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Pennsylvania Cannabis Laws

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Legal status

  • Medical Program

Possession limits

  • Medical patients

    30 day supply

  • Recreational users

    Illegal

State taxes

  • Medical patients

    0%

  • Recreational users

    Illegal

Cultivation

  • Cultivation is illegal
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Application process

To apply for a medical cannabis card in the state of Pennsylvania

Once you have registered with Leafwell and been approved by one of our medical marijuana doctors online, apply to the state medical marijuana program. Receive your MMJ card and start shopping for your medical cannabis from a licensed dispensary.

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Table of contents

  1. Medical Marijuana Laws in Pennsylvania
  2. What to Know About About Medical Cannabis in Pennsylvania
  3. Can You Grow Cannabis In Pennsylvania?
  4. The Bottom Line

Medical marijuana is legal in Pennsylvania, while recreational cannabis is illegal. 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. There remain restrictions on public consumption and driving while intoxicated.

Medical Marijuana Laws in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s medical cannabis program was signed into law in 2016. To participate in the medical cannabis program, patients must register in the Medical Marijuana Registry and obtain a recommendation from a state-licensed physician registered with the Department of Health.

A medical card is the only way to consume cannabis legally in Pennsylvania. Some local jurisdictions have decriminalized small amounts of cannabis of 30 grams or less.

Outside these localities, the unauthorized possession, use, sale, or distribution of cannabis products carries penalties, including jail time and fines. Depending on the severity of the offense, fines can range from $500-$15,000, with imprisonment up to five years.

Cardholders can possess a 90-day supply of topicals, edibles, oils, tinctures, or dry cannabis flower for vaporization. Smoking herbal cannabis is prohibited under state law.

Pennsylvania medical cannabis patients do not pay state taxes on their medicine. Medical cardholders are also protected from discrimination from an employer under the Pennsylvania Marijuana Act (Act 16).

What to Know About About Medical Cannabis in Pennsylvania

Medical cannabis programs often have different rules in different states, and laws constantly change. It’s important to stay current on the laws in your area. Qualifying conditions, telemedicine permissions, and reciprocity laws are key aspects of medical programs you should be familiar with before applying for your certification or visiting as an out-of-state cardholder.

There Are Certain Qualifying Conditions

To apply for a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania, applicants must have one of the qualifying conditions:

Telemedicine Is Allowed for MMJ Certification

Telemedicine services to get your medical cannabis certification are allowed in Pennsylvania. Contact Leafwell to start your application and connect with an approved provider that can recommend medical cannabis.

Pennsylvania Does Not Have Reciprocity Laws

Pennsylvania does not offer reciprocity to visiting patients, meaning that an out-of-state medical card is considered invalid. That said, there are plenty of other states and territories that recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards including:

*Visitors must complete a visiting patient application with the state program.

States that have recreational cannabis for those 21 and older but do not accept out-of-state cards include:

Can You Grow Cannabis In Pennsylvania?

Cultivation is illegal in Pennsylvania. Growing any number of cannabis plants in Pennsylvania is a felony offense punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

The Bottom Line

Medical marijuana is legal in Pennsylvania, but recreational cannabis is illegal. 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.

Cultivation, or home growing, is prohibited and carries heavy penalties.

Qualify for Cannabis

If you live in a state with a medical program you could qualify for cannabis. Speak to a physician today to qualify and learn how cannabis can help you.