Pursuant to 28 PA Code Chapter 1181, state licensed physicians must register with the Pennsylvania Department of Health in order to be eligible to recommend medical marijuana to their patients. They must also complete four hours of continuing education in medical marijuana from an activity approved by the Department. Once they are approved to recommend medical marijuana, physicians may issue certifications to patients. These certifications are based on based upon a patient consultation and any other factor deemed relevant by the physician, that the patient has a serious medical condition from the list above.  The physician must include that condition in the patient's health care record.  Prior to doing so, the physician must review the patient's prior medical history and controlled substance history, if any, via the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.  The physician's certification on the patient's behalf must include: 1) A statement by the practitioner that the patient has a serious medical condition, and the patient is under the practitioner,s continuing care for the condition. 2) An assessment as to the length of time, not to exceed 1 year, for which the practitioner believes the use of medical marijuana by the patient would be therapeutic or palliative. 3) Recommendations, requirements and/or limitations as to the form or dosage of medical marijuana product. Physician must recommend that only a medial professional employed by the dispensary and working at its facility can consult with the patient or caregiver regarding form or dosage of the medical marijuana product. 4) A statement by the physician that the patient is terminally ill, if applicable. 5) Any other information that the practitioner believes may be relevant to the patient's use of medical marijuana products. 6) If applicable, a statement that the patient is homebound or an inpatient during the time for which the patient certification is issued due to the patient's medical and physical condition and is unable to visit a dispensary to obtain medical marijuana products.  7) A statement that the practitioner has explained the potential risks and benefits of the use of medical marijuana products to the patient and has documented in the patient's health care record that the explanation has been provided to the patient and informed consent has been obtained.

Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Program includes regulations for patients, caregivers, dispensaries, growers, processors, schools, laboratories and clinical researchers, as well.  Under the law, Pennsylvania residents who have a serious medical condition as certified by an approved physician are considered medical marijuana patients. Patients register for an ID card and use that card to obtain medical marijuana at Pennsylvania dispensaries. Caregivers also are Pennsylvania residents and are designated by patients to deliver medical marijuana to them, obtained at a Pennsylvania dispensary. Caregivers register for an ID card and must complete a background check.