Bipartisan legislation that would make Pennsylvania the 25th state to legalize recreational marijuana will soon be unveiled.
Filed by State Representatives Emily Kinkead and Aaron Kaufer, House Bill 2500 would establish a legal framework for the recreational sale of marijuana, prioritizing licensing for disadvantaged groups. It also seeks to expunge past criminal charges related to marijuana distribution.
“We know across the board that having marijuana be illegal has done only harm in our communities,” Kinkead told WESA, a local NPR affiliate. “And we’re recognizing that it has medicinal properties, [and] the world has not ended in all the states that have legalized it recreationally.”
“Pennsylvania should be capitalizing on the revenue and also addressing the harms that we have done through our criminal justice system,” she added.
In a memo circulated by the pair of lawmakers seeking to gain support from other House members, they argue that the time is right for Pennsylvania to legalize recreational marijuana use. They point out that while Pennsylvania has a robust medical marijuana program, many neighboring states have already legalized recreational use. “One of the most recent [to do so], Ohio, is primed to open their market with the lion’s share of their licenses perched on the border of Pennsylvania as they seek to capture Pennsylvania dollars into their market,” they note.
Kaufer stated, “By prioritizing public safety and consumer protection, this legislation will build on the successful regulatory structure of the state’s medical cannabis program.”
Governor Josh Shapiro included marijuana legalization and its potential tax revenue in his budget proposal. While legalization is broadly popular among voters, it faces resistance in the state Senate.
When formally introduced later this month, the bill will be designated House Bill 2500. It will join other similar efforts, such as House Bill 2210 and Senate Bill 846, both currently stalled in committees.
