Governor Josh Shapiro has confirmed that his upcoming budget proposal will include a plan to legalize recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania.
This announcement follows the announcement earlier this month of a bipartisan bill being filed by State Representatives Rick Krajewski and Dan Frankel, aimed at establishing a legal, taxed and regulated marketplace for marijuana for everyone 21 and older. The governor has emphasized the potential economic benefits, projecting $41 million in tax revenue during the first year and nearly $300 million annually once the industry matures.
The legalization debate has gained momentum in Pennsylvania, with increasing pressure to align with the 24 states that have already legalized adult-use marijuana. The newly introduced legislation by Krajewski and Frankel incorporates provisions for expungement of past marijuana convictions and community reinvestment.
Governor Shapiro’s proposal builds on Pennsylvania’s experience with medical marijuana, which has generated over $7 billion in sales since its legalization in 2016.
Under current Pennsylvania law, possessing up to 30 grams of marijuana is a potential misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail. The potential jail sentence increases to 12 months if possessing over 30 grams.
