MMAP Phase 3 Pilot has begun

The PA Medical Marijuana Program has rolled out the pilot program (i.e. beta-testing) for Phase 3 of the MMAP (Medical Marijuana Assistance Program). The Phase 3 pilot will distribute a $50 monthly financial benefit to patients who participate in PACE/PACENET. These distributed funds can be used to purchase medical cannabis products at any dispensary in PA. This pilot program will initially only include recipients of PACE/PACENET benefits - these are typically folks who are 65 years old and older.

How will this work:

"When a patient’s medical marijuana ID card is scanned at the point of sale, the system will identify whether the patient is an MMAP participant and display a separate MMAP discount field." (Taken from the MMAP Phase 3 Pilot -Dispensary FAQs) The funds can then be applied to the patient's order total. (Simplified: The money is "on" your ID card. The ID card is swiped at checkout and you can use the funds to pay for your purchase.)

Looking forward:

When Phase 3 is completely rolled out, it will provide a monthly dollar amount (unknown as of yet) to people who receive Medicaid insurance, SNAP, WIC, CHIP, PACE/PACENET to be used at PA dispensaries to purchase cannabis products.

No timeline is available for the complete roll-out, but it sounds as if the DOH may add one class of benefit program recipients at a time, as funding allows, and only if funding allows. (My interpretation)

For more info: MMAP Phase 3 Pilot - Patient FAQs

Thank you for reading,

Dr Jen Minkovich