Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Qualifying Conditions
Pennsylvania recognizes 24 serious medical conditions. If you have a listed condition, a PA-approved practitioner can review your eligibility during a convenient online evaluation.
Online evaluations are available by phone or video with a PA-approved practitioner.
Table of Contents
Pennsylvania Qualifying Conditions at a Glance
Here are the main eligibility requirements.
Quick answer: Pennsylvania residents qualify through at least one recognized medical condition and certification from a PA-approved practitioner. The evaluation helps identify which condition in your medical history may meet the program requirements.
Who Qualifies for a Medical Card in Pennsylvania?
There are three basic requirements. You must be a Pennsylvania resident, have at least one condition recognized by the state, and receive certification from a PA-approved practitioner.
During the evaluation, the practitioner reviews your condition, relevant medical history, and available information. The goal is to confirm that your condition fits the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program requirements.
All 24 Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Qualifying Conditions
Pennsylvania calls these serious medical conditions. We grouped them below to make the official list easier to read.
Behavioral and Developmental Conditions
- Anxiety disorders
- Autism
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Neurological Conditions
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Damage to the nervous tissue of the central nervous system, with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity and other associated neuropathies
- Dyskinetic and spastic movement disorders
- Epilepsy
- Huntington's disease
- Intractable seizures
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Neuropathies
- Parkinson's disease
- Tourette syndrome
Pain Condition
- Severe chronic or intractable pain of neuropathic origin or severe chronic or intractable pain
Systemic Conditions
- Chronic Hepatitis C
- Crohn's disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Opioid use disorder when conventional therapeutic interventions are contraindicated or ineffective, or when adjunctive therapy is indicated with primary therapeutic interventions
- HIV/AIDS
- Sickle cell anemia
Other Recognized Conditions
- Cancer, including remission therapy
- Glaucoma
- Terminal illness
Research-only categories: Pennsylvania also lists moderate to severe traumatic brain injury with chronic symptoms and Type II diabetes mellitus for certain research programs. These are separate from the standard list of 24 patient conditions.
Do Not See Your Condition on the List?
You may still qualify. Many patients have more than one medical condition, and another condition in their medical history may appear on Pennsylvania's official list.
For example, someone with fibromyalgia may also have severe chronic or intractable pain. A patient with insomnia may also have an anxiety disorder. Both chronic pain and anxiety disorders are recognized qualifying conditions in Pennsylvania.
Do not rule yourself out. A PA-approved practitioner can review your complete medical history and determine whether one of your conditions meets the state requirements. There is no charge for the evaluation if certification is not issued.
Common Conditions Pennsylvania Patients Ask About
Some diagnoses appear directly on Pennsylvania's official list. Others may qualify under a broader listed condition, such as severe chronic or intractable pain or an anxiety disorder.
| Condition patients search | How it may qualify | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety disorders | Officially listed | Anxiety disorders appear directly on Pennsylvania's official list of qualifying conditions. |
| PTSD | Officially listed | Post-traumatic stress disorder is directly listed as a qualifying condition. |
| Autism | Officially listed | Autism appears directly on Pennsylvania's official condition list. |
| Chronic pain | Officially listed | Pennsylvania recognizes severe chronic or intractable pain, including pain of neuropathic origin. |
| ADHD | Another condition may qualify | ADHD is not listed separately, but a patient may have another recognized condition in their medical history. A practitioner reviews the full picture. |
| Depression | Another condition may qualify | Depression is not listed separately, but some patients also have another condition recognized by Pennsylvania's program. |
| Insomnia | Another condition may qualify | Insomnia is not listed separately, but some patients with insomnia also have a qualifying condition such as an anxiety disorder. |
| Migraines | May qualify under chronic pain | Migraines are not listed separately, but some patients may qualify when their condition also meets Pennsylvania's severe chronic or intractable pain category. |
| Fibromyalgia | May qualify under chronic pain | Fibromyalgia is not listed separately, but many patients with fibromyalgia also experience severe chronic or intractable pain, which is a qualifying condition. |
Not sure how your condition fits? A PA-approved practitioner can review your complete medical history and identify whether one of your conditions may qualify under Pennsylvania's program.
Important Eligibility Details
Why Is a Practitioner Review Required?
The official list shows which conditions may qualify. The practitioner then confirms the applicable condition and completes the consultation required by the Pennsylvania program.
What If Your Diagnosis Is Not Listed?
A diagnosis that is not listed cannot be used as a new standalone qualifying condition. However, the practitioner can review your full medical history to see whether you have another condition recognized by the program.
How Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Eligibility Is Reviewed
The process is straightforward. Your evaluation can take place by phone or video with a PA-approved practitioner.
For registration, payment, and the full state process, read our step-by-step Pennsylvania medical marijuana card guide.
Why Medical Records May Be Requested
Medical records help the practitioner confirm your diagnosis and understand your medical history. The exact information needed can vary from one patient to another.
Useful documents may include a diagnosis summary, recent visit notes, or other records related to your qualifying condition. The practitioner will let you know if more information is needed.
Helpful tip: Prepare any relevant records you already have before your appointment. This can make the evaluation faster and reduce follow-up questions.
Can Minors Qualify in Pennsylvania?
Yes. A patient under age 18 may participate if they have an eligible condition and receive certification from a PA-approved practitioner.
A minor cannot use the program independently. A parent, legal guardian, or another approved caregiver must register and act on the minor's behalf.
What Happens After Certification?
For pricing, application steps, and online evaluation details, visit our Pennsylvania medical marijuana card page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Simple answers to common Pennsylvania eligibility questions.
How many qualifying conditions are recognized in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania currently recognizes 24 serious medical conditions for its Medical Marijuana Program. The state may update the list or program rules over time.
Does anxiety qualify for a medical card in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Anxiety disorders appear on Pennsylvania's official list. A PA-approved practitioner must review your condition and confirm your eligibility.
Does chronic pain qualify in Pennsylvania?
Severe chronic or intractable pain is included on Pennsylvania's list. The practitioner reviews whether your condition fits the state's official wording.
Can PTSD qualify for medical marijuana in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Post-traumatic stress disorder is an officially listed serious medical condition in Pennsylvania.
Can autism qualify in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Autism appears on Pennsylvania's official list of serious medical conditions.
Does ADHD qualify for a Pennsylvania medical card?
ADHD is not listed as a standalone qualifying condition. A practitioner can still review your full medical history to see whether another recognized condition applies.
Can depression qualify for a Pennsylvania medical card?
Depression is not listed as a standalone condition. Eligibility must be connected to a serious medical condition recognized by Pennsylvania.
Do I need medical records for a Pennsylvania evaluation?
You should prepare any records related to your qualifying condition. The exact documents needed depend on your diagnosis, medical history, and practitioner review.
Can minors qualify for the Pennsylvania program?
Yes. Patients under 18 may qualify, but a registered caregiver must act on the minor's behalf.
Does having a qualifying condition guarantee certification?
No. A qualifying condition allows you to complete an eligibility review. The final certification decision is made by a PA-approved practitioner.
Can a doctor add a condition that is not on the Pennsylvania list?
No. Certification must be connected to at least one serious medical condition recognized by Pennsylvania.
Can a Pennsylvania certification evaluation be completed online?
Yes. PA-approved practitioners may complete certification evaluations through a live phone or video appointment.
Official Pennsylvania Sources
Not Sure Whether Your Condition Qualifies?
A PA-approved practitioner can review your condition and answer your eligibility questions during a convenient online evaluation.
CannabisMD TeleMed does not guarantee certification or state card issuance. This page is for general information and is not medical or legal advice. Pennsylvania program rules may change.