physician in person or remotely. If you are enrolled in an assistance program, confirm the $0 rate before you pay.
Questions people ask
Can I be certified if my cancer is in remission?
The official entry is 'cancer, including remission therapy', so remission is expressly within its scope. The registered physician decides whether your situation fits.
Is terminal illness a separate entry?
Yes. Terminal illness has been its own qualifying condition since May 17, 2018, separate from the cancer entry.
Can a family member pick up my medicine during treatment?
Yes, if registered as your caregiver. A patient may designate up to two caregivers, who must be Pennsylvania residents, generally 21 or older, and pass a fingerprint-based background check.
Worth reading next
Sources
- Register for the Medical Marijuana Program, PA.gov (official condition list)
- PA DOH Office of Medical Marijuana Report, July 2022 (PDF)
- Medical Marijuana Assistance Program (MMAP), PA Department of Health
- Patients and Caregivers, PA Department of Health
- Medical Marijuana Act (Act 16 of 2016), PA General Assembly
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.