How to Get a PA Medical Marijuana Card
1Register with the Official Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program
To apply for a medical marijuana card, start by registering with the state medical marijuana registry. You will need the patient ID number to begin your consultation.
You don’t need to schedule an appointment. Just fill out a simple patient questionnaire on our website and pay the doctor’s consultation fee. Your medical details will be evaluated by one of our marijuana doctors to determine if cannabis is a good option for your health concern.
2Register With Us & Speak to Our Marijuana Doctors
The evaluation process takes place through a video or phone call. Our marijuana doctors will ask your some basic questions about your medical condition, medical history, conventional treatments you’ve tried and more. During the evaluation they’ll decide if you’ll benefit from a weed card or not. If you qualify as per the requirements of the state, the doctor will approve your application and write you a recommendation. This will be submitted directly to the state website. This recommendation can further be used to apply for a state-approved medical cannabis card.
3Receive Your Medical Marijuana Card
To apply for your state weed card, you need to log onto the PA state website and complete your application. The cost is $50 but if you are participating in Medicaid, PACE/PACENET, CHIP, SNAP or WIC, your fee might be reduced to $25.
Once approved by the state, you will receive your Medical Marijuana Card (valid for 1 year) in the mail within 2-5 days.
Please Note: A medical marijuana card is issued to you by the state and not by Online Medical Card. The state fee is paid to the state and is separate from your doctor’s consultation fee. Online Medical Card collects your doctor’s consultation fee only.
To save time, find answers to all your queries related to Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program here.
PA Medical Marijuana Card Renewal
A medical cannabis card renewal requires a new consultation online with one of our marijuana doctors, who can determine if continuing to take THC products is recommended for your health concerns.
Benefits of a Medical Marijuana Card in Pennsylvania
Access Cannabis
Since recreational use of cannabis is illegal in Pennsylvania, you must have a medical marijuana card issued by certified marijuana doctors to access cannabis in the state.
Access Dispensaries
Gain easy access to all medical dispensaries in the state with your weed card and buy the medication you need as per your requirements without legal problems.
Safe Products
With a medical weed card, you can rest assured that you will always have access to cannabis products that are lab tested for safety and quality.
Legal Protection
Exercise your legal right to buy, possess, use or consume medical cannabis products in the state with a medical weed card, without legal inquiries.
Reciprocity
Pennsylvania does not practice medical marijuana reciprocity, but other states such as Massachusetts and Rhode Island accept a PA Medical Marijuana Card.
Better Health
A medical cannabis card gives you the chance to try marijuana and manage you health in a better and healthy way.
Recent Reviews
Relieved to finally get my recommendation. It was quick and easy like they said. Minimum wait time and very responsive customer service.
Elijah Mayer
15 Sep 2021
Fast and quick approval. I was able to go through the process at work without any hassle. Highly recommend it.
Oliver
3 Oct 2021
They really saved me. I live in a very remote location and visiting a clinic wasn’t an option. The online process is definitely more convenient for people like me.
Noel K
10 Nov 2021
Happy with the service. The doctor was very helpful and patient. Stayed online until all of my doubts were clear. Highly recommend it!
H. Garcia
30 Nov 2021
Not Sure How to Begin?
Here’s a video guide to help you understand the process better.
About Medical Cannabis in PA
The state of Pennsylvania legalized recommended medical use of cannabis in the state back in 2016. After the law was passed, a proper medical marijuana program was established to oversee the use and sale of medical cannabis with a cannabis card. While several attempts have been made towards legalization of recreational marijuana too, the idea is not accepted yet.
Until then, as per the provisions of Pennsylvania medical marijuana laws, every patient must be evaluated by licensed marijuana doctors, receive a certificate of approval from them along with a state-issued medical marijuana card in order to begin cannabis use.
Online Medical Card helps you complete this process by connecting patients like you with top state marijuana doctors without unnecessary waste of time, money, or effort. With our help you get:
- Online consultation with the best PA marijuana doctors.
- Digital copy of your doctor’s recommendation.
- 24×7 customer service.
Qualifying Conditions in Pennsylvania
The law only allows people with certain conditions to get a medical weed card:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Anxiety disorders
- Autism
- Cancer, including remission therapy
- Crohn’s disease
- Damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with an objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Huntington’s disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Intractable seizures
- Multiple sclerosis
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Neuropathies
- Opioid use disorder for which conventional therapeutic interventions are contraindicated or ineffective, or for which adjunctive therapy is indicated in combination with primary therapeutic interventions
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Severe, intractable, or chronic pain of neuropathic origin or severe chronic or intractable pain in which conventional therapeutic intervention and opiate therapy is contraindicated or ineffective
- Sickle cell anemia
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Terminal illness
Besides having one of the above mentioned medical conditions, a patient must be of legal age (18 years or older) and a resident of the state. In case of minors (who are residents of the state), caregivers who are 21 years of age or older can guide them to apply for the weed card.
