Pennsylvania cannabis history
Reviewed
The Medical Marijuana Act was enacted April 17, 2016. The act says use of medical marijuana is unlawful except as the act provides. An adult-use bill’s motion to report was defeated on May 13, 2025.
This is a short history, not legal advice. The rules that apply today are on the Pennsylvania cannabis laws page. A date is included only when the linked page states it.
At a glance
April 17, 2016The General Assembly says Act 16 was enacted from Senate Bill 3 on April 17, 2016.
Act textExcept for stated sections, use of medical marijuana is unlawful and is a violation of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.
May 13, 2025House Bill 1200’s last action was a motion to report defeated, 3 to 7.
Act 16
Sources
- enacted from Senate Bill 3 on April 17, 2016
- motion to report defeated, 3 to 7
- shall be known as the Medical Marijuana Act
Citations were checked against the linked pages on October 24, 2026. Claims without a statute, election result, regulator page, court opinion, or news report were left out.