Login

Get Approved in Minutes

Apply for Your Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Card

  • See a healthcare provider on your schedule.
  • Pay only $149 for the appointment — and get your money back if not approved!
user

For one person

users

Refer and Save

Please add an international code if your number isn't a US number

How to Get a Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Card Online

  1. 1

    Register on the PA Medical Marijuana Program Website

    This registration process will provide you with a patient number.

    You’ll need your patient number to book an appointment with Leafwell.

  2. 2

    Book an Appointment with Leafwell

    Speak to a Leafwell healthcare provider to get approved for a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card online. The consultation costs $149, or $99 for a renewal. You’ll get your money back if not approved for any reason.

    If approved, your healthcare provider will submit your certification to the State of Pennsylvania.

  3. 3

    Wait for Approval From the State

    Once the State of PA approves your application, you must log back to the state website and pay the $50 state fee.

    Those participating in Medicaid, PACE/PACENET, CHIP, SNAP, or WIC may not have to pay the application fee.

  4. 4

    Receive Your PA Medical Card in the Mail

    You’ll receive a physical medical card from the state via U.S. mail, typically within two to five business days.

    You’ll need your physical PA medical card and state ID to purchase medical cannabis in a licensed dispensary.

About Medical Marijuana in Pennsylvania

Medical marijuana was legalized in Pennsylvania in 2016 when Governor Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 3.

The act established a list of qualifying medical conditions and outlined a process for Pennsylvanian patient certifications.

Fast-forward two years, the first state-licensed dispensaries began selling marijuana products throughout the state in February 2018.

Benefits of Having a Medical Card in Pennsylvania

Applying for a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card is the only way state residents can purchase and consume marijuana legally.

Recreational sales and home cultivation of cannabis remain illegal under Pennsylvania law.

Patients with a valid PA medical card may purchase up to a 30-day supply (amounts to be determined upon doctor consultation) of medical marijuana products.

Eligibility Requirements

Adults at least 18 diagnosed with at least one qualifying medical condition may be eligible to apply for a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card.

First, they must register for a consultation with a state-licensed healthcare provider and get approved.

Patients can complete this consultation online with Leafwell.

Can Minors Get a Medical Card in Pennsylvania?

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, patients under 18 may qualify for the state’s medical marijuana registry, but a caregiver must complete the application process on the minor patient’s behalf.

All minor patients must have a caregiver to be eligible for medical marijuana certification.

If you are a caregiver for a minor but not the patient’s parent, legal guardian, or spouse, you must be designated as a third-party caregiver.

Caregivers

According to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a caregiver can pick up medical marijuana at a dispensary on a patient’s behalf.

Each patient can designate up to two caregivers, and all minor patients must have a caregiver.

Caregivers must submit a separate application for their medical marijuana caregiver card.

To qualify as a medical marijuana caregiver in Pennsylvania, caregivers must:

  • Be at least 21 and a Pennsylvania resident.
  • Have a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license or a state-issued ID card (with current address).
  • Complete a criminal history background check.
  • Not have been convicted for any criminal offense related to selling or possessing drugs, narcotics, or a controlled substance within the last five years.
  • Register and obtain an ID card that will allow them to pick up medical marijuana at a Pennsylvania dispensary.

Note: It can take up to six weeks after your fingerprint appointment to receive an answer regarding your caregiver application status.

Medical Conditions

In Pennsylvania, the following conditions may qualify you for a medical card:

What You’ll Need to Apply

You’ll need to give the following to apply for a PA MMJ card:

  • Basic patient information.
  • Legal name.
  • Current address.
  • Contact information.
  • State-issued identification (PA driver’s license or ID card issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation).

Costs

Online consultations with one of Leafwell’s Pennsylvania healthcare providers are $149 for new patients and $99 for renewals.

You’ll get your money back if not approved for any reason.

The state also charges a $50 fee to apply for a medical card.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, patients who participate in assistance programs such as Medicaid, PACE/PACENET, CHIP, SNAP, or WIC may qualify for that $50 fee to be reduced to $0.

Leafwell can also help you to renew your Pennsylvania MMJ card for a $99 appointment fee.

We recommend renewing your medical card at least 30 days before it expires to continue purchasing marijuana products without disruption.

Medical Marijuana Reciprocity

Pennsylvania does not offer medical marijuana reciprocity to cardholders from other states with medical programs.

That said, other states accept or recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards:

States marked with * require visitors to complete a visiting patient application for their stay.

States marked with ^ have adult use programs but do not accept out-of-state cards.

Where to Buy Medical Marijuana in PA

The Pennsylvania Department of Health lists licensed Pennsylvania dispensaries on its website.

