Pennsylvania Cannabis Laws

Legal — Medical Only

Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana in 2016 through Act 16. The program has grown rapidly and now serves over 400,000 patients. Recreational cannabis remains illegal, though legalization efforts are ongoing. Dry flower was initially excluded but added to the program in 2018.

Last updated: January 15, 2026

Quick Facts

Minimum Age	18+ (medical only)
Purchase Limits (Rec)	N/A — Not legal
Purchase Limits (Med)	A 30-day supply as determined by the physician (no specific weight limit)
Delivery Allowed	No
Home Growing	Not allowed. Cultivation is illegal for all individuals.
Public Consumption	Prohibited. Medical cannabis may only be consumed in private residences. Smoking flower in public is explicitly prohibited.
ID Requirements	Pennsylvania medical marijuana card, Government-issued photo ID
Tourist Rules	Only Pennsylvania residents with a medical marijuana card can purchase. No out-of-state reciprocity.
Penalties	Possession without a medical card: 30g or less is a misdemeanor (up to 30 days, $500 fine). Over 30g is a misdemeanor (up to 1 year, $5,000 fine). Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have locally decriminalized small amounts.
Tax Info	Medical: 5% gross receipts tax on growers/processors (built into pricing). No additional sales tax on medical cannabis.

Medical Cannabis Program

Qualifying Conditions

Over 20 qualifying conditions including anxiety, cancer, Crohn's, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, HIV/AIDS, MS, neuropathy, opioid use disorder, Parkinson's, PTSD, severe chronic pain, sickle cell, and Tourette's.

How to Get a Card

Patients must be certified by a registered physician and register with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Card costs $50.

Medical Marijuana in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has one of the larger medical marijuana programs on the East Coast, with over 400,000 active patients and more than 150 dispensary locations statewide. The program has expanded significantly since its 2016 launch, adding dry flower in 2018 and steadily increasing the list of qualifying conditions.

Major dispensary operators include Trulieve, Curaleaf, AYR, and Cresco Labs, with locations in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and communities across the state.

Next steps: compare dispensaries in Pennsylvania, how to find a licensed dispensary, what to bring to a dispensary, and browse all state cannabis pages.

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Official License Lookup

Verify a dispensary's license on the official Pennsylvania website:

Visit Pennsylvania Cannabis Regulator