Though medical cannabis has been legal since 2016 and the state has been serving patients since April of 2018, cannabis legislation in Pennsylvania may be the strictest in the nation. In this guide, we’ll ensure you know the rules of marijuana in Pennsylvania by answering questions including:

• Who Can Purchase Cannabis in Pennsylvania?
• Is Recreational Marijuana Legal in Pennsylvania?
• How Much Medical Cannabis Can You Purchase in Pennsylvania?
• How Much Cannabis Can You Possess in Pennsylvania?
• Answering FAQs About Cannabis in Pennsylvania

Only Pennsylvania residents who have qualified for the medical marijuana program are allowed to purchase cannabis. To qualify, a patient must have one of 23 serious medical conditions, such as an anxiety disorder, autism, cancer, HIV/AIDS, inflammatory bowel disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and more. The patient must see a doctor within the PA medical marijuana program who establishes that the patient qualifies. From there, the patient purchases their card, registers with the program, and books an appointment with the nearest medical marijuana dispensary to make a purchase. Caregivers for patients who are approved by the medical marijuana program are allowed to purchase if a patient cannot make it to the dispensary or is a minor.

Despite the green wave sweeping the nation, Pennsylvania's legal stance on recreational marijuana remains unchanged. Both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have decriminalized the possession of up to an ounce of marijuana, but possessing any amount of cannabis throughout the rest of the state will get you into big trouble. 

Though the laws in PA are strict, the amount of marijuana that patients are allowed to purchase is written a bit loosely under an umbrella of “90-day supply.” This is for good reason—Pennsylvania trusts and allows registered pharmacists at licensed medical marijuana dispensaries to make recommendations on both the type of product the patient may want and how much they should get of it. By deferring to pharmacists, patients can ensure they get exactly what they need when they visit a dispensary. 

Recreational cannabis enthusiasts are not allowed to purchase or possess any form of cannabis. Qualifying medical marijuana patients are allowed to purchase and possess up to a 90-day supply of marijuana as recommended by their pharmacist. If the patient is a minor or homebound, they can have a licensed and qualified caregiver purchase for them.

The strict laws governing Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program cause some confusion among cannabis enthusiasts. Here are a few questions that are frequently asked:

Do I need a medical card to buy marijuana in Pennsylvania?/strong>
Yes, you need a medical marijuana card, , and you need to be a resident of Pennsylvania. Out-of-state medical marijuana patients cannot purchase cannabis in PA.

Does Pennsylvania accept out of state medical cards?
No, Pennsylvania does not accept out-of-state medical cards. Only qualified Pennsylvania residents can purchase medical marijuana.

Are dispensaries legal in Pennsylvania?
Only medical marijuana dispensaries are legal in Pennsylvania, and only medical cannabis patients or their caregivers can purchase marijuana.

When it comes to Pennsylvania, medical marijuana patients are currently the only residents who are allowed to purchase from marijuana dispensaries. This is very important to remember if you are a cannabis enthusiast visiting the historic Keystone state.