PA House Leadership Plans Legalization Vote

Pennsylvania remains one of 19 states that still imposes jail time for simple cannabis possession, even as most neighboring states have moved forward with legalization. With no ballot initiative process, the only way to legalize cannabis is through legislative action.

House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D) has stated there is momentum in the House for legalization, and Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) has called for it in his 2024 and 2025 budget proposals. In 2024, the House Health Committee held informational hearings on legalization, and Reps. Dan Frankel (D) and Rick Krajewski (D) announced plans to introduce a state-run cannabis store model—though federal prohibition could complicate this approach.

Meanwhile, Sen. Dan Laughlin (R) and Sen. Sharif Street (D) plan to introduce a competing bill that would establish privately run cannabis stores. Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R) has indicated that legalization depends on strong leadership from the governor.

Other 2025 Cannabis Bills

Several bills have been introduced to reform Pennsylvania’s cannabis laws:

• SB 76 – Would allow medical cannabis home cultivation, offering patients a more affordable option.
• SB 75 & HB 578 – Would decriminalize possession of up to 30 grams of marijuana or 8 grams of hashish, reducing penalties to a summary offense with a $25 fine. Public cannabis use would carry a $100 fine.
• HB 533 – Would expand medical cannabis eligibility, allowing it for any serious condition rather than limiting it to a predefined list.
• HB 878 – Would protect unimpaired medical cannabis patients from criminal charges for having trace THC levels in their system while driving.

Pennsylvania’s Medical Cannabis Law

Pennsylvania legalized medical cannabis with Act 16, and dispensaries began serving patients in February 2018. Since then, the program has improved, including expanded purchasing limits and removal of restrictions that forced chronic pain patients to try opioids first.

For a full summary of Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana law, visit Marijuana Dispensary. Those interested in becoming registered patients can find details on the health department’s website.

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