Medical Marijuana Assistance Program (MMAP)
Act 16, which established PA’s MMJ Program in 2016, also created The Medical Marijuana Program Fund. The Office of Medical Marijuana was tasked with using a portion of this fund to provide assistance to patients. In the past, the state has provided a discount on the annual card fee for eligible patients and the background check fee for eligible caregivers. As of March 4th, 2022, both phase 1 and 2 have been implemented. A pilot program for phase 3 starting in Fall 2022 was recently announced to dispensaries.
What do we know??
To qualify for MMAP, patients must be in an existing Commonwealth financial hardship program, such as:
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
PACE Needs Enhancement Tier (PACENET)
Medicaid
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
The program expansion will be rolled out in phases.
Phase 1 - The annual card fee will be eliminated for eligible patients. Implemented March 4th, 2022.
Phase 2 - The background fees will be eliminated for eligible caregivers. Implemented March 4th, 2022
Phase 3 - The state will assist eligible patients with the purchase of medical cannabis. A pilot program for phase 3 is in effect as of November 14, 2022 for 1,000 to 3,000 patients. Each patient will receive $50 per month to spend on medical cannabis products. For patients, the stipend can be applied at the register of the dispensary after all other discounts are applied. Dispensaries will use Magellan Health’s web-based tool to apply a patient’s stipend. A patient’s stipend may roll over up to 12 months, but the accrued benefits will be forfeited when they purchase a new annual ID card. Devices and accessories will not qualify for assistance.
Visit the PA DOH MMJ Assistance Program FAQ page for more information on the program.