After posting the news on my Instagram story I was met with, literally, hundreds of questions about who qualifies, how to get certified, and even questions about other certifiable conditions. Thus, I am here writing a blog that tackles ALL the questions of medical marijuana for anxiety, or another approved condition.
Do I Qualify to Get Medical Marijuana for Anxiety?
This one is easy, just answer these two questions with “yes” and you’re already one step ahead of the game. Do you have anxiety? Have you been diagnosed with anxiety? Then you probably qualify to be certified to use the treatment of medical marijuana for anxiety.
However… it must be written in your chart prior to your appointment with a certifying physician (more on that below). Therefore, you’ll need to use MyChart or the UPMC Chart app to access your past medical records, or reach out to your PCP or specialist that has documentation of your condition. Once you secure your records, you’re ready to begin the journey to medical marijuana patient certification.
How Do I Get Certified as a Medical Marijuana Patient?
First, you’ll need to register online for the PA Medical Marijuana Program at medicalmarijuana.pa.gov. To do so, you must be a resident of PA with proof of residency in the form of a PA driver’s license or a PA state-issued ID card with current address, and be over the age of 18. This part can be tricky if the information is not entered the way the state has you in the system. *In other words, if you do not type your address into the website exactly how it appears on your license, you will be denied.
Next, you will visit a board-approved certifying physician to complete an in-person examination and to review your records. If you’re not sure where to find one in your area, click here. *If you’re in the Pittsburgh area, may I suggest Dr. Adam Rothschild. I met him a few times during my stent in the industry and honestly, I’ve never met a more down-to-earth doctor in my life. Which is why I made my appointment with him as soon as I found out medical marijuana for anxiety had been approved! Please note, these appointments are not covered by insurance and can cost anywhere from $150-$250. Also you need to get re-certified every year.
Finally, after getting approval from the Doc, head back to the DOH website and complete the online registration by paying for a medical marijuana ID card ($50). Then, in the next two to four weeks you will have your MMJ card. After that, as long as the “date issued” is after the date it is received you can head to your local dispensary. In Pittsburgh, I hear Maitri is the place to go!
Other Conditions Approved for Medical Marijuana Treatment in PA
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Anxiety Disorders (7/20/19)
- Autism
- Cancer
- Crohn’s Disease
- Dyskinetic Disorders
- Damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV / AIDS
- Huntington’s Disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Intractable Seizures
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Neurodegenerative Disorders
- Neuropathies
- Opioid Use Disorder
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
- Severe chronic or intractable pain
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Terminal Illness
- Tourette Syndrome (7/20/19)
Questions, Comments, Concerns…
That’s all folks! Feel free to reach out to me personally through Instagram or the comment section below! I would love to talk you through any questions you may have about treating your condition with medical marijuana!
XO,
Ash
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