Pennsylvania Lawmakers Propose New Cannabis Legalization Plan
Two Democratic state lawmakers, Reps. Rick Krajewski and Dan Frankel, have unveiled a new plan to legalize recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania, citing the state’s continued prohibition as an “outlier” compared to 24 other states that have legalized cannabis. The proposal aims to create a regulated market that prioritizes public health, raises revenue for the state, and supports those harmed by the criminalization of marijuana.
In a co-sponsorship memo, Frankel and Krajewski argue that decades of cannabis prohibition have failed to keep Pennsylvanians safe, leading to the consumption of unregulated and dangerous products, as well as the loss of millions in public revenue. They also highlight the disproportionate impact of cannabis criminalization on Black and Brown communities.
The proposed legislation would decriminalize cannabis and establish a regulated market that focuses on public health, raises revenue for the state, and supports those harmed by the criminalization of marijuana. The bill would also prioritize expunging records of past cannabis-related offenses and investing funds raised by cannabis legalization into communities disproportionately harmed by the failed War on Drugs.
Frankel and Krajewski have held several hearings on cannabis reform and have learned from states that have successfully legalized cannabis. They believe that it’s time for Pennsylvania to move forward and avoid falling behind other states.
The proposal has been met with support from some lawmakers, who argue that legalization would generate hundreds of millions of dollars in public revenue and provide sustainable business opportunities for local and diverse licensed operators. However, the bill still needs to be introduced and voted on in the upcoming legislative session.
In September, a different bipartisan pair of lawmakers introduced a bill to legalize cannabis in Pennsylvania, but it has not been brought up for a vote. This new proposal marks a significant step forward in the effort to legalize recreational marijuana in the state.
