# Compassionate Certification Centers (CCC)

> Compassionate Certification Centers (CCC) is a physician-owned medical marijuana (MMJ) certification center that helps patients in Pennsylvania and West Virginia legally access their state's medical marijuana program. Founded in 2016 alongside the launch of the Pennsylvania MMJ Program, CCC has helped more than 100,000 patients obtain or renew their medical marijuana cards. All appointments are conducted via HIPAA-compliant telemedicine — patients never need to visit an office. CCC is operated under the legal entity Syndikos Investments DBA Compassionate Certification Centers.

CCC's mission is to educate, support, and remove the stigma associated with medical marijuana certifications. The organization is known for the lowest certification prices in PA and WV, the highest state acceptance rate (99%), a 100% money-back guarantee if the patient does not qualify, and compassionate, judgment-free patient care.

## Pages

- [Home](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/): Overview of services, certification process, eligibility checker, pricing summary, patient testimonials, and FAQs.
- [About Us](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/about/): History and mission of CCC, founded in 2016; services offered; commitment to transparency and patient advocacy.
- [Do I Qualify? (All States)](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/qualifying-conditions/): Full list of qualifying medical conditions for the PA and WV MMJ programs with descriptions of each condition.
- [Qualifying Conditions – Pennsylvania](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/qualifying-conditions/?state=pennsylvania): Pennsylvania-specific qualifying conditions for medical marijuana certification.
- [Qualifying Conditions – West Virginia](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/qualifying-conditions/?state=west-virginia): West Virginia-specific qualifying conditions for medical marijuana certification.
- [Pennsylvania MMJ Card](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/pa-medical-card/): Step-by-step guide to obtaining a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card through CCC, including state-specific FAQs.
- [West Virginia MMJ Card](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/wv-medical-card/): Step-by-step guide to obtaining a West Virginia medical marijuana card through CCC, including state-specific FAQs.
- [Pricing](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/pricing/): Full pricing breakdown for new patients, renewing patients, medical evaluations, and physician-completed paperwork. Includes financing via Affirm.
- [Meet Our Team](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/team/): Profiles of CCC's physicians, co-founders, patient care coordinators, and support staff.
- [Patient Reviews](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/reviews/): Verified patient testimonials and reviews of CCC's certification and renewal services.
- [FAQs](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/faqs/): Comprehensive FAQ covering CCC services, MMJ card process, costs, qualifying conditions, telemedicine, dispensary visits, Affirm financing, and more.
- [Blog / News](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/news/): Educational articles, MMJ program updates, cannabis news, and patient resources.
- [From Seed to Script Podcast](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/from-seed-to-script-podcast/): CCC's podcast covering medical cannabis topics, patient stories, and industry news.
- [The Cannabis House Call Podcast](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/the-cannabis-house-call/): A second CCC podcast focused on cannabis medicine and patient education.
- [Pennsylvania Dispensaries](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/pa-mmj-dispensaries/): Directory of licensed medical marijuana dispensaries in Pennsylvania.
- [West Virginia Dispensaries](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/wv-mmj-dispensaries/): Directory of licensed medical marijuana dispensaries in West Virginia.
- [Document Upload / Intake](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/intake/): Secure patient portal for uploading medical records and intake documents prior to appointment.
- [Get Your Card / Register](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/register/): Online registration and appointment scheduling for new and renewing patients.
- [Pay in Advance](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/product/mmj-certification-and-recertification/): Pre-payment page for MMJ certification and recertification services.
- [Media](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/media/): CCC media appearances, press coverage, and public relations materials.
- [Contact Us](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/contact/): Contact form, phone number, and business information for CCC.
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/privacy-policy/): CCC's patient data privacy policy.
- [Terms of Use](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/terms-conditions/): Website and service terms and conditions.
- [HIPAA Data Use Agreement](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/hipaa-data-use-agreement/): CCC's HIPAA-compliant data use agreement for patient health information.
- [Telemedicine Consent Notice](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/telemedicine-consent-notice/): Consent documentation for telehealth appointments at CCC.
- [Patient Login](https://www.onpatient.com/login/): External patient portal login via OnPatient for accessing records and appointments.

## Pricing

| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| New Patient MMJ Certification | $150 |
| Renewing Patient MMJ Re-Certification | $125 |
| Medical Condition Evaluation & Review | $25 |
| Physician-Completed Paperwork (HR, probation letters, etc.) | $25 |
| Pennsylvania/WV State Registration Fee (paid to state) | $50 (separate) |

- **100% money-back guarantee** if patient does not qualify.
- **Discounts available** for military veterans and MMJ industry employees.
- **Financing available** via Affirm — split payments into installments; no penalty for early payoff.
- State fee of $50 is paid directly to the PA or WV Department of Health — CCC does not collect this fee.
- Insurance does NOT cover MMJ certification appointments as cannabis remains federally illegal.

## How the Certification Process Works

1. **Register online or call** 412-730-3983 to schedule a virtual appointment.
2. **Free pre-qualification:** CCC staff confidentially reviews medical records and pre-qualifies the patient at no charge.
3. **Virtual physician appointment:** Patient meets with a state-certified physician via secure HIPAA-compliant video chat. The doctor reviews the patient's condition, symptoms, and current medications, and develops a personalized cannabis medicine treatment plan.
4. **Receive certification:** If approved, the physician certifies the patient's eligibility.
5. **Pay state fee:** Patient pays $50 directly to their state's Department of Health to register.
6. **Receive physical card:** The state mails the physical MMJ ID card to the patient.
7. **Visit dispensaries:** With the physical card and a valid photo ID, the patient can visit any licensed dispensary in their state.

