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Get a Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Card
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.
The key benefits of a PA medical marijuana card
Enjoy legal protections for employment
Get legal cannabis at age 18+, rather than 21+
Access to dispensaries
Higher possession
Trusted by 1 Million Monthly Users
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.
4 easy steps to get your PA medical card
Get approved in minutes using Leafwell’s online platform.

1. Get a patient number
Apply to the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Registry and receive a patient number.
2. Sign up
Register with Leafwell on any device and consult with a licensed medical marijuana doctor in minutes.
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. 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.

How much does the card cost?
Medical cannabis patients save more with Leafwell. Get your money back if not approved.
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. Pennsylvania recognizes 24 serious medical conditions:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Anxiety disorders
- Autism
- Cancer, including remission therapy
- Chronic hepatitis C
- Crohn's disease
- Damage to the nervous tissue of the central nervous system (brain-spinal cord) 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 of neuropathic origin, or severe chronic or intractable pain
- Sickle cell anemia
- Terminal illness
- Tourette syndrome
Two conditions that do not qualify for a standard card. Traumatic brain injury and Type II diabetes are approved under Chapter 20 of Pennsylvania's medical marijuana regulations for research purposes only. A practitioner cannot certify you for a standard patient card on either condition.
A diagnosis is not an automatic approval — an approved practitioner still has to determine that medical marijuana is appropriate for you.
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2 documents needed to apply for a medical card
To apply for a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania, you must follow a few essential steps to ensure your eligibility and successful registration. The process begins by gathering the necessary documents and information, which includes obtaining a Patient Number, securing a Medical Marijuana Recommendation, and providing Proof of Identity.
- Patient Number
The first step in applying for Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program is to obtain a Patient Number. This is done by creating a profile in the Medical Marijuana Registry, which can be accessed online through the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s website. During this registration, you will be required to provide personal and medical information, proof of Pennsylvania residency, and a valid government-issued ID. This registration process is crucial as it sets the foundation for your application and ensures that you are recognized by the state as a potential medical marijuana patient. - Medical Marijuana Recommendation
After obtaining your Patient Number, the next step is to consult with a registered MMJ physician who can evaluate your condition and provide a recommendation. At Leafwell, once you are approved by a healthcare provider, they will submit your patient certification to the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Registry. It is essential to choose a physician who is experienced in treating patients with your specific condition, as they will be able to provide the necessary certification that forms a critical part of your application.
Renewal information
Can I renew my Pennsylvania medical marijuana card online?
Yes, Leafwell can help you renew your medical marijuana certificate and card. If you’re a returning patient, all your information is stored in our HIPAA-compliant platform, and the process is quick and easy.
Here’s the full process to renew your PA medical card:
- Log into your account with the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program, confirm your address, and pay the $50 annual state fee.
- Sign in to your Leafwell account or register as a renewal patient here.
- Speak to a Pennsylvania-licensed physician online and get approved.
- The provider will submit your certification directly to the state.
- If your annual payment is up to date, your new card will arrive in the mail in 1-2 weeks.
Next steps after renewal
You’ll receive an email with directions on how to renew your card 60 days before your annual renewal and payment is due. This email includes a due date — usually about a week before the expiration date on the ID card. If payment is not received by that date, the ID card will automatically be deactivated. When you log in and pay the annual fee, this will reactivate your card.
Renewing process
- Get approved for a renewal certificate with Leafwell. The physician will update your certification using your PA patient ID number.
- Check your details.
- Log in to your patient account as a returning user: https://padohmmp.custhelp.com/app/login
- Confirm that the address on file is correct.
- Pay the annual fee.
- You’ll receive an email 30 days before your card expires with instructions for making the $50 payment (or $0 if you qualify for a fee reduction).
- Receive your new card.
- Once you’re certified by a doctor and have paid the annual fee, a new card will be printed and mailed to you at the address you listed in the patient portal. The new card will have an issue date for the day after your original card expires.
How do I get a Pennsylvania patient number?
The first step to getting a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania is to register with the state which will allow you to get a patient number.
Here is the guide:
- Create a profile in the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Registry. Click here to go to the registry.
- Please note: You can navigate the to provided link by going to the Department of Health website, selecting ‘Medical Marijana’ and then ‘Apply for ID Card / Access Account’.
