Liquor stores start selling cannabis?

Pennsylvania lawmakers have developed three distinct proposals to achieve multiple goals: legalizing recreational cannabis, providing social justice for those with minor cannabis convictions, and maximizing the economic benefits of a billion-dollar industry. Their innovative plans will address diverse needs and goals while paving the way for a more just and prosperous future.

In a landmark move, two co-sponsorship memos are currently making the rounds in both the House and Senate. The memos, supported by state Senator Marty Flynn of Lackawanna/Lehigh and State Representative David Delloso of Delaware, propose an ingenious idea – the sale of marijuana by state liquor stores, with strict age restrictions to ensure it is only possessed by and by Used by adults 21 years and older. Additionally, the proposals would allow Pennsylvanians to grow and process up to six marijuana plants for personal use, encouraging self-sufficiency and personal responsibility.

By requiring all marijuana sales to go through the state system, the Commonwealth would secure a monopoly on both spirits and cannabis sales, while encouraging the use of unionism. Campaign finance records show that both Delloso and Flynn enjoy strong union support, making their proposals a step toward promoting greater economic justice and workers’ rights in Pennsylvania.

State Representatives Donna Bullock, D-Philadelphia, and Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, have prepared a new memo that takes a different approach to selling within the state’s liquor system. Instead, her proposal focuses on achieving five key goals: protecting consumers, promoting social justice, promoting economic justice, preventing drug abuse and generating revenue.

Frankel and Bullock believe it’s time to take a fresh look at the regulation and taxation of this important agricultural commodity, with the ultimate goal of improving the health and general well-being of the people of Pennsylvania. The common thread throughout all three memos is a strong emphasis on promoting social justice. Although Frankel and Bullock’s memo provides less specific legislative detail, the memos authored by Delloso and Flynn both call for the deletion of minor marijuana-related offenses.

Legalization of cannabis in Pennsylvania

Since medical cannabis was legalized in 2018, medical marijuana sales in Pennsylvania have hit a staggering $6.3 billion in November. In the 12 months leading up to October, dispensaries alone generated about $1.4 billion in sales, according to data from the State Medical Marijuana Advisory Board. With 423,443 active certified patients, medical marijuana demand in Pennsylvania shows no signs of slowing down.

Pennsylvania growers and processors are subject to a 5% gross income tax on their sales to pharmacies. Projected gross revenue for the upcoming fiscal year is estimated at $41.8 million, according to the current state budget. Patients do not have to pay sales tax on their medical marijuana purchases.

In 2018, Eugene DePasquale, the former auditor general, conducted an analysis that estimated the size of Pennsylvania’s potential recreational marijuana industry at $1.66 billion. Fast-forward to the 2021 budget hearings, where Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office director Matthew Knittel predicted that legalizing recreational marijuana could bring the state between $500 million and $700 million in tax revenue.

Although adult-use marijuana is now legal in 21 states, including Pennsylvania’s neighboring states such as New Jersey, Maryland, and New York, it remains illegal under federal law. At a state Senate hearing on legalization last year, two industry experts estimated that Pennsylvania’s illicit marijuana trade was running at a staggering $3 billion to $4 billion a year. Despite the dissemination of the three memos, there is still no formal legislative proposal.

The bill established that the legal age to use marijuana would be 21 and outlined various regulations governing production, sale, possession and criminal records. Notably, the bill was not intended to change impaired driving laws. However, attempts have been made to ensure workers are protected by banning their dismissal for testing positive for drugs in non-intoxicating quantities. Despite being referred to the House Liquor Control Committee, the bill ultimately stalled for session.

When the Republican Party was in the majority, the prospects for legalization were fairly limited. However, with Democrats now having broader support for the cause, the possibility of a pro-marijuana bill passing the House isn’t entirely far-fetched, though votes aren’t guaranteed. Unfortunately, even if such a bill were to succeed in the House of Representatives, given the clear Republican opposition on the issue, the chances of it passing in the Senate remain pretty slim.

Redesign of the medical program.

A bipartisan effort by two state senators aims to implement significant changes that would expand the scope of those eligible for a Pennsylvania medical marijuana card. Currently, the law only allows a limited number of doctors and patients to participate. Physicians must complete a four-hour training course and register with the state before they can approve patients. Only people with one of the 23 approved medical conditions are also eligible for a medical marijuana card.

According to state senators James Brewster (D., Allegheny) and Mike Regan (R., York), elected officials and bureaucrats are not best placed to determine what ailments justify medical marijuana use. Therefore, her proposal aims to give any doctor authorized to prescribe controlled substances the autonomy to decide whether a patient can benefit from cannabis use.

The proposal that the two state senators put forward would eliminate the requirement to renew the medical marijuana card that is currently required by the state. The annual cost to renew a card is $50, with certain financial hardship programs, such as Medicaid, being exempt from the fee under department regulations.

Diploma

Pennsylvania’s approach to medical and recreational marijuana use continues to evolve, with proposed legislative changes aimed at expanding eligibility for medical marijuana use and legalizing recreational use.

Although advances have been made, such as For example, legalizing the sale of medical marijuana in 2018, the issue remains politically contentious, with opposition from Republican lawmakers and concerns about the impact of legalization on public health and safety.

Despite this, there is growing support for changes to existing laws, with experts predicting significant economic benefits if recreational use is legalized. As the debate over legalizing marijuana continues in Pennsylvania, it remains to be seen what the future holds for the state’s approach to cannabis regulation.

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