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Pennsylvania medical marijuana card, in short: You can get certified online. You’ll need Pennsylvania residency and one of 24 serious medical conditions — such as anxiety disorders, severe chronic or intractable pain, PTSD, cancer or epilepsy. A Leafwell telehealth appointment is $99, plus the Department of Health’s $50 annual fee — $149 total. Pay the state fee within 60 days or your certification expires. Cards last one year.

Who qualifiesPennsylvania residents with one of 24 serious medical conditions — including anxiety disorders, severe chronic or intractable pain, PTSD, cancer, epilepsy and Crohn’s disease. There is no minimum age; patients under 18 are served through a caregiver.
Cost$99 Leafwell telehealth appointment plus the Department of Health’s $50 annual fee — $149 total. The state fee is $0 for patients on Medicaid, PACE/PACENET, CHIP, SNAP or WIC through the Medical Marijuana Assistance Program, bringing the total to $99.
How long it takesThe appointment is usually same-day. You then have 60 days to pay the state fee or the certification expires and must be obtained again. Pennsylvania asks you to allow 7 days for printing and 14 days for delivery — about three weeks to the card in hand.
How long it lastsOne year. The $50 fee is paid once every 12 months regardless of how many cards or certifications you are issued. The Department emails you 60 days before your certification expires and 30 days before the fee is due — two separate clocks.
Online or in personFully online. Pennsylvania permits telehealth certification, so the medical appointment is done entirely online with a PA-licensed practitioner. Leafwell also has five Pennsylvania locations — Whitehall, Allentown, Easton, Reading and State College.
What you can buyUp to a 90-day supply from a Pennsylvania dispensary, set by your practitioner on your certification. Medical marijuana is exempt from Pennsylvania sales tax. Adult-use cannabis is not legal in Pennsylvania — the medical card is the only lawful route (Act 16 of 2016).

The key benefits of a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania

  • Access to dispensaries

  • Enjoy legal protections for employment

  • Get legal cannabis at age 18+, rather than 21+

  • Higher possession

Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Program: How It Works

Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program lets residents with a qualifying condition get a medical marijuana card and buy cannabis from state-licensed dispensaries. To get a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card, you'll have a telehealth evaluation with a state-approved physician, register with the PA Department of Health, and pay the state fee. Most patients are approved the same day and can shop at any of Pennsylvania's dispensaries once the state issues their card. Below, we break down the cost, the qualifying conditions, and the four steps to get your card.

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4 easy steps to get your PA medical card

Get approved in minutes using Leafwell’s online platform.

  1. 1

    Get a patient number

    Apply to the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Registry and receive a patient number.

  2. 2

    Sign up

    Register with Leafwell on any device and consult with a licensed medical marijuana doctor in minutes.

  3. 3

    Submit your application

    Once approved, receive an email from the state, and log into the Pennsylvania website to submit the $50 state fee.

  4. 4

    Get your card

    Receive your medical card within 2 weeks of your application’s approval.

A few more questions about the process?

Watch this video to learn more about getting a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania.

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Medical marijuana certificate (for new and returning patients)

$99

State fees

$50

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Pennsylvania

Adults at least 18 experiencing at least one qualifying condition may be eligible to apply for a medical marijuana card. All minor patients must have a caregiver to be eligible. Qualifying medical conditions in PA include:

  • AIDS/HIV
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  • Anxiety Disorders, Panic Disorders
  • Autism/Asperger Syndrome
  • Cancer
  • Chronic Pain, Muscle Pain and other types of pain
  • Damage to the Nervous Tissue of the Central Nervous System (brain-spinal cord)
  • Dyskinetic and Spastic Movement Disorders
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • Hepatitis (Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C)
  • Huntington’s Disease (HD)
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Muscle Spasms
  • Neuropathy (Nerve Pain)
  • Opioid Use Disorder
  • Palliative Care (Admittance Into Hospice)
  • Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Seizures and Seizure Disorders
  • Sickle Cell Diseases (SCDs), including Sickle Cell Anemia
  • Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs) and Spinal Cord Diseases (SCDs)
  • Tourette Syndrome

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When You Need It Most

With Leafwell, you'll be matched up with a highly knowledgeable, empathetic, licensed medical marijuana doctor.

Find out the answers to FAQs about medical marijuana in Pennsylvania.

Frequently asked questions

What qualifies you for a medical card in PA?

