Pennsylvania State Senate Committee Rejects Bill to Legalize Adult-Use Marijuana
A Pennsylvania State Senate committee has voted down a bill that would have established a system for the sale of recreational marijuana in the state. House Bill 1200, which was approved by the House of Representatives last week, would have allowed cannabis to be sold in state-run stores, similar to liquor and wine.
The bill was met with opposition from Republicans, who voted against it along party lines. The Senate committee’s decision effectively kills the bill for now.
Proponents of the bill, including Governor Josh Shapiro, argue that the criminalization of marijuana does not work and that legalizing it would provide a new source of revenue for the state. Shapiro has repeatedly expressed support for legalizing recreational marijuana and has called on state legislators to ensure that those who were convicted of nonviolent possession of small amounts of marijuana have their records expunged.
Despite the setback, some lawmakers are hopeful that the issue will be revisited in the future. The bill’s sponsor, Representative Rick Krajewski, said that the legislation is “balanced, responsible, and provides a robust framework” for the legalization of marijuana.
The rejection of the bill comes as neighboring states have legalized recreational marijuana, and Pennsylvania is losing out on the industry. Shapiro has argued that the state should take advantage of the opportunity to create a regulated and taxed marijuana industry, rather than allowing neighboring states to reap the benefits.
