PTSD and medical marijuana in Pennsylvania: do you qualify?
Yes. The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program lists Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a qualifying condition. A Pennsylvania-licensed provider still has to evaluate you and agree that cannabis is appropriate.
About PTSD
Limited evidence. The National Academies found limited evidence that cannabinoids improve PTSD symptoms, based on a small trial of nabilone for nightmares. Many patients report better sleep and fewer nightmares, and larger studies are under way.
Symptoms Pennsylvania patients most often hope to ease:
- Nightmares
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Feeling on edge or easily startled
- Anxiety and irritability
- Intrusive memories that are hard to switch off
Read more: medical marijuana for PTSD.
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
- Chronic pain
- Crohn's & IBD
- Epilepsy & seizures
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis C
- Huntington's disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Neuropathy (nerve pain)
- Opioid use disorder
See every qualifying condition in Pennsylvania
PTSD in nearby states
Frequently asked questions
Do I need medical records for PTSD?
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.