Apr 18, 2025 - Travel

Pittsburghers can cross bridges to buy legal weed

Ryan Deto

Illustration of a marijuana plant traveling through a grocery store checkout line. — Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

It's nearly 4/20 — the unofficial high holiday for cannabis culture — and Pennsylvanians may want to celebrate, but doing so legally is still out of reach without a medical card.

Why it matters: As neighboring states like Ohio and Maryland legalized recreational cannabis in the last two years, Pennsylvania's progress on the front remains stalled. That hasn't stopped Pittsburghers from heading out of state to stock up — and lawmakers know it.

Pennsylvania lawmakers are optimistic about legalizing it this year, citing the urgency of losing out on revenue to its neighbors, and Gov. Josh Shapiro said the Keystone State needs the additional $250 million a year it would raise to help combat its structural deficit.

Here's where Pittsburghers are crossing state lines for legal weed. Just don't forget: What happens in Ohio or Maryland should probably stay there. You could face federal and local prosecution if cannabis is transported back to Pa.

Don't smoke in Pennsylvania. State medical cardholders can't access legal cannabis in flower form, so smoking is a dead giveaway to local authorities, said criminal defense attorney and Pittsburgh NORML director Patrick Nightingale.