The complete guide to cannabis in Philadelphia

Recreational marijuana is not legal in Philadelphia or anywhere in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania has a well-established medical marijuana program that has been operating since 2018 under the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act — one of the more comprehensive state programs in the country, with over 20 qualifying conditions and hundreds of licensed dispensaries statewide. Within Philadelphia specifically, possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana has been decriminalized since 2014, carrying a $25 civil fine rather than a criminal charge. But there is no legal place to purchase recreational cannabis in Pennsylvania, and state law enforcement authority still applies. Here is exactly what is and isn’t legal for Philadelphia residents in 2026.

Get your medical card in Philadelphia

Select State

Apply now

Is weed legal in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania and Philadelphia’s cannabis laws have two layers: Philadelphia’s city-level decriminalization (which removes criminal penalties for small amounts) and Pennsylvania state law (which still defines marijuana possession as a criminal offense statewide). Here’s the precise picture:

Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program

Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act was signed by Governor Tom Wolf in 2016 and dispensaries began opening statewide in 2018. It is one of the broader medical programs in the Northeast, permitting flower, oils, tinctures, topicals, capsules, and vaporizer products. As of 2026, Pennsylvania has more than 150 licensed dispensaries statewide, with dozens in and around Philadelphia.

Qualifying conditions in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania patients may qualify for a medical marijuana card under the following conditions:

• Cancer
• HIV/AIDS
• ALS
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord
• Epilepsy
• Inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohn’s disease)
• Neuropathies
• Huntington’s disease
• Tourette syndrome
• Glaucoma
• PTSD
• Intractable seizures
• Severe chronic or intractable pain of neuropathic origin or severe chronic or intractable pain
• Autism
• Opioid use disorder (as an adjunct treatment)
• Anxiety disorders
• Dyskinetic and spastic movement disorders
• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Terminal illness with a life expectancy of less than six months

Pennsylvania’s qualifying conditions list is among the most expansive in the country. Anxiety disorders and intractable pain are both included, meaning a significant portion of the adult population may qualify. A Leafwell physician can evaluate your specific situation and confirm your eligibility in a same-day telehealth appointment.

What Pennsylvania patients may possess

Pennsylvania medical marijuana cardholders may possess a 30-day supply as determined by their certifying physician. There is no fixed gram limit written into state law — the supply limit is defined by the physician’s certification and dispensary records. Patients may possess flower (dry leaf), oils, tinctures, topicals, capsules, and vaporizer products. Edibles in the traditional sense (infused food products) were not originally permitted, though regulations have continued to evolve.

How to get a medical marijuana card in Philadelphia

Pennsylvania residents must complete the following steps to obtain a medical marijuana card:

• Step 1 — Create a patient profile. Register on the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Registry at padoh.force.com/mmr.
• Step 2 — Get a physician certification. Your physician must be registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Telehealth certifications are available through Leafwell for same-day evaluation. The physician confirms your qualifying diagnosis and issues a certification in the state’s registry.
• Step 3 — Pay the card fee and receive your card. The Pennsylvania medical marijuana card costs $50. A reduced fee of $25 is available for patients who qualify for public assistance programs. Cards are issued by the Department of Health.
• Step 4 — Visit a licensed dispensary. With your card and photo ID, you can purchase from any of Pennsylvania’s 150+ licensed dispensaries, including dozens in Philadelphia and the surrounding area.

Cannabis dispensaries in Philadelphia

Philadelphia has a high concentration of licensed medical marijuana dispensaries within and around the city. All require a valid Pennsylvania medical marijuana card. Out-of-state medical cards are not accepted — Pennsylvania does not have reciprocity agreements with other states.

For the full current list of licensed dispensaries in Pennsylvania, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health Dispensary Directory.

CBD and hemp products in Philadelphia

Hemp-derived CBD products are fully legal in Pennsylvania under the 2018 Farm Bill. Tinctures, gummies, capsules, topicals, and other CBD products containing 0.3% THC or less are available throughout Philadelphia at pharmacies, health food stores, and specialty wellness shops — no medical marijuana card required.

Hemp-derived Delta-8 THC products are currently legal in Pennsylvania, though state regulators continue to examine this space. For Philadelphia residents or visitors who do not qualify for the state’s medical marijuana program, hemp CBD products offer a legal and widely available alternative.

Cannabis possession penalties in Pennsylvania

Note: Pennsylvania’s DUI laws apply to cannabis — driving while impaired by marijuana is a criminal offense regardless of medical cardholder status.

Get your medical card in Philadelphia

Select State

Apply now