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How to Renew Your Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana card
How to Renew Your Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana card
Have you given up trying to figure out when your renewal certification or your annual payment to the state is due? Does renewing your medical marijuana card give you ANXIETY? Do you have questions about renewing your medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania? Have you tried to call the PA Department of Health (DOH) for guidance, only to wait for what seems like hours, or you were told to call back? Don’t worry, you are not alone.
Compassionate Clinics of America is here to help guide you through your entire renewal process. Did you know that the renewal process can be done virtually? Patients can do their renewals from the comfort of their own homes. Patients can expect to pay anywhere from $75.00-$100.00 for their annual physician certification. The $75.00 fee is offered to veterans with a DD214 and patients who have been certified by Compassionate Clinics of America at least 2 times in the past.
In Pennsylvania, medical marijuana patients are required to obtain an annual patient certification from a certified physician. Patients can be certified by any registered practitioner; they do not need to see the same physician that issued the initial patient certification.
Most patients are confused and will often forget to make their annual renewal payment to the state for their card. This can disrupt patients’ ability to purchase their medicine. Did you know that the patients’ renewal certification dates are not the same dates as the annual renewal payment to DOH for the medical card?
How do I know when I need to renew my physician certification?
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Important Note: Three items that need to be completed for your annual renewal.
- Physician Certification Renewal
- Validate your information on the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Patient Portal
- Annual Renewal Fee to the PA DOH (Pennsylvania Department of Public Health)
Patients will receive an email from PA DOH 30 days prior to the certification expiration date. Patients in Pennsylvania are required to be re-certified annually. Once you have been re-certified by the doctor and your PA DOH payment is current, you will be issued a new card, and it will be mailed to the address listed in your patient portal under “profile settings.” If your payment is due at the time of certification, you will be required to make the annual payment to the PA DOH before the DOH sends your new card to you. Patients can log in here: Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Patient Portal and check their annual certification date, as well as when their annual renewal fee is due. If you have forgotten your username and password, you can use this link to request your username and also to reset your password: Request Username and/or Reset your Password.
Annual renewal fees to the state of Pennsylvania are $50.00 (or $25.00 if you qualify for a fee reduction). This fee is paid once every 12 months, regardless of how many cards/certifications you have been issued. So be sure to watch for this email and pay the annual fee by the due date listed to avoid having your card expire.
When can I renew my license?
Patients can submit their annual payment to the PA DOH, 30 days prior to the payment due date, via its portal: Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Patient Portal. Remember that this is not necessarily the expiration date reflected on a patients’ card, so it is important that patients check their emails from the PA DOH. The system will not allow a patient to pay this annual fee earlier.
Physician re-certifications must be completed within 30 days of the expiration date on your card. Physician re-certifications completed earlier will not be accepted by the state.
How much does a renewal application cost?
| APPLICATION TYPE | 1 YEAR TERM |
| Regular Qualified Patient Application Fee | $50.00 |
| Reduced Fee Qualified Patient Application Fee | $25.00 |
How do I complete a renewal?
At Compassionate Clinics of America, we take care of your entire renewal process for you. We will guide you every step of the way to ensure a smooth process for everyone.
How will I know if my renewal certification has been submitted?
You will receive a confirmation email letting you know your physician has completed your certification. Which means you have been re-certified. The PA DOH will extend your medical card until your annual renewal fee is due.
If your payment is not due at the time of your physician re-certification, you will receive an email from the PA DOH 30 days before the annual renewal fee is due with instructions for making the payment on the state’s website.
This fee is paid once every 12 months, regardless of how many cards/certifications you may be issued. So be sure to watch for this email and pay the annual fee by the due date listed to avoid having your card expire.
What happens once my annual renewal is submitted?
The PA DOH will issue patients and caregivers new cards. Be sure to update your address information with the DMV and on the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program Registry if you have recently moved to ensure that your medical card is mailed to the proper address. If your profile does not have the correct address, this will delay the delivery of your card, and you will have to file for a lost card which has a fee of $25.
Caregivers
As of March 20, 2021, The PA DOH has temporarily eliminated background checks for caregiver applications, limiting them to renewal applications only, to expedite the caregiver renewal process. Caregivers will receive an email from the PA DOH 30 days prior to the expiration date of your caregiver ID card, detailing your next steps.
Are you considering not renewing your card because you did not find relief with medical marijuana? Did you work with a professional to help you determine which consumption method, dosing, and products would be most beneficial to you? To help reduce patient frustration and aid patients in finding relief, Compassionate Clinics of America has medical marijuana nurses on staff to assist patients with finding the “sweet spot.” Let us help you determine what products and dosages are best for your particular condition and needs.
