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Democrats in Pennsylvania are making another attempt to legalize cannabis through new legislation spearheaded by state Representatives Dan Frankel from Allegheny County and Rick Krajewski from Philadelphia. They are currently seeking co-sponsors for their proposal, marking the latest effort in a series of attempts over recent years to address cannabis legalization in the state.
The proposed legislation aims to expunge criminal records for individuals with past cannabis-related offenses, reinvest funds into communities disproportionately impacted by drug policies, and implement safeguards to prevent predatory marketing and accidental exposure to children. The bill also seeks to set reasonable limits on marijuana potency and create business opportunities within Pennsylvania’s growing cannabis sector.
Krajewski, who chairs the House Health Subcommittee on Health Care, has conducted five hearings to study marijuana programs in other states. The hearings examined the benefits, challenges, and lessons learned from those initiatives. Reflecting on these sessions, Krajewski noted that they included insights from public health professionals, advocates for criminal justice reform, and proponents of social equity.
“We’ve gathered knowledge from experts and observed successes across the country,” Krajewski stated. “Now is the time for Pennsylvania to act, ensuring we don’t fall further behind while creating an opportunity to generate substantial public revenue.”
Recreational cannabis is already legal in 24 other states, including nearly all of Pennsylvania’s neighbors. Public opinion polls indicate widespread bipartisan support among Pennsylvanians for marijuana decriminalization, reflecting the growing demand for change.
Frankel highlighted the adverse effects of marijuana criminalization, particularly in minority communities. He underscored the need to not only legalize cannabis but also to address the longstanding harm caused by prior enforcement policies.
Frankel pointed to challenges faced by other states, such as regulatory shortcomings and legal disputes involving out-of-state marijuana companies, as lessons for Pennsylvania to avoid. “Our proposal is designed to benefit taxpayers, prioritize public health, and uplift communities disproportionately affected by prohibition,” Frankel explained.
Some elements of the proposed legislation align with initiatives previously outlined by Governor Josh Shapiro. Earlier this year, Shapiro included cannabis legalization as part of the state’s executive budget measure, envisioning it as a significant source of new revenue for the state. Although the legislature did not approve the initiative at the time, Shapiro’s administration has projected that a regulated cannabis market could generate $250 million annually. His proposal also called for expunging marijuana-related criminal records and allocating $5 million toward restorative justice programs.
The cannabis industry and its leading players like Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NASDAQ: ACB) (TSX: ACB) will be following the developments in Pennsylvania to see whether it becomes the latest U.S. state to enact cannabis policy reform.
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