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Weed isn’t legal in Pennsylvania for recreational use, but it’s legal for medical purposes. In 2016, PA became the 24th state in the USA to allow medicinal use.
The Keystone State shows hope for legalizing recreational use. The government is somewhat hesitant. But, residents seem on board with joining the list of 420-friendly states.
Keep reading to discover the legality of marijuana in Pennsylvania. We explore the rules governing possession, cultivation, consumption, and more.
History of cannabis legalization in Pennsylvania
Weed was once legal in Pennsylvania during the 17th century.
Pennsylvania was originally formed to serve as a hemp cultivation state. The idea belonged to the state’s founder, William Penn, in 1619. The first law passed in 1683 encouraged growers to plant hemp.
Hemp was legal until the 1930s. It slowly lost its positive appeal after the anti-marijuana film Reefer Madness. As a result, PA banned marijuana in 1933.
Legislators made the first step towards legalization with House Bill 1393 in 2009. Another effort was made in 2014 with Senate Bill 1182. Neither got the green light to move forward.
The PA weed legalization battle was partly won in 2016. Governor Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 3, which created the Medical Marijuana Act. It permits the use of medical marijuana with a doctor’s approval. Patients must have one of the qualifying conditions to register.
The bill also passed a 5% tax on any business between growers, processors, and dispensaries. Medical marijuana sales officially began in February 2018.
The “smoke a joint, lose your license” law was repealed in 2018. It previously permitted authorities to suspend your driver’s license if found driving under the influence of marijuana.
The recreational weed battle is still on the move. But progress is slowly being made in the Keystone State. Some cities are winning the battle by decriminalizing small amounts of weed possession. You won’t go to jail for having less than 30 grams; the only penalty is a fine.
What are the Pennsylvania marijuana laws?
Weed is legal in PA for anyone with a qualifying medical condition. Recreational use is banned. Get medical authorization by registering a profile with the Medical Marijuana Program. You also need to acquire approval from a registered doctor with the Department of Health.
You can apply for a medical marijuana ID card once you’re approved. The identification process costs $50, but it can be lower if you’re in an assistance program, like Medicaid. After this, you can legally purchase medical marijuana products from a licensed dispensary.
Possession
It’s illegal to possess cannabis products if you’re not a registered medical user. Those with a valid medical marijuana ID can possess a 90-day supply in non-smokable form. This includes oils, infused liquids, topicals, and tinctures. Smoking bud isn’t allowed.
THC and CBD seeds are considered souvenirs, which means you can keep them as novelty items. You can’t germinate or grow them, though.
Possession of weed in Pennsylvania in 2023 isn’t legal for recreational users. However, some regions have decriminalized small amounts.
Philadelphia was the first city to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana in 2014. The penalty for being caught with up to 30 grams is a monetary fine, with no jail time.
Other cities that have decriminalized specific possession quantities include Allentown, Doylestown, Bethlehem, Harrisburg, Folcroft, Lancaster, York, Pittsburgh, and Phoenixville, among others.
Cities that haven’t decriminalized small amounts punish offenders with jail time. You could face up to 30 days and a $500 fine for having less than 30 grams of bud or 8 grams of concentrate. Anything over these limits may result in one year’s incarceration and a $5,000 fine.
Consumption
The Pennsylvania weed laws in 2023 only allow authorized patients to use weed. Recreational consumption is banned. The law isn’t specific on the legalities of consuming weed in public. We recommend sticking to private use.
Growing
It’s considered a felony to grow cannabis in Pennsylvania. People caught cultivating cannabis plants for any purpose get 2.5–5 years in jail and a fine of $15,000.
Only approved cultivators or processors can grow cannabis for medical patients and dispensaries. The health department only approves a maximum of 25 growers or processors.
They must meet the following requirements:
- Apply for a permit to grow seeds of medicinal marijuana.
- Provide information on how they’ll maintain security to prevent abuse.
- Show evidence of zoning requirements and a diversity plan.
- Submit a non-refundable application fee of $10,000, a refundable $200,000 permit fee, and capital proof of $2 million.
There can be other department requirements as stated by the legislation.
Restrictions and limits
Weed is legal in Pennsylvania for medical use. But it comes with specific restrictions and limits. Let’s explore some of them below.
How many grams of weed can I possess in Pennsylvania?
The state law doesn’t directly limit possession in grams. Instead, it mentions the days. You can have a medical cannabis supply for 90 days in the form of non-smokable products.
Can I grow cannabis in Pennsylvania?
No. The Pennsylvania marijuana law in 2023 doesn’t allow residents to grow CBD or THC seeds for any purpose. It doesn’t matter if it’s for recreational or medical use.
Is recreational marijuana legal in Pennsylvania?
Recreational marijuana is forbidden in Pennsylvania. Consumption or possession without a medical card can result in a misdemeanor.
Where can I buy cannabis seeds legally in Pennsylvania?
Cultivating weed is illegal in Pennsylvania. However, you can purchase weed seeds for your collection as long as you don’t germinate or grow them. We hope for PA to legalize weed cultivation soon so people can grow quality weed legally.
Get affordable marijuana seeds online from our seed bank. At Seed Supreme, we offer privacy, delivery, and quality in every shipment. Expect to have your package on your doorstep in just a few days.
Key takeaways
The year 2016 marked a historical breakthrough for Pennsylvania. It became the 24th state to understand the benefits of weed and legalize medical use. Now that PA has legalized weed for medical users, it’s up to the state to ensure every patient can access it.
It’s also only a matter of time until Pennsylvania legalizes recreational use. We believe with the proper measurements, it’s the right thing to do.
Buy cannabis seeds in Pennsylvania to support the ongoing legalization movement. Hold on to them until cultivation becomes legal. We hope for good news soon.
