Pennsylvania

Overview

Pennsylvania has had a medical marijuana program since 2016, run by the Department of Health. Certified patients may buy up to a 30-day supply, including dry leaf for vaporization. Smoking is not permitted under program rules. Home cultivation is not allowed. Adult-use cannabis remains illegal statewide, but several cities, including Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, have reduced local penalties for small amounts.

Last reviewed October 2026. General information, not legal advice.

What's Legal

Dry leaf for vaporization is permitted; combustible smoking is prohibited under state law.

Possession Limits

30-day supply as certified by a physician

Home Growing

Not permitted

Recent Changes

Adult-use legalization stalled again in 2026. Bills such as SB 120 did not advance out of committee, and the state budget enacted in July 2026 did not include legalization.

Driving and Cannabis

Driving while impaired by cannabis is illegal in Pennsylvania, as it is in every state, whether or not the cannabis was obtained legally. Officers may rely on field sobriety tests, drug recognition evaluations, and blood tests, and some states set specific THC limits or zero-tolerance rules. Consuming cannabis in a vehicle and carrying open or unsealed packages where the driver can reach them are commonly prohibited. If you have used cannabis, the safest choice is not to drive.

Crossing State Lines and Federal Law

Taking marijuana across state lines is illegal under federal law, even between two states where cannabis is legal, and it may also violate the law of the state you enter. Marijuana is also prohibited on federal land, in national parks, and at airports under TSA jurisdiction. In 2026 the federal government moved FDA-approved products and state-licensed medical marijuana to Schedule III, but adult-use marijuana remains a Schedule I substance, and rescheduling does not legalize interstate transport. Separate federal changes to the legal definition of hemp take effect in late 2026 and will restrict many intoxicating hemp-derived THC products.

Pennsylvania Cannabis FAQ

Compare Pennsylvania with every other state in our cannabis laws comparison table.

Official Resource

Cannabis laws change often, and limits, penalties, and program rules can differ from what is summarized here. This page is general information, not legal advice. Before you rely on any detail, check the official state source below or consult a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania.