Wellness looks different for everyone, which is why we have a strong focus on personalized care and education to help you take charge of your health, the natural way.
Whether you are new to medical marijuana or a current card holder, we are here to guide you through MMJ certification, renewal, dispensary visits, and opportunities for growth. We welcome all community members by creating a comfortable setting in our reclaimed wellness hub beaming with natural light, offering special services for veterans and patients who require a caregiver.
Through education, communication, and safe practices; we aim to break down the barriers to make MMJ accessible and help end the stigma surrounding cannabis to help you achieve and maintain your optimal health.
Heather Kreider, R.N., L.E.
In-house R.N. and co-founder, Heather is certified in Advanced Cannabis Training and PA Dispensary Agent Certified.
Merging her medical knowledge and cannabis education and experience, Heather is an expert in determining which cannabinoids and terpene profiles will help patients find relief from their ailments.
Heather can help patients navigate the process of obtaining a medical card, bridge the gap between dispensary and patient, and determine personalized applications and usage methods that will best target symptoms.
A current PA MMJ cardholder, Heather knows firsthand how cannabis can help individuals manage pain and improve their quality of life. Heather prepares for your appointment beforehand by reviewing your medical concerns and offering you a customized wellness plan based on science-based research specific to your concerns.
Out to break the stigmas surrounding cannabis, Heather is a wealth of knowledge who will give you the tools and knowledge to walk into the dispensary confident and take control of your healthiest self.
PA Medical Marijuana New Patient Information
Do I Qualify for a PA MMJ Card?
Qualifying Conditions:
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Anxiety Disorders
- Autism
- Cancer
- Crohn’s Disease
- Damage of the Central Nervous System (CNS)
- Dyskinetic and Spastic Movement Disorders
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Huntington’s Disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Intractable Seizures
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Neuropathies
- Opioid Use Disorder (As an adjunct therapy)
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Severe Chronic or Intractable Pain
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Terminal Illness
- Tourette Syndrome
How to Obtain a PA Medical Marijuana Certification and Card Renewal
PA Medical Marijuana Initial Certification Process
After reviewing a patient’s medical history, Dr. Abruzzi speaks with the patient about the treatment methods they’ve used in the past for their condition. Using her medical judgment and expertise, she then determines whether the patient will experience therapeutic benefits from incorporating medical marijuana into their individualized treatment plan.
All patients approved for treatment will be registered with Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program. All certifications valid for one year. Follow the steps below to obtain your initial certification.
Please note: There are two separate fees that must be paid prior to receiving you card in the mail: 1) physician’s certification fee and 2) the state card fee.
- Register via the Pennsylvania state patient registry before requesting an appointment. Preregistering with the state is required prior to your scheduling with the physician.
- Once registered with the state at the link above, you MUST call Dr. Abruzzi’s office first. Do not schedule online for an initial certification. All first time certifications must call or text 484-535-4580 to schedule an appointment.
- Complete patient consent/intake forms provided on Dr. Abruzzi’s website.
- Medical records are required for new certifications.
- Prepay Dr. Abruzzi’s for the initial certification. Directions to pay will be provided when you call to set up your initial certification. The fee is $150 if paying with Venmo or $155 by credit/debit card (this fee is waived for US Veterans). Patients who NO SHOW for their appointments will be charged an additional $25 if they choose to reschedule.
- Payment for your physical card is required by the PA Department of Health and is paid through your patient portal on the PA Department of Health MMJ state website. Click this link to go directly to the state’s website. You must log into your patient account and pay the state fee after your certification to receive your card in the mail (the state card fee is $50; or free if on government assistance).
PA MEDICAL MARIJUANA RENEWAL PROCESS
Any patient who has had a Medical Marijuana card before in PA is considered a recertification (even if you were certified elsewhere OR your card is expired). Follow the steps below to renew your PA MMJ card:
- You will receive an email from the PA Department of Health’s PA MMJ Program regarding your upcoming renewal. Typically this email arrives two months prior to your expiration date. Once you receive this email, log into your account on the state website and pay for your card renewal (the state fee is $50; or free if on government assistance).
