The Do’s & Don'ts After Receiving a Medical Marijuana Card 

Since the passage of a law in 2016, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has allowed the use of medical marijuana to treat certain conditions and diseases. Users must qualify for and obtain an ID card and buy the marijuana product from a state-licensed dispensary.

Recreational use of marijuana is not legal in most states, and marijuana itself is still considered a Schedule 1 illegal drug under the federal Controlled Substances Act, which the state continues to follow. Those with medical marijuana access might be tempted to use the product for sharing or selling, which can lead to serious consequences. 

If you or a loved one has encountered legal difficulties because of misuse of medical marijuana card privileges in or around York, Pennsylvania, contact Korey Leslie, Attorney-At-Law, LLC, to discuss the situation and weigh your legal options. We have everything necessary, including the knowledge and practice, to help your specific situation. Our firm also proudly serves clients in neighboring communities such as Lancaster, Harrisburg, and Camp Hill. 

Obtaining a Medical Marijuana Card 

The process of obtaining a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania begins with registering online and creating a profile on the state’s Medical Marijuana Registry. To do so, you must either have a Pennsylvania driver’s license or an ID card issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.  

After that, you must get an approved physician – one who has access to the registry – to certify your need with a qualifying medical condition analysis. Under the 2016 law, 23 diseases and conditions were listed as qualifying, including autism, anxiety, opioid dependence, cancer, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but you can also qualify with an “anxiety disorder” or glaucoma, a degenerative eye disease.  

Pennsylvania law also allows you to designate two caregivers who can help you obtain the medical marijuana you need. Your caregivers must also register online.  

Medical marijuana is available only at licensed marijuana dispensaries. Cannabis products are available for medicinal use orally (e.g., pills, tinctures, and other liquids), topically (e.g., gels, creams, and ointments), and via vaporization (e.g., oils, concentrates). Cannabis in leaf form was approved in April 2018 and is available to patients for vaporization. 

What to Do After Receiving Your Card 

Your medical marijuana card will be issued to you in your name, and you must keep it in your possession at all times. Though it would probably not be difficult if not possible for someone else to use your card without additional ID verification, losing your card can mean it may end up in the wrong hands and will also cause you an administrative hassle to receive a replacement.  

You will also want to keep in touch with your referring physician, so you can choose the recommended form of medical marijuana and adhere to its proper use to treat your disease or condition. 

What Not to Do with Your Medical Marijuana Card 

Your medical marijuana card is intended for your legitimate use to treat an illness or condition from which you’re suffering. Therefore, it should not be used to buy cannabis products for others, whether as a gift or for resale.   

Also, the card does not somehow give you the right to buy cannabis on the street or from unauthorized dealers. You can find yourself facing state or federal charges if you market the product or procure it from black market sources.  

Even with a medical marijuana card, you can still be stopped for driving under the influence of a drug and then face charges if your usage impaired your driving ability – in other words, if you get “high” from your cannabis supply and drive. If you are stopped or pulled over, do not try to hide or lie about your cannabis usage. This can only backfire if you are taken in for testing and interrogation. 

Experienced Guidance: Korey Leslie, Attorney-At-Law, LLC 

If you or a loved one ends up in a legal situation for misuse of your medical marijuana privileges or even a driving-while-impaired charge, contact the marijuana defense attorney at Korey Leslie, Attorney-At-Law, LLC.   

With nearly 20 years of experience in criminal defense, our attorney will listen to the details of your case and then devise a strategy aimed at obtaining the best possible result. Your initial consultation is free. We proudly serve clients in York, Lancaster, Harrisburg, and Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.