With another voting season past, many states wrestle with the changing landscape of marijuana laws. Some loosen criminal penalties, others legalize medical and others allow for recreational use. Every time a neighboring state changes its policy, Pennsylvania must ask where it stands.
Currently, Pennsylvania has regulations over medical marijuana. As CBS News reports, speculation persists about changing marijuana laws in the wake of neighboring states like New Jersey legalizing recreational use.
A changing house for changing laws?
With Pennsylvania’s house representatives changing seats, Democrats now have a razor-thin majority. This raises the question of whether they will pursue marijuana legislation. According to the reporting, neither side of the aisle has it at the top of their list. Democrats feel its time has come. Republicans feel it is important to establish strong regulations for adult use.
Current marijuana laws in Pennsylvania
While legislators continue to think and media companies continue to speculate, people continue to face serious penalties for even minor marijuana possession. Until the law changes, it is important for Pennsylvanians to understand the current charges and consequences of marijuana possession, use and sale.
Marijuana may cost a person between $500 and $5,000 in fines alongside a year or more in prison. Sale or distribution over 30g is a felony with up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
These charges may seem overwhelming. Convictions over them disrupt and damage a person’s future. Anyone facing these charges may wish to learn more about their unique case and what options there are for defending against allegations of marijuana possession.