- Schedule your renewal with Dr. Abruzzi by clicking this link.
- Prepay Dr. Abruzzi’s for the recertification appointment PRIOR to your appointment, if possible. The fee is $50 ($25 for US Veterans) if paying with Venmo (@sara-abbruzzi/ – last 4 digits of phone number is 6516) or DURING the call for $55 ($30 for veterans) if using credit or debit card. Patients who NO SHOW for their appointments will be charged when rescheduling.
- The doctor will call you as close to your appointment time as possible. You will receive a call from 484-535-4580 for your appointment.
- Payment for your physical card is required by the PA Department of Health and is paid through your patient portal on the PA Department of Health MMJ state website. Click this link to go directly to the state’s website. You must log into your patient account and pay the state fee before or directly after your recertification appointment to receive your card in the mail (the state card fee is $50; or free if on government assistance).
Medical Marijuana Certification Appointment Checklist/Pre-Visit Requirements
- Patients must be 18+ years of age. If you are under the age of 18 and have a qualifying condition for MMJ, you may obtain medicine through a designated caregiver.
- Be a legal resident of Pennsylvania with state proof of residency (driver’s license, state-issued ID card)
- Access to a working email address
- Have proof of a state-approved diagnosis from your medical provider
- Register through the Pennsylvania State Registry to obtain a PA patient ID number
- Complete a medical records release form for your doctor. You will need your medical records readily available at the time of your scheduled appointment.
- For Military Veterans: Military ID required for discount.
ABOUT SARA ABBRUZZI, DO
Dr. Abbruzzi is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She has spent her 17 year career helping to alleviate the suffering associated with chronic and terminal illnesses. In 2018, she decided to study medical cannabis and begin patient certifications. She continues to be in awe of the benefits of this plant. Day after day, patients tell her that medical cannabis has changed their lives. So many have been able to rid themselves of pharmaceuticals and live a better quality of life. Dr. Abbruzzi certified veterans for free for the last four years and has set the standard for the lowest certification prices in the state. We’re proud to refer patients to Dr. Abbruzzi due to her passion of medical cannabis and her willingness to make certifications and recertifications affordable to patients.
Cannabis Consultations, Education & Concierge Services
We offer more than consultations; we’ll take you right to the dispensary as part of your individualized treatment plan, giving you the tools and education for you to walk into the dispensary confident.
Medical Marijuana Consultation Options
Medical Marijuana Consultation (30 minutes):
- Personalized recommendations for medical marijuana strains.
- Education on various routes of administering medicine (ie, edibles, topicals, vaporizer, etc.)
- Use of medical marijuana equipment.
- Transporting MMJ from the dispensary to the patient’s residence, legally.
- Solving medication-related issues.
- Offer valuable post-dispensary visit education to ensure they get optimal results from their MMJ prescription.
- Fee: $50.00 (30-minute consultation)
Medical Marijuana Concierge Service (60 minutes):
- Personalized recommendations for medical marijuana strains
- Education on various routes of administering medicine (ie, edibles, topicals, vaporizer, etc.)
- Guiding a patient through use of medical marijuana equipment
- Answering medication-related questions
- In-person dispensary visit, guiding you each step of the way
- Post-dispensary education to ensure a patient gets optimal results
- Fee: $100.00 (1 hour consultation, including in-person Vytal Options dispensary visit with patient)
Caregivers for Minors, Homebound, and People With Disabilities
All PA MMJ minor patients are required to have a caregiver, and any patient with an approved medical condition may designate up to two caregivers.
Heather Kreider, R.N. can act as a designated caregiver and make dispensary visits on a patient’s behalf, legally picking up medicine at an approved dispensary for home delivery.
