Getting a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania is a fully online process, no in-person doctor visit required. From your first telehealth appointment to receiving your card in the mail, the entire process can be completed in a few weeks.
Pennsylvania has made it straightforward for qualifying residents to access medical cannabis legally. If you have a diagnosed condition that meets the state’s criteria, you can connect with a certifying physician, register through the state portal, and pay a $50 fee to receive your card.
Yes. Pennsylvania established its medical cannabis program under Act 16 of 2016, which created the legal framework for patients to access cannabis through a regulated, physician-supervised system. The Pennsylvania Department of Health administers the program and oversees the patient registry, certifying physicians, and licensed dispensaries across the state.
The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program currently recognizes 24 qualifying medical conditions. It operates on a 100% telehealth model, meaning no in-person physician visit is required anywhere in the state. That structure makes the process accessible to patients across both urban and rural areas without the need to travel.
The next step is confirming you meet the program’s eligibility requirements before you start your application.
Pennsylvania sets three eligibility requirements for patients applying to the program. Meeting all three is necessary before a certifying physician can submit your certification to the state.
You must be a Pennsylvania resident. Proof of Pennsylvania residency is established through a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license or state-issued ID. Out-of-state IDs are not accepted for registration purposes.
Patients must be at least 18 years old. Minors may qualify through a designated caregiver pathway, in which a parent or legal guardian registers as the patient’s caregiver and manages card access on their behalf.
You need a certification from a Pennsylvania Department of Health-approved certifying physician confirming that you have at least one of the 24 qualifying conditions. As part of the standard evaluation under Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana regulations (28 Pa. Code Chapter 1141A), the physician will review your medical history, including any existing prescription medications or controlled substance records. This is a routine clinical review, not a disqualifying hurdle. Patients with pain management contracts or prior controlled substance histories are not automatically excluded.
Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act specifies 24 conditions for which physician certification is available. You need documented evidence of a diagnosis from a treating provider, not just self-reporting, to move through the certification process.
The 24 qualifying conditions are:
For several of the most common conditions, medical cannabis research offers relevant context. Patients with chronic pain may benefit from cannabis-based treatment, with a 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis finding moderate evidence supporting cannabinoids for chronic non-cancer pain.
Patients with PTSD have seen growing physician interest in cannabis as a symptom management option, and anxiety disorders, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease are all areas where research suggests cannabis may help reduce specific symptoms.
If you are unsure whether your condition qualifies, a Veriheal physician can review your medical history during your consultation and help you understand your options.
The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program follows a defined sequence. Each step below maps to the official patient registry workflow, so you know exactly where you are in the process at any point.
Go to the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s online patient portal and create an account using the Keystone Login (KION) system. You will need your Pennsylvania driver’s license or state-issued ID for identity verification. If the system cannot verify your ID due to a recently changed legal name or a non-driver state ID, contact the DOH Medical Marijuana Program helpline directly rather than attempting to resubmit repeatedly.
Schedule a telemedicine appointment with a Veriheal-affiliated licensed medical marijuana doctor. The appointment takes place entirely by video or phone. Have your diagnosis documentation or relevant medical records accessible before the call, as the physician will review your history as part of the evaluation.
During the appointment, if the certifying physician confirms a qualifying medical condition, they submit the physician certification electronically to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. You do not handle this step. The certification appears in your patient portal account once it has been filed.
Log in to your DOH portal account and pay the $50 registration fee. This is the state fee paid to the Pennsylvania Department of Health and is separate from any physician consultation fee. Patients enrolled in Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, CHIP, or PACE/PACENET may qualify for a Medical Marijuana Program (MMAP) fee waiver that covers this cost.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health mails the physical medical marijuana card after the registration fee is processed. Understanding how long it takes to get a medical card helps you plan. The standard timeline is 2 to 4 weeks from the date of payment. Before your card arrives, you can legally visit any Pennsylvania-licensed dispensary using the temporary certification approval visible in your patient portal account.
Patients who are curious about what a medical marijuana card looks like can review a visual guide to understand what to expect when their card arrives in the mail.
Booking a telehealth appointment can feel unfamiliar if you haven’t done one before. The Veriheal appointment is a structured medical consultation, not a sales call. Understanding telemedicine for medical cannabis and what to expect can make the experience feel much less unfamiliar.
A few things to know going in:
Having these ready before your call will help the appointment go smoothly:
The gap between physician certification and card delivery is the part of the process most patients find confusing. Knowing what you can and cannot do during this window removes a lot of unnecessary anxiety.
| What You Can Do Now | What You’re Waiting For |
| Log in to your DOH portal account | State processing of your registration |
| Confirm your registration details | Physical card production and mailing |
| Pay the $50 state registration fee | 2 to 4 week delivery window |
| Visit a licensed dispensary using your temporary portal approval | Receipt of your physical card |
If the Keystone Login system cannot verify your ID during account creation, this is a known issue rather than a disqualification. It occurs most often with patients who have recently changed their legal name, are using a non-driver state ID, or have an ID that is close to expiration.
In these cases, call the Pennsylvania Department of Health Medical Marijuana Program helpline for manual verification assistance. Verify the current helpline number at the official Pennsylvania DOH Medical Marijuana Program page before calling, as contact information is subject to change.
Two separate fees are involved in obtaining a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card, and they are paid at different stages of the process. Many first-time applicants are surprised to find that the physician fee and the state fee are entirely distinct transactions.
| Fee Type | Amount / Notes |
| Physician certification fee | Varies by provider. Paid at the time of your telehealth appointment. |
| State registration fee | $50, paid through the DOH patient portal after certification. |
| MMAP fee waiver | Available to patients enrolled in Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, CHIP, or PACE/PACENET. Covers the $50 state fee. |
The state fee is always $50. The physician fee depends on which certifying provider you use. MMAP waiver eligibility is assessed at the time of registration, so have your assistance program documentation ready when you log in to pay.
Pennsylvania medical marijuana cards must be renewed annually. The renewal process follows the same general structure as the initial application:
Knowing the benefits of a medical marijuana card can also help you decide whether renewing annually makes sense for your situation.
A few things worth checking before you renew:
Ready to renew or get started? Book your Veriheal telehealth appointment and apply for a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania; no hidden fees.
Note: The content on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be professional medical advice. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or prescribe treatment based on the information provided. Always consult a physician before making any decision on the treatment of a medical condition.
Note: Veriheal does not support illegally consuming therapeutic substances such as cannabis but acknowledges that it transpires because of the current illicit status, which we strive to change by advocating for research, legal access, and responsible consumption. Always consult a physician before attempting alternative therapies.
Pennsylvania recognizes 24 qualifying medical conditions under the state’s Medical Marijuana Act. The most common include chronic pain, PTSD, anxiety disorders, epilepsy, cancer, and multiple sclerosis. A certifying physician must confirm a diagnosis before certification can be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Getting a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania involves two separate fees: a physician certification fee that varies by provider, and a $50 state registration fee paid to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Patients enrolled in Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, CHIP, or PACE/PACENET may qualify for an MMAP fee waiver that covers the state fee.
A Veriheal telehealth appointment can typically be scheduled within a day or two of booking. The physical card arrives by mail within 2 to 4 weeks after the $50 state registration fee is paid.
Yes. Pennsylvania’s entire certification process is conducted via telehealth, with no in-person physician visit required anywhere in the state. The DOH patient portal handles account registration, certification receipt, and the state fee payment entirely online.
Pennsylvania medical marijuana cards require annual renewal through the DOH patient portal, following the same physician certification and state fee structure as the initial application.
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