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How to get a PA medical marijuana card.
Register, get certified, pay $50 and pick up your medicine. The fee is waived for people in several assistance programs.
Updated October 2026
Four steps to your card
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Your card progress
0 of 4 readyStart at the Department of Health patient page.
What it costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| State ID card | $50 a year |
| With Medicaid, PACE or PACENET, CHIP, SNAP or WIC | Free |
| First replacement card | $25 |
| Later replacements | $50 |
| Practitioner visit | Set by the practitioner |
Who qualifies
You need to be a Pennsylvania resident with at least one serious medical condition on the state's list. The Department of Health keeps the official list on its practitioner page. Your practitioner decides whether you qualify. We do not give medical advice.
Renewing
A certification cannot last more than a year. The Department of Health emails you about 60 days before it expires, and any registered practitioner can recertify you. A separate email about the $50 fee comes about 30 days before it is due.
Caregivers
A patient can name up to two caregivers, and a caregiver can serve more than one patient. Caregivers must be 21 or older unless the state allows otherwise and must pass a background check. Patients under 18 must have a caregiver.
Taxes at the counter
Medical marijuana is exempt from sales tax in Pennsylvania. Growers pay a 5% tax when they sell to dispensaries, and it cannot be added as a separate charge on your receipt. Accessories such as vaporizers, batteries and grinders are taxed.
Card FAQ
How much is a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania?
The state card fee is $50 a year. It is waived for people enrolled in Medicaid, PACE or PACENET, CHIP, SNAP or WIC. Practitioners set their own fees for the certification visit.
Can I get certified online in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Practitioners can certify patients by phone or video.
Which conditions qualify?
The Department of Health keeps the official list of serious medical conditions. Your practitioner decides whether you qualify.
How long does a Pennsylvania card last?
A certification cannot last more than one year. You pay the $50 fee each year and renew with any registered practitioner.
Can someone pick up my medicine for me?
Yes. You can name up to two registered caregivers. Caregivers must be 21 or older unless the state allows otherwise, and they must pass a background check.
Can I get a card if I live in another state?
No. Pennsylvania cards are only for Pennsylvania residents.
Keep going
Related guides
Your first dispensary visit
What to bring, what happens at the door, how the menu works and how to pay.
Pennsylvania cannabis laws
Smoking, edibles, driving, the 90 day supply and Philadelphia's own rules. Plus a 12 question quiz.
Units and supply limits
How Pennsylvania counts your medicine and how the 90 day supply works.