Covered Medical Conditions

These are the medical conditions approved for the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program. You must have one of these conditions to qualify for a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania. Browse below for background information, research, and more on marijuana and these medical conditions.

ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)

This nervous system disease has no cure, but marijuana can alleviate symptoms and may slow the progression.

Autism

While many parents of children on the spectrum are finding success with marijuana treatments, more research is needed.

Cancer

Chemotherapy is more bearable with marijuana to stimulate the appetite, alleviate pain and reduce nausea.

Crohn's disease

Treating this disease of the gastrointestinal tract with marijuana alleviates symptoms and often leads to remission.

Epilepsy

Many children and adults have seen dramatic reductions in their seizures after trying cannabinoid therapies.

Glaucoma

Pressure in the eye that leads to optic nerve damage, plus the related symptoms, can be reduced by THC in marijuana.

HIV/AIDS

Drug therapies to keep the virus under control have many side effects, like pain and nausea, that marijuana can relieve.

Huntington's disease

The neurological symptoms respond well to cannabinoid therapies which could also postpone onset of the disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease

Several inflammatory conditions fall under the category of IBD and remission is possible for all of them with marijuana.

Intractable seizures

When nothing else seems to work, patients have seen reductions in their seizures from high-CBD marijuana oils.

Intractable spasticity

The pain and stiffness of this condition are reduced and patients report better mobility with marijuana treatment.

Multiple Sclerosis

Patients with this disease of the nervous system often see significant improvement from THC to reduce inflammation.

Neuropathies

The chronic tingling, numbness and pain can be controlled more safely with marijuana than with prescription opioids.

Parkinson's disease

As with other neurodegenerative diseases, patients often see immediate improvement from marijuana treatment.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Veterans and others with this anxiety condition can reduce their symptoms by up to 75 percent with marijuana.

Severe chronic or intractable pain

Alone or in combination with conventional prescription drugs, marijuana is a safer way to manage chronic pain.

Sickle cell anemia

The pain and swelling characteristic of this disease respond well to marijuana, improving patients’ quality of life.

Terminal Illness

At the end of life, nobody wants to suffer. Marijuana makes those final days more peaceful with less pain and anxiety.