A group of 27 state lawmakers in Pennsylvania filed legislation today that would legalize marijuana for adult use, including establishing a regulated market for licensed sales and expunging certain past convictions.
House Bill 1200 would allow adults 21 and older to purchase marijuana products through state-licensed retailers overseen by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. The bill creates a statewide system of “Pennsylvania Cannabis Stores,” similar to the state’s liquor model, and tasks the Department of Agriculture and Department of Revenue with implementing and regulating the program.
The legislation includes strong provisions for social and economic equity, including support for individuals and communities disproportionately impacted by marijuana criminalization. It also mandates automatic expungement of non-violent marijuana convictions and removes certain civil and criminal penalties for legal cannabis activity.
Taxes from marijuana sales would be deposited into three separate funds: the Cannabis Revenue Fund, the Communities Reimagined and Reinvestment Restricted Account, and the Substance Use Disorder Prevention, Treatment and Education Restricted Account.
HB 1200 also establishes rules around advertising, labeling, product testing, and recordkeeping, and includes authority to issue bonds to support implementation.
The proposal has been referred to the House Health Committee. Rep. Dan Frankel, one of the bill’s sponsors, is chair of the committee.
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