Patients with valid MMJ cards can purchase medical marijuana products from any dispensary in the state.

Cultivation

Cannabis cultivation is not permitted under Pennsylvania law, including for medical marijuana patients with valid medical marijuana ID cards.

Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Laws to Know

Below are a few need-to-know medical marijuana laws in Pennsylvania.

  • Medical cannabis patients may purchase and possess up to a 30-day supply of medical marijuana products with a valid medical card.
  • Recreational marijuana use is illegal in Pennsylvania.
  • Cultivation is illegal in Pennsylvania, including for medical marijuana patients.
diamond icon

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana certificate and card cost?

An online consultation with a Leafwell healthcare provider for a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card costs $149 for new patients and $99 for renewals. Patients must also pay a separate $50 fee to the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program to receive their patient ID card.

Here’s an overview of the fees:

  • $149 Initial certificate from Leafwell
  • $99 Renewal certificate from Leafwell
  • $50 State card fee*
    (Participants in Medicaid, PACE/PACENET, CHP, SNAP, or WIC may have fee waived.)

The consultation fee includes a two-year certification, and you’ll only be charged if approved. Plus, now you can sign up with a friend and each save 10% on your consultation with Leafwell.

*State fees are not included with Leafwell fees and are paid directly to the state.

What medical conditions qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, the following conditions may qualify you for a medical marijuana certificate and card:

How does the online evaluation process work for getting a Medical Marijuana Recommendation Letter/Medical Certificate in Pennsylvania?

There are four simple steps to seeing a Leafwell provider in Pennsylvania to obtain your medical marijuana card:

  1. Register on the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program website. Receive your patient number immediately after registering.
  2. Create a Leafwell account using a valid email address and choose a password. You’ll then be asked to complete a brief questionnaire of personal and health information and to either take or upload a photograph of identification (Leafwell is required by law to verify your identity). You will need a smartphone, computer, or tablet with a reliable internet connection and a working camera to be seen by a Leafwell provider.
  3. Next, you will be taken to the virtual waiting room, where you’ll be connected with a Leafwell provider for a video chat (i.e., a virtual doctor’s visit). (You will receive a text message to your cell phone when the provider is ready to see you.) During the video chat, the provider will assess your health situation to determine if you qualify for a medical marijuana certification.
  4. If you are approved for a medical marijuana card, the Leafwell provider will submit your certification directly to the state. You can then return to the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program website to pay the annual state registration fee for your card. Once payment is complete, your card will arrive in 1-2 weeks.
How old do I have to be to apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Pennsylvania?

You must be at least 18 years of age in order to apply for a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania. Caregivers must be 21 years of age.

Can I be/have a caregiver for a medical marijuana patient in Pennsylvania?

Yes, medical marijuana patients in Pennsylvania can have a caregiver. An individual 21 years of age or older, unless authorized by the department, can serve as a caregiver. Caregivers must register with the Department of Health and follow the instructions to complete a criminal history background check with the commonwealth’s authorized vendor.

In order to register as a patient’s caregiver, you must have a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license or PA state-issued ID card. If the patient is already registered, you will need the patient’s name, date of birth and patient ID number.

You cannot be a caregiver if you have been convicted of a criminal offense relating to the sale or possession of drugs, narcotics or controlled substances within the last five years. Caregivers may provide care for up to five patients.

To apply as a caregiver, follow this process:

  1. You will need to fill out a patient and caregiver application form. If the patient is already registered, you will need their patient ID number.
  2. You must complete the appropriate application form. All caregivers must complete a background check.
  3. You will need to submit a physician’s medical marijuana certificate.
  4. Both the Caregiver and the patient will receive a medical marijuana identification card, except in cases where a patient will not be visiting a dispensary.
How do I apply for the state program in Pennsylvania?

Before you start, have these supporting documents ready:

  • A credit or debit card

Getting Your Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Card

  1. 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!
  2. Log back into the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Registry.
  3. Pay the $50 fee.
    1. Patients who participate in assistance programs, including Medicaid, PACE/PACENET, CHIP, SNAP, and WIC, may qualify to have their application fee reduced to $0.
  4. Receive your card in the mail.
    1. The state will mail your medical card to your address. It normally takes 1-2 weeks to arrive after you’ve paid the fee.
  5. Legally purchase cannabis from an approved dispensary.
    1. 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 dispensary.
Articles
See more posts
dropper in a saucer next to scattered soft gel capsules and bottle of CBD medicine
What Is CBD?

Discover CBD, or Cannabidiol and learn more about the properties this key chemical in cannabis has for medical marijuana patients.