The complete guide to cannabis in Pittsburgh

Recreational cannabis is illegal in Pennsylvania. However, Pittsburgh residents who have certain health conditions may qualify for the state’s medical cannabis program. This allows you to access cannabis legally across the state.

If you live in Pittsburgh, it’s important to learn the local laws so you can enjoy the benefits of medical cannabis legally.

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Key takeaways

Here are the most important things to know about medical cannabis in Pittsburgh:

• Legal age: You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a medical cannabis card and make purchases from a licensed dispensary. Minors who qualify for the state’s medical cannabis program may be able to access cannabis through a state-approved caregiver.
• Possession limits: State-approved medical cardholders can possess up to a 90-day supply of cannabis based on their individual needs.
• Cultivation: Growing cannabis on your property is illegal in Pittsburgh, even for state-approved medical cardholders.

Pennsylvania cannabis laws

Recreational cannabis is illegal in Pennsylvania. If you’re caught possessing cannabis and don’t have a medical card, you could face criminal charges, including fines and jail time.

However, state residents who have certain health conditions may qualify for the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program to access cannabis legally for health purposes.

Even with a medical card, it’s against the law to use cannabis in public across Pennsylvania. This means you must consume medical cannabis in a private space, like your home.

Recreational cannabis laws

Recreational cannabis is illegal in Pennsylvania. It’s against the law to buy, use, or possess cannabis for non-medical purposes.

According to Pennsylvania law, possessing up to 30 grams (g) of cannabis is considered a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine. Higher possession amounts can lead to more severe penalties.

But in 2015, the city of Pittsburgh decriminalized possession of small amounts of cannabis. As a result, getting caught with up to 30 g is now only punishable by a $25 fine and no jail time.

Medical cannabis laws

In 2016, Pennsylvania legalized medical cannabis by passing Senate Bill 3. As a result, residents 18 and older who have been diagnosed with one of the state’s qualifying health conditions can apply for a medical cannabis card through the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program. Once approved, this card allows you to purchase cannabis legally from any state-licensed dispensary.

Minors who have a qualifying health condition can also access medical cannabis through a registered caregiver who is 21 or older.

Medical cardholders can purchase up to a 90-day supply of cannabis products, or 192 medical cannabis units. Units are standardized measurements of cannabis that allow dispensaries to track how much a cardholder has purchased within a 90-day window. Examples of one unit include:

• 3.5 g of cannabis flower
• 1 g of concentrate
• 100 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in edible form

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

Cardholders can explore a wide range of cannabis products, including:

• Cannabis flower
• Vaporizers
• Tinctures
• Edibles
• Capsules
• Topicals
• Concentrates

That said, it’s illegal to smoke cannabis flower in Pennsylvania. It must be vaporized or infused into other products like edibles for legal use.

Unlike some states, Pennsylvania forbids medical cardholders from growing cannabis at home. The state also prohibits cannabis home delivery services, so you must make purchases in a licensed dispensary.

While several states have passed job protection laws for medical cannabis cardholders, Pennsylvania has not. This means that you may lose your job if you test positive for cannabis, even if you have a medical card.

It’s also illegal for medical cardholders in Pennsylvania to obtain a gun permit.

Driving under the influence of cannabis is a serious crime in Pennsylvania, even for medical cardholders. Getting caught can lead to criminal charges, including fines, jail time, and the suspension of your driver’s license.

Benefits of getting medical cannabis in Pittsburgh

The only way to legally purchase, possess, and consume cannabis in Pittsburgh is by registering with the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program. Getting approved for a medical cannabis card allows you to make purchases at licensed dispensaries.

Possessing cannabis without a medical card in Pennsylvania can lead to fines and/or jail time, depending on the amount. That said, the city of Philadelphia has decriminalized cannabis, which lowers the charges.

How to get medical marijuana in Pittsburgh

To start the application process for a medical cannabis card in Pittsburgh, you’ll first need to get a patient number through Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Registry.

This is done by creating a profile through the registry website. The website will ask you to provide:

• A state-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license
• Proof of residency
• Personal and medical information

Once you have your state-issued patient number, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor to get a medical cannabis recommendation.

Finding a doctor

Before you can be approved for medical cannabis, you must make an appointment with a licensed Pennsylvania doctor who can provide a written medical cannabis recommendation. This document confirms that you’ve been diagnosed with a qualifying health condition. Once complete, your doctor will submit it to the state’s medical cannabis registry.

It’s important to find a cannabis-knowledgeable doctor in your area, as not all doctors make medical cannabis recommendations.

Alternatively, you can schedule a telehealth appointment through Leafwell to connect with a licensed Pennsylvania doctor without leaving your home.

After your doctor has submitted the medical cannabis recommendation to the state’s registry, you can complete your application and pay the $50 state fee.

From there, it can take 1 to 2 weeks for your medical card to arrive. This card is valid for 1 year.

Once you have your medical cannabis card, you can purchase cannabis products from state-licensed dispensaries throughout Pittsburgh. Just remember to bring your medical card with you, as you cannot enter a dispensary without it.

Qualifying conditions

You must be diagnosed with at least one of the following health conditions to qualify for a medical cannabis card in Pittsburgh:

• AIDS/HIV
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Anxiety or panic disorders
• Autism
• Cancer
• Chronic pain
• Damage to the brain or spinal cord
• Dyskinetic and spastic movement disorders
• Epilepsy

• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis A, B, or C
• Huntington’s disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Muscle spasms
• Neuropathy (nerve pain)
• Opioid use disorder
• Palliative care or hospice
• Parkinson’s disease
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Seizures and seizure disorders
• Sickle cell diseases, including sickle cell anemia
• Tourette syndrome

There are two more qualifying conditions where treatment with medical cannabis can be used for research purposes only:

• Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) with chronic symptoms
• Type II diabetes

Can an out-of-state medical marijuana patient purchase medical cannabis in Pittsburgh?

Pennsylvania does not accept out-of-state medical cannabis cards. Visitors from other states cannot purchase cannabis at a Pittsburgh dispensary.

Dispensaries in Pittsburgh

• Sunnyside (2116 Penn Ave): Sunnyside carries a wide range of cannabis products, including flower, vaporizers, edibles, tinctures, beverages, and more.

• Trulieve (5600 Forward Ave): Trulieve offers a large selection of high-quality cannabis products and frequent deals to help you save money.

Tips for buying weed in Pittsburgh

Once you have your medical cannabis card, keep these tips in mind while you shop:

• Stick to licensed dispensaries: Only buy cannabis from state-licensed dispensaries to make sure your products are legal. Otherwise, you risk receiving low-quality or unsafe products.
• Bring your medical card: You must present your state-issued medical card to enter the dispensary.
• Ask for help: If you’re new to medical cannabis, seek advice on products and dosing from a dispensary staff member or a Leafwell provider.
• Check local laws: Cannabis laws in Pittsburgh and throughout Pennsylvania are subject to change. Follow state and local cannabis laws to stay informed.
• Compare prices: Avoid overspending by comparing prices for similar products across licensed dispensaries in your area.