You will need to provide a Pennsylvania driver's license or ID card that lists your current address as proof of residency. When you finish and submit your patient profile, write down your patient ID number and bring it with you to your doctor's appointment.
The PA Department of Health only allows certain doctors to certify patients for medical marijuana. At your appointment, your physician will examine your condition and determine if you qualify for the medical marijuana program.
After your doctor certifies you for medical cannabis, they will certify you in the PA Department of Health's system. You will receive an email confirmation that lists the next steps, such as paying the $50 registration fee.
After you submit your registration, the state will mail your ID card within 14 days. Once you receive your PA medical marijuana card, you can purchase medical marijuana at any licensed dispensary in Pennsylvania.
Watch our quick tutorial on how to register with the State for medical marijuana in PA.
Pennsylvania has authorized the use of telemedicine to certify patients for medical marijuana cards. At the Sanctuary, our staff members are available to schedule a virtual appointment for you with one of our doctors. You do not need to have a prior doctor's evaluation to meet with our licensed physicians.
During your appointment, your doctor will evaluate your condition and determine if you meet the state’s requirements for medical marijuana use. If your physician believes you would benefit from marijuana use, they will submit a certificate to the Pennsylvania DOH as soon as possible. Once your information is in the system, you can continue the application process on the DOH website.
Simply call us at 484-346-5140 to arrange a virtual meeting with a physician.
The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program is overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Any adult who is a Pennsylvania resident and has a qualifying condition that is on the state's list of medical conditions may be eligible for the program. However, they will need to receive a patient certification from an approved physician that validates their medical records.
With a medical marijuana ID card, you can purchase cannabis at any licensed dispensary in Pennsylvania. Recreational cannabis remains illegal in Pennsylvania, and it is also illegal to cultivate marijuana unless the DOH provides explicit authorization.
The Department of Health not only issues PA cannabis ID cards to new medical marijuana patients, but caregivers as well. Any adult who is at least 21 years of age, a Pennsylvania resident, and passes a background check can register as a caregiver on behalf of an eligible patient. Caregivers can purchase medical marijuana for the person under their care and help them use the substance if they cannot do it alone.
About Medical Marijuana
On April 17, 2016, Governor Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 3 to legalize medical cannabis in Pennsylvania and establish the state's medical marijuana program. This bill allowed patients that had at least 1 of 17 qualifying conditions to apply for cannabis treatment with a physician's approval. Senate Bill 3 also established rules for dispensaries, growers, and processors, as well as the patient and caregiver registry.
Senate Bill 3 passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives with a 149 to 46 vote. Additionally, the bill passed the Pennsylvania Senate by a margin of 42 to 7. Dispensaries in Pennsylvania opened their doors on February 15, 2018, with the first cannabis sale in the state occurring on that day.
Up until 2018, only non-smokable forms of cannabis were allowed to be sold, such as tinctures or ointments. However, this rule was later eliminated and qualified Pennsylvania residents can now purchase up to a 30-day supply of multiple types of cannabis products—topical, edible, and smokable.
Call or Text 484-346-5140 with any questions and to schedule your evaluationOne way to find a physician to certify you in Pennsylvania is to consult the Department of Health's list of approved medical marijuana practitioners, but the quickest way to connect with a doctor who can certify you for the PA medical marijuana program is to call The Sanctuary Wellness Institute at (484) 346-5140 to schedule a same-day telemedicine appointment.
As a medical marijuana patient, you are not required to complete a criminal background check. However, those registering as a caregiver on behalf of another PA MMJ patient must complete a criminal background check and must not have been convicted of a criminal offense relating to the sale or possession of drugs, narcotics, or a controlled substance in the last five years.
It is possible to get your medical marijuana card online by registering with the PA Department of Health, scheduling a telemedicine appointment with a PA MMJ licensed physician, and then paying your state fee after certification approval.
Yes, minors can obtain medical marijuana as long as they have a registered caregiver to purchase medical marijuana on their behalf. Caregivers are required to register with the PA DOH and be approved by the state before they can purchase MMJ for the minor patient.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health will collect a $50 fee to start your application process after receiving your physician’s certification. Your fee could be reduced or waived completely if you participate in certain assistance programs, such as Medicaid, PACE/PACENET, CHIP, SNAP, and WIC.
The Sanctuary Wellness Institute has compiled a list of medical marijuana dispensaries within Pennsylvania on our website. Pennsylvania's Department of Health website also offers an interactive map of the state's medical marijuana dispensary locations.
Each PA MMJ dispensary have a licensed pharmacist to discuss product types and usage best suiting your qualifying medical condition.