Pennsylvania Marijuana Compliance
When it comes to marijuana legalization, current Pennsylvania marijuana compliance laws only allow the consumption and sale of marijuana under specific circumstances. While Pennsylvania currently does not possess recreational marijuana laws, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed the Medical Marijuana Act in 2016 to legalize medical marijuana within the state.
Although the state operates a medical marijuana program, Pennsylvania employers do not face many state-level restrictions when requesting employee and applicant drug testing. However, the city of Philadelphia passed legislation in 2020 which prohibits employers from testing prospective employees for marijuana use as a condition for employment, unless the position is considered safety-sensitive.
To register for a drug test, simply sign up using the button below. To register via phone, or if you have any questions, we can be reached at (888) 378-2499.
This Information Is Not Intended for Legal Purposes
The information provided on this page is intended for your own knowledge, and should not be used for legal matters. Since marijuana testing regulations can vary, we advise you to seek the guidance of expert legal counsel when creating your company's substance abuse screening program.
Pennsylvania Marijuana Compliance
Pennsylvania Marijuana Laws
Overall Status: Partially Legal
Under current Pennsylvania marijuana compliance law, the consumption, sale, and possession of marijuana is solely legal for medicinal purposes. In 2016, Pennsylvania lawmakers passed the Medical Marijuana Act to establish a medical marijuana program that allows qualifying patients to purchase and consume medicinal marijuana for treatment purposes. Currently, there are no recreational marijuana laws that allow the general adult use of marijuana in Pennsylvania.
Medical Marijuana: Legal
Pennsylvania marijuana law legally allows the consumption of medicinal marijuana for patients suffering from a qualifying medical condition. In 2016, Pennsylvania passed the Medical Marijuana Act to establish a medicinal marijuana program throughout the state that allows those with serious medical conditions to receive a medical marijuana card. To qualify for the program, a patient must be diagnosed with a chronic condition such as cancer, Huntington's disease, or sickle cell anemia and receive a marijuana treatment recommendation by a certified physician.
Decriminalized: Partially
The topic of marijuana possession decriminalization in the state of Philadelphia must be viewed from a geographical standpoint. On a statewide level, Pennsylvania marijuana law has yet to decriminalize possession. Those found possessing 30 grams or less face a misdemeanor charge carrying up to a $500 fine and 30 days in jail unless a registered marijuana patient.
However, some local jurisdictions have passed laws to decriminalize small marijuana possession amounts. For instance, possessing 30 grams of marijuana or less in the city of Philadelphia is viewed as a civil violation that only carries a fine of $25.
Recreational Marijuana: Illegal
Although the state of Pennsylvania established a statewide medical marijuana program in 2016 under the Medical Marijuana Act, the state has not established recreational marijuana laws that allow the general adult use of marijuana. Unless a registered medical marijuana patient, Pennsylvania residents face misdemeanor charges if found in possession of marijuana.
Last updated 1/16/2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Is marijuana legal in Pennsylvania?
While recreational marijuana is currently prohibited, Pennsylvania legalized medicinal marijuana in 2016 under the Medical Marijuana Act. Employers who conduct employee drug screenings do not face restrictions unless located in Philadelphia, which prohibits testing for marijuana as a condition for employment.
What is Pennsylvania's history with marijuana?
Back in 2016, the state of Pennsylvania passed the Medical Marijuana Act, which legalized the consumption, sale, and possession of medicinal marijuana for qualifying patients across the state. However, employers can still test their employees for marijuana use.
Are there any unique laws about marijuana in Pennsylvania?
Possessing up to 30 grams of marijuana in Pennsylvania holds a misdemeanor charge of up to a $500 fine and 30 days in jail. However, the city of Philadelphia has decriminalized small possession amounts and imposes a fine of only $25
Drug Panels That Exclude Marijuana
Urine Drug Panels That Exclude Marijuana Testing
Some of the popular drug panels that remove marijuana testing are listed below:
Also try taking a look at our comprehensive list of urine drug tests that exclude marijuana, where you'll find a complete list of drug tests that do not include THC testing under the "Exclude Marijuana" section.
Hair Drug Panels That Exclude Marijuana Testing
Two of our popular hair tests allow for the option to exclude marijuana from the panel of substances being tested. These include:
For a complete list of our hair drug tests, take a look at our comprehensive list of hair tests.
Drug Panels That Include Marijuana
Urine Drug Panels That Include Marijuana Testing
Many of our testing options include marijuana testing. Below are some of the most popular urine drug tests including marijuana:
Also try taking a look at our comprehensive list of urine drug tests that include marijuana.
Hair Drug Panels That Include Marijuana Testing
Our variety of hair drug tests include many options for marijuana testing. Some of the most commonly ordered hair drug tests are:
A comprehensive list of the hair drug tests that we offer can be found here.