Pennsylvania Legislators Reveal Adult Legalization of Cannabis Law |

Two Pennsylvania state lawmakers enacted law Tuesday that would legalize recreational cannabis for adults and create a regulated market for adult marijuana. Legislation by Democratic Reps Jake Wheatley and Dan Frankel, House Bill 2050, also includes social justice provisions to encourage participation in the legal cannabis industry by members of communities disproportionately affected by the war on drugs.

“I’m backing up efforts to legalize recreational marijuana for adults in Pennsylvania. We have heard from residents across the state and the overwhelming majority agree that it is time to get this initiative off the ground, “Wheatley said in a joint statement on Tuesday. “Not only would it create jobs and generate much-needed revenue, but it also contains important social justice provisions that would prevent the aggressive enforcement of simple marijuana possession laws in marginalized communities.”

House Bill 2050, which shares the title of a 2020 cannabis legalization bill that did not get the backing of GOP-led legislation, would decriminalize, regulate, and tax the use of recreational marijuana by adults, thereby reducing the purchase for Becomes legal for people aged 21 and over. The legislation would also set up several grant programs, funded by cannabis tax revenues, that would benefit small, minority, and women’s businesses in Pennsylvania. Frankel said such measures were necessary to combat the damage caused by the decades-long cannabis ban.

“The failed cannabis policy of the past has led to the worst of all possible worlds: inadequate public health protection, aggressive enforcement that disproportionately harms colored communities, and no revenue for this community,” said Frankel, who is the Democratic chairman of the House’s health committee. “With this legislation Pennsylvania can begin to repair the historical damage and take advantage of a fact-based approach to regulating the cultivation, trade and use of cannabis for adults over the age of 21.”

The legislation would also establish a regulatory process for cannabis growers, processors and retailers, and impose a 10 percent tax on wholesale transactions. Licensing fees for cannabis companies are based on gross revenues, with larger companies paying higher fees. Consumers pay a retail tax of six percent for the first two years, which increases to 12 percent over the next two years and then to 19 percent.

Democratic leaders signal support for legalization

The 2050 House Bill is already gaining the support of the Democratic leaders of Pennsylvania, including the Lieutenant Governor and the state attorney general, for calling for the records of those with previous marijuana convictions to be cleared through the provisions of the Cannabis Clean Slate Bill.

“NY legalized marijuana. NJ has legalized marijuana. It’s time for PA to join our neighbors and legalize marijuana, “Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro tweeted Tuesday morning. “But let me be clear: we must also delete the records of those who are serving their sentences for non-violent marijuana convictions – and that is non-negotiable.”

In February, Philadelphia Democratic Senator Sharif Street from Pennsylvania and Republican Dan Laughlin, a Republican from Erie, announced they would support bipartisan legislation to legalize adult cannabis in the state. However, you have not yet introduced a bill to the legislature.

Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman, who has been a vocal advocate of cannabis reform for years and now represents Keystone State in the U.S. Senate, says it is time for more Republican lawmakers to support cannabis legalization.

“Pennsylvania wants this; Pennsylvania needs this for a number of reasons. I always tell people that the most important thing is that the ban is so much more work than just admitting you’ve developed yourself with marijuana, ”Fetterman said in a phone interview with the High Times. “And let’s just make it legal across all parties, because the majority of their voters want it too.”

“I love every time a new bill comes up,” he added, referring to the House Act 2050. “Right now we have a Republican sponsor in the Senate, and it depends when the Republicans recognize that the time for legal weed in Pennsylvania is right. “