The complete guide to cannabis in Philadelphia

Recreational cannabis is illegal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. But if you have a certain health condition, you might qualify for a medical cannabis card.

Before you can enjoy the benefits of medical cannabis, it’s important to know the local rules and regulations so you can do so legally.

This guide will help you understand local laws around cannabis so that you can purchase and consume it safely and legally.

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Key takeaways

Before going over the details of Philadelphia cannabis laws, here are the most important things to know.

• Legal age: You must be at least 18 years old to get a medical cannabis card to purchase and consume medical cannabis. Minors who have a serious health condition may be able to access medical cannabis through a state-registered caregiver who is 21 or older.
• Purchase limits: State-approved medical cardholders can possess a 90-day supply of medical cannabis topicals, edibles, oils, tinctures, or dry cannabis flower for vaporization.
• Consumption rules: Public cannabis consumption is prohibited by law, even if you’re a medical cannabis cardholder. You can only legally use medical cannabis in your home.

Pennsylvania cannabis laws

Possession and consumption of recreational cannabis is strictly illegal in Pennsylvania. The only way to buy and use cannabis is by having a state-issued medical cannabis card. The specific laws for things like possession and growing cannabis vary.

However, Pennsylvania law prohibits public cannabis use, even if you have a medical cannabis card. This includes workplaces, restaurants, parks, and sidewalks.

Recreational cannabis laws

Recreational cannabis is not legal in Pennsylvania. However, some state lawmakers are hopeful that it will become legal soon.

Still, if you’re caught possessing cannabis without a state-licensed medical card, you can face criminal charges for:

• Possession of 30 grams or less: A fine of up to $500 and up to 30 days in jail
• Possession of more than 30 grams: A fine of up to $5,000 and up to a year in jail

Medical cannabis laws

Medical cannabis became legal in Pennsylvania on April 17, 2016 with the passing of the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act (Act 16). As a result, Pennsylvania residents 18 and older who have a state-approved health condition can apply for a medical cannabis card to legally possess and use a limited amount of cannabis.

Minors who have a qualifying health condition and consent from a parent or legal guardian can also get medical cannabis through a registered caregiver who is 21 or older.

Under the Medical Marijuana Act, state-approved medical cannabis cardholders across Pennsylvania can legally possess a 90-day supply of topicals, edibles, oils, tinctures, or dry cannabis flower for vaporization. However, smoking cannabis flower is illegal in Pennsylvania.

Your doctor will determine how much a 90-day supply should be based on your individual health needs.

It’s a federal crime to transport cannabis products across state lines. As a result, Pennsylvania residents cannot take any medical cannabis products they’ve legally purchased to other states. They also cannot bring any out-of-state cannabis purchases back into the state.

It’s illegal to grow cannabis in Pennsylvania, even if you have a medical cannabis card. Growing cannabis plants at home is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Medical cannabis use is not permitted while driving. Doing so is punishable with fines of up to $5,000 and up to 6 months of jail time (similar to driving under the influence of alcohol).

Pennsylvania employers are not required to accommodate medical cannabis use. School policies may also vary when it comes to the administration of medical cannabis on school property. Cardholders will need to refer to their individual employer’s or school’s drug policies.

The best place to consume medical cannabis is at a private residence. However, some landlords have policies against cannabis use on their rental properties, so if you rent, it’s best to check your lease before consuming, even at home.

What are cannabis laws in Philadelphia?

The city of Philadelphia has decriminalized cannabis. If you’re caught possessing up to 1 ounce of cannabis, you won’t be arrested or have a criminal record, but you will be issued a civil violation notice and have to pay a $100 fine.

How to get a medical card in Philadelphia

To consume medical cannabis in Pennsylvania, first you need to get a written cannabis recommendation from a state-approved Pennsylvania doctor.

Then, you must register with the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program Registry.

Once you’re approved, all medical cannabis products must be purchased from an authorized, state-licensed dispensary.

Finding a doctor

Before you can apply for a medical cannabis card, you need to get a written cannabis recommendation from a doctor. This confirms that you have been diagnosed with a qualifying health condition that may benefit from cannabis. However, not all doctors write cannabis recommendations, so be sure to ask before making an appointment.

You can also opt for a telehealth service like Leafwell to get a written cannabis recommendation from a state-licensed doctor online. Leafwell’s telehealth service can connect you to a doctor in minutes, so that you can get a recommendation on the same day.

Once you have a doctor recommendation, you can apply for a medical cannabis card through the Medical Marijuana Registry. To apply, you’ll need:

1. Proof of Pennsylvania residency
2. Your cannabis recommendation, as provided by your doctor

After you submit your application, your physical ID card should arrive within 1 to 2 weeks. You can then use your card to legally buy medical cannabis from a state-licensed dispensary.

Qualifying conditions 

To apply for a medical cannabis card in Philadelphia, you must have one or more of these qualifying health conditions:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease
• 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)
• Dyskinetic and spastic movement disorders
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Huntington’s disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Intractable seizures
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Neuropathy
• Opioid use disorder
• Parkinson’s disease
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Severe chronic or intractable neuropathic pain
• Chronic pain
• Sickle cell anemia
• Terminal illness
• Tourette syndrome

Benefits of getting a medical card in Philadelphia

The only way to legally buy and use cannabis in Philadelphia is by having a medical cannabis card.

Having a card also gives you legal protection. Getting caught possessing cannabis without a medical card can lead to penalties, including fines and jail time.

Dispensaries in Philadelphia, PA

• Curaleaf (1125 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19147): Curaleaf grows their own cannabis and uses it to produce a variety of products, including pre-rolls, loose flower, vaporizers, and edibles.

• Liberty Cannabis (8900 Krewstown Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19115): In addition to their generous array of high-quality cannabis products, Liberty Cannabis offers great deals and provides customers with consultations with a licensed pharmacist.

• Zen Leaf (2504 Welsh Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19152): Zen Leaf offers every cannabis product type you could ask for, along with plenty of perks, such as discounts and a rewards program.

• Sunnyside (4502 City Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19131): Sunnyside features a uniquely large selection of cannabis product types, including beverages, capsules, tinctures, concentrates, topicals, and accessories.

• Ethos Cannabis Dispensary (2467 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19114): Ethos carries products from top-rated cannabis brands, with an emphasis on natural, plant-based formulations.

• Beyond Hello (3519 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia, PA; 1206 Samson St, Philadelphia, PA 19107; 475 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123): With three locations in Philadelphia, Beyond Hello has plenty of daily and weekly deals. They also offer a particularly large choice of flower strains, along with every other product type you could ask for.

• Trulieve (300 Packer Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148; 1222 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19107; 501 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19147): Another dispensary with three Philadelphia locations, Truelieve is a trusted name in the cannabis business. Their catalog includes various types of concentrates, edibles, and vaporizers.

Can an out-of-state visitor purchase cannabis in Philadelphia?

Pennsylvania does not have reciprocity laws. This means that medical marijuana cardholders from other states cannot legally buy medical cannabis products in Pennsylvania.

Resources

• 140377-A. https://phila.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=1744588&GUID=F635B36F-4929-4925-A3A0-55E9EE5BB1C4&FullText=1
• 2016 Act 16. https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/uconsCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&yr=2016&sessInd=0&smthLwInd=0&act=16&chpt=5&sctn=10&subsctn=0
• Pennsylvania medical marijuana program. https://padohmmp.custhelp.com/app/login
• Title 18. https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/li/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=00.&chpt=075.&sctn=008.&subsctn=000.

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