CHAPTER 1191a. PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS Sec.
1191a.22. Patient and caregiver registry.
1191a.23. Patients and caregivers generally.
1191a.24. Medical marijuana cardholder responsibilities.
1191a.25. Application for, and issuance or denial of, identification cards.
1191a.26. Application fees.
1191a.27. Criminal background checks.
1191a.28. Identification cards.
1191a.29. Renewing an identification card.
1191a.30. Revocation or suspension of identification card.
1191a.31. Obtaining medical marijuana products from a dispensary.
1191a.32. Medical marijuana patient authorization letters.
1191a.33. Appeals.Authority The provisions of this Chapter 1191a added under section 301(a)(3) and (b) of the Medical Marijuana Act (35 P.S. § 301(a)(3) and (b)), unless otherwise noted.
Source The provisions of this Chapter 1191a added March 3, 2023, effective March 4, 2023, 53 Pa.B. 1275, unless otherwise noted.
§ 1191a.22. Patient and caregiver registry.
(a) The Department will maintain a patient and caregiver registry.
(b) Patient and caregiver information maintained by the Department is confidential and not subject to public disclosure, including disclosure under the Right-to-Know Law (65 P.S. § § 67.101—67.3104). Patient and caregiver information must include the following:
(1) Information provided in an identification card application.
(2) Information in a patient certification issued by a practitioner.
(3) Criminal history record check information provided as part of an identification card application submitted by a caregiver under § 1191a.27 (relating to criminal background checks).
(4) Information encoded in the 2D barcode of an identification card.
(5) Information relating to a patient’s serious medical condition.
(c) A caregiver who is listed in the patient and caregiver registry may waive in writing the caregiver’s right to confidentiality and consent to the caregiver’s name and contact information being provided to a patient who has obtained a patient certification from a practitioner.
§ 1191a.23. Patients and caregivers generally.
(a) The qualifications that a patient or caregiver shall meet to be included in the patient and caregiver registry and to obtain an identification card or a medical marijuana patient authorization letter are continuing qualifications.
(b) Except with respect to a minor patient as provided in § 1191a.32 (relating to medical marijuana patient authorization letters), the Department may issue an identification card to an applicant who meets the qualifications in the act and this part.
(c) A minor patient shall have a caregiver who is one of the following:
(1) A parent or legal guardian.
(2) An individual designated by a parent or legal guardian.
§ 1191a.24. Medical marijuana cardholder responsibilities.
(a) A medical marijuana cardholder shall immediately contact the Department upon the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) A change of the medical marijuana cardholder’s name or address.
(2) The withdrawal of a patient certification by a practitioner under § 1181a.29 (relating to revocation of a patient certification).
(3) A decision by a patient or the patient’s legal guardian to discontinue the services of a caregiver.
(4) A decision by a caregiver to no longer serve as a caregiver for a patient.
(5) A decision by a patient, the patient’s legal guardian or a parent on behalf of a patient to discontinue obtaining medical treatment from the practitioner who issued the patient certification.
(b) A medical marijuana cardholder shall apply to the Department for a replacement identification card within 10 business days of discovering the loss or defacement of the identification card.
§ 1191a.25. Application for, and issuance or denial of, identification cards.
(a) An applicant shall submit an identification card application. The application will be made available on the Department’s publicly-accessible web site and in hard copy upon request.
(b) An identification card application submitted by or on behalf of a patient must include the following information:
(1) The name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, if available, and date of birth of the patient.
(2) The patient’s Pennsylvania driver’s license number, a Department of Transportation State-issued identification card, if applicable, or other documentation acceptable to the Department evidencing the patient’s identification and residency in this Commonwealth.
(3) The name, address and telephone number of the practitioner who issued the patient certification.
(4) The name, birth date, address, telephone number and e-mail address, if applicable, of up to two individuals designated by the applicant to serve as caregivers, if applicable.
(5) The patient certification issued by the patient’s practitioner, which shall be provided by the practitioner to the Department under § 1181a.27(d)(2) (relating to issuing patient certifications).
(6) The appropriate fee or proof of financial hardship as provided for in § 1191a.26 (relating to application fees).
(7) The signature of the applicant and the date signed.
(8) A statement that a false statement made in the application is punishable under the applicable provisions of 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 49 (relating to falsification and intimidation).
(c) For an application submitted under this section that designates an individual as a caregiver who is not authorized under the act or this part to serve as a caregiver, the following apply:
(1) The Department may deny that portion of the application and approve the balance of the application. In that case, an identification card may be issued to the patient but the designated caregiver will not be authorized to serve in that capacity.
(2) If the application is submitted on behalf of a minor patient but does not include the designation of another individual as a caregiver who is authorized under the act or this part to serve as a caregiver, the Department will deny the entire application unless and until the applicant designates an individual who is authorized to serve.
(3) An individual designated as a caregiver may not serve as a caregiver unless and until the individual submits an application under subsection (d) and the individual is issued an identification card by the Department.
(d) An identification card application submitted by a caregiver must include the following information:
(1) The name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, if available, and date of birth of the caregiver.
(2) The caregiver’s Pennsylvania driver’s license number or a Department of Transportation State-issued identification card, if applicable, evidencing the caregiver’s identification.
(3) The name, address and telephone number of the practitioner who issued the patient certification.
(4) The patient certification issued by the patient’s practitioner, which will be provided by the practitioner to the Department under § 1181a.27(d)(2).
(5) A copy of the criminal history record information required under § 1191a.27 (relating to criminal background checks), except when not required pursuant to § 1191a.29(c) (relating to renewing an identification card).
(6) The name, address, telephone number and e-mail address, if available, of any patient for which the caregiver wishes to be approved by the Department as a caregiver.
(7) The appropriate fee or proof of financial hardship as provided for in § 1191a.26.
(8) The signature of the applicant and the date signed.
(9) A statement that a false statement made in the application is punishable under the applicable provisions of 18 Pa.C.S. Chapter 49.
(e) The Department will review the criminal history record information obtained by a caregiver under § 1191a.27 and the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program database before approving the issuance of an identification card to the caregiver. The Department will deny the issuance of an identification card to a caregiver if the caregiver has been convicted of a criminal offense relating to the sale or possession of drugs, narcotics or controlled substances that occurred within the 5 years immediately preceding the submission of the application. The Department may deny the issuance of an identification card to a caregiver if the caregiver has a history of drug abuse or of diverting controlled substances or illegal drugs.
(f) The Department will notify a caregiver applicant in writing if an identification card application is incomplete or factually inaccurate and provide the applicant with an explanation as to what documents or information are necessary for the Department to consider the identification card application to be complete and accurate.
(g) A caregiver applicant shall have 60 days from mailing of a notification under subsection (f) to submit to the Department the documents or information requested. If a caregiver applicant fails to submit the requested documents or information within 60 days, the Department may deny the identification card application.
(h) The Department will notify a caregiver applicant in writing of the reasons for the denial of an identification card application.
(i) A caregiver applicant whose identification card application is denied may submit a new identification card application. The Department may decline to consider a new application that does not correct the deficiencies in the initial application leading to a prior denial.
Cross References This section cited in 28 Pa. Code § 1191a.32 (relating to medical marijuana patient authorization letters).
§ 1191a.26. Application fees.
(a) An applicant shall pay no more than one fee of $50 in a 12-month period for an identification card with an identification card application.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) the following apply:
(1) An applicant shall submit a fee of $25 if the Department issues a replacement identification card as a result of a lost, stolen, destroyed, defaced or illegible identification card.
(2) An applicant shall pay a second fee of $50 in the same 12-month period with an identification card renewal application.
(c) The Department may establish higher fees for issuance of a second identification card and subsequent replacement identification cards by publishing notice of those fees in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
(d) Department may waive or reduce the fee for an identification card application or identification card renewal application for an applicant who demonstrates financial hardship. The Department will post on its publicly-accessible web site the qualifications for financial hardship that an applicant requesting a waiver or reduction of the application fee shall submit with an identification card application or identification card renewal application. The Department will publish notice of the qualifications for financial hardship in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
Cross References This section cited in 28 Pa. Code § 1191a.25 (relating to application for, and issuance or denial of, identification cards).
§ 1191a.27. Criminal background checks.
(a) An individual applying for an identification card to serve as a caregiver, who has not previously been approved by the Department to serve as a caregiver, shall submit fingerprints to the Pennsylvania State Police, or an authorized agent, for the purpose of obtaining a criminal history record check. The Pennsylvania State Police, or an authorized agent, will submit the fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of verifying the identity of the caregiver and obtaining a current record of any criminal arrests and convictions.
(b) The Department may only review the criminal history record information received under subsection (a) to determine the caregiver’s character, fitness and suitability to serve as a caregiver under the act and this part.
Cross References This section cited in 28 Pa. Code § 1191a.22 (relating to patient and caregiver registry); 28 Pa. Code § 1191a.25 (relating to application for, and issuance or denial of, identification cards); and 28 Pa. Code § 1191a.29 (relating to renewing an identification card).
§ 1191a.28. Identification cards.
(a) The Department will issue an identification card to a patient or caregiver as soon as reasonably practicable after approving an identification card application.
(b) An identification card will contain all of the following information:
(1) The full name of the medical marijuana cardholder.
(2) The address of the medical marijuana cardholder.
(3) A designation of the medical marijuana cardholder as a patient or a caregiver.
(4) The date of issuance and the date of expiration of the identification card.
(5) A unique identification number for the medical marijuana cardholder.
(6) A photograph of the medical marijuana cardholder unless the patient or caregiver provides the Department with a statement in accordance with subsection (c).
(7) A requirement or limitation on the patient certification concerning the recommended form of medical marijuana products or limitation on the duration of use, if applicable.
(c) Notwithstanding subsection (b)(6), the Department may not require a photograph on an identification card if a statement is provided to the Department in an identification card application that a photograph cannot be provided due to religious beliefs.