- Click on ‘Adult Patient Registration’
- This profile includes basic information such as:
- your legal name
- current address
- contact information
- You must have a Pennsylvania driver’s license or an ID card issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
- This profile includes basic information such as:
- After creating your username and password, you will see a screen that displays your account information, including your Patient ID number.
- Return to the Leafwell website (www.leafwell.com). Your Leafwell registration will have a line that says “”Pennsylvania Patient Number”” and you will enter it there.
- Note: If you are already a Pennsylvania patient or previously started the state registration process, you can obtain your patient number by logging into the state website here, and going to “Profile Settings”. The patient number is located by your User Name.
Next steps after approval
Congratulations on getting approved for your medical certification.
Per state regulations, you must pay the state fee within 60 days of your certification being submitted.
Here's a guide to what you need to do next:
Before you start, have these supporting documents ready:
- A credit or debit card
Getting your Pennsylvania medical marijuana card
- Your Leafwell physician will have passed all required details to the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Registry following your appointment - all the difficult work is done for you by our team!
- Log back into the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Registry: https://padohmmp.custhelp.com/app/login
- Pay the $50 state fee.
- Patients who participate in assistance programs including Medicaid, PACE/PACENET, CHIP, SNAP, and WIC may be eligible for a $0 state fee.
- Receive your card in the mail.
- The state will mail your medical card to your address. It normally takes 1-2 weeks to arrive after you’ve paid the fee. The card will be valid for 1 year.
- Legally purchase cannabis from an approved dispensary.
- To purchase medical cannabis, you must bring your medical cannabis card and a valid form of photo identification, such as a driver’s license, with you to the pharmacy.
Please note: you have 60 days from the date your certification was submitted to pay the $50 annual state fee. If payment is not made in time, your certification will expire and you will need to obtain a new one.
Legal limitations for PA card holders
Navigating marijuana laws in different states can be tricky, but we’re here to break it down for you. Here are some key points you should be aware of if you have a medical marijuana ID card in Pennsylvania:
Possession limits: With a valid medical cannabis card, you can purchase and possess up to a 90-day supply of medical cannabis products. Make sure to keep your card handy!
No Recreational Use: Just a heads-up—recreational marijuana is still a no-go in Pennsylvania. According to the state’s marijuana laws, medical use only at this time.
State taxes: 0% tax for medical patients.
Cultivation: Growing cannabis plants is illegal in Pennsylvania, even if it’s for your own medical marijuana use.
CBD and Delta-8: CBD and other minor cannabinoids manufactured from hemp-derived CBD, such as delta-8 THC and HHC, are legal per federal law and are not further regulated by the state of Pennsylvania.
How to become a caregiver
If you’re looking to become a medical marijuana caregiver for a medical marijuana patient in Pennsylvania, there are some important rules and steps to follow.
Picking Up for Patients
As a caregiver, you can pick up medical marijuana from a dispensary on behalf of a patient.
Caregiver Limitations
Medical patients can designate up to two caregivers. If the patient is a minor, having a caregiver is a must.
Application Process
Caregivers need to submit a separate application to the caregiver registry through the Pennsylvania Department of Health to get their own card.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, you must:
- Be at least 21.
- You need to be living in Pennsylvania and have proof of residency.
- Have a Pennsylvania driver’s license or a state-issued ID card with your current address.
- Background Check: You’ll need to complete a criminal history background check.
- Clean Record: If you’ve been convicted of a criminal offense relating to drugs in the last five years, you won’t be eligible.
- Register for an ID Card: Once you meet all the criteria, you’ll need to register and get an ID card that allows you to pick up medical marijuana products at a Pennsylvania dispensary.
Timing
It can take up to four weeks to hear back about your caregiver application status after your fingerprinting appointment.
Minor medical cannabis patient information
Minor patients are able to be certified through Leafwell.
Minor patients under the age of 18 with a serious medical condition may get medical marijuana through a caregiver. See the Caregivers section for requirements.
Minors only need to see one certifying provider and a caregiver will be required (either a parent/legal guardian or someone designated by the parent/legal guardian).
Minors will not receive a card and caregivers will shop on their behalf. The Department will issue a medical marijuana patient authorization letter to a minor patient instead of issuing an identification card to the minor.
If you are the minor’s parent, legal guardian or spouse, you can register as their caregiver by selecting the appropriate caregiver option on the registration site.
