Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Program Overview (April 28, 2022)

Programs

Medical (2016) - Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act
- Rules and Regulations (2016)

Dispensaries (7/26/2021)

Dispensing Locations: 162
Medical Marijuana Treatment Center Licenses:
- 50 licenses.
  - No more than 25 licenses to growers/processors, and no more than 5 growers/processors may also be issued a dispensary permit.
  - Each dispensary may have no more than 3 separate locations. The maximum number of dispensaries for the state is capped at 150.

Geography

New Jersey: Medical and Adult Use
New York: Medical and Adult Use
Delaware: Medical ONLY
Maryland: Medical ONLY
Ohio: Medical ONLY

Regulatory Agencies

Pennsylvania Department of Health: Medical Marijuana Program
- Link

Sales Data

Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Sales Data is listed in the Resources for the Medical Marijuana Advisory Board
- The Medical Marijuana Advisory Board Meeting Presentation contains sales data starting on Slide 10.

Pennsylvania Banking Stats & Guidance (April 28, 2022)

Financial Institutions

Banks: 136
Credit Unions: 348

Banking Guidance

Per the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities - Marijuana and Banking Resources:

Financial institutions must act in accordance with this Guidance [FIN-2014-G001: BSA Expectations Regarding Marijuana-Related Businesses] and existing FinCEN suspicious activity reporting (SAR) requirements and thresholds on activity involving marijuana related-businesses. For well capitalized, well managed institutions that currently have strong BSA programs, the act of providing banking services to marijuana-related businesses in full compliance with the Guidance will not, in and of itself, prejudice an institution to adverse regulatory treatment from the Department of Banking and Securities, provided the institution establishes and adheres to robust policies and procedures around the handling of funds pertaining to the marijuana-related business activities and the previously mentioned FinCEN guidance.

Adult Program Details (April 28, 2022)

Currently, Pennsylvania does not have an adult use cannabis program; however, Senators Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) and Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) have released the Laughlin-Street Bipartisan Adult Use Marijuana Legalization Bill that would create an adult use program that prioritizes safety, social and economic equity for the state of Pennsylvania. More information can be found here: Street-Laughlin Adult Use Marijuana Legalization Bill

Medical Program Details (April 28, 2022)

Medical marijuana was signed into law on April 17, 2016 under the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act.
Forms of medical marijuana are limited to: dry leaf*, pill, topical forms including gel/creams/ointments, tinctures, liquid and oils.
- Dry leaf (marijuana flower) became an acceptable form of medical marijuana for Pennsylvania patients on May 17, 2018. Smoking marijuana is outlawed and current consumption is only allowed through vaporization or nebulization.
Patients are allowed a 90-day supply limit and caregivers may have more than 5 patients each. See House Bill 1024 and regulatory provisions. These provisions will remain in place until September 30, 2021.

Pennsylvania Program News

Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program Homepage

Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program
Official reports from the Pennsylvania Department of Health regarding the current status of the medical marijuana program are issued every 2 years. Read the current report issued on May 15, 2020 here.
The City of Philadelphia has banned marijuana drug testing as of January 1, 2022. Exceptions are included below:
- Police officer or other law enforcement positions;
- Any position requiring a commercial driver's license;
- Any position requiring the supervision or care of children, medical patients, disabled or other vulnerable individuals;
- Any position in which the employee could significantly impact the health or safety of other employees or members of the public, as determined by the enforcement agency and set forth in regulations pursuant to this Chapter.
- The prohibition of subsection 9-5502(1) shall not apply to drug testing required pursuant to:
- Any federal or state statute, regulation, or order that requires drug testing of prospective employees for purposes of safety or security;
- Any contract between the federal government and an employer or any grant of financial assistance from the federal government to an employer that requires drug testing of prospective employees as a condition of receiving the contract or grant; or
- Any applicants whose prospective employer is a party to a valid collective bargaining agreement that specifically addresses the pre-employment drug testing of such applicants.