How Soon Will Marijuana be Legalized in Pennsylvania?
Current Marijuana Laws in Pennsylvania
It seems like there is always new bits of information popping up regarding the legality of marijuana in Pennsylvania. This can make it a little hard to keep up on what’s true and what’s a rumor. We’ll share what we know so far when it comes to people asking how soon will marijuana be legalized in Pennsylvania…
Medical Marijuana
As of the writing of this article in November of 2025, marijuana is legal only for medical purposes. This means that individuals need a written prescription from a doctor to obtain their medical marijuana (MMJ) license. Once you have obtained your MMJ license, you can shop at medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the state.
Marijuana products obtained through medical dispensaries cannot be shared with other individuals or travel across state lines with you. You must also carry your MMJ license with you when you travel with marijuana products purchased at a medical marijuana dispensary.
Decriminalization
Some municipalities have chosen to decriminalize marijuana. These municipalities are: Allentown, Bethlehem, Delaware County, Doylestown, East Norriton, Easton, Erie, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Norristown, Phoenixville, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Reading, State College, Steelton, Upper Merion, West Norriton, and York.
Decriminalization means that, while recreational marijuana is still illegal in PA, these municipalities have chosen to relax the enforcement and punishment for “small amounts” of marijuana possession. Generally, if you are caught with under 30 grams of marijuana, it is considered for personal use and will carry around a $40-$100 fine and maybe some community service.
This of course does not mean that the sale, distribution, or possession or large amounts of marijuana is legal. Authorities will definitely not be looking the other way if you are caught selling any amount of marijuana or in possession of more than 30 grams of marijuana.
How Soon Will Marijuana be Legalized in Pennsylvania?
There have been several bills over the past few years attempting to legalize recreational marijuana in the state of Pennsylvania, but they have thus far been unsuccessful. When and if it eventually passes, it seems that recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania will be sold like liquor – through state controlled stores via the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB).
Until a new bill is introduced that both republicans and democrats can agree on, recreational mairjuana will remain illegal in Pennsylvania. There is no saying for certain when this will happen, but there is a new bill introduced every year. It has to pass sometime! Many are optimistic that midterm elections will change control of the senate from republican to democrat and that will push forward the legalization of recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania.
How to Buy Marijuana in Pennsylvania
Marijuana can only be legally purchased in medical marijuana dispensaries in Pennsylvania. Other than that, certain vendors have begun to sell High THCa products which are pretty much just marijuana, but legally referred to as Hemp. This is possible through interpretations of the Farm Bill (2018). Products like cannabis flower, gummies, seltzers, and more are all being sold through this interpretation of the Farm Bill.
