Is there a way I can pay the penalty and not do the conditional discharge program (section 36)?

The conditional discharge program is an excellent opportunity to have your criminal case ultimately dismissed. The requirements are relatively straight forward. Pay your fines, don't get in trouble again and pass a random drug test. Now that you are in the program, you must comply with all the terms. You cannot only pay the fines and not participate, If you violate the terms, you will be back in court facing the charges again, Good luck.

It sounds like you are already in the program. You need to complete the year.

I suggest that if the program has a component of drug treatment (I don't know), stay with it and learn from it. You can live without drugs and once you are clean you'll see what part of life you've been missing. Good luck to you.

yes . You can drop out of the program and plead guilty to the charge. Pay the fine but have a criminal record for 5 years.

Not unless you want to go to trial instead of having charges dismissed.