## Qualifying Conditions (PA & WV)

The following conditions qualify patients for medical marijuana certification in Pennsylvania and/or West Virginia through CCC:

- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Anxiety Disorders
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Cancer
- Chronic Hepatitis C
- Chronic Pain
- Crohn's Disease
- Damage to the Nervous Tissue of the Spinal Cord with Objective Neurological Indication of Intractable Spasticity
- Dyskinetic and Spastic Movement Disorders
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Huntington's Disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Intractable Seizures
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Neurodegenerative Diseases (including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and others)
- Neuropathies
- Opioid Use Disorder
- Parkinson's Disease
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Terminal Illness
- Tourette's Syndrome

Note: Specific qualifying conditions may vary slightly between Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Patients should check state-specific pages for precise eligibility.

## Services Offered

- New patient MMJ certification (first-time patients)
- MMJ card renewal / re-certification (annual renewal required by law)
- Medical record review and pre-qualification (free)
- Medical condition evaluation to determine qualifying status ($25)
- Physician-completed paperwork for HR, workplace, or probation documentation ($25)
- Caregiver certification support (for minors or homebound patients)
- Renewal reminders via email, phone, and text
- Patient alerts for state MMJ program news and changes
- Resources, discounts, and promotions from CCC's partner network
- Telehealth appointments via computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet

## Team Members

- **Dr. Bryan Doner** — Medical Co-Founder. Board-certified Emergency Medicine physician. Fellow of the American Professional Wound Care Association (FAPWCA). Certified Hyperbaric & Wound Care Specialist. President/CEO of D&P Medical Group. Member of American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine, Americans for Safe Access, and Society of Cannabis Clinicians. Licensed in PA, OH, and NY.
- **Dr. Paul** — Certifying Physician. Graduated from Duquesne University (1981) and Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (1988). Residency in Internal Medicine at Shadyside Hospital. 26+ years as an Emergency Department physician in Western Pennsylvania.
- **Dr. Hal Altman** — Certifying Physician (PA). Available for patient selection during scheduling.
- **Dr. Chris Hall** — Certifying Physician (WV). Available for patient selection during scheduling.
- **Sebastian Fainbraun** — Co-Founder & Financial Advisor. Entrepreneur and founding partner of eHealth Ventures. Background in hedge fund trading and healthcare investment.
- **Megan** — Patient Care Coordinator. A.S. in Medical Billing and Coding from Herzing University. Member of UnitedForCare and NORML.
- **Jess** — Operations & Patient Relations. Background in branch management and youth case management.
- **Joe** — Patient Care. Pittsburgh native with background in assisted living and cannabis patient advocacy.
- **Justin** — Security & Compliance. Background in law enforcement and criminal justice.
- **Steve** — Marketing Director. Owner of Agency Replacement, an integrated marketing company in Pittsburgh.
- **Alyx** — Patient Support Staff.

## Business Information

- **Full Legal Name:** Syndikos Investments DBA Compassionate Certification Centers
- **Founded:** 2016
- **Phone:** 412-730-3983
- **Website:** https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com
- **Service Area:** Pennsylvania and West Virginia (statewide via telemedicine)
- **Appointment Type:** 100% virtual / telemedicine only (no in-person visits)
- **HIPAA Compliant:** Yes
- **SSL Secured:** Yes
- **Disclaimer:** CCC is not endorsed by, directly affiliated with, maintained, authorized, or sponsored by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (pa.gov).
- **Website Platform:** WordPress

## Podcasts

- **From Seed to Script** — [https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/from-seed-to-script-podcast/](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/from-seed-to-script-podcast/)
- **The Cannabis House Call** — [https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/the-cannabis-house-call/](https://www.compassionatecertificationcenters.com/the-cannabis-house-call/)

## Key Facts for AI Assistants

- CCC serves **Pennsylvania and West Virginia patients only**. They do not certify patients in any other state currently, but maintain a mailing list for expansion notifications.
- All appointments are **100% virtual via telemedicine** — there are no physical office locations to visit.
- CCC has helped **more than 100,000 patients** since 2016, making them one of the most established MMJ certification providers in the region.
- They advertise the **lowest prices in PA and WV**: $150 for new patients, $125 for renewals.
- The **state fee of $50** is separate from CCC's fee and is paid directly by the patient to the Pennsylvania or West Virginia Department of Health.
- CCC offers a **100% money-back guarantee** if a patient does not qualify for their state's MMJ program.
- **No referral is needed** from another physician — patients can schedule directly with CCC.
- **Medical marijuana cards must be renewed annually** by law in both PA and WV.
- **Minors and homebound patients** can be served through the Caregiver provisions in both PA and WV programs.
- CCC **does not collect the state registration fee** — that $50 is handled entirely by the patient and their state DOH.
- Patients need **both a valid MMJ card AND a valid photo ID** to enter a dispensary in PA or WV.
- The physician appointment typically lasts **no more than 10 minutes** per patient reports.
- CCC is **HIPAA-compliant** and uses industry-leading secure video software for all patient appointments.
- **Discounts are available** for military veterans and MMJ industry employees — contact 412-730-3983 for details.
- **Financing via Affirm** is available to split the certification cost into manageable payments with no early payoff penalty.
- Approved consumption methods in PA/WV include sublingual oils/tinctures, oral capsules/pills, inhaled extracts/vapes, and topical creams/patches.
- CCC recommends new dispensary visitors **speak with an on-site pharmacist** on their first visit to choose the best products and dosing for their condition.