Question 1

Is Marijuana Legal in Pennsylvania?

Accepted Answer

Marijuana is legal for medical use in Pennsylvania if you have a qualifying condition and obtain patient certification from an approved physician, but recreational marijuana is still illegal in the state. Without a valid medical marijuana card, you can be arrested and prosecuted for misdemeanor possession charges and incur penalties, such as fines, driver’s license suspension, and up to one year imprisonment depending on the amount in your possession. However, several cities have decriminalized possession of recreational marijuana and have begun reducing penalties for this offense, including Bethlehem, Erie, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, State College, Steelton, and York.

Question 2

Is There a Regulatory Structure for Medical Marijuana in PA?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the Department of Health of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania regulates the state’s medical marijuana program.

Question 3

Has the PA Medical Marijuana Program Been Successful?

Accepted Answer

The Department of Health recently praised the PA medical marijuana program as one of the most successful in the country. As of May 2021, there are more than 582,000 patients and caregivers registered with the state’s program, over 1,560 physicians have been approved to issue patient certifications, and more than 34 million products have been sold to patients. So far, the medical marijuana program has seen over $2.8 billion in sales since its creation, and projected sales are set to reach $1.1 million by 2024.

Question 4

How Likely Is PA to Legalize Recreational Marijuana in the Future?

Accepted Answer

Because of how successful the program has been for helping patients and strengthening PA’s economy, members of the Department of Health board are considering new ways to make the system more efficient and sustainable. Lieutenant Governor Fetterman conducted a state-wide listening tour during 2019 in which he visited every one of the commonwealth’s 67 counties to discover how constituents feel about marijuana legalization. He found that 65-70% of residents approve of marijuana legalization for adult use and there is nearly unanimous support for decriminalizing and expunging small, non-violent cannabis offenses. His findings caused Governor Wolf to express his support for recreational marijuana legalization in PA. The state legislature has introduced several bills in 2019 and 2020 aimed at expanding the law to include recreational marijuana:

B. 1899 aims to legalize cannabis for adult use and regulate it similarly to alcohol, selling it to consumers in stores operated by the state’s Liquor Control Board.
B. 350 seeks to make recreational cannabis legal for adults aged 21 and over, provide permits for members of the cannabis industry, and allow expungement of prior cannabis crimes from criminal records.
B. 2050 supports the use of taxes to support the inclusion of women and minorities in the state’s cannabis industry and to fund educational programs, such as after school programs and student loan reimbursement.

Question 5

What Are the Qualifying Conditions for a Medical Marijuana Card in PA?

Accepted Answer

Only patients that experience one of the following medical conditions qualifies to obtain a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
Anxiety disorders
Autism
Cancer
Remission treatment post-cancer
Crohn’s Disease
Damage to the central nervous system, including the brain or spinal cord
Dyskinetic and spastic movement disorders
Epilepsy
Glaucoma
Hepatitis C
HIV/AIDS
Huntington’s Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Intractable seizures
Multiple Sclerosis
Neurodegenerative disorders
Neuropathies
Opioid dependency
Parkinson’s Disease
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Sickle Cell Anemia
Severe or chronic
Intractable pain
Terminal illness
Tourette Syndrome

Question 6

Is There an Age Requirement for Getting a Medical Marijuana Card in PA?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you must be 18 years of age or older to obtain a medical marijuana card in PA. However, it is possible for patients under the age of 18 who experience a qualifying medical condition to obtain medical marijuana through a certified caregiver. A caregiver is either a parent, legal guardian, an individual designated by a parent or legal guardian, or an individual approved by the Department of Health if there is no parent or legal guardian appropriate or available. To become certified, they must pass a criminal background check, apply for a medical marijuana card, and register with the Medical Marijuana Registry.

Question 7

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in PA?

Accepted Answer

It costs $50 to obtain a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania.

Question 8

How Long Does It Take to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in PA?

Accepted Answer

It takes approximately 21 days to receive a medical marijuana card after submitting your payment online.

Question 9

When Will My PA Medical Marijuana Card Expire?

