What a Reading resident pays
The Department of Health sets the same fees statewide, so Berks County has no local surcharge or discount. The figures below come from the Department and the Medical Marijuana Act.
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual patient fee | $50, once every 12 months |
| Annual fee if enrolled in Medicaid, CHIP, PACE/PACENET, SNAP or WIC | $0 |
| Replacement card | $25 the first time, $50 for each one after |
| Physician certification | Set by the practitioner or service; needed every year |
| Sales tax on purchases | None |
The $0 rate is worth checking before you pay anything. It came with Phase 1 of the Medical Marijuana Assistance Program on March 1, 2022, and covers caregivers in the same programs. Patients enrolled in PACE or PACENET may also receive a $50 monthly benefit under the program's Phase 3. Our cost guide explains both and includes a calculator.
Checking the condition list first
Before spending money on a certification, make sure your diagnosis plausibly fits the list. Pennsylvania recognizes 24 serious medical conditions, among them anxiety disorders, severe chronic or intractable pain, neuropathies, post-traumatic stress disorder and inflammatory bowel disease. There is no clause allowing a physician to certify a condition outside the list. Read the full list with plain-English notes, then decide whether to book.
The physician has the final word. Only an MD or DO registered with the Department can certify you, and the visit can happen in person or by real-time audio or video under Act 44 of 2021.
Need a physician certification?
Online evaluations are available for Pennsylvania residents. Code DRWDY85872 takes 5% off. The physician, not the booking service, decides whether you are certified.
Book my PA evaluation →The rest of the process
Register in the state registry with a Pennsylvania driver's license or state ID that shows your current address. After the physician submits your certification, pay within 60 days; otherwise the certification expires. Then allow about 7 days for printing and 14 for mail.
Enrolled in SNAP or Medicaid? Have that enrollment current when you reach the payment step, since the $0 rate depends on it.
Buying in Berks County
For dispensary locations, use the Department's list of dispensaries with product (PDF), dated September 15, 2026. It lists each location's address, ZIP code and phone number. Statewide there were 192 operating dispensaries as of March 1, 2026. Purchases are limited to a 90-day supply of individual doses at a time.
Nearby guides
South-central neighbors are covered in our Lancaster guide, and the Lehigh Valley in the Allentown guide. Your next step: confirm whether you qualify for the $0 fee, then open your registry account.
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Sources
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This page explains Pennsylvania law and Department of Health guidance in general terms; it is not medical or legal advice, and only a registered physician can certify a patient.