Pennsylvania Lawmakers Hopeful for Marijuana Legalization After Trump’s Reclassification
President Trump’s recent executive order reclassifying marijuana as a Schedule III drug has sent a wave of optimism through Pennsylvania’s legislative chambers. Lawmakers who support easing marijuana restrictions believe the move could pave the way for the state to legalize recreational marijuana.
Democratic State Representative Emily Kinkead called the decision “overdue,” stating that marijuana should have been rescheduled long ago. Her colleague, Democratic State Representative Dan Frankel, echoed her sentiments, saying the move will boost the state’s medical marijuana market and bring the state closer to legalizing adult-use cannabis.
While the reclassification does allow for increased medical research, Frankel emphasized that it does not change the fact that Pennsylvania lawmakers must pass legislation to create a legal marketplace for recreational cannabis. Both Kinkead and Frankel have introduced bills aimed at tackling the issue.
Kinkead believes the president’s decision will give Republican lawmakers the cover they need to support legalization, and she is now more optimistic than ever that the state will legalize recreational cannabis in 2026. Her bill has a Republican co-sponsor, State Representative Abby Major, who expressed enthusiasm for building on the momentum of the reclassification to deliver what 74% of Pennsylvanians want: adult-use cannabis.
Not all lawmakers are on board with the reclassification, however. Some federal Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns about health risks, intoxicated driving, and worker absenteeism. Despite these concerns, Trump made the change, citing broad national support for marijuana legalization.
The reclassification will take time to take effect as agencies adapt to the new classification. However, it is a significant step towards creating an environment where people can purchase medical marijuana without worrying about federal criminal penalties. Currently, only medical marijuana is legal in Pennsylvania.
