No. You cannot find adult-use weed retail outlets in the City of Reading, as it is illegal to sell marijuana in any Pennsylvania location. Note that marijuana is deemed a controlled substance under the Pennsylvania Controlled Substances, Drugs, Device, and Cosmetic Act.
Yes, there are a few medical marijuana dispensaries operating in the City of Reading. Act 16, also called the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act, allows Pennsylvania jurisdictions to permit the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries within their borders.
If you are a registered patient in Reading, you can purchase medical cannabis online in Reading. Recreational cannabis is not available from any of Reading’s online weed dispensaries.
When visiting a cannabis dispensary in Reading, you can expect to follow the rules and regulations set by the Pennsylvania Department of Health regarding medical marijuana. Note that only medical marijuana dispensaries exist in the city, and there are no recreational marijuana dispensaries.
Per state rules, you must have a valid medical marijuana card and present a valid government-issued photo ID at the entrance. You may also be asked to sign in and provide your personal information. Inside the dispensary, you can purchase medical marijuana products, such as dried flower, tinctures, oils, and edibles. A dispensary employee may also assist you in choosing the best product for your medical condition.
Purchases will be restricted to the limits set under the law and are usually completed with cash and not a credit card. After completing your purchase, consumption may not be done on the premises of the dispensary as it is illegal to use cannabis on-site.
Only medical marijuana dispensaries are legal in the City of Reading. Reading dispensaries are required to comply with state law by selling cannabis only to persons with active Pennsylvania medical marijuana cards. They are not allowed to dispense more than 90-day supplies of medical cannabis products to customers. No persons under 18 without the accompaniment of their designated caregivers may be permitted to enter the dispensaries. Dispensaries must also prohibit on-site cannabis consumption.
Pursuant to state law, possessing a controlled drug, such as marijuana, is an offense. However, possessing a small amount of marijuana for personal use is only a misdemeanor carrying up to a $500 fine and up to 30 days imprisonment, although the offender may be eligible for a conditional release. Note that a small amount is defined as 30 grams or less of weed or 8 grams or less of hashish. Possessing more than 30 grams may also qualify as a misdemeanor, but the penalties may go as high as a $5,000 fine and up to one year behind bars.
The Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act (Act 16) legalizes the possession, consumption, and sale of medical marijuana to specific persons in Reading and other Pennsylvania jurisdictions. To qualify for medical marijuana use in Reading, you must have a qualifying condition approved under the Pennsylvania medical marijuana program. The program makes medical cannabis available to both minors and adults with qualifying conditions. However, minors must appoint caregivers to administer medical marijuana on their behalf. Under Act 16:
Medical cannabis consumption is recommended for private spaces only
The possession limit for registered patients is a 90-day supply
Cannabis cultivation is illegal unless explicitly authorized by the Pennsylvania Department of Health
Medical marijuana possession and use is only open to Pennsylvania residents, not out-of-state visitors
Employers:
Are not allowed to discriminate against medical cannabis patients for their status as registered patients
Are not required to make special accommodations for medicinal marijuana use
Have the authority to penalize workers who use or are under the influence of medicinal marijuana on the job
Do not have to take any action that violates federal laws
Can restrict employees from undertaking duties that may endanger their lives while under the influence of medicinal marijuana
You can obtain a medical marijuana card in Reading if you apply for inclusion in the Pennsylvania medical marijuana registry. First, schedule an appointment with a physician in order to obtain a medical marijuana certification for one of the approved conditions under the state medical marijuana program. Note that your certifying physician will submit the certification directly to the medical marijuana registry. To find physicians approved to issue medical marijuana certifications under the Pennsylvania medical marijuana program, see the approved physicians' list published on the state Department of Health website.
Prior to completing your application, you must create an account on the Pennsylvania medical marijuana registry. You will need a valid Pennsylvania-issued ID to create the account. You will be required to submit proof of identification, proof of identity, a physician certification, and a $50 application fee. If you receive assistance under programs such as SNAP, PACENET, PACE, Medicaid, CHIP, and WIC, you may be eligible for a discounted application fee.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PDOH) will review your application and issue your application typically within three weeks after submission.
Persons qualified to consume medical cannabis in the city can do so in their private residences without fear of legal consequences.
There are no means legal under the law to buy recreational cannabis in Reading. At a Reading dispensary, you can purchase medical cannabis if you have a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card and a government-issued ID.
Reading does not permit adult-use cannabis sales within its borders. However, an ounce of medical marijuana in the city costs about $300 - $350.
Some of the most popular strains in Reading include:
Blue Dream
Banana OG
Blackberry Kush
Panama Punch
No. Cannabis smoking in public places in the City of Reading is illegal.
Medical marijuana patients registered in the Pennsylvania medical marijuana registry are permitted to possess up to 90-day supplies of medical marijuana.
No. Shipment across state borders is regulated by federal law. Note that since federal law has not legalized cannabis, shipping cannabis across state lines in or out of the City of Reading is illegal and will be punished severely.
You cannot order adult recreational cannabis online but can order medical marijuana online from Reading medical cannabis dispensaries.
There are currently no 24-hour dispensaries in the city.
Reading dispensaries are out of bounds to out-of-state tourists. There are only medical marijuana dispensaries in the city, and such facilities are only open to Pennsylvania residents.
You need a medical marijuana card issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and a government-issued ID card to enter a dispensary in the city.
Beyond/Hello is a top-rated medical cannabis dispensary in the City of Reading.
Yes, Reading dispensaries will scan your ID before allowing you to enter their facilities.
There are no adult-use cannabis dispensaries in Reading. However, there are three medical marijuana dispensaries in the city.
Reading dispensaries do not permit credit card payments.
There are three dispensaries in the City of Reading, and you can visit them all in a single day. However, you can only purchase medical marijuana from these outlets but cannot buy more cannabis than the permitted amounts under Pennsylvania law.
No. Reading dispensaries do not accept health insurance.
Yes. Reading medical marijuana dispensaries track weed purchases to ensure no patient exceeds the stipulated 90-day supplies when purchasing medical cannabis at their premises.
There are no recreational marijuana dispensaries in Reading, so dispensary visitors only need to be 18 or older and have Pennsylvania medical marijuana cards. If you are not yet 18, you can only enter a Reading dispensary if you visit the facility accompanied by your caregiver.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health regulates medical cannabis activities in the City of Reading. The department is located at:
Health and Welfare Building
8th Floor West
625 Forster Street
Harrisburg, PA 17120
You may report illegal cannabis activities in Reading to the Reading Police Department or file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. To contact the Reading Police Department, call the department’s non-emergency line at (610) 655-6116.