Laws and Penalties of Possessing MMJ in Pennsylvania

marysaylor.281 June 10, 2022

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Laws and Penalties of Possessing MMJ in Pennsylvania

MMJ is continuously becoming accessible to the US inhabitants, and it is considered one of the great successes of lawyers in the United States. Still keep in mind your state’s MMJ laws in Pennsylvania where you intended to use MMJ for medical or recreational purposes.

In Pennsylvania, the medical use of MMJ for different kinds of diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, AIDs, Huntington’s diseases, etc. has been legalized. However, its use for recreational purposes is still illegal.

MMJ legalization in Pennsylvania started in 2016, 582,000 people joined the Pennsylvania MMJ program that year. The rules for the state level and the federal level are different from each other for 420 Evaluation. That’s why its legalization process becomes complex.

So, we have made a guide about MMJ Laws in Pennsylvania State. All the things you need to know will be discussed here.

Keeping any Amount of MMJ is a Crime in Pennsylvania

Without getting a valid MMJ Card in Pennsylvania, possessing any quantity of MMJ in PA is a crime. Keeping 30 g or less than 30 g of MMJ is illegal, a $500 fine will be charged against it and up to 30 days in jail. However, laws provide you protection through conditional bail.

Keeping the quantity more than 30 g will further increase the fine up to $5000 and one year in jail. Similarly, if you have previous criminal the fines and penalties will increase accordingly.

Decriminalizing Possession of Small Quantity of MMJ

As possessing any quantity of MMJ in PA is a crime, however, some local judiciaries have given an ordinance. This ordinance allows the possession of a small quantity of MMJ in the state.

Like in Philadelphia possessing 30 g or less than 30 g does not consider a crime. It is taken as a civil violation and charges only a $25 fine.

Qualifying Conditions for Possessing MMJ

It is obligatory to have an MMJ ID card to purchase and use MMJ in PA. You can get this card by registering online through the patient portal of the Pennsylvania Health Authority.

While the laws in the state also limit the purchase of MMJ even still you are a card-holder. Like you can only buy a limited quantity for up to 30 days.

Punishments for Cultivating, Selling, and Distributing MMJ

Keeping MMJ in PA is still a crime but its cultivation, selling, and distributing can lead to more severe penalties. By the sections 18-75-7508 of Pennsylvania, these penalties include:

Two-nine pounds/ 10-20 live plants: Up to one year behind the bars and a $5,000 fine. The fine and jail duration may be doubled if repeated the crime.
Ten- forty-nine pounds/21- 50 live plants: Up to three years in jail and a $15,000 fine.
About 50 pounds/50 live plants: Up to five years behind the bars and a $50,000 fine. The fine and jail will similarly be doubled if the same crime is repeated.

Hemp-Derived CBD is Legal in Pennsylvania

There are a lot of ambiguities about whether CBD is legal in PA or not. Some forms of cannabidiol are legal in PA.

The CBD products which are derived from Hemp are legal to use in Pennsylvania. The state also provides licenses to business owners to grow their businesses. Hemp and MMJ have many similarities except one. The hemp plant has a THC concentration of less than 0.3%. While the MMJ plant has a THC concentration of more than 0.3%.

Because of the lack of regularities in the market regarding legal CBD and MMJ, it becomes difficult for the customers to distinguish between Hemp and MMJ.

Hemp-derived and MMJ derived can only be distinguished by testing the THC concentration in the laboratory.

Possession of MMJ Paraphernalia

Although possessing MMJ in PA is illegal, in addition, possession of MMJ Paraphernalia is also a crime in PA.

Penalties for possessing MMJ Paraphernalia are starts from one year in jail and up to a $25,000 fine.

Driving Under the Influence of MMJ

Driving under the influence of Medical Marijuana is a strict crime and severe penalties may be imposed on the person committing the crime. The Pennsylvania state has adopted the policy of ‘Zero tolerance’ in case of driving under the influence of MMJ or any other kind of drugs.

For the first time committing a crime, penalties include up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine. Additional, the suspension of driver’s license for one year.