Does chronic pain qualify in Pennsylvania?
Yes. The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program lists Severe chronic or intractable pain of neuropathic origin, or severe chronic or intractable pain as a qualifying condition. A Pennsylvania-licensed provider still has to evaluate you and agree that cannabis is appropriate.
About chronic pain
Stronger evidence. The National Academies found substantial evidence that cannabis is an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults. Most trials looked at neuropathic pain and measured modest reductions in pain scores, and many patients use cannabis to cut back on other medications.
Symptoms Pennsylvania patients most often hope to ease:
- Persistent aching or burning pain
- Nerve pain such as tingling, shooting or electric sensations
- Pain that keeps you from sleeping
- Muscle tension and spasms
- Side effects or limited relief from current pain medicines
Read more: medical marijuana for chronic pain.
How to get certified in Pennsylvania
- Create a patient profile in the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Registry using your Pennsylvania driver's license or state ID.
- See a Department-registered practitioner, in person or by live phone or video, who certifies at least one serious medical condition.
- Log back into the registry and pay the $50 card fee, or claim the waiver if you are on Medicaid, PACE/PACENET, CHIP, SNAP or WIC.
- Pay within 60 days of your certification date.
- Wait about three weeks for your ID card to be printed and mailed.
- Take your card and ID to a Pennsylvania dispensary to buy medical marijuana.
Pennsylvania allows the evaluation by telehealth, so you can see a Pennsylvania-licensed provider by video. Our evaluation starts at $79 and is charged only if you're approved.
Costs and timeline
- State fee: $50 per year ($0 for Medicaid, PACE/PACENET, CHIP, SNAP and WIC participants)
- Card lasts: Certification up to 1 year (set by the practitioner); $50 fee paid annually
- Processing: About 3 weeks: roughly 7 days to print and 14 days to mail after payment
- Patient limit: Up to a 90-day supply of medical marijuana
- Home grow: Not allowed
- Recreational sales: Not legal
- First visit online: Yes
See the full Pennsylvania cost breakdown and Pennsylvania program overview.
Other qualifying conditions in Pennsylvania
- ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
- Anxiety
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Cancer
- Crohn's & IBD
- Epilepsy & seizures
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis C
- Huntington's disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Neuropathy (nerve pain)
- Opioid use disorder
- PTSD
See every qualifying condition in Pennsylvania
Chronic pain in nearby states
- Chronic pain in New York
- Chronic pain in New Jersey
- Chronic pain in Delaware
- Chronic pain in Maryland
- Chronic pain in West Virginia
Frequently asked questions
Do I need medical records for chronic pain?
How long does certification take in Pennsylvania?
Can I renew online in Pennsylvania?
Sources
- Medical Marijuana Program - PA Department of Health
- Medical Marijuana Patients - PA Department of Health
- Renew - PA Department of Health
- Medical Professionals - PA Department of Health
- 28 Pa. Code Chapter 1161a (Medical Marijuana Dispensaries)
- National Academies — The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids (2017)
This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Laws change — confirm details with your state agency. State facts last checked October 7, 2026.