FAQ

No.

Possession of 30 grams or less of cannabis, or just over an ounce, is a misdemeanor carrying up to 30 days in jail, a fine of $500, or both. Larger amounts carry up to a year in jail, a fine of up to up to $5,000, or both. 

Yes. According to partial data reported to the Uniform Crime Reports, in 2023 alone, PA law enforcement made over 11,234 arrests for cannabis possession. 

Yes, for patients who have a qualifying medical condition, a doctor’s certification, and who have registered with the state Department of Health. You can find more about the program here.

Twenty-four states, including five of Pennsylvania’s six neighbors.

Revenue varies depending on factors including the tax rate, how mature the program is, if there is an undersupply or oversupply, and if there are large pockets of local bans and thus no regulated access.

Michigan, which has a smaller population than Pennsylvania, generated over $523 million in cannabis excise and sales taxes in 2024, with a total rate of 16%. That was its fifth year of regulated sales. 

No. The federal government has not prosecuted individuals complying with state cannabis laws since 2013, but there is no formal policy of non-interference. Federal law creates numerous complications, however, including issues with accessing banking and a prohibition on accepting credit cards. Due to federal prohibition, the state itself selling cannabis would almost surely be preempted or nullified.

Pennsylvania has an unscientific law that criminalizes driving with trace amounts of THC in one’s system, which can last many days after impairment wears off. In most states, a far more just approach is used, where the amount of THC in one’s system is one piece of evidence considered, along with all other evidence of impaired driving. Pennsylvania should modify its law to use this more just approach.

No. We now have 15 years of data, and it is extremely reassuring. In 19 of the 21 states with before-and-after data, government surveys indicate a decrease in high schoolers' marijuana use rates post-legalization (The only two exceptions have very new laws, with 2021 — during COVID shut downs — as the “before” year.”)

Nationwide, both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Monitoring the Future survey results show significant drops in youth marijuana use between 2011 and 2023/2024, while half of the country legalized and regulated cannabis for adults. Since states began legalizing cannabis for adults in 2012, MTF data shows 28% to 46% drops in past 30-day marijuana use in the three grades it surveyed — 8th, 10th, and 12th — along with significant drops in the percent of youths reporting "very easy" or "fairly easy" access to marijuana.

Many cannabis consumers have multiple reasons for using cannabis. A 2023 survey by New Frontier Data found 83% use cannabis for unwinding (relaxation, stress or anxiety) and 61% use it for sleep (improving quality or falling asleep). Forty-eight percent use it for pain relief, 20% to stimulate creativity, and 16% to reduce or replace alcohol.