A Pennsylvania Department of Health–approved physician can certify your serious medical condition. We'll show you every step — and exactly what it costs.
Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Program is run by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Create a profile in the state registry with your Pennsylvania driver's license or state ID and an email address. You'll get a Patient ID.
An approved physician confirms your serious medical condition and issues a certification of up to one year.
Pay the ID card fee in the registry within 60 days of certification. Your card is printed and mailed.
Use your card at any Pennsylvania dispensary. Some ask first-time patients to make an appointment.
The Department recommends registering and having your Patient ID number before you see the physician. It keeps your visit simple.
Here's what the Department of Health charges, and who can have the fee waived.
Paid to the state through the registry, for patients and caregivers. Renewed each year.
If you're enrolled in Medicaid, PACE/PACENET, CHIP, SNAP, or WIC, you may qualify for a no-cost ID card.
A lost card costs $25 to replace the first time and $50 after that.
The physician's visit is a separate fee and may not be covered by insurance. Pay the state fee within 60 days of certification, or the certification expires. Source: PA Department of Health.
You'll need one of the serious medical conditions listed by the Department of Health, confirmed by an approved physician.
*When conventional treatment is contraindicated or ineffective, or as an adjunct to primary treatment. Traumatic brain injury and Type II diabetes are approved for research purposes only. See the official list.
Serving certified patients and caregivers, with online reservations. The Wyoming Valley has several other licensed dispensaries too, and your card works at any of them. Confirm hours before you go.
See all locations on the Department of Health dispensary list.
Riverside walking paths, gardens, and open lawns along the Susquehanna, right across the river from downtown.
“I'm on Medicaid and didn't know the card fee could be waived. That made the difference for me.”
— Joanne K., Wilkes-Barre“I registered first like they suggested, so the certification visit was quick. My neuropathy pain finally has another option.”
— Stan M., KingstonThe state ID card fee is $50 a year. It may be waived if you're enrolled in Medicaid, PACE/PACENET, CHIP, SNAP, or WIC. The physician visit is a separate fee.
The Department allows about 7 days for printing after you pay, plus up to 14 days for mail delivery.
Your physician sets the length, up to one year. You'll renew with a new certification and pay the fee again.
No. As of 2026, only medical marijuana is legal in Pennsylvania, and cannabis bought in neighboring states can't legally be brought back.
Not as a patient. Caregivers do complete a background check.
On the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Medical Marijuana Program pages.
Wilkes-Barre, the seat of Luzerne County, grew along the Susquehanna River on the strength of the anthracite coal industry. Today it's home to Wilkes University and King's College, the River Common and Kirby Park, and a proud Northeastern Pennsylvania community. Wilkes-Barre residents follow the same statewide rules as every patient in Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Program.
The program operates under the Medical Marijuana Act (Act 16 of 2016) and is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which approves physicians, issues ID cards, and licenses dispensaries.
Recreational marijuana remains illegal in Pennsylvania, and cannabis remains illegal under federal law. See the Department of Health for current rules.
Appointments with Department of Health–approved physicians.