A group of six Pennsylvania lawmakers introduced House Bill 1107 today, a measure that would establish a regulated adult-use cannabis farmer-grower program in anticipation of marijuana legalization.
Filed by State Representatives Melissa Shusterman, Ben Sanchez, Tarah Probst, Danilo Burgos, Melissa Cerrato and Dan Williams, all Democrats, HB 1107 would create the Adult-use Cannabis Program within the Department of Health. The legislation, which has been referred to the House Health Committee, lays the groundwork for a licensing system for small-scale growers—referred to as farmer-growers—who would be allowed to cultivate, process, and sell marijuana to licensed processors under strict regulations.
Farmer-growers would need to obtain a permit from the Department of Health, and would be limited to operating indoor facilities no larger than 10 acres. Each site must meet strict security, tracking, and reporting requirements. Permits would cost $2,500 annually, with the same amount charged for applications and renewals.
The bill also outlines how adult-use marijuana can be grown, tracked, transported, and taxed. A 1% tax on gross receipts would apply to sales from farmer-growers to processors, and a state-run inventory tracking system would be required to monitor the flow of marijuana plants and products. Farmer-growers would be subject to routine inspections and required to notify law enforcement of any product loss or theft.
Importantly, HB 1107 would only take effect once Pennsylvania officially legalizes adult-use marijuana. Upon enactment of a legalization law, the Secretary of the Commonwealth would be required to publish a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin to trigger implementation.
Under the bill, the number of farmer-grower permits would be initially capped by the Department of Health, and no person could hold more than one permit. The advisory board overseeing Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program would be tasked with reviewing and recommending any changes to the number of farmer-grower licenses issued.
Supporters say the bill is designed to give Pennsylvania farmers and small businesses a chance to participate in a future adult-use cannabis market, while ensuring strict oversight.
