{"id":376025,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:30","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-marijuana-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-05-16T11:58:35","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T16:58:35","slug":"pennsylvania-marijuana-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-marijuana-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania Marijuana Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Pennsylvania Marijuana Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

While medical marijuana has been legal in the Keystone State since 2018, adult-use recreational cannabis remains illegal and subject to penalty. Senate Bill 3 (SB 3)<\/a>, also known as the Medical Marijuana Act, became law in 2016.<\/p>\r\n

Despite the success of the medical marijuana program and strong support among Pennsylvanians<\/a> for adult use of recreational cannabis, efforts to legalize cannabis have stalled. Gov. Josh Shapiro<\/a> and the lawmakers of the Democrat-controlled state house have been unable to get any bills past the Republican-controlled senate. There is still a possibility it will become law in 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

While medical marijuana use is legal in Pennsylvania<\/a>, there are significant regulations and limits within the program. This article will explain how Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program works, what challenges you may encounter, and how to enroll<\/a>. It will discuss possession and distribution penalties, which municipalities have decriminalized small amounts of marijuana, and the risk involved with any marijuana plant cultivation.<\/p>\r\n

Pennsylvania Marijuana Laws: What Do I Need To Know?<\/h2>\r\n

As of February 2025, only patients and caregivers in the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana program can possess and use marijuana in the state. Yet, this law does not apply on federal lands such as national parks, on military bases, and in federal courtrooms. Under federal law, marijuana is a Schedule I drug<\/a>, as per the Controlled Substances Act (CSA)<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

There is much speculation that a federal reclassification of marijuana is imminent<\/a>. Given the penalties for possession for a federal offense, make sure you confirm legal changes on the use of cannabis before taking any chances. Although recreational marijuana is illegal in Pennsylvania, it is now legal for those 21 and older in neighboring states like Ohio, New York, and New Jersey. But crossing state lines with marijuana could lead to federal charges.<\/p>\r\n

Smoking marijuana is illegal in Pennsylvania. This is true for medical patients as well, who have other methods of intake available. Possession by non-patients is prohibited. First-offenders arrested with under 30 grams\/1.06 ounces of marijuana are eligible for probation and drug education classes instead of jail.<\/p>\r\n

All sales not taking place in state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries are illegal. Medical marijuana<\/a> patients can’t share or gift their cannabis or cannabis products. The cultivation of even a single cannabis plant is against Pennsylvania law and carries severe penalties.<\/p>\r\n

Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of cannabis carries the same law enforcement penalties as an alcohol-caused DUI. Because cannabis can remain in the bloodstream for up to a month, medical marijuana patients need to be careful when driving<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Some Pennsylvania municipalities have decriminalized<\/a> the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use. While this doesn’t legalize the possession of cannabis, it makes the violation a civil infraction instead of a misdemeanor and jail time. Some of the participating jurisdictions include:<\/p>\r\n