Breaking
Pennsylvania Senate Law & Justice Committee advances Senate Bill 846 for adult-use framework review DOH issues updated Certificate of Analysis (COA) requirements for all licensed testing laboratories effective Q1 2025 Pennsylvania Office of Medical Marijuana reports 450,000 registered patients milestone amid program expansion House Bill 1080 proposes expanded list of approved qualifying conditions including anxiety disorder and PTSD Pennsylvania Senate Law & Justice Committee advances Senate Bill 846 for adult-use framework review DOH issues updated Certificate of Analysis (COA) requirements for all licensed testing laboratories effective Q1 2025 Pennsylvania Office of Medical Marijuana reports 450,000 registered patients milestone amid program expansion House Bill 1080 proposes expanded list of approved qualifying conditions including anxiety disorder and PTSD

Established 2024

Pennsylvania's Official
Cannabis Industry Resource

Authoritative guidance on the Medical Marijuana Act (Act 16 of 2016), Pennsylvania Department of Health regulations, licensing, patient registration, and industry compliance for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Explore the Program Find a Dispensary
450K+
Registered Patients
175+
Active Dispensaries
25
Licensed Growers/Processors
23
Approved Conditions

Medical Marijuana Act · Act 16 of 2016

Pennsylvania Medical
Marijuana Program Overview

Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program was established by the Medical Marijuana Act (Act 16 of 2016), signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf. Administered jointly by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) and the Pennsylvania Office of Medical Marijuana (OMM), the program authorizes qualified patients to access medical cannabis for a defined list of serious medical conditions.

The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Advisory Board oversees scientific and clinical review of the program's scope, recommending changes to the approved conditions list and regulatory framework. The Governor's Office of Policy and the Pennsylvania State Police coordinate enforcement and compliance at the state level, in accordance with the Pennsylvania Administrative Code.

Licensed growers and processors operate under strict seed-to-sale tracking requirements via Metrc, Pennsylvania's state-mandated cannabis tracking software. All cannabis products must be tested by a certified cannabis testing laboratory and must carry a Certificate of Analysis (COA) confirming delta-9 THC potency, terpene profile, and contaminant screening before reaching dispensary shelves.

Patient registration is managed through the OMM's secure online portal. Patients must first obtain a physician certification from a DOH-approved practitioner, then complete their registration and pay the annual fee. Caregiver registration, HIPAA compliance protocols, and Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations are administered through the same system.

Key Program Milestones

  • Act 16 of 2016 signed into law
  • First dispensaries opened in 2018
  • Dry leaf/flower authorized in 2018
  • Clinical Registrant model introduced 2019
  • 450,000+ patients registered to date
  • Senate Bill 846 introduced for adult-use framework
  • House Bill 1080 expands qualifying conditions
Patient Registration Process

Step 1: Physician Certification

  • Schedule appointment with DOH-approved practitioner
  • Provide documentation of qualifying condition
  • Receive physician certification number
  • Certification valid for one year

Step 2: OMM Registration

  • Create account at patient.marijuana.pa.gov
  • Enter physician certification number
  • Pay $50 annual registration fee
  • Receive photo ID card by mail within 7–10 days

Pennsylvania Office of Medical Marijuana

License Types & Permit Classifications

01
Cultivation License

Grower/Processor License

Authorizes the cultivation, harvesting, processing, and packaging of medical cannabis for distribution to dispensaries throughout the Pennsylvania cannabis supply chain. Vertically integrated operators may hold both grower/processor and dispensary permits.

  • Application fee $10,000
  • Annual permit fee $200,000
  • Canopy limit Regulated by DOH
  • Metrc tracking Required
  • Lab testing (COA) Mandatory
  • HIPAA compliance Required
02
Retail Permit

Dispensary Permit

Permits the retail dispensing of medical cannabis products to registered patients and caregivers. Dispensaries operate across six designated regions in Pennsylvania — from Philadelphia and Bucks County in the southeast to Pittsburgh and Allegheny County in the west — and must verify patient caregiver registration before each transaction.