Process of Becoming a Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Patient
Medical cannabis was legalized in the state of Pennsylvania back in April 2016. Ever since then, medical use of cannabis within the purview of the state medical marijuana program has been legal for the citizens. But there are a few requirements that must be fulfilled in order to become a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card holder.
- You must be a resident of the state.
- You must be 18 years or older.
- You must have one of the qualifying medical conditions.
If all the points apply to you, go ahead and register with the state medical marijuana program for a cannabis card. Create your patient profile and receive your patient ID to fill in the application.
Next, get a doctor’s recommendation from Online Medical Card and complete your application at the Pennsylvania Department of Health Website. Once approved, it can take around 21 days for the weed card to arrive.
Process of Becoming a Caregiver in PA
Adults and minors are eligible to have a caregiver in PA. However, it is compulsory for all minors to have a registered caregiver. But, in order to become a primary caregiver of an adult or a minor in PA, you must fulfill the following requirements:
- Must be a resident of the state.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and ID.
- Must be 21 years or older.
- Must not be convicted of any criminal offense within the last five years.
- Must be a parent, legal guardian or spouse of the patient or fill the ‘authorization to designate a third party caregiver’ form to become a patient’s legal caregiver.
- Must not be a caregiver to more than 5 patients.
You can fill the application process to become a legal caregiver online by registering or logging in here.
Medical Cannabis Possession Laws in PA
- Medical Cannabis Possession: Patients with a valid medical marijuana card can legally possess up to a 30-day supply of medical cannabis in Pennsylvania. The specific amount of cannabis allowed within this 30-day limit is determined by the recommending physician and is based on the patient’s medical condition and individual needs.
It is essential to note that only medical cannabis is legal in Pennsylvania, and recreational use is still prohibited. Therefore, only registered patients with a valid medical marijuana card can legally possess and use cannabis for therapeutic purposes. - Cannabis Concentrates: Cannabis concentrates, such as oils, tinctures, and waxes, are allowed under Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program. However, these products must be obtained from a licensed medical marijuana dispensary and must be used only by registered patients with a valid medical marijuana card.
The possession limit for cannabis concentrates is also subject to the 30-day supply rule. Patients should follow their physician’s recommendation regarding the appropriate dosage and quantity of concentrates for their specific medical condition. - THC Edibles: In Pennsylvania, THC edibles are permitted under the medical marijuana program. These products include capsules, pills, and other forms of ingestible cannabis that contain THC. Like cannabis concentrates, THC edibles must be purchased from a licensed dispensary and can only be possessed by registered patients with a valid medical marijuana card.
The possession limit for THC edibles falls under the same 30-day supply rule as other forms of medical cannabis. Patients should adhere to their physician’s recommendations concerning the proper dosage and quantity of edibles for their specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most commonly asked questions about getting a Pennsylvania medical cannabis card.
A PA medical cannabis card is valid for 1 year. Every patient receives an email 30 days prior to the expiration date mentioned on the weed card to remind the cardholder to get a renewal.
A medical marijuana recommendation is one that is provided by a certified physician. The validity of a doctor’s recommendation is generally for a period of 12 months since the date of issuance. It is advised to get an annual renewal if you wish to continue using medical marijuana in the state legally.
When applying for a medical cannabis card online, it is very important to identify the legitimacy of the service. Here’s how to ensure that a doctor is legit:
- Ask for the license number and if the doctor refuses to give you the details, take it as a red flag.
- Verify the license number on the state government’s website.
- Make sure that you talk to legit marijuana doctors during your consultation.
- The doctor or clinic must have a verified address (no P.O. box allowed).
- The online clinic must be HIPAA compliant.
Getting a renewal online is just as simple and easy as getting a new recommendation. Begin by checking the date of expiry on the cannabis card. Make sure to contact us 30 days prior to your expiry date.
You can renew your Pennsylvania Weed card by following these steps.
- Select the renewal plan on the website.
- Fill the form and check your details.
- Complete your online consultation.
- Receive your renewed recommendation by email on the same day.
Even if you got your recommendation from a different clinic or doctor, you can apply for a renewal with us.
Yes, online medical clinics are legit. They work as per the legal laws of the state and have the authority to provide medical marijuana recommendations in Pennsylvania.
All online clinics and marijuana doctors also work from a physical location with a proper clinic and also provide walk-in consultations. Telemedicine is just a more convenient and safe way to connect with those who need remote services due to need or preference.
