Medical Marijuana

Despite medical cannabis laws in 46 states, cannabis is still illegal under federal law.

The federal government regulates drugs through the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) (21 U.S.C. § 811), which does not recognize the difference between medical and recreational use of cannabis. These laws are generally applied only against persons who possess, cultivate, or distribute large quantities of cannabis.

Under federal law, cannabis is treated like every other controlled substance, such as cocaine and heroin. The federal government places every controlled substance in a schedule, in principle according to its relative potential for abuse and medicinal value. Under the CSA, cannabis is classified as a Schedule I drug, which means that the federal government views cannabis as highly addictive and having no medical value. Doctors may not “prescribe” cannabis for medical use under federal law, though they can “recommend” its use under the First Amendment.

In Pennsylvania, on April 12, 2016, Senate Bill 3 was approved by the Senate, and by the House on April 13, 2016, and was signed into law on April 17, 2016, effectively removing all state-level criminal penalties on the use and possession of medical marijuana by patients who possess a signed recommendation from an approved physician stating that medical marijuana “may mitigate” his/her debilitating medical symptoms.

Patients in Pennsylvania diagnosed with one of the following severe, debilitating, or life-threatening medical conditions, are afforded legal protection under the Pennsylvania medical marijuana law, as per Senate Bill 3— “The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program”:

Cancer

HIV/AIDS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Parkinson’s disease

Multiple sclerosis

Damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity

Epilepsy

Inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis)

Neuropathies

Huntington’s disease

Crohn’s disease

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Intractable seizures

Glaucoma

Sickle cell anemia

Severe chronic or intractable pain of neuropathic origin or severe chronic or intractable pain in which conventional therapeutic intervention or opiate therapy is contraindicated or ineffective

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

Autism

Terminally ill, where a medical prognosis of life expectancy of approximately one year or less if the illness runs its normal course

Effective August 2, 2016, ulcerative colitis has been added as a qualifying medical condition for the therapeutic use of cannabis. This is the result of the passage of HB 1453 (Chapter 173:1 of the Laws of 2016).

     Therefore, a patient in Pennsylvania with a qualifying diagnosis and a prescription from a qualified physician is eligible to receive and use medical marijuana. However, the individual and his or her caregivers must be mindful of the conflict between federal and state law. If you have questions please contact one of our offices today to have your circumstances evaluated.

  Please note:  This post presents information only regarding medical marijuana, not legal advice. As a reminder, federal law applies throughout the United States (not just in D.C. or on federal property). Under federal law, all cannabis use is illegal; there is no differentiation for medical marijuana.

Q:  Do you have any general questions about Medical Marijuana? State Law? Federal? Potential Criminal Charges?

A: Contact Attorneys Heather Adams or Chris Patterson

Q: Does your question about Medical Marijuana relate to your treatment for a Workers’ Compensation case, your Social Security case, your Personal Injury case?

A:  Contact Attorneys Gabriella H. Farhat and Lauren Martin in our office.