  • Application fee $5,000
  • Annual permit fee $30,000
  • Max locations 3 per permit
  • Dispensary regions 6 statewide
  • Patient verification Required at POS
  • Advertising rules Strictly regulated
03
Academic / Clinical

Clinical Registrant

A special permit class allowing academic clinical research centers affiliated with approved medical schools to conduct research on medical cannabis. Clinical registrants operate integrated research facilities under direct DOH oversight, contributing to evidence-based policy under the Pennsylvania Administrative Code.

  • Affiliation requirement Accredited med school
  • Research protocols DOH-approved
  • Patient eligibility Terminal illness priority
  • IRB oversight Required
  • Data reporting Annual to DOH
  • ADA compliance Required

Note: Pennsylvania does not currently authorize a cannabis microbusiness license class. Hemp-derived CBD products are governed separately under the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. All applications are reviewed by the Pennsylvania Office of Medical Marijuana per the Pennsylvania Administrative Code.

Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Advisory Board

Approved Qualifying Medical Conditions

The following conditions have been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Medical Marijuana Advisory Board as qualifying conditions under the Medical Marijuana Act. Patients must have a documented diagnosis from a DOH-approved practitioner.

ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
Anxiety Disorder
Autism
Cancer
Chronic Hepatitis C
Chronic Pain (Neuropathy)
Crohn's Disease
Damage to Nervous Tissue
Dyskinetic / Spastic Movement
Epilepsy
Glaucoma
HIV / AIDS
Huntington's Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Intractable Seizures
Multiple Sclerosis
Neurodegenerative Disease
Neuropathies
Opioid Use Disorder
Parkinson's Disease
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Severe / Chronic or Intractable Pain
Sickle Cell Anemia
Terminal Illness

House Bill 1080 currently proposes expansion of this list. The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Advisory Board reviews petitions for new conditions annually. Review the Pennsylvania Administrative Code for complete clinical definitions.

Pennsylvania Dispensary Network

Find a Dispensary Near You

Pennsylvania's 175+ licensed dispensaries are distributed across six geographic regions. Dispensaries in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, and Scranton serve high-density population centers, while locations in Lancaster, York, Reading, Bethlehem, and Wilkes-Barre serve surrounding communities in Bucks County, Montgomery County, Delaware County, Allegheny County, and Chester County.

Philadelphia Region
45+ Dispensaries
Philadelphia · Bucks County · Montgomery County · Delaware County · Chester County
Pittsburgh Region
38+ Dispensaries
Allegheny County · Butler · Beaver · Westmoreland · Washington
Scranton / Lehigh Valley
32+ Dispensaries
Scranton · Wilkes-Barre · Allentown · Bethlehem · Lackawanna
Harrisburg / South-Central
28+ Dispensaries
Harrisburg · Lancaster · York · Reading · Dauphin County
Erie / Northwest
18+ Dispensaries
Erie · Meadville · Warren · Mercer · Lawrence County

Use the Pennsylvania Office of Medical Marijuana's official dispensary locator to find hours, contact information, and product availability near you.

Open Full Dispensary Locator

Regulatory Updates & Legislative News

Pennsylvania Cannabis News & Updates

January 14, 2025

Legislative

Senate Bill 846 Passes Committee Review, Advances to Full Senate Floor Vote

The Pennsylvania Senate Law & Justice Committee approved Senate Bill 846 by a 7–4 vote, sending the adult-use cannabis regulatory framework bill to the full Senate. The bill proposes licensing structures for vertically integrated operators and cannabis microbusiness applicants, with oversight by the Pennsylvania Office of Medical Marijuana.

Read Full Analysis

December 3, 2024

Compliance

DOH Issues Revised Certificate of Analysis Standards for Licensed Testing Laboratories

The Pennsylvania Department of Health published updated COA requirements mandating expanded terpene profile reporting and lower detection thresholds for heavy metal contaminants. All cannabis testing laboratory operators must comply by Q1 2025 or face permit suspension under the Pennsylvania Administrative Code.

Read Compliance Guidance

November 18, 2024

Patient Access

House Bill 1080 Proposes Anxiety Disorder and Opioid Use Disorder Additions to Qualifying Conditions

The Pennsylvania House Health Committee held hearings on House Bill 1080, which would expand the approved conditions list to include generalized anxiety disorder and expand opioid use disorder provisions. The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Advisory Board submitted supporting clinical evidence citing chronic pain and PTSD outcomes data.

