Pennsylvania Act 16 of 2016 governs cannabis licensing for medical use only; recreational sales remain illegal. The Department of Health awards a small set of grower and dispensary permits, with a diversity plan required but no formal Philadelphia social-equity carve-out yet.
Pennsylvania has not legalized adult-use cannabis. The Medical Marijuana Act, 35 P.S. section 10231.101 et seq., authorizes the Department of Health to issue 25 grower-processor permits and 50 dispensary permits, each operating up to three locations. Applicants must submit a diversity plan describing minority, women, veteran, and disability participation, but Pennsylvania has no statutory social-equity license set-aside comparable to New Jersey or New York. Philadelphia advocates have lobbied for equity priorities should adult-use legalize, citing disproportionate cannabis arrests in city zip codes. Until the General Assembly acts, Philadelphia residents seeking ownership must compete in the statewide medical permit cycle and meet 35 P.S. 10231.601 capital and operations standards.
Operating without a Department of Health permit is a third-degree felony under 35 P.S. section 10231.1308, punishable by up to seven years prison and fifteen thousand dollars in fines per offense.
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania Act 16 requires medical-cannabis grower-processors and dispensaries to operate at least 1000 feet from a school or daycare. Philadelphia zoning ...
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Zoning Code section 14-603(13) authorizes medical-marijuana grower-processors and dispensaries only in specific commercial and industrial distri...
Philadelphia, PA
Medical marijuana dispensaries in Philadelphia must comply with zoning restrictions under the Philadelphia Zoning Code. No dispensary may be within 500 feet ...
See how Philadelphia's social equity licensing rules stack up against other locations.
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