Guide
Your first visit to a Philly dispensary.
What to bring, what happens at the door, how the menu works, how to pay and what to do after.
Updated October 2026
Your pre-visit checklist
Tick these off before you leave. Your progress saves on this device.
Ready to go?
0 of 8 readyWhat happens at the door
Staff check your Pennsylvania medical marijuana ID card and a photo ID before you reach the sales floor. Registered caregivers can shop for their patients with their own caregiver card.
No card yet? Read how to get a PA medical card first. Dispensaries cannot sell to anyone without one.
Talking to the staff
Tell the staff it is your first visit and what your practitioner recommended. Many Philly shops offer a free pharmacist consultation, often by appointment.
Staff are not your doctor. Health questions belong with your practitioner.
Paying and taxes
Most shops take cash and debit, and many have an ATM inside. Medical marijuana is exempt from sales tax in Pennsylvania, so the shelf price is what you pay for the medicine. Accessories such as vaporizers, batteries and grinders are taxed.
After you leave
Keep your medicine in its original package and carry your card with it. Do not drive after using. Pennsylvania DUI law covers any amount of THC or its metabolite in your blood, and there is no medical exception.
First visit FAQ
What do I need to bring to a dispensary in Philadelphia?
Your Pennsylvania medical marijuana ID card and a photo ID. Bring cash or debit, since most shops do not take credit cards.
Can I use my out-of-state medical card in Philadelphia?
No. Pennsylvania dispensaries can only sell to holders of a Pennsylvania card, and cards are only issued to Pennsylvania residents.
Can a Pennsylvania dispensary deliver?
No. Delivery to patients is not allowed. You can pick up in store or curbside at the dispensary.
Is there a pharmacist at the dispensary?
Many Philadelphia shops offer free consultations with a pharmacist, often by appointment. Ask your shop.
Can I smoke what I buy?
No. Smoking medical marijuana is not allowed in Pennsylvania. Dry leaf is sold for vaporizing.
Keep going
Related guides
Get a PA medical card
The four steps, the $50 fee, who pays nothing, renewals and caregivers.
Pennsylvania cannabis laws
Smoking, edibles, driving, the 90 day supply and Philadelphia's own rules. Plus a 12 question quiz.
Products explained
Dry leaf, vapes, concentrates, capsules, tinctures, liquids and topicals.