Read Legislative Summary

Pennsylvania Office of Medical Marijuana

Compliance Resources & Requirements

Metrc Seed-to-Sale Tracking

All growers, processors, and dispensaries in the Pennsylvania cannabis supply chain must utilize Metrc for real-time inventory tracking, plant tagging, transfer manifests, and disposal documentation. Pennsylvania State Police may audit Metrc records at any time.

Metrc Compliance Guide →

Certificate of Analysis (COA) Requirements

Every cannabis product must be accompanied by a COA issued by a DOH-certified cannabis testing laboratory. COAs must confirm delta-9 THC potency, terpene profile, residual solvent levels, microbial contaminants, heavy metals, and pesticide residues before product release.

COA Standards Documentation →

Advertising & Marketing Rules

Dispensary and grower/processor advertising is strictly regulated by the Pennsylvania Office of Medical Marijuana. Advertising may not target minors, make unsubstantiated health claims, or appear on billboards within 500 feet of schools. All marketing materials require prior OMM approval.

Advertising Compliance Rules →

Packaging & Labeling Standards

All medical cannabis products must comply with DOH packaging standards: child-resistant containers, tamper-evident seals, opaque packaging, and labels displaying product name, batch number, COA QR code, delta-9 THC content, dispensary permit number, and patient caregiver registration verification codes.

Packaging Standards Guide →

HIPAA Compliance & Patient Privacy

All entities handling patient caregiver registration data must maintain HIPAA-compliant data security protocols. Patient information may not be shared with Pennsylvania State Police without a valid court order. Breaches must be reported to the DOH within 72 hours under Pennsylvania Administrative Code requirements.

Privacy & HIPAA Standards →

Employee & ADA Compliance

Licensed dispensaries and growers must comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for physical access and employment. The Medical Marijuana Act prohibits employment discrimination against registered patients, though employers may enforce zero-impairment policies for safety-sensitive positions per the Pennsylvania Crimes Code.

Employment & ADA Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Patient & Industry FAQ

  • Pennsylvania residents must obtain a physician certification from a DOH-approved practitioner — searchable at the official OMM physician directory — documenting a qualifying condition such as chronic pain, PTSD, cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, or another approved condition. After receiving your certification number, register at patient.marijuana.pa.gov and pay the $50 annual fee. Fee waivers are available for patients receiving public assistance. Your photo ID card arrives within 7–10 business days and is valid for one year.
  • A registered caregiver may assist up to five patients and must pass a Pennsylvania State Police criminal background check. Caregivers must register with the OMM annually and are prohibited if they have a felony drug conviction within the past five years. Caregivers receive their own photo ID card and may purchase cannabis on behalf of registered patients at any licensed Pennsylvania dispensary. Minors must have a parent or legal guardian as their designated caregiver.
  • Pennsylvania does not currently maintain formal reciprocity agreements with other states. Patients holding valid medical marijuana cards from other states may not legally purchase cannabis at Pennsylvania dispensaries without first completing Pennsylvania OMM registration. Additionally, because cannabis remains a Schedule I Controlled Substance under federal law, transporting medical cannabis across state lines — including into Pennsylvania from a neighboring state — constitutes a federal offense regardless of state law.
  • The Medical Marijuana Act (Act 16 of 2016) prohibits employers from discriminating against employees solely because they are certified medical marijuana patients. However, employers retain the right to prohibit impairment on the job and may enforce drug-free workplace policies for safety-sensitive positions. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has held that employers are not required to accommodate on-duty cannabis use. Employees who test positive for cannabis use during work hours may still face employment consequences under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code and employer policies.
  • Pennsylvania law does not extend protections beyond state borders. Patients should research destination state laws carefully before traveling, as reciprocity acceptance varies significantly. New Jersey, for example, operates its own registered patient program with no Pennsylvania reciprocity. Cannabis remains prohibited under federal law, making transport through federally controlled spaces — airports, federal parks, and interstate highways — subject to federal jurisdiction regardless of destination. The Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition publishes periodic travel guidance for patients.