If you are not the minor’s parent, legal guardian or spouse, it is recommended that an ‘authorization to designate a third-party caregiver’ form be completed. This form can be downloaded from the caregiver’s profile. Once completed, you can upload the form in your caregiver profile.
When a minor patient turns 18 during their cycle, the certificate will transfer over, but they need to submit a new, adult patient application through their pa.gov portal. Once the patient obtains their adult patient ID number, they will need to contact the state to have them link their adult and minor accounts.
Can you use a Pennsylvania medical card in other states?
Pennsylvania does not offer medical marijuana reciprocity to cardholders from other states. Whether your Pennsylvania card is useful elsewhere depends on the state — and in many places it no longer matters, because cannabis is legal for adults 21 and over regardless of any card.Where you do not need your card at all- Arizona — adult use is legal. Your Pennsylvania card protects possession but does not let you buy medical cannabis here (see below).
- Delaware — adult use is legal, with retail sales open since August 2025. Dispensaries can also register you as a visiting medical patient on the spot via a QR-code application.
- Maine — adult use is legal. Maine does not accept out-of-state medical cards; it maintains a closed list of approved states and Pennsylvania is not on it.
- Michigan — adult use is legal. Michigan dispensaries may also serve visiting medical patients, but it is at the dispensary's discretion.
- Nevada — adult use is legal, and Nevada does recognize your Pennsylvania card. Worth carrying: medical patients are exempt from the 10% retail excise tax.
- New Jersey — adult use is legal. New Jersey does not offer reciprocity. To buy as a medical patient you would have to be certified by a New Jersey practitioner and enroll in New Jersey's own registry.
- New Mexico — adult use is legal, and New Mexico recognizes your card as a "reciprocal participant." Worth carrying: medical purchases are tax-free and the limit is higher.
- Rhode Island — adult use is legal. Rhode Island also recognizes out-of-state cards if you show a government ID issued by the same state as your card and complete an intake form.
- Washington, D.C. — you do not need a Pennsylvania card. Anyone 21 or over can self-certify at a licensed D.C. dispensary; D.C. also names Pennsylvania on its medical reciprocity list.
- Arkansas — apply for a visiting patient registration: $50, valid 90 days, allow about two weeks for processing. Apply before you travel.
- Hawaii — register as an out-of-state patient (Form 329): $49.50, valid 60 days, renewable once per calendar year. Apply before you travel.
- Louisiana — your Pennsylvania card is accepted directly. No state application; the pharmacy will have you complete its own attestation form at the counter.
- New Hampshire — your Pennsylvania card is accepted directly and you may purchase. No application needed.
- Oklahoma — apply for a temporary patient license: $100 plus a small processing fee, valid 30 days, allow about two weeks. Apply before you travel.
- Puerto Rico — your Pennsylvania card is accepted directly. No application needed.
- Utah — Utah does not accept your Pennsylvania card by itself. You must obtain a Utah non-resident card, valid 21 days and limited to two per calendar year, and your qualifying condition must appear on Utah's list, which is narrower than Pennsylvania's.
- Arizona — your card is a defense against arrest for possession, but Arizona law does not permit visiting patients to purchase medical cannabis. Buy from an adult-use store instead if you are 21 or over.
- South Dakota — your card protects possession of up to three ounces. You cannot purchase. There is no adult-use market.
Frequently asked questions
What qualifies you for a medical card in PA?
How much does a med card cost in PA?
Can I get a medical card online in PA?
How long does it take to get a medical marijuana card in PA?
How long do I have to pay the state fee after I am certified in PA?
How do I renew my medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania?
Does anxiety qualify for a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania?
Can I be denied a job for having a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania?
Can I fail a drug test with a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania?
Does a medical marijuana card show up on a background check in Pennsylvania?
What happens if my Pennsylvania medical marijuana card expires?
Can I use my PA medical card the day it expires?
Can I go to a dispensary before my Pennsylvania card arrives in the mail?
How do I get my Pennsylvania patient number?
Can a minor get a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania?
How much can I buy with a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card?
Can you smoke medical marijuana in Pennsylvania?
Can I buy from a dispensary without a medical card in PA?
Can I own a gun if I have a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania?
Is it hard to get a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania?
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