Medical Conditions That Qualify For A Card in Pennsylvania

Introduction

Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program, established under Act 16 (the Medical Marijuana Act) in 2016, provides access to cannabis for patients with specific serious medical conditions. Overseen by the Office of Medical Marijuana within the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the program has grown significantly, with over 400,000 registered patients as of 2024. As of July 2025, Pennsylvania recognizes 24 “serious medical conditions” that qualify for a medical marijuana card, along with a petition process to add new conditions. This guide details the qualifying conditions, eligibility requirements, application process, and benefits of obtaining a medical card. Start your journey with How to Get a Medical Card in Pennsylvania.

Qualifying Medical Conditions in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act specifies 24 serious medical conditions that qualify patients for a medical marijuana card, as defined by the Department of Health. A registered physician must certify that the patient has one or more of these conditions and that cannabis could provide therapeutic benefits. Below is the complete list of qualifying conditions for 2025, as outlined by the Office of Medical Marijuana:

1. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): May reduce pain, muscle spasticity, and improve quality of life.
2. Anxiety Disorders: Helps manage symptoms like excessive worry or panic, added in 2019 due to significant patient demand.
3. Autism: Can address behavioral challenges and anxiety in autistic patients.
4. Cancer: Alleviates chemotherapy-related nausea, pain, and appetite loss.
5. Chronic Hepatitis C: May reduce treatment-related side effects like nausea and fatigue, added in 2022.
6. Crohn’s Disease: Cannabis’s anti-inflammatory properties may relieve symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases.
7. Damage to the Nervous Tissue of the Central Nervous System (Brain-Spinal Cord) with Intractable Spasticity: Addresses severe spasticity and associated neuropathies.
8. Dyskinetic and Spastic Movement Disorders: Helps manage involuntary movements in conditions like dystonia.
9. Epilepsy: Cannabinoids, particularly CBD, may reduce seizure frequency, as seen with FDA-approved Epidiolex. Read more in Medical Marijuana and Epilepsy: How Does It Work?.
10. Glaucoma: May reduce intraocular pressure, though long-term efficacy is debated.
11. HIV/AIDS: Supports appetite stimulation, pain relief, and symptom management.
12. Huntington’s Disease: Can reduce movement disorders and pain.
13. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): May alleviate symptoms of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
14. Intractable Seizures: Addresses treatment-resistant seizures.
15. Multiple Sclerosis (MS): May ease muscle spasticity and neuropathic pain.
16. Neurodegenerative Diseases: Includes conditions like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease for symptom management.
17. Neuropathies: Helps manage nerve pain, tingling, and numbness.
18. Opioid Use Disorder: Used when conventional treatments are ineffective or as adjunctive therapy.
19. Parkinson’s Disease: Can help manage tremors, stiffness, and pain.
20. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Reduces anxiety, flashbacks, and sleep disturbances. Read more in Marijuana and PTSD: A Winning Combination or a Recipe for Disaster?.
21. Severe Chronic or Intractable Pain of Neuropathic Origin or Associated with a Chronic Condition: Includes pain from fibromyalgia, arthritis, or chronic back pain. See How Medical Marijuana Helps with Chronic Pain.
22. Sickle Cell Anemia: May relieve chronic pain and inflammation.
23. Terminal Illness: Defined as a prognosis of one year or less if the illness runs its normal course.
24. Tourette’s Syndrome: May reduce tics and associated anxiety, added in 2019.

Physicians cannot recommend cannabis for conditions outside this list unless approved through a petition to the Medical Marijuana Advisory Board (MMAB). For example, fibromyalgia itself is not listed but may qualify under severe chronic pain if a physician deems it appropriate.

Eligibility Requirements for a Medical Marijuana Card

To qualify for a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania, patients must meet the following criteria:

• Residency: Be a Pennsylvania resident with proof of residency (e.g., Pennsylvania driver’s license or state-issued ID).
• Age: Be at least 18 years old. Minors require a caregiver (e.g., a parent or guardian) who is 21 or older, has passed a background check, and is registered with the Department of Health.
• Physician Certification: Obtain a certification from a physician registered with the Office of Medical Marijuana, who has completed a 4-hour training course and is licensed by the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine.
• Medical Need: Have a diagnosis of one or more of the 24 qualifying conditions, confirmed through medical records or physician evaluation.

Pennsylvania does not offer reciprocity for out-of-state medical marijuana cards, so only residents with valid Pennsylvania cards can purchase from state dispensaries.

Certification and Application Process

Obtaining a medical marijuana card in Pennsylvania involves a clear process, facilitated by the Medical Marijuana Registry:

1. Register Online: Create a profile in the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Registry using a valid email address, Pennsylvania driver’s license or state ID, and current address.
2. Schedule an Appointment: Book a telemedicine or in-person appointment with an OMMU-registered physician. Find one at Find a Doctor in Pennsylvania. Over 2,000 physicians are registered as of 2025.
3. Provide Documentation: Submit proof of residency, a photo ID, and medical records documenting your qualifying condition.
4. Medical Evaluation: During the consultation (typically 15-30 minutes), the physician verifies your condition and enters a certification into the Medical Marijuana Registry if approved.
5. Pay for the Card: Return to the Registry, pay a $50 fee (waived for patients on Medicaid, PACE/PACENET, CHIP, SNAP, or WIC), and complete the application.
6. Receive Your Card: Applications are processed within 5-10 business days. Upon approval, you receive a digital card via email and a physical card in the mail within 7-14 days. Use your card to purchase from one of Pennsylvania’s 150+ licensed dispensaries.