Pennsylvania recognises 24 serious medical conditions: ALS, anxiety disorders, autism, cancer including remission therapy, chronic hepatitis C, Crohn's disease, damage to the nervous tissue of the central nervous system with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity, dyskinetic and spastic movement disorders, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Huntington's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, intractable seizures, multiple sclerosis, neurodegenerative diseases, neuropathies, opioid use disorder where conventional therapeutic interventions are contraindicated or ineffective, Parkinson's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, severe chronic or intractable pain, sickle cell anemia, terminal illness, and Tourette syndrome. You must also be a Pennsylvania resident and be certified by a practitioner approved by the Department of Health. Traumatic brain injury and Type II diabetes are approved only for Chapter 20 research purposes and do not qualify you for a standard card.

How much does a med card cost in PA?

A Leafwell certification appointment costs $99, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health charges a separate $50 annual fee for the ID card, so most patients pay $149 in total for the first year. The $50 state fee is $0 if you are enrolled in the Medical Marijuana Assistance Program, which covers patients on Medicaid, PACE/PACENET, CHIP, SNAP or WIC — those patients pay $99. The $50 fee is paid once every 12 months regardless of how many cards or certifications you are issued. Replacement cards cost $25 for the first and $50 for each additional one.

Can I get a medical card online in PA?

Yes. Pennsylvania permits practitioners to certify patients by telehealth, so the medical part of the process is done entirely online with a PA-licensed practitioner. You then complete the state side yourself: register with the Department of Health at padohmmp.custhelp.com, pay the $50 annual fee, and the Commonwealth mails you the physical ID card. You cannot get the card itself instantly — the state asks you to allow 7 days for printing and 14 days for delivery.

How long does it take to get a medical marijuana card in PA?

About three weeks from your appointment, most of which is state processing. Your Leafwell certification appointment can usually happen the same day or the next day. Once you have paid the $50 state fee, the Pennsylvania Department of Health asks you to allow 7 days for the card to be printed and a further 14 days to receive it in the mail. If three weeks pass after you have met all the requirements and no card has arrived, you can request a new one from the Profile Settings tab of your registry account.

How long do I have to pay the state fee after I am certified in PA?

Sixty days. The Pennsylvania Department of Health states that if payment is not made within 60 days from the date your certification was submitted, your certification expires and you will be required to obtain a new one. That means missing the deadline costs you the certification you paid for, not just a late fee. Pay the $50 annual fee as soon as you receive the confirmation email after your appointment.

How do I renew my medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania runs two separate clocks and it is worth keeping them apart. Sixty days before your patient certification and ID card expire, the Department of Health emails you to say it is time to obtain a new certification from a practitioner — that is the appointment you book with Leafwell. Separately, 30 days before your annual renewal fee is due, the Department emails you instructions for paying the $50 (or $0 if you qualify for a fee reduction). The fee is paid once every 12 months regardless of how many cards or certifications you are issued, so the payment date does not necessarily line up with the certification date.

Does anxiety qualify for a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Anxiety disorders are one of Pennsylvania's 24 serious medical conditions, added to the list in 2019. A practitioner approved by the Department of Health still has to examine you and decide whether certification is appropriate for your situation; a diagnosis on its own is not an automatic approval.

Can I be denied a job for having a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania law protects your status, not your conduct, and the distinction matters. Under Act 16 of 2016, section 2103(b)(1), no employer may discharge, threaten, refuse to hire or otherwise discriminate against an employee regarding compensation, terms, conditions, location or privileges solely on the basis of that employee's status as an individual certified to use medical marijuana. But section 2103(b)(2) says nothing in the act requires an employer to accommodate use on the premises, and it expressly does not limit an employer's ability to discipline an employee for being under the influence in the workplace or for working under the influence where conduct falls below the standard of care for that position. The act also does not require an employer to do anything that would put it in violation of federal law, which is why safety-sensitive and federally regulated roles are treated differently. Speak to an employment attorney about your own situation.

Can I fail a drug test with a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania?

Yes. A Pennsylvania medical marijuana card does not stop THC showing up on a drug test, and Act 16 does not require an employer to ignore a positive result. What the law protects is your status as a certified patient — an employer cannot refuse to hire you or discipline you solely because you hold a card. Employers may still enforce drug-free workplace policies and may discipline you for being under the influence at work. Federally regulated roles, including commercial drivers, remain subject to federal rules regardless of state law.

Does a medical marijuana card show up on a background check in Pennsylvania?

No. Pennsylvania's medical marijuana registry is confidential and holding a card does not appear on a standard criminal background check. Note that caregivers, unlike patients, do have to complete a state background check as part of their own application.

What happens if my Pennsylvania medical marijuana card expires?

