Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program Overview
Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program, established under Act 16 of 2016, provides eligible patients access to medical cannabis. MMJ.com assists Pennsylvania residents throughout the process—from verifying eligibility to completing telemedicine evaluations.
Official Qualifying Medical Conditions (24 Conditions)
Per the Pennsylvania Department of Health, a "serious medical condition" under the law is any one of the following:
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Anxiety Disorders
- Autism
- Cancer (including remission therapy)
- Chronic Hepatitis C
- Crohn's Disease
- Damage to the Nervous Tissue of the Central Nervous System (brain-spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity and other associated neuropathies)
- Dyskinetic and Spastic Movement Disorders
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Huntington's Disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Intractable Seizures
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Neuropathies
- Opioid Use Disorder (for which conventional therapeutic interventions are contraindicated or ineffective)
- Parkinson's Disease
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Severe Chronic or Intractable Pain (of neuropathic origin or severe chronic or intractable pain)
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Terminal Illness (life expectancy of 12 months or less)
- Tourette Syndrome
Research-Only Conditions (Chapter 20)
The following conditions are approved for clinical research purposes only:
- Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with chronic symptoms
- Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Program Details
- Active Patients: Over 500,000 - one of the largest medical cannabis programs in the U.S.
- Anxiety Disorders: Pennsylvania is one of few states explicitly listing anxiety as a qualifying condition
- State Fee: $50 annually
- Card Validity: 1 year
- Telehealth: Fully available for evaluations and renewals
- Home Cultivation: Not permitted
About the Qualifying Medical Conditions
Below is information about each qualifying condition and the research that informed Pennsylvania's decision to include it in the state program per Act 16 of 2016.
Severe Chronic or Intractable Pain
Chronic pain is an approved qualifying condition under Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program per Act 16 of 2016. Pennsylvania included this condition based on systematic reviews examining cannabinoid use among patients with chronic pain conditions. (Whiting et al., JAMA 2015)
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders are approved qualifying conditions under Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program per Act 16 of 2016. Pennsylvania included this condition based on research examining cannabinoid use in patients with anxiety disorders. (Bergamaschi et al., Neuropsychopharmacology 2011)
Cancer
Cancer is an approved qualifying condition under Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program per Act 16 of 2016. Pennsylvania included this condition based on research examining cannabinoid use among cancer patients experiencing treatment-related symptoms. (Whiting et al., JAMA 2015)
Epilepsy and Intractable Seizures
Epilepsy and intractable seizures are approved qualifying conditions under Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program per Act 16 of 2016. Pennsylvania included these conditions based on clinical trial research examining CBD in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy. (Devinsky et al., NEJM 2017)
Autism
Autism is an approved qualifying condition under Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program per Act 16 of 2016. Pennsylvania included this condition based on research examining cannabis use among patients with autism spectrum disorder. (Aran et al., Sci Rep 2019)
PTSD
PTSD is an approved qualifying condition under Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program per Act 16 of 2016. Pennsylvania included this condition based on research examining cannabinoid use among patients with PTSD. (Roitman et al., J Clin Psychopharmacol 2014)
Opioid Use Disorder
Opioid Use Disorder is an approved qualifying condition under Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program per Act 16 of 2016. Pennsylvania included this condition based on research examining cannabis as a potential harm reduction strategy. (Lucas et al., Int J Drug Policy 2017)
Multiple Sclerosis
MS is an approved qualifying condition under Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program per Act 16 of 2016. Pennsylvania included this condition based on clinical research examining cannabinoid use in patients with MS-related spasticity. (Zajicek et al., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2012)
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's Disease is an approved qualifying condition under Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program per Act 16 of 2016. Pennsylvania included this condition based on research examining cannabinoid use among Parkinson's patients. (Lotan et al., Clin Neuropharmacol 2014)
Crohn's Disease and IBD
Crohn's Disease and IBD are approved qualifying conditions under Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program per Act 16 of 2016. Pennsylvania included these conditions based on clinical research examining cannabis use in IBD patients. (Naftali et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2013)
Chronic Hepatitis C
Chronic Hepatitis C is an approved qualifying condition under Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program per Act 16 of 2016. Pennsylvania included this condition based on research examining cannabis use among patients undergoing antiviral treatment. (Sylvestre et al., Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2006)
ALS
ALS is an approved qualifying condition under Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program per Act 16 of 2016. Pennsylvania included this condition based on research surveying ALS patients about symptom management. (Carter et al., Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2010)
Tourette Syndrome
Tourette Syndrome is an approved qualifying condition under Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program per Act 16 of 2016. Pennsylvania included this condition based on research examining THC use in patients with Tourette's. (Muller-Vahl et al., Pharmacopsychiatry 2003)
Huntington's Disease
Huntington's Disease is an approved qualifying condition under Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program per Act 16 of 2016 as determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS is an approved qualifying condition under Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program per Act 16 of 2016. Pennsylvania included this condition based on research examining cannabinoid use among HIV/AIDS patients. (Woolridge et al., J Pain Symptom Manage 2005)
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an approved qualifying condition under Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program per Act 16 of 2016. Pennsylvania included this condition based on early research examining the relationship between cannabinoids and intraocular pressure. (Hepler & Frank, JAMA 1971)
Sickle Cell Anemia
Sickle Cell Anemia is an approved qualifying condition under Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program per Act 16 of 2016. Pennsylvania included this condition based on research examining cannabis use among sickle cell patients. (Abrams et al., Blood Adv 2020)
Other Conditions
Neuropathies, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Dyskinetic and Spastic Movement Disorders, Damage to the Nervous Tissue of the Central Nervous System, and Terminal Illness are approved qualifying conditions under Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program per Act 16 of 2016 as determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Special Patient Categories
Caregivers
- Eligibility: Must be at least 21 years old, pass a criminal background check, and register with the Pennsylvania Department of Health
- Note: Cannot have drug-related criminal convictions within the last 5 years
Minor Patients
- Requirements: Patients under 18 must have consent from a parent or legal guardian who also registers as their caregiver
- Support: MMJ.com offers assistance with required legal documentation for minors
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I am eligible for the program? If you believe you have an approved serious medical condition, you will need to visit a doctor approved to participate in the program. The doctor will certify that you have an approved serious medical condition.
What is a patient certification? A doctor approved by the Department of Health can issue a patient certification. The certification confirms that you have one of the 24 serious medical conditions.
How long does certification last? Certifications are valid for one year and must be renewed annually by an approved practitioner.
Is home cultivation allowed in Pennsylvania? No, home cultivation is not permitted in Pennsylvania. Medical cannabis must be purchased through licensed dispensaries.
Medical Disclaimer
This page provides information about Pennsylvania's qualifying conditions for medical cannabis per Act 16 of 2016. The inclusion of a condition in Pennsylvania's program does not constitute medical advice or a guarantee of therapeutic benefit. Individual results vary. Potential side effects may include dizziness, sedation, and cognitive changes. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting treatment.