Accepted Answer

The physician who issues the patient certification will specify how long the card is valid before it expires, but typically you are expected to renew your card after one year and pay an annual card renewal fee of $50. 60 days before your certification and ID card expire, you will receive an email prompting you to obtain a new patient certification and renew your card. 30 days before your annual renewal fee is due, you will receive an email instructing you to confirm your patient information on the Medical Marijuana Registry and submit a payment of $50 to the Department of Health. You will then be mailed a new card that features an issue date one day after your previous card expires.

Question 10

How Can I Find a Medical Marijuana Doctor in PA?

Accepted Answer

Consult the Department of Health’s listing of medical marijuana approved practitioners here. You can also view the most updated information by accessing your patient profile on the Medical Marijuana Registry.

Question 11

How Can I Find a Medical Marijuana Dispensary in PA?

Accepted Answer

You can review the list of PA medical marijuana dispensaries here.

Question 12

What Forms of Medical Marijuana Can I Consume in PA?

Accepted Answer

Pennsylvania medical marijuana law prohibits smoking cannabis flower, but patients can consume cannabis pills, oils, tinctures, liquids, topicals, and cannabis flower via vaporization.

Question 13

Is Cannabis Product Testing Performed on Medical Marijuana in PA?

Accepted Answer

Yes, cannabis product testing is performed on medical marijuana products in PA. For more information, read the Department of Health’s Guidance for Quality Testing and Sampling by Approved Laboratories.

Question 14

How Much Medical Marijuana Can I Possess in PA?

Accepted Answer

Medical marijuana dispensaries in PA are permitted to sell patients a 30-day supply of products. Possessing more than a 30-day supply is considered a crime and can lead to criminal penalties.

Question 15

Can I Grow My Own Cannabis in PA?

Accepted Answer

No, home cultivation is illegal and only licensed commercial cultivators may grow medical marijuana in PA.

Question 16

Where Can I Consume Medical Marijuana in PA?

Accepted Answer

You can consume medical marijuana in your home and other private residences. You may also be able to consume cannabis at your workplace if your employer permits it and you refrain from consumption while performing dangerous activities. It is illegal to consume cannabis in public or to possess cannabis on school grounds or bus stops.

Question 17

Does PA Accept Medical Marijuana Cards from Other States?

Accepted Answer

No, Pennsylvania does not accept medical marijuana cards from other states.

Question 18

Can I Get a Medical Marijuana Card in PA with a Felony?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, a felony conviction on your criminal record will not prevent you from obtaining a medical marijuana card. However, if the felony involved drug manufacturing, distribution, or a violent crime involving cannabis, you may not qualify for a medical marijuana card.

Question 19

Will a Medical Marijuana Card Show Up on a Background Check?

Accepted Answer

No, your patient certification and medical marijuana card may only be obtained through an approved physician, meaning they are considered personal medical information and protected under the Healthcare Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Question 20

Can I Lose My Job for Having a Medical Marijuana Card in PA?

Accepted Answer

No, your employer cannot legally terminate your position, refuse to hire you, or otherwise discriminate or retaliate against you for participating in the PA medical marijuana program or failing a drug screening due to the presence of medical marijuana in your system. However, they can prohibit you from performing certain duties while under the influence of marijuana, such as working at heights or in confined spaces, handling chemicals that require a government permit, working with high-voltage electricity or other public utilities, or completing tasks that your employer considers “life-threatening” to you or other employees, or would pose a risk to public health or safety.

Question 21

Can I Be Charged with a DUI After Consuming Medical Marijuana in PA?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you are driving, operating your vehicle, or otherwise in physical control of your vehicle with more than 1 ng/mL of THC in your blood, you can be charged with a DUI.

Please select your state:

Pennsylvania Dispensaries

Dispensary Locations in Pennsylvania

Abington

Altoona

Clifton Heights

Cranberry Factory Store

Fairless Hills Factory Store

Harrisburg

Malvern

Monroeville

New Kensington (Pittsburgh)

Norristown

Philadelphia

Pittsburgh (McKnight)

Pittsburgh (Robinson)

Sellersville

Washington

West Chester

Wynnewood Factory Store

York

Pennsylvania Cannabis Laws

Getting Your Pennsylvania Medical Card

Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana FAQs