7 things to know about Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program
Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Program was created by the Medical Marijuana Act of 2016 and is run by the Department of Health. Residents register in the state's online registry, get certified by a practitioner who has registered with the Department and completed required training, and then pay for an ID card. The card fee is $50 a year, and it is waived for people enrolled in Medicaid, PACE/PACENET, CHIP, SNAP or WIC. The state recognizes 24 serious medical conditions, including anxiety disorders, chronic pain and opioid use disorder. Certifications can be done by phone or video, and patients buy from licensed dispensaries; home growing is not part of the program.
7 things to know
- Pennsylvania recognizes 24 serious medical conditions, including anxiety disorders and opioid use disorder.
- The $50 fee is charged once every 12 months, separate from how many cards or certifications you get.
- Practitioners can certify patients by live phone or video under Act 44 of 2021.
- Practitioners must register with the Department and complete a 4-hour training course before certifying.
- You can renew with any registered practitioner, not only the one who first certified you.
- Traumatic brain injury and Type II diabetes are approved for research only, not general certification.
- Home cultivation is not permitted; all products come from licensed dispensaries.
At a glance
- 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
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)
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.