For renewals, repeat the process annually, with telehealth available for existing patients. If your application is denied, see What to Do If Your Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Application Is Denied.

Benefits of a Medical Marijuana Card in Pennsylvania

Since recreational marijuana remains illegal in Pennsylvania, a medical card provides critical benefits:

• Legal Protections: Cardholders can legally possess a 30-day supply (e.g., up to 4 ounces of flower or equivalent in oils, tinctures, or capsules), avoiding misdemeanor charges for non-medical possession.
• Dispensary Access: Access to over 150 licensed dispensaries, such as Curaleaf and Beyond/Hello, offering products like flower, edibles, and vapes.
• Tax Savings: Medical cannabis is subject to a 6% sales tax, but cardholders avoid penalties associated with recreational possession.
• Caregiver Support: Patients can designate up to two caregivers (21 or older, with background checks) to purchase or administer cannabis. Caregivers pay a $50 fee (waivable for financial hardship).
• Employment Protections: Act 16 prohibits discrimination against cardholders for cannabis use outside work hours, though employers may enforce zero-tolerance drug policies.

For travel guidelines, see Traveling with Medical Marijuana: What’s Allowed in Pennsylvania.

Health and Safety Considerations

Using medical cannabis safely requires caution:

• Physician Guidance: Consult your physician for appropriate dosages and product forms, especially for conditions like epilepsy or PTSD. Start with 5-10 mg THC for edibles and wait 90-180 minutes for effects.
• Storage: Store cannabis in its original dispensary packaging in child-proof containers. Contact the Pennsylvania Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 or 911 for emergencies.
• Driving: Driving under the influence is illegal, with THC detection leading to DUI charges, including fines, license suspension, or jail time.
• Consumption Restrictions: Smoking cannabis is prohibited; only vaporization, oils, tinctures, pills, or topicals are allowed. Edibles must be purchased from dispensaries, not homemade.
• Federal Restrictions: Cannabis is a Schedule I drug federally, so avoid use on federal property or crossing state lines. Firearm ownership is also restricted for cardholders.

Costs and Accessibility

Pennsylvania’s program is accessible and affordable:

• Certification Costs: Physician consultation fees range from $99-$149, with providers like Leafwell and Quick Med Cards offering evaluations starting at $99.
• Application Fees: The medical card costs $50, waived for patients on assistance programs like Medicaid or SNAP.
• Telehealth Options: Telemedicine evaluations make certification convenient, especially for rural residents or those with mobility issues.
• Dispensary Access: With over 150 dispensaries statewide, patients can access products like flower (since 2018), edibles, and tinctures.

Petitioning for New Conditions

Pennsylvania allows patients and providers to petition the Medical Marijuana Advisory Board (MMAB) to add new qualifying conditions. Petitions are submitted to the Department of Health, reviewed by the MMAB, and approved or denied based on medical evidence. Notable additions include anxiety disorders and Tourette’s syndrome in 2019 and chronic hepatitis C in 2022. Contact the Office of Medical Marijuana at (888) 733-5595 or ra-dhmedmarijuana@pa.gov for petition details.

Common Myths About Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program

• Myth: Any condition can qualify for a medical card.
  • Fact: Only the 24 listed conditions qualify, though petitions can expand the list.
• Myth: Patients can grow their own cannabis.
  • Fact: Home cultivation is illegal; all cannabis must come from licensed dispensaries.
• Myth: Out-of-state cards are accepted.
  • Fact: Pennsylvania does not offer reciprocity for out-of-state cards.

For more FAQs, visit Pennsylvania FAQ.

Tips for Patients Seeking a Medical Card

1. Find a Registered Physician: Use Find a Doctor in Pennsylvania to locate OMMU-registered providers.
2. Gather Medical Records: Provide records documenting your qualifying condition to streamline certification.
3. Opt for Telehealth: Online evaluations are quick and convenient, often completed in 15 minutes.
4. Apply Early: Submit your application promptly to avoid delays, as processing takes 5-10 days.
5. Follow Dosage Guidelines: Start low and go slow, especially with edibles or new products.
6. Stay Informed: Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health Medical Marijuana Program website for updates.

Conclusion

Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program offers a structured pathway for patients with one of 24 serious medical conditions, such as cancer, epilepsy, PTSD, or chronic pain, to access cannabis legally. The program’s growth, especially after adding anxiety disorders in 2019, reflects its importance, with anxiety now accounting for over 60% of certifications. A medical card provides legal protections, tax savings, and access to over 150 dispensaries, making it essential for patients seeking relief. For more resources, explore Cannabis Med Cards Blogs or contact the Office of Medical Marijuana at (888) 733-5595. Have questions? Share them in the comments or reach out to a licensed dispensary for guidance!