HARRISBURG (TNS) — They’ve heard from the experts across North America. They’ve watched states surrounding Pennsylvania green light recreational marijuana.
Now a pair of House lawmakers is working on legislation to legalize recreational marijuana in the commonwealth.
State Reps. Rick Krajewski, D-Philadelphia, and Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, said Monday they are looking for sponsors for what they are calling “landmark” marijuana legislation that could generate significant revenue and help communities that have suffered the impacts of the “war on drugs.”
“We’ve heard from public health experts. We’ve heard from criminal justice and social equity advocates. We’ve learned directly from states across the country how to get this done safely and efficiently, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in public revenue,” said Krajewski, who, as chairman of a Health subcommittee, held five hearings on the issue this past session. “It’s time to move forward in Pennsylvania before we fall further behind.”
Krajewski and Frankel said the state would build a strong marketplace with a public health focus, raise significant state revenue and support individuals and communities harmed by laws that levied harsh penalties for simple marijuana possession.
“We have a moral obligation to not only legalize but also to work to repair the damage caused by decades of marijuana arrests,” Frankel said,
Among the 24 states that have legalized recreational marijuana are five of six of Pennsylvania’s neighbors.
According to a number of polls, decriminalization enjoys majority bipartisan support among Pennsylvanians and its governor, Josh Shapiro, who considers marijuana a potential “cash crop“ that could generate $250 million in five or six years.
Shapiro, who called for legalization and a 20% tax on sales as part of his 2024 budget address, wants the state to be the first to put its agriculture department in charge of this new industry.
Frankel vowed his bill would protect Pennsylvania from issues other states have faced arising from poor regulation and lawsuits by out-of-state cannabis companies.
The legislation, according to lawmakers, would provide for:
Expungement and restorative justice for those affected by draconian drug policies.
Reinvestment of funds into communities disproportionately harmed by the war on drugs.
Public health protections, such as limiting excessive THC levels, prohibiting predatory marketing and packaging, preventing accidental ingestions by children and other recommendations developed by our nation’s leading scientists.
Sustainable cannabis businesses opportunities for local and diverse operators.
