Bill to Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis Filed in Pennsylvania

A bill to legalize cannabis for adult use was introduced this week in
Pennsylvania by Democratic Reps. Rick Krajewski and Dan Frankel. The
proposal includes criminal justice reforms – including automatic
expungement of previous low-level cannabis charges – and social equity
provisions, such as reinvesting tax revenues into communities most affected
by the War on Drugs.

In a statement, Krajewski, who during last year’s legislative session led
six hearings studying cannabis legalization, said “The time is now for
Pennsylvania.”

“We have listened carefully to public health experts, criminal justice
reformers, small business advocates and community leaders. Our bill
reflects what we’ve learned – that we can and must legalize cannabis in a
way that is safe, equitable and beneficial to all Pennsylvanians.” —
Krajewski in a press release

Frankel added that the proposal “will create clear rules that protect
consumers, educate the public, and ensure that Pennsylvania small
businesses and taxpayers – not out-of-state corporations – benefit from the
profits.”

“By legalizing and regulating cannabis thoughtfully, we can avoid pitfalls
that have marred roll outs in other states,” he said in a statement.

The bill calls for what the lawmakers call “publicly owned and accountable
retail stores” which they say will maximize state revenues.

Most of the states that neighbor Pennsylvania – except for West Virginia –
have legalized cannabis for adult use.

“Prohibition was never about public safety – it was about control and
punishment, targeting and devastating Black and Brown Pennsylvanians,”
Krajewski said in a statement. “The cannabis industry has been monopolized
by corporatized private equity and it is time to propose an alternative
retail model that will benefit all Pennsylvanians. We need to repair the
harms of criminalization, create family-sustaining union jobs and make this
industry work for all of us.”

The bill will first be heard in the House Health Committee which is chaired
by Frankel.