Many scammers hide behind the claims of providing online medical marijuana recommendations. To avoid falling into such traps, look for the following in an online clinic:
- It should be HIPAA compliant.
- It must have a verified physical location with an established history.
- The online clinic should have a BBB A+ rating.
- It must have a 24×7 customer service.
It’s best to remember that getting an MMJ recommendation from licensed marijuana doctors is not the final step. To legally buy cannabis in the state, you must apply for a Pennsylvania cannabis card by registering with the state.
Certified physicians or marijuana doctors decide the amount of dosage you need and your 20 day supply as per the requirements of your medical condition. However, you can only use a certain type of cannabis product in the state.
Pennsylvania laws do not allow smokable forms of marijuana for medical use. A qualified patient can only use topicals like lotions and ointments, ingestible forms such as pills and tinctures and other forms that can be vaporized or nebulized.
No, you cannot cultivate cannabis for medical or recreational purposes in Pennsylvania with a cannabis card. The state has not legalized personal cannabis cultivation.
All medical patients with a valid medical cannabis card can possess no more than a 30-day supply of cannabis at a time.
Yes, you can get a medical weed card for anxiety in PA. The state approved generalized anxiety disorder as a medical condition eligible for a medical weed card back in 2019.
No, you cannot get a medical cannabis card for insomnia in PA. It was rejected as a qualifying medical condition by the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Advisory Board in the quarterly news conference.
Most insurance companies do not cover medical marijuana within their policies since it is federally illegal. You can always contact your insurance company for more information about the same.
A consultation for a Pennsylvania recommendation costs $149 with Online Medical Card. It covers your evaluation and a doctor’s recommendation valid for 1 year. This cost does not include the cost of getting a state approved medical weed card.
There are more than 100 legal cannabis dispensaries in Pennsylvania. You can find a dispensary near you online using our search tool. With a medical cannabis card, you can find a variety of strains and potencies at these dispensaries that provide multiple, different benefits.
You need more than just a recommendation to buy cannabis in Pennsylvania. Once you have received your recommendation, you will have to register with the state marijuana program to get your medical 420 card. Once your weed card is issued, you can use it to buy cannabis from any dispensary.
A consultation with us lasts no more than 20 minutes. Our marijuana doctors are always ready for consultation which helps us keep the wait time to a minimum. However, patients are free to carry on with the consultation process if their doubts are not cleared.
If all the medical information provided by you is accurate and your medical condition is one of the medical conditions approved by the state, the doctor will approve your application instantly. In any case, you will learn if you are qualified or not no later than 24 hours.
Our marijuana doctors generally approve a patient’s application within 24 hours. But, in case you are not approved or are unable to connect with a doctor in time, you will be intimated via text message on your provided phone number. You can call in our customer executives and reschedule a consultation or receive a 100% refund.
You can find all the information about Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program on their official website – www.health.pa.gov.
Yes, you can get a $20 medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania once you receive your medical marijuana recommendation.
Benefits
Legal access to medical marijuana: A medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania grants you legal access to cannabis for the treatment of approved medical conditions. By obtaining a card, you can purchase medical marijuana from licensed dispensaries across the state, ensuring that you have a safe, regulated, and consistent source of medication.
Treatment for a variety of medical conditions: Pennsylvania recognizes a wide range of qualifying medical conditions for medical marijuana use. Some of these conditions include chronic pain, epilepsy, cancer, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among others. A medical marijuana card allows patients with these conditions to access cannabis as an alternative or complementary treatment option.
THC Products Available in PA Dispensaries
Get access to a diverse range of products: Medical marijuana cardholders in Pennsylvania have access to a wide variety of cannabis products, including different strains, concentrates, tinctures, capsules, topicals, and more. This broad selection enables patients to choose the most appropriate form of medical marijuana for their specific needs, allowing for more personalized treatment.
Age restriction exemptions
While recreational cannabis is not legal in Pennsylvania, medical marijuana cardholders under the age of 18 can access cannabis for treatment if they have a caregiver who is registered with the state’s medical marijuana program. This provision helps ensure that minors with qualifying conditions can access the medication they need.
Legal protection
A medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania offers patients legal protection from potential penalties associated with cannabis possession. Cardholders can possess up to a 30-day supply of their medical marijuana without facing legal repercussions, as long as they comply with the state’s regulations.
In summary, obtaining a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania offers numerous benefits to patients in need, including legal access to medical cannabis, treatment options for various medical conditions, access to a diverse range of products, consultations with certified medical professionals, age restriction exemptions, and legal protection. By acquiring a medical marijuana card in PA, patients can take advantage of these benefits and improve their quality of life through the responsible use of medical cannabis.
