PATIENT CERTIFICATION, EDUCATION, AND GUIDANCE
We’re here to break down the barriers that stand in the way of you getting optimal health outcomes from medical marijuana! By providing education and guidance as well as patient certifications, we help you through what many people find to be an intimidating and confusing process.
Our medical marijuana certification services include an assessment by an approved physician, who can certify you for the PA Medical Marijuana Program if you meet the qualification criteria and will benefit from medical marijuana as part of your treatment plan.
We also offer consultations regarding education and guidance to help you obtain a medical marijuana card (MMJ card) and choose the medical marijuana products that will benefit you most.
MEDICAL ASSESSMENTS AND PA MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATIENT CERTIFICATIONS
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.
Step 1: Register via the Pennsylvania state patient registry before requesting an appointment. Preregistering with the state is required prior to your scheduling with the physician.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: Complete patient consent/intake forms provided on Dr. Abruzzi’s website.
Step 4: Medical records are required for new certifications.
Step 5: 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.
Step 6: 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:
Step 1: 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).
Step 2: Schedule your renewal with Dr. Abruzzi by clicking this link.
Step 3: 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.
Step 4: 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.
Step 5: 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).
PRE-VISIT REQUIREMENTS
- Must be 18+ years of age. Patients under the age of 18 with a serious medical condition may get medical marijuana through a designated caregiver. Please see the CAREGIVER FAQs page on the PA Department of Health website for more information.
- Must have proof of diagnosis with a state-approved medical condition.
- Must be a legal resident of Pennsylvania and provide proof of residency (i.e. driver’s license, state-issued ID card).
- All medical records must be available at the time of your scheduled appointment. To obtain your medical records, complete a medical records release form and send it to the doctor who has your records.
ABOUT DR. ABBRUZZI, DO
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.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA GUIDANCE & RECOMMENDATIONS
Heather J. Kreider, R.N., L.E.
As a chronic pain sufferer, related to spine issues and migraines, Heather Kreider (a Registered Nurse and owner of Hempfield Botanicals and Hempfield Apothetique) knows first-hand how cannabis can help patients live a happier, healthier life. She is an MMJ card holder in PA and strives to break the stigma that cannabis users are “a bunch of burnouts.”
Heather helps patients navigate the process of obtaining a medical marijuana card, working with dispensaries, and determining the medical marijuana formulations and application methods that will best target the symptoms they’re experiencing. Her goal is to alleviate the gap in patient education by helping individuals understand the different types of cannabinoids, terpenes, and ways to consume medical marijuana. She also helps guide patients in how to safely administer the products they purchase.
Heather is certified in Advanced Cannabis Training and PA Dispensary Agent Certified.
HOW CAN HEATHER HELP?
- Guide patients in navigating the state website to obtain an MMJ card.
- Set up patient appointments with a prescribing physician.
- Provide recommendations for:
- Medical marijuana strains appropriate for the patient’s symptoms.
- Route of administration of medication.
- Use of medical marijuana equipment.
- Transporting MMJ from the dispensary to the patient’s residence, legally.
- Solving medication-related issues.
- Give patients valuable post-dispensary visit education to ensure they get optimal results from their MMJ prescription.
With her personal experience, professional background, and commitment to her community, Heather embraces the opportunity to help you through your journey to living your best life naturally.
Medical Marijuana Consultations with Heather Kreider, RN
MEDICAL MARIJUANA CAREGIVER SERVICES (AVAILABLE IN SOME AREAS)
Hempfield Botanicals also provides Medical Marijuana Caregiver Services—personal medical marijuana shopping and home delivery—upon request in nearby communities. Contact us to find out if you are in our service area!
WONDERING WHAT OTHER’S HAVE TO SAY ABOUT OUR SERVICES?
My husband was diagnosed with dementia when he was only 55 years old. For the first 9 years, the disease was not that noticeable, so we held onto hope that it wasn’t going to be a drastic change in his memory, demeanor, attitude, etc. Unfortunately, during the last two years, we have seen a significant decline in all the aforementioned circumstances. Within the past year, we tried different pharmaceutical medicines (recommended by our family doctor as the best options) to help him sleep better, improve his attitude, etc. We saw no positive changes, so we began losing hope that anything could make a difference. Luckily, a close friend suggested we speak with Heather Kreider at Hempfield Botanicals about medical marijuana because it has been a difference maker. Heather was extremely caring and listened to all of our concerns and the issues we are dealing with and felt confident about medical marijuana as an alternative treatment option. Because she was so knowledgeable and answered all of our questions so thoroughly and confidently, we decided to give her recommendations a chance. Within a few nights of using this all natural medicine, he began sleeping through the night, which is a huge blessing because it allows me to sleep too. Even better, his overall demeanor is more pleasant and he’s not as feisty as he was before. He’s even talking again, which we thought might be gone forever because the last pharmaceutical drug he was taking practically turned him into a zombie. Medical marijuana has been a lifesaver for us to this point. There’s no knowing what tomorrow brings, but every day that he has a good day is a day we treasure and are grateful for. No negative side effects are the icing on the cake! Having someone like Heather on our side to help us navigate these decisions has been a major blessing and we are forever grateful for her kind soul and willingness to help.
C.R., Lancaster, PA
