Secretary of Pennsylvania’s Department of Agriculture, John A. Sullivan, says he is “excited” by the idea of his agency regulating an adult-use cannabis market as proposed by the Governor. He said that Pennsylvania is in a unique position to benefit from the reform because its farmers are “really skilled at growing things.”
On Thursday, during a hearing in front of the House Appropriations Committee, members pressed Agriculture Sec. Russell Redding about the plan that his department would take over regulatory control for the industry as part of a proposal by Gov. Josh Shapiro (D).
Redding stated that officials are “very early in these conversations but we take a vote of confidence in the work we’ve done in terms of plant, animal and food experience with regulation – and all of that is transferrable.”
It’s rare that you get to introduce a brand new crop. “We see this as a chance for economic growth in Pennsylvania,” said he. “We are really good at growing stuff. Here is a growing crop. “All of that can be transferred.”
He added, “We believe there is an opportunity to both invest in these farms and farm communities.” “We’re very excited and it is a great moment,” he said.
The secretary said that it would take “a significant amount of time, people and space” to get this done in time. But, he added, “we can make that happen.”
“I am excited about it. “I don’t wish to lose any economic opportunities for Pennsylvania agriculture,” said he.
The conversation about the Department’s involvement in marijuana regulation is mostly hypothetical at this point, as it is based on a recent budget proposal by the Governor that calls for the legalization of marijuana to begin in July this year, and sales in 2025.
It remains to be seen if lawmakers will prioritise the reform, and introduce and enact legislation in that timeframe.
The agriculture secretary is confident, however, that the state can create a legal market with the lessons learned in regulating hemp and from neighboring states who have already legalized the drug.
Redding stated that having his department lead the regulatory process is “a really important public message, by the way. It shows the level of confidence.” “I appreciate that the governor has called attention to this as a possible cash crop for Ag. By the way, no other state has ever done that. “I think it’s really important that we have a differentiator here, that you can set an expectation as to where the opportunities are.”
The Governor, on the other hand, stated earlier this month that the officials of the state ‘don’t have a choice any more’ in legalizing marijuana. He also believes that there is a bipartisan momentum which lawmakers should use to accomplish the task.
Shapiro stated that the legalization of marijuana in neighboring states like Ohio in recent years is a matter of “competitiveness” as the state “loses out on $250 million dollars a year that could be used for economic development, education or anything else.”
An employee in Shapiro’s office also commented on the necessity to legalize cannabis after Ohio voters passed the reform last November.
Pennsylvania legislators convened a second hearing this month on marijuana legalization, focusing on the perspective of industry, with numerous stakeholders from cannabis-growing, dispensing, and testing businesses as well as clinical-registrants testifying.
At the start of that hearing, Rep. Dan Frankel, (D), Chair of the full Health Committee, who had previously sponsored cannabis legalization, stated, “My personal goals have always been to put the health and safety our constituents and allow for equitable opportunities and meaningful experiences, especially for those who were harmed by war on drugs.”
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The members of the subcommittee heard testimony from experts and asked questions regarding various aspects of marijuana oversight. These included promoting social equality and business opportunities, lab testing, and public or private operation of an industry that is legal in each state.
Frankel, during the first panel meeting held late last year said that he was considering state-run shops for Pennsylvania. This is similar to what New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu recommended. Chris Sununu made a recommendation for the state last year . However, a state commission later rejected that plan.
John Fetterman, a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania (D), also complained recently that Pennsylvania was being “lapped”, on marijuana policy while other states in the area legalized it.
Pennsylvania legislators recently introduced a pair bills that would prohibit police from charging medical marijuana patients with impaired driving even without proof of intoxication.
A Republican State Senator also said he would introduce legislation soon that would eliminate barriers under state laws to medical marijuana patients who carry firearms.
The governor signed into law a bill in December that allows all licensed medical marijuana grower/processors to act as retailers, and sell their cannabis directly to patients. Independent dispensaries can also begin cultivating marijuana.
A recent poll found that approximately two thirds of Pennsylvania voters support marijuana legalization.
Congresswoman: Marijuana Rescheduling Could Delay Full Federal Legalization ‘By Another 50 Years’
Photo by Mike Latimer.
The post Pennsylvania’s Agriculture Secretary is ‘Excited” to Regulate Marijuana under Governor’s Plan and Says State Is “Really Good at Growing Things” first appeared on Marijuana moment.
