Cannabis in Pennsylvania is only legal for medical use.

Pennsylvania legalized cannabis for medical use in 2016. On February 15, 2018, medical marijuana became available for patients at dispensaries across the commonwealth.

Within Pennsylvania’s medical use framework, patients may possess up to a 30 day supply of medical cannabis. Initially, the only types of medical cannabis allowed were pills, oils, gels, creams, ointments, tinctures, liquid, and non-whole plant forms for administration through vaporization. In May 2018, the health department issued revised regulations to allow whole-plant, flower cannabis. Under the rule change, patients are permitted to vaporize herbal cannabis, but are still prohibited under the law from smoking. Patients are not allowed to grow medical marijuana unless they have a grower/ processor permit. Possession by non-patients of 30 grams or less of cannabis flower or 8 grams or less of hashish is a misdemeanor punishable by 30 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.

While Pennsylvania does not have a formalized social equity program the law specifies the legislature’s intent to  promote diversity and the participation by diverse groups in the medical cannabis market. “Diverse groups” includes a disadvantaged business, minority-owned business, women-owned business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business or veteran-owned small business that has been certified by a third-party certifying organization. 

The list of diverse groups that are verified by the Department of General Services, Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities may be used by a medical marijuana organization to establish the eligibility of a diverse group.

While Pennsylvania does not have a formalized social equity program the law specifies the legislature’s intent to  promote diversity and the participation by diverse groups in the medical cannabis market. To further this goal, 10% of the points awarded in the evaluation of medical cannabis license applications are given to applicants based on their required diversity plans. A medical marijuana organization can demonstrate achievement of its diversity goals by employing diverse participants and transacting business with diverse groups. The list of diverse groups that are verified by the Department of General Services, Bureau of Diversity, Inclusion and Small Business Opportunities may be used by a medical marijuana organization to establish the eligibility of a diverse group.

As part of each application to renew a permit submitted to the Department, a medical marijuana organization must include information on its efforts to meet the diversity goals of the law and the effectiveness of its diversity plan. The report must include information regarding the following:

   (1)  Representation of diverse participants in the medical marijuana organization’s workforce.

   (2)  Efforts to reach out to and recruit diverse participants for employment, including for executive and managerial positions. (3) Employee retention efforts.

 (4) A list of all contracts entered into or transactions conducted by the medical marijuana organization for goods or services with diverse groups.

In addition to the diversity goals set for businesses the department will implement policies to ensure: (1) that diverse groups are accorded equal opportunity in the permitting process; and (2 )that permittees promote the participation of diverse groups in their operations by affording equal access to employment opportunities.

Additionally, the department will: 

(1) Allocate appropriate staff of the Department to assist medical marijuana organizations in fostering the involvement of diverse participants and diverse groups in their operations.

(2) Provide enhanced publicity of permitting opportunities and information to assist diverse participants and diverse groups in learning how to apply for permits to be issued under the act and this part.

(3) Compile, maintain and make available to medical marijuana organizations lists of diverse participants and diverse groups for the purpose of encouraging medical marijuana organizations to provide employment and contracting opportunities consistent with the act.

Pennsylvania does not offer fee waivers or reductions to support medical cannabis licensees who have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition or other diverse groups.

Pennsylvania does not offer state level funding to support medical cannabis licensees who have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition or other diverse groups.

While Pennsylvania does not reserve any specific number of licenses for individuals impacted by the war on drugs, 10% of the points awarded in the evaluation of medical cannabis license applications are given to applicants based on their required diversity plans.