(d) An identification card issued to a patient will expire on the earlier to occur of the following:
(1) The date occurring 1 year from the date of issuance.
(2) The date, if any, contained in the patient certification issued to the patient beyond which the practitioner does not believe the use of medical marijuana by the patient would be therapeutic or palliative.
(3) The date the patient dies.
(e) An identification card issued to a caregiver will expire on the earlier to occur of the following:
(1) The date that occurs 1 year from the date of issuance.
(2) Any of the events listed under subsection (d)(2) or (3).
(3) The date the caregiver dies.
§ 1191a.29. Renewing an identification card.
(a) A medical marijuana cardholder shall submit an identification card renewal application to the Department no later than 30 days prior to the expiration date on the card. The form of the renewal application will be prescribed by the Department and will be made available on the Department’s publicly-accessible web site and in hard copy upon request. If a medical marijuana cardholder’s patient certification is expired, the cardholder shall obtain a new or updated patient certification issued by the patient’s practitioner, which will be provided by the practitioner to the Department under § 1181a.27(d)(2) (relating to issuing patient certifications).
(b) If the Department denies an identification card renewal application or if the Department does not receive a complete identification card renewal application by the expiration date on the identification card, the identification card will no longer be valid beyond the expiration date and the Department may remove a medical marijuana cardholder from the patient and caregiver registry.
(c) Section 1191a.27 (relating to criminal background checks) shall not apply to an applicant who has been previously approved by the Department to serve as a caregiver.
Cross References This section cited in 28 Pa. Code § 1191a.25 (relating to application for, and issuance or denial of, identification cards).
§ 1191a.30. Revocation or suspension of identification card.
(a) The Department may revoke or suspend a medical marijuana cardholder’s identification card upon the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) The Department receives written notice from a practitioner under § 1181a.29(a) (relating to revocation of a patient certification).
(2) A caregiver notifies the Department in writing that the caregiver is no longer acting as a caregiver.
(3) The patient or caregiver has intentionally, knowingly or recklessly violated the act or this part. The suspension or revocation will be in addition to any criminal or other penalty that may apply.
(4) Except for good cause shown, a medical marijuana cardholder does not visit a dispensary within 60 days from the issuance date on an identification card.
(5) A patient notifies the Department in writing that the patient has elected to withdraw from participation in the Medical Marijuana Program or that the patient has removed or changed a current caregiver. If the caregiver is not serving as a caregiver for any other patient, the Department will issue a notification to the caregiver that the caregiver’s identification card is invalid.
(b) The Department will notify a medical marijuana cardholder in writing of any action taken by the Department regarding the medical marijuana cardholder as a result of information received under subsection (a).
(c) If a patient’s practitioner’s registration has been revoked or suspended under § 1181a.26 (relating to denial, revocation or suspension of a practitioner registration) or if a patient’s practitioner withdraws the patient’s patient certification under § 1181a.29(c), a medical marijuana cardholder shall obtain a new patient certification within 90 days of receiving written notice from the Department or prior to the expiration date on the identification card, whichever is sooner.
§ 1191a.31. Obtaining medical marijuana products from a dispensary.
(a) A medical marijuana cardholder may only obtain medical marijuana products from a dispensary in accordance with § 1161a.24 (relating to limitations on dispensing).
(b) A medical marijuana cardholder may only obtain medical marijuana products from a dispensary based upon the recommendation in a patient certification that has not been revoked under § 1181a.29 (relating to revocation of a patient certification) and that may be accessed by a dispensary through the electronic tracking system.
§ 1191a.32. Medical marijuana patient authorization letters.
(a) The Department will issue a medical marijuana patient authorization letter to a minor patient instead of issuing an identification card to the minor patient. Upon reaching 18 years of age, a minor patient who has been issued a medical marijuana patient authorization letter will be entitled to receive an identification card upon application under § 1191a.25 (relating to application for, and issuance or denial of, identification cards).
(b) The Department may issue a medical marijuana patient authorization letter to an adult patient only when the patient’s illness or infirmity permanently prevents the patient from visiting a dispensary.
(c) A patient who has been issued a medical marijuana patient authorization letter by the Department under this section shall have all of the rights and obligations of a medical marijuana cardholder under this chapter, except that an identification card shall be required for entry into a dispensary.
(d) A medical marijuana patient authorization letter is subject to the same terms and conditions, including expiration, revocation and suspension requirements, as an identification card under this chapter.
(e) A patient who has been issued a medical marijuana patient authorization letter by the Department under this section will not be required to pay an identification card application fee or an identification card renewal application fee.
Cross References This section cited in 28 Pa. Code § 1141a.21 (relating to definitions); and 28 Pa. Code § 1191a.23 (relating to patients and caregivers generally).
§ 1191a.33. Appeals.
Sections 501—508 of 2 Pa.C.S. (relating to practice and procedure of Commonwealth agencies) and the accompanying regulations, as modified by Chapter 1230a (relating to practice and procedure), apply to all actions of the Department under this chapter constituting an adjudication as defined in 2 Pa.C.S. § 101 (relating to definitions).
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