PKN Law - Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorneys

06/05/2026

Pennsylvania medical cannabis patients can still face criminal charges if they smoke cannabis. A valid card does not permit smoking, and items like cones, bowls, or bongs may lead to paraphernalia charges.

06/05/2026

Pennsylvania medical ma*****na patients can still face criminal charges if they bring cannabis products back from another state. Even when another state allows the purchase, Pennsylvania law may not protect that possession once the product crosses back into the Commonwealth.

06/03/2026

There has been a lot of confusion about ma*****na rescheduling. The broader federal rescheduling of ma*****na is still pending, with a Drug Enforcement Administration hearing scheduled to begin on June 29, 2026. Rescheduling is not the same as legalization, and cannabis is not simply legal across the board.

05/30/2026

Federal rescheduling of cannabis for state MMJ patients is significant, but it is NOT legalization or decriminalization. Pennsylvanians are still at risk of being charged with a crime for cannabis possession.

We take a look at this issue here:

Learn how ma*****na possession charges still affect thousands across the Commonwealth and why statewide reform remains urgent.

05/29/2026

Cannabis rescheduling is an important development, but it is not the same as federal legalization. If you are a medical ma*****na patient in Pennsylvania, there are still real legal questions involving driving, probation, possession, fi****ms, and federal law.

05/28/2026

Pennsylvania drivers should know that Paul Miller’s Law begins carrying penalties on June 5, 2026. The law bans the use of a hand-held interactive mobile device while driving, including holding a phone, supporting it with your body, texting, scrolling, dialing, or repeatedly touching a mounted device.

05/25/2026

PKN Law would like to wish you a Happy Memorial Day in honor of all of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service of our Nation.

05/19/2026

Pennsylvania medical cannabis patients have lived with uncertainty when it comes to firearm ownership, concealed carry permits, and federal background checks. Federal rescheduling may change that for patients who are fully compliant with Pennsylvania medical cannabis laws.

05/19/2026

Schedule III treatment of medical cannabis could change how Pennsylvania driving under the influence cases are prosecuted. Lawful medical ma*****na patients should not face an automatic conviction simply because THC or an inactive metabolite appears in a blood test.

The key issue should be impairment at the time of driving. This shift may give patients a real defense and require prosecutors to prove more than the presence of cannabis in the bloodstream.

05/18/2026

Medical cannabis has been rescheduled federally for state licensed medical ma*****na programs. In my opinion, that matters immediately in Pennsylvania, even before the General Assembly acts or the Secretary of Health issues a separate order.

The question is whether Pennsylvania can continue treating medical cannabis patients as though cannabis remains Schedule I when federal law now recognizes state regulated medical ma*****na as Schedule III. This issue has not yet been fully litigated, but it may have major consequences for patients, DUI cases, fi****ms rights, and criminal defense.