Pennsylvania Lawmakers Optimistic About Legalizing Recreational Marijuana
Following President Trump’s executive order to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug, Pennsylvania lawmakers who support easing marijuana restrictions are feeling more optimistic about the possibility of legalizing recreational marijuana in the state.
State Representative Emily Kinkead, a Democrat, believes the move is long overdue and could pave the way for a more successful rollout of adult-use cannabis in Pennsylvania. Kinkead and fellow Democrat Dan Frankel, chair of the House Health Committee, have introduced separate bills aimed at creating a legal marketplace for recreational marijuana.
While the reclassification does allow for medical research, Frankel emphasizes that it does not change the fact that Pennsylvania lawmakers must still pass legislation to create a legal marketplace for adult-use cannabis. However, Kinkead believes the executive order will give Republican lawmakers more cover to support the legislation, citing that 74% of Pennsylvanians support the legalization of recreational cannabis.
State Representative Abby Major, a Republican, has co-sponsored Kinkead’s bill and expressed her enthusiasm for building on the momentum of the reclassification to deliver adult-use cannabis to the state.
Not all federal lawmakers are in agreement, with some Republicans expressing concerns about health risks, intoxicated driving, and worker absenteeism. Despite these concerns, Trump made the change, reflecting the broad support for marijuana legalization across the nation.
The reclassification will take time to go into effect as agencies adopt the change, but it marks 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.