You lose the legal protection the card gives you until it is active again, and you cannot buy from a Pennsylvania dispensary in the meantime. There is no penalty fee and no higher price for letting it lapse — the $50 annual fee is the same whenever you pay it. To restore it you need a current patient certification from an approved practitioner and a paid annual fee. Because the Department of Health emails you 60 days before your certification expires and 30 days before the fee is due, the simplest way to avoid a lapse is to act on the first of those two emails.

Can I use my PA medical card the day it expires?

Yes, a Pennsylvania ID card is valid through its stated expiration date, so you can use it that day. After that date it is inactive and dispensaries cannot serve you until your certification and fee are current again.

Can I go to a dispensary before my Pennsylvania card arrives in the mail?

No. Pennsylvania requires the physical medical marijuana ID card to purchase at a dispensary, and the Department of Health is explicit that you can buy once you have received the card. Being certified and having paid the state fee is not enough on its own, so allow roughly three weeks between paying and your first dispensary visit.

How do I get my Pennsylvania patient number?

You get a patient number by registering yourself with the Pennsylvania Department of Health before your appointment, at padohmmp.custhelp.com. You will need a Pennsylvania driver's licence or PA state ID with your current address, since Pennsylvania requires patients to be state residents. The registry issues your patient number immediately on registration, and your practitioner needs it to file your certification, so complete this step first.

Can a minor get a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Pennsylvania has no minimum patient age, but a patient under 18 cannot hold their own card — a caregiver obtains medical marijuana on their behalf. Under 28 Pa. Code section 1191a.23(c) the caregiver for a minor must be a parent or legal guardian, or an individual designated by a parent or legal guardian. A patient may have up to two caregivers under section 1191a.25, and caregivers must be Pennsylvania residents, register for their own ID card and complete a background check.

How much can I buy with a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card?

Up to a 90-day supply, as set by your practitioner on your certification. Under Act 16 section 405 as amended by Act 44 of 2021, receipt of medical marijuana from a dispensary may not exceed a 90-day supply of individual doses, and during the last seven days of any 30-day period you may obtain and possess a 90-day supply for the next 30-day period. A dispensary cannot dispense a further 90-day supply until you have exhausted all but a seven-day supply. State regulations express the limit as 192 medical marijuana units. Medical marijuana is exempt from Pennsylvania sales tax.

Can you smoke medical marijuana in Pennsylvania?

No. Act 16 of 2016 section 304(b)(1) makes it unlawful to smoke medical marijuana in Pennsylvania. Dry leaf and plant form may be dispensed for vaporization under regulations adopted by the Department of Health, so inhalation is permitted by vaporizer but not by combustion. Section 303(b)(2) also allows pill, oil, topical, tincture and liquid forms, and section 304(c) permits a patient or caregiver to incorporate medical marijuana into edible form themselves to aid ingestion. Using medical marijuana outside what the act permits is treated as a violation of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.

Can I buy from a dispensary without a medical card in PA?

No. Adult-use cannabis is not legal in Pennsylvania, so a medical marijuana ID card issued by the Department of Health is the only lawful route to buy from a Pennsylvania dispensary. Pennsylvania also does not operate a visiting-patient or reciprocity scheme: patients must be Pennsylvania residents, and the provision of Act 16 that once dealt with medical marijuana from other states, section 2106, has expired.

Can I own a gun if I have a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania?

This is a federal question, not a Pennsylvania one, and it is unsettled. The Pennsylvania State Police say only that possessing a medical marijuana card and using medical marijuana can result in a federal firearms prohibition, and direct questions about eligibility to qualified legal counsel — they do not assert a state ban on holding a licence to carry. At federal level, ATF Form 4473 question 21.f asks whether you are an unlawful user of marijuana, and answering it untruthfully is a federal crime. State-licensed medical cannabis moved to Schedule III in April 2026, and a revision to Form 4473 has been drafted but is not final, so the position may change. Speak to an attorney about your own circumstances before relying on any of this.

Is it hard to get a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania?

The process is straightforward but it has four steps and one of them has a deadline. You register with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to get a patient number, get certified by an approved practitioner for one of the 24 serious medical conditions, pay the $50 annual fee within 60 days of your certification being submitted, and wait roughly three weeks for the card to arrive. The certification appointment itself is done online and takes minutes. The step people miss is the 60-day payment deadline: let it pass and the certification expires and has to be obtained again.

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Table of content

  1. Benefits of MMC
  2. Testimonials
  3. Quick Steps
  4. How much does a card cost?
  5. How to qualify for a card
  6. More questions?
Content reviewed by Dr. Gavin Moreland
Last updated: